PALMERSTON NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 883, 1 August 1910, Page 11

PALMERSTON NEWS.

BOROUGH LOAN PROPOSALS. (By Tqlcgrapn-Bpecial Correspondent.) The Palmorston Borough Council has decided to approach the ratepayers with the object of raising three loans, amounting in the aggregate to £17,600. This amount is divided into: £10,600 for the erection of a destructor; £5000 for a now public library; and £2000 for swimming baths. Tho question of a new library ha-s been agitating the public mind for years. About four years ago the council applied to Mr. Carnegie.for a grant of £10,000, with which it was proposed to erect an ornate library, and it was seriously suggested to erect the building in ono .of tho divisions of tho Square. Elaborate plans wero forwardod with the application for the money, but Mr. Caniegio replied that he was not giving his money away to be spent on ornamentation. He advised tho council to reduce its plans to provide a substantial building for tile purposo desired, and he would consider the matter. The question was allowed to drop for some time, but about a year ago another application was sent to Mr. Carnegie, but no reply has been received, and tho council lias now decided to proceed independently, provided the ratepayers will find the money. Some time ago a poll of tho ratepayers was taken on the question of raising a sum to alter tho present building, but this was thrown out on tho ground that tho present site is unsuitable. It is proposed now to erect the now library in Coleman Place, where the Fire Brigade Station now stands. :

The question of swimming baths has also been before the public for sonic years, but in the present state of mind of the ratepayers it.is' doubtful whether a loan will be carried for what most people look upon as a luxury. The proposal to erect a destructor is now, and as the destructor is expected to be self-supporting, it is probablo the ratepayers will consent to the loan;

A. deputation of ratepayers waited on the Mayor on Saturday morning in connection with the meeting to be held to-night to consider what steps shall be taken to protect a portion of the town from tho inroads of the Manawatu River. The deputation, for whom Mr. R. S. Abraham was spokesman, suggested that a committee of practical men who had had experienco in river works should confer with the Jouncil on this important matter. Tho Mayor, in reply, said that so far as lie was personally concerned, and 'so far as he knew the feeling of the council, ho saw no objection whatever to the course suggested. ; The council's one anxiety was to do what was best in tho interests of the. town. It is therefore probablo that at the meeting on Monday night such a committee will he set up.

At the Police Court to-day, before) Mr. A. D. Thompson, S.M., a youth named Robert Todd was fined £6, for having. used obscene languago to the proprietors' of a restaurant in Main Street. The young fellow, who is a flaxinill hand, went into the restaurant and asked for meals for himself and his mates, but as ho'had no money, met with a refusal, arid used the language complained of. ' The magistrate said the language used was so disgusting that .had it not been for Todd's youth ho would'not havo hesitated to havo sent him to gaol.

Mr. John Harris, of Fitzhorbert West, a settler. of nearly forty years' standing, died this morning, after a long and painful illness. The deceased gentleman was 59 years old.. Before coming to. this district'he was engaged as a cbach-driver on tho lato Mr. Andrew Young's mail coaches, which ran. botween. Paekakariki and the Rangitikei. He was a very successful- farmer. Ho loaves a wife and family of three sbns-rMr. : . William .J, Harris (Fitzhorbert West}, Mr. Fred Harris (Maharahara), and Mr. Frank Harris (Fitzherbert West)—and- three daughters—Mrs. C. Grove >RotoruaV Mis. W. J. B. Jolly (Palmerston North), and Mrs. Kilford (Dannevirke).