WANGANUI ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 803, 28 April 1910, Page 3

WANGANUI ITEMS.

PROPOSED NEW INDUSTRIAL

district. Illy Teieijraph.—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, April 2 At the annua] meeting, of. the Wanganui Employers' Association last night, Mr. Lloyd Jones (president) and Mr. John Joites (vice-president) . were both re-olectcd. The report dealing with the association's operations throughout the year was adopted. In regard to the proposal to separate Wanganui from the Wellington industrial district, the report stated that it would be very desirable, as at present Wanganui was frequently involved in Wellington disputes, though having no interest in them. A letter was received from the Hawke's Bay Association on the same matter as regards that'district, and members' unanimously supported tlie idea of separation. A committee was sfft up to go into the matter and fix boundaries for the suggested new district. The annual report of. the municipal gas works states that the profit for the. year was £2804, after payment of working expenses, interest, and sinking fund, in spite of the fact that several items which . were formerly paid for out of loan money were purchased out of revenue. These involved an outlay of £1328, in addition to which 10 per cent, increase in wages amounted to £235. r The business during the year showed an increase of 7} per cent. During the year six ■ miles of mains were laid, and another mile was already in hand, while another work to be started shortly is the gasworks wharf with an overhead- aerial tramway to convey coal from the ship's hold direct to the works, which are about 200 yards from the river. The tramways annual report shows a loss of £279 for the financial year just ended, or considerably less than the deficit on the first 12 months' working. Against this are spare parts in stock to a slightly greater amount. The engineer reports that all the gear and plant are in excellent order, and the.track is standing well, thougli requiring raising in places owing to soakage of storm water.' A new system of noirface drainage is now being applied ti> the track, which is expected to remove this difficulty. The Borough Council during the past year held 42 meetings, while 94 committee meetings .were held. The council lias lost no time in attending to the wants of the newlyamalgamated suburb of Aramoho, and already the engineer is ..preparing plans for drainage and water supply for that area. The Survey Department' has also been asked to fix the standard survey marks there, as. well-as "to readjust those-in Wanganui, which have been considerably displaced and knocked about. ;. The parishioners of Christ' Church have decided to have a private Bill prepared next' session of Parliament empowering the .leasing- of half the Wanganui Church acre. A local bricklayer ■ to-day was charged with failing to send the Labour Department notice of the erection , of. scaffolding of greater height than 16feet. Defendant pleaded that it was only a trifling breach,. hut the'' magistrate,.. remarking that the laws were meant 1 to be obeyed; fined Jiim 10s. -and costs. 75.. ; . ,