COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 174, 17 April 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES

MANAWATU A distinct note of caution was sounded at Tuesday night's meeting of the Palrasrston North liorougli Council iu connection with the 'finances. In presenting the Finance Committee's annual report villi Mayor stated that the overdraft on the general account for 1017-18 was .£9508, and at tho close of last year it reached .£13.518. The past year had been a very iniDortant one from a financial point, of view, and the council had been called upon to meet expenditure which had not been provided for. thus considerably increasing the overdraft. In view of the increased expenditure on maintenance, tho Finance Committee stressed the importance of careful consideration of tho estimates for the coming year. A definite policy would havu to be adopted with reward to expenditure, otherwise tho general account, must increase. The only alternative was an increase in tho rates. The committee recommended that no expenditure for maintenance exceding .£2O he increased without the consent of the council. Referring to the report, the Mayor eaid that tho fiuancial position demanded the most careful consideration. It was absolutely necessary that they should go slow. If rigid economy were exercised the finances would Boon be all right again. 'Senior Councillor Crabb pointed out that during the past year the estimates hail been exceeded by ioOflfl, and the revenue by .£4OOO. Tho maximum amount that could be raised by additional rates was .£2500, and even if they ttent up to that limit they would still have to, economise to the extent of .£ISOO to bring the expenditure doWji to a level with the revenue. This W4is a grave i>osition to be in. At the annual meeting ot the Manawatu Rugby Union, which was held at Palmerstou' North on Tuesday nigjit a credit balance of JX 3s. 4(1. was disclosed on the yeur's operations. The election of officers resulted as follow:—Patron, Mr. H. l< , . Gibbons; presideut, Mr. J. Manning; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. M. Oiißley. C. White, T. R, Hodder; secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. J. Colquhoun; management committee, Messrs. H. L. Bennett. J. R. Bardie, Ci. G. Wilson, A. .T Treveua. \V. Carruth'ers, I' , . A. Bates, D. P. Jones; controllers of accident in, surauce funds, Messrs. F. Manning and li. J. Jacobs; auditor, Mr; G. G. AVilsou. It was decided that the district scheme be held in abeyance, and that football be carried on for the current year under Hie club system. It wOvS resolved that the competitions consist of senior, junior, mid third class-senior and second grades to be open competitions-second-grade loams to have the right to-be admitted without, a senior grade, the union reserving the right to, classify any of tho playens in the second grade as seniors. The a;re limit for tho third grade wad iixed at seventeen years as on May 1, 191!). The senior competition will consist of three rounds, the junior competition of two rounds, and the third, if not more than five teams, of three rounds. The 'opening of the. season was iixed for May 10. The seven-a-side tournaments arc. to beα-evived. and held on June 3. This Western United Football Club of Palmerstou North held its annual meeting on Tuesday night, and elected the following officers:—Patron, Mr. B. Webb; president, Mr. H. L. Young; secretary, Mr M'Sweeneny. Twenty-seven ■ vicepresidents were elected. The secretary was instructed to arrange a match with (he Huia Club lor Saturday, and against Foxton Club on April 26. The thirdgrade subscription was fixed at one shilling. The membership of the club now stands at ninety. ■ Tho Municipal Opera .House account was reported at last night'e meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council to be £3!) i in debit, a reduction since March .u, 1918, when it stood at JE62I. Tho revenue recently has not been very great, but the council hope very shortly to table a proposal to exhibit pictures in the building by a private promoter, thus materially, increasing the revenue. The Palmerston North Borough Council is at loggerheads with the Government in connection with the epidemic expenditure. In common with other boroughs it was told when the epidemic was at its height to spare no expense ui order to cope with the emergencies of the situation. The Health Department, it was led to believe, would foot the.bill. The council accordingly sent on to the Department a bill for .£516. At tho last meeting of the council the Treasury Department forwarded a voucher for XiA as the total reimbursements for the epidemic expenditure, (jounoillors generally expressed the greatest dissatisfaction >iith this meagre allowance, and it waa determined not to let the matter rest at that, the Mayor undertaking to approach the Minister in the matter. The, matten of securing better necommodation for the public library was emphasised at. the council lhe library committee reported that tne building was hopelessly inadequate for the requirements of the institution, and the committee strongly recommended the incoming council to push ahead with all haste tho'new building scheme. The state of the borough reserves was reviewed at the lost meeting of tho Palmerston North Borough Council. The reserves committee, in its annual report, stated that during the year a number oi leases totalling 79 acres had fallen in, mid of these 42 acres had been leased at an increased rental of .£6 per acre, leaving 37 acres, tenders for the leasing oi w-hich had been called. The total increase in revenue would thus be 0£278, The committee urged the passing of legislation to enable revenue from the present reserve to* bo expended -on all reserves which might be acquired by th( council for recreation reserves. Ths committee also recommended the council to keep in view the necessity of comint to some decision as to the policy to b( pursued with the reserves borderinf Park Road. In this connection the} should not lose sight of the question oi reserving sufficient land to ensure thi proper laying out of a largo proportioi of the reserves as a park at some futun date, when the town expanded. Th< Question of municipal housing shouk also be considered in connection witl this-matter, and a comprehensive plar drawn up for the development of tiles* areas. With'this in view the commit tee had renewed the lease for only threi years.

