COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 164, 5 April 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS

CENTRES

MANAWATD

The Manawahi Labour . Represention Committee, has decided to suppor.t -the candidature of Mrs. Gill and Mr. A. \ . Stamp at the coining election lor members for the Palmcrston North Hospitul Board. A sensation caused in leading last week by the finding of a human skull in a sack under a fence has been allayed, it having been discovered that the skull was tho properly of a well-known citizen, who found it some years ago on the coast. . Returns of the Palmerston North Magistrate's Court for the quarter ended March 31 show that 304 plaints were issued, including 01 judgment summonses. A sum of MolS 10s. Od. was sued for the amount recovered being J3ISOI 2s.'3d. in the Criminal Court 197 summonses were issued, 85 arrests made, and 13 old-age and sixteen widows' pensions were granted. . Mr. Hewitt, S.M., has presented his finding on the apportionment of the cost of the proposed bridge over the Kangitikei River at Oneyuhi. He has decided that the Oroua County Council pay 50 per cent., the Rangitikei County Council 40 per cent., and the Marton Borough Council 10 per cent. No levy is made on the Kiwitea County Council.

It is apparent from the number of applications for enrolment that very keen interest is being taken in the licensing poll, to be held next Thursday. Since the by-election over 2000 applications for enrolment have been received by Mr. C. E. Shortt, the local registrar of electors, 'while about 1500 'names have been removed for various reasons. This leaves approximately 10,500 valid votes on the roll to be used on April 10. This exceeds any previous roll by at least 2000. The innovation of issuing absent voters' permits up to the night before tho poll is being availed of in a manner never kr»own before. Over 300 have already been applied for in Palmcrston North, and applications are still coming in. It is expected that the local poll will be announced shortly after 9 p.m. on polling Ttay. But unless there is an overwhelming majority in favour pf either issue it may be weeks before the final declaration can be ready, as the votes oj all soldiers abroad have to bo taken and transmitted to the Dominion.

For some time the, shunters and other employees who have to work at 'night at Palmerston North have had cause for complaint in connection with the inadequate lighting of the railway yards. The Minister was approached on the subject, and on February 1 wrote to the effect that difficulties in obtaining supplies precluded anything being done at that time. Further representations were made with the result that on February 12 the Minister again wrote to the effect that arrangements -were being made to shift two of the existing lights to more suitable positions, also to provide three extra lights. A start has been made with these improvements.

Next to its Square, Palmerston North prides itself on its Esplanade, and this just now is looking at its best, and is very much admired by visitors, but it is not used to the extent it should be by residents, many of whoin know little or nothing about its beauties. In order to further. add to >the attractions the Borough Council s6me time ago commenced the construction of a drive through the reserve. This is now approaching completion. The drive, which in the meantime is called "Victoria Drive/' may havo another name when it is christened. It wiU~to-a great extent follow the curves of the beautiful fornclad path, which follows the course of the river. It wiii be over three-quarters of a mile in length, extending from Fitzherbort Street to Park Road. This will enable motorists to ' drive through on avenue enclosed on both sides with native bush, while they will be sheltered from winds and froo from dust. It certainly should prove a very valuvfble adjunct to the scenic beauties of Palmerston North. The roadway has been formed and shingled, and when -asphalted will be one of the best nuftiicipal drives in the Dominion. An endeavour will be made to open it officially early next month. The,-Palmerston North Post and Telegraph staff held an enjoyable social at Palmerston this week, at which the various prizes won at the recent picnic wero presented by the postmaster, Mr. Tovey. In doing so he stressed the need for similar entertainments to stimulate better social feeling. The services of Mr. F. Aisher, the secretary of the picnic, were eulogised and he was made the recipient of a present. Musical items and dancing were indulged in until a late hour. Those who contributed items were Misses Nicholls, Hanley, Do Rosa, Seal, and Messrs. Kirkpatrick, O'Brien, Tremewan and Harris. The accompaniments were played by Miss Hanley and Mr. Speucor.