DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2359, 15 January 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents.) WANCANUI. , ' The Gonville-Castlecliff Tramway board's earnings last month were £475 165., being £23 more than for December, 1913.-". The board made.a,profit of '£100 on the month's working. The abnormally dry season has had a decided effect on the town's water, supply, and the Borough Council was informed by its engineer last evening that the level in the reservoir was now four feet below normal. The position was £uch a few days ago that the council prohibited all garden hosing, but. has now decided to allow for a short term one hour's hosing per day. Several good" showers have fallen during the past week. During December the Borough Council issued building permits of the total .value of £5520. The outbreak of the war five months ago caused the Borough Council to defer consideration of the proposed loan of £55,000 for general purposes, but last month it was decided by a narrow majority that conditions had become settled enough to justify the loan being submitted to the ratepayers. 'The party of caution was not, however, satisfied. and last evening made a determined effort to have the motion rescinded. They took a very pessimistic tone, and urged the necessity of going slow. The Mayor, as leader oi the "business as usual" party,-made a •vigorous speech in. favour oi faEing the advice of the Old Country's leaders, and going ahead as if there were no war, and lucidlj demonstrated the soundness of the proposals to be submitted to the ratepayers' verdict. On a division it was found "there were six on each side, and ■the Mayor gave his casting ifote in fayour of consulting ratepayers. MASTERTON. 'K five-roomed house near Masterton "owned by Mr. Edward Jones and occu pied by his son, Mr. Norman Jones was totally destroyed by fire this afternoon. The fire had been got undei control when the fire-engine broke down and the flames gained renewed possession. Most of the furniture was saved The building was insured, but for whal amount is not known. The furnitun was insured for £150 in the New Zealand Insurance Office. A successful sports gathering wai held at Langdale yesterday. A number oi Masterton athletes were among the com,petitors. PAHIATUA. The recent floods in the Mangatainoki 'River did some damage to the groynai erected near the borough bridge. A 1 the meeting of the Borough Counci this week it was decided to apply t< the Government for a grant of £10( towards strengthening the structure: which are _ erected to preserve the Is land Domain. The cost of repairing thi damage is estimated at £200. The Pahiatua Swimming Club de aided at its meeting this week to eleo as life-members of the institution al former members who volunteer and ar< accepted as members of the New Zea land' Expeditionary Forces. The annua swimming carnival will be held in th borough oaths on February 24. Haymaking is still proceeding in th Pahiatua district. The majority of th' crops, however, have already been hai vested in good condition. Generally th crops are lighter than those of last sea son, owing, it is stated, to the preva Jence of continuous wjnds and the dr; Bpring.