PALMERSTON NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 3

PALMERSTON NEWS.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Al. the annual meeting of the Paimerston Chamber of ('nimu'W «m Monday evening the retiring chairman (Mr. M. A. Eliott) said thai, business during the. year had been, good, and the growing recognition of Palmersion's valnu as a. distributing centre had been evidenced by the erection of several additional large warehouses. Laud values were increasing with steadiness, and, apart from the temporary effect of the. strike, money war, easier than it had been last year. There was no difficulty in financing any sound and legitimate undertaking, though lower rates of interest were scarcely Jikcly. 'J ho staple exports were all 'selling at higher prices, and the prosperity of the producers had been reflected on local commerce. Frozen meat was realising higher prices than ever before. The removal of the American tariff would probably depreciate the value of liner wools such as li'omuey, which was formerly in such keen demand by America, and increase the prices of coarser crossbreds and Lincolns. it was still uncertain whether our wool would enter America direct or as tops from Bradford, Tli!) meat trade to Vancouver and San Francisco promised to expand further. Tlio following council was elected:—Mr. V. J. Nathan, president; Captain Precce, vice-president,; Mr. J. A. Nash, treasurer: committee, Messrs. J. M. Johnston. T.' J. Ilodgcrs, 31. A. Eliott, T. R. Rodder, B. S. Abraham, L. H. Collinsons, G. H, Iknnett, H. L. Young, F. J. Tasker, and E. f;. Broad.

An interesting judgment affecting liability for the action of a. minor was delivered by Mr. J'o.vntoii, S.M., on Tuesday. The. ease, was one in which Carian, an infant, secured the services of .Mr. Kait. veterinarian, for a. cab horse, hired from a Mr. Eliott, without consulting the owner. The magistrate said that the evidence- did not show that the owner was afterwards satisfied with this action, and in such circumstances an infant was not liable for the debt even though setting a living by the horse. Not being liable, could he act as agent for tlm owner? Authorities showed that, infancy was not a bar to his. doing so, but attention to the injured animal in the absence of notification would not make the. owner liable. Judgment was for defendants. A claim for wages, or £84 damages for iion-oiiiploy.'iient, was brought by Hernard J. Weger against Herman awl Weger Manufacturing' Co., and resultod in a verdict for defendants. Security for appeal was fixed. Fewer new dwellings and more shops have been erected in Palmcrston during the past year than during the year preceding. New dwellings reached the. value of £M.,<M, as against £37.8.'U for the previous year, and new shops £53,441, as against £".674. Palmerston's railway revenue last year, stated Sir. Kliott at the annual meeting of the I'almerston Chamber of Commerce., exceeded that of Wangamii by £1500. though for the previous year Wanganui's revenue exceeded l'almorston's by £2200. I'almerston stood fifth in the Dominion.

Mr. W. B. M'Kwpii, public librarian at. Duncdiu,. has boon, engaged for tho hist few days packing Mr. liobert M'Nab's books for conveyance to his Dunedin Library. Thcro are seventeen eases, and ho says that some of tlic books are worth their weight in gold. The art exhibits which tiro Technical School has sent for the Department's display at Auckland Exhibition number 26. ; At the Starr-Bowkett Society's draws on Tuesday.' Air. (i. Woodroofc secured £30U froc : <if interest, and Mr. C. E. Bernard, of Auckland, £2TO. At the Manawatu-Motor Cycle Club's annual sports in"January, four event:; will bo for cash prizes of £1.0- each for tin; tirst man, and the reniaindrr for trophies;' A'wotor-eiti- rare will be conducted, in pairs,'the results being decided by time. There, will also "be a challenge match between two club members for £20 aside. Tho Manawatu Amateur Athletic Club on Tuesday decided to accept tliu New Zealand Council's special ofier respecting a visit of the American athletes. The council offers to pay the teani'a travelling and hotel expenses, the local club contributing £25 U> the expenses of the tour. Subscription lists will he issued he-re to raise the amount. The date allotted is January 7.

The dangerous, character of tho tortuous highway along the Manawaiu Gorge was tho subject of representation!; from the Hawke's Bay Automobile Association to County Council on Wednesday. The association's letter stated a .number of representations had been received regarding tho dangers incurred by motorists. Tho last complaint was to t'lio ecct that, on the day of tho Dnmievirke races ono motorist, while standing stationary, close in on tire proper side of the road, was run into, and his ear disabled by another motorist. Ho then got into the other motor, and while going through the rest of the Gorge was ■run into twice by other motors. The report, continued: "There are an increasing number of complaints as to the dangers incurred by careful motorists through tho reckless or negligent- driving oi others, and there is a fear that some steps may bo taken towards haying this road closed against motor traffic in the same way that oerlain roads m the South Island have beer closed. A number of suggestions have been made as to precautionary measures, tint 'he only effectual one so far is that a toll bar s'hould be established at eacii cud of the Gorge. It is proposed that thereshould then he alternate hours for going lip and coming down, and that there should he a charge of something like 2s. (id. for eacli motorist going through, the one feo'to pay the passage up-and down if both take place on the same day. No doubt the arrangement as to hours would cause some annoyance at first, but verv soon travellers would tail m with tho arrangement, and it. seems one likely to ensure perfect safety, at all events to careful drivers. The road through the Gorge is under the charge of three local bodies, and it is proposed to approcdi all these bodies Jor the purpose of giving effect to the general wish." Consideration was deferred. I'alnicrston received over a thousand bags of sugar from Wellington yesterday. . .„. ~, ~ Tho Palmerstoii Homing I'igeoii Lino s race- from Auckland on Wednesday (distance, '-'19 miles) was won by Mr. I . rjimcaff's nomination. The time was G hours i) 8 minutes. H. Smmi. was second, the time being 8 hours I ntimite. Mr. .1. liHtfgins was yesterday elected chairman of the slnk<ira Drainage Hoard, Jlr. 11. Fowler chairman of t-.ic Kiwitea County Council, and air. »- Ijiirrcll chairman of tho Orcua County Council. . While driving with ins father m a milk cart at Sandoii Block, a little l».\, son of Mr. Peter M'Lcnnan, was thrown out through, the horso bolting. Jho wheel passed over the little hoys body, breaking his leg and injmmg Ins heao. The bny was conveyed to the Palmerstoii Hospital. „, , , , , The Arts and Crafts Club concluded its scasion on Wednesday with an .athome" at tho Technical Schoolroom. A verv pleasant evening was passed. The Masonic Lodges' annual picnic to children was hold on Wednesday cuming, and was largely .•illonckd by children and parents, who passed a very (;i>iiivuMi> time. - , „ Mr. Mark Cohen, editor oi lire Uuncdiu "Star," has been visiting Palmcrslon in connection witlr'thu removal oi Mr. M'Nab's librarv to Dniiodiii. Mr. Soiling, chief clerk at the Palmerstoii Posi, Oflire, has been pr-aiimlcd to a higher position at Thames. Mr. ■ W. M'Niclile. postmaster at Bulls, i-.uc-cceds him.