DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1796, 8 July 1913, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM ALL SOURCES. PALMERSTON NORTH. Tho Railway Department has decided on a purlin! improvement to tho railway station. In order to provide more room the "Wanganui Dock" is to bo abolished by removing tho lino and extending tlio platform out to tho fence. Tho new improvement, it is understood, will bo given effect to almost immediately. At tho Borough Council meeting on Friday evening Councillor Dennett moved, in accordance with his notice of motion, that tho council enter into negotiations with tho Public Trustee with u view of securing tho native reserve in North Street as a public park. In speuking to tho motion, Councillor Bennett said it was their duty to muko provision for the "unborn millions" that were to follow in Palmerston, It was possiblo to get 15 acres, remarked tho Mayor, and the council unanimously agreed to tho motion. The death occurred on Thursday evening of Mrs. Siggs, of Broad Street, wife of Mr. J. H. Siggs, an old resident of Palmerston North, at tho ago of G9. Deceased was born in New Plymouth, and had lived in Palmerston North for the past ten years, and leaves hor husband, ono son (Mr. P. R, Siggs, of Palmerston North), and two daughters (Mesdomes Lawson, of Feilding, and Barton, of Gisborne). NAPIER. Tho trees donated recently by tho Thirty Thousand Club to tlio Napier South Town Board have nearly all been planted, ami aro evidently appreciated by the residents, as eomo of them have asked tho board's permission to plant trees themselves. Tho permission was readily given. Shortly aftor two o'clock on, FridaT afternoon a firo broke out at tho Drill Hall. Somo members of tho perma-ncnt staff had evidently left a gas burnar alight and this was tho causo of tlio outbreak. The brigade was 'promptly on thio scene, and extinguished tho flames before any extensive damago was done, though t»e hall was left in a rather bad stato through the water. Tho hall is insured in tho National Offico for .£llsO. Tho .damage is estimated at .£IOO. WANGANUI. An improvement has been made in tho method of discharging cargo at tho town wharf whereby tho work is considerably facilitated and made easier for tlio men. On the wharf a raised platform, somo eight leet square, and level with the lloor of the goods-shed, is placed. Connected with tho platform and the shed is u. race, along which tho goods aro run on specially-constructed trollies. The goods aro landed on tho trollies intact, and easily run into the shed, whero tho sorting is now dono. The now system has been in operation a week, and has given ♦very satisfaction, says tho "Chronicle." It is proposed to instal a similar plant at another part of the shed before long. Recently tho Wanganui police decided to take action against cyclists who persist in riding through the main streets of <io town at night without a light on their machines. On Friday evening, nt tho Avonue and Guyton Street junction, between 5 and G o'clock, about 10 names and addresses were taken by the policeman. Most of tho delinquents, seeing a crowd collected, of course" rodo up to see what was tho matter, and having no light, wero immediately asked for their names and addresses.

Taking time by tho forelock, the WaTijrnnr.i Harbour Board has cabled its engineer, Mr. C. H. Howarth, who is at present in England, authorising him to make arrangements so that if tho Harbour Empowering Bill, passed through Parliament, an order for a now and powerful dredge may bo. cabled for at once, and the board would then know what it was getting. . MASTERTON. At the last meeting of the Wairarrapa Hospital amd Charitable Aid Board, tlio question of tlje appointment of a chairmail for the. ensuing year was raised. Mr. W. Fisher contended that, as Mr. E. G. Eton had been, elected two]™ months ago, and as the Act provides tint tho chairman shall bo elected for two years, an electa! could aot tabo place. Other memb&a maintained that, as tho foat of Mr. Eton on tho board had beooxno vacant by effluxion of time, and as ho had been, compelled to seek re-election, hns occupancy of tho cliair must cease. Eventually it was decided to tako tho opinion of tho board's solicitor oh the subject, and Mr. Eton was electa! chairman, for tho ono mooting. Dr. Trimble (solicitor) has now advised tho beard that, as tho Act provides that a sitting member shall occupy his seat until his sucoessor is appointed, and as Mr. Eton, tine chairman was elected without opposition, thero has been a continuity of office. Consequently, ho retains his position as chairman of the board for another year. The Mutual meeting of tho Masberton Collie Club was held on Saturday night, when tho report and balance-sheet, which, were of a satisfactory character, were adopted. . Tho following oflicers vieno elected President, Mr. H. H. Beetlram; vice-presidents, Sir Walter Buchanan, M.P., Messrs. G. R. Sykcs, M.P., I). Guild, R. E. R- Bootliam, M. G. Williams, J. T. Perry, Hugh Morrison, Joseph Morris, Walter Cameron, R. Gray, T. W. M'Kenzio. J. Strang. C. Bennett., Bland R-ayner, W. 11. Beet,ham, 0. W. BuchtiMii; treasurer, Mr. G. C. Summerelli secretary, Mr. D. Hel>ontoni oommittee, M<vsrs, W. Armstroing, J. Cook, E. A. Henderson, R. Liverton, J. Morris, A. M'Lay, Bland Rayner, .T. Thomas, A. Wilfoughbv, W. Cameron, A. A. Cameron, J. Tarbott, R-. Cameron, J. Soott, A. Chambers, R- Handler. News hias boon received of the sudden death in Sydney of Mr. W. G. Clapn, a former resident of this town.

The ornamental knobs on the Masterton Post Office, ono of which was dislodged in a rccent enrtkquake, killing a Maori, have been removed. There is a keen demand for seed potatoes in this district just now, and it is expected that a fairly large area will be put down in tubers this season. A largo area is being sown with rapo and turnip' in the Ono tiki district.