The past season «as a, disastrous one for the Palmerston municipal baths. The baths were opened in October last, but the epidemic breaking out in the following month militated against tho attoudance. The takings to date amount to 4577. and the expenditure to ,£197, an actual loss, of .£420. In tho 1917-18 season the receipts were i>22o and the exnendituro a loss of only Mi. The baths havo now been closed, and the work of tiling the bottom will bB proceeded with at an early date. Constable Patrick Minogue, who for tho past twenty years has been stationed at Terrace End, Palmerston North, died yestordav afternoon. Deceased joined the force in 1879. being then attached to the Armed Constabulary, iind he would have been entitled to have ietired on superannuation next June. He is survived by a wife and grown-up family of five sons and two daughters.

Lieutenant J. Murray, tho newly-ap-Tiointed rector at l'nlmcrston North High School, who before going to the war was assistant muster at the school, was accurdeil a welcome-home reception at the school yesterday afternoon. Mr. Murray will comini'iice his duties at the beginnhnr of next term. At a meeting of the College Street School Committee at Pnlmerston North tliis week a letter was read from the r.diiciitiou Hoard, stating that the new desks for the school were nearly coinDieted, and would shortly be forwarded. Plans for an honours memorial hoard were submitted by the committee appointed to deal with the matter. It is proposed that tho board bi> of marble, to accommodate alxmt 130 names. Tho erection of tho memorial was referred to the incoming committee, The school has an average attendance of 577. Miss E. Jiowden and Mr 13. Minogne have been appointed pupil teachers on tl.e staff ot the Cqlkgo Street School. It has been decided as a memorial to soldiers who have fallen at the front to tar seal the piece of road at Tβ Iloro from the railway gate to tho lailway crossing, the work to bo dono as soon as possible. It is probable that other ridin Rβ of Horowhonua. county will do likewise.

Mr. Alpin of Manakau, has disposed of liis farm to the Government, and Messrs. Mills Bros., who have recently returned from the frout, have secured it. ~ ... The rifle shooting match at Levin between Hautwe Kills Club and members of the local club was won by the visitors by 41)1 points to 471. , . A meeting is to. lie held at Otnki shortly with a, view to forming a branch of the Labour Party there. It is rumoured that Mr. AY. Howel] will be the Labour candidate lor Utaln electorate. , ... , . Deer are reported to be plentiful in Pnraiiarnmu district this season. Mr. It M. D'Ath. of OtalvL recently secured n. fine ten-pointer, anil Mr. Schwash, 01 Tokomarn. a twelve-pointer. Private flny Tully, son of 11 r. and Mrs. G. fully, of Levin, is expected home at the end of the month. Private Tullv is disabled, having been shot IIiTOHRh the wrist.

WAIRARAPA ITEMS Suitable arrangements are to be lnnde for tho celebration of Anzac Day m Aias-e-u"t'he last meeting of the Masterloii Be-rough Council as at present constituted tho retiring Mayor said he regretted that the finances of. tho borough were not as satisfactory as they might be. -Ihfj council during the past year oven an tho constable" on its general account h> about £500. Ho attributed this to the influenza epidemic! and the damage done to the public park by a flood. At the annual meeting of the 1 null branch of the I'armers' Union Jlr. A. Rom was elected chairman and delegate to the AVairarapa-executive. At the mcethig n month ago Hie ~ a - terton Borough Council decided to <-los< the billiard saloons in t-he town at 10 o'clock instead of 11 o'clock at luglit. Ihe council reversed this decision at its nieetin? on Tuesday evening. ' About a dozen soldiers who returned by the AVilloclira were given a. hearty reception :it the .tfastorton railway station <-n Tuesday evening. Sixteen candidates will contest the nine seats on the Maatorton Borough Council. Tlit following officers were elected at the annual meeting of-the Masterton branch of the P. and T. Affloemtioi :- Ohiirtnan, Mr. Iv. E. Williams; v.wci'ainuan. Mr. fl. J. Nicholas; secretary. Mr. W. AV. Payne; committee, Messrs. T Tx>veridge, D. M. M'lntos-h. J. l<. Crocker.-H. .Tones; delegate to conference, Mr R K Tones. ~ ' An application by Hie employees ot tho'Mastcrton gasworks for an increase.ot '".per day in their wages has been referred to the incoming council. The MKsterton municipal coal dopot i» about to'commencß operations Tn Mβ meantime Hie supply to householders will bs limited to 2cwt. The charges made will allow of a profit of 10s per ton on Taupiri coal and 7s. 6d. per ton on Wes.l- - coal. , „, . rl During the year ending .March 3 i.ttjfour new consumes were connected to the Miwterton gasworks. The ouhrot oj the works for lust year was 5i,002,0H0 cubic feet, being an increase of Wte.WO cubic feet compared witb the previo-w yM Vt the meeting of ' tho 'Masterton Borough Council on Tuesday evening ft warm tribute was paid to Mr. .L «• Coradino for the work ho had done as Mayor. In returning thanks, Mr. Coindin:) acknowledged the assistance; he r,[,d received at all times from councillors. Vt a well-attended nieetinn of Carringtoil settlers interested in Jbe proposed water-race scheme it was decided, aitei giving the matter full consideration, to m on with the work. The sett era aio to raise the necessary loan (between ',£2OOO and £3000) and their properties are to be specially rated to provide the niKOSEorv interest and sinking fund, .he scheme involves some fifteen miles of . e« races, and it is anticipated that the rato will be in the vicinity of 2d. in the A. The AVairarapa. Rugby Union has decided to hold a seven-a-side-touniey in M Afc' a conference of Wairarapa local bodies held in Cartevton on Tuesday, it MS decided-to take steps as to fonnmg a AVairarapa Hydro-Electric Power Board, with the possibility of obtaining tho required supply from Maugahao oi the local (Waiohine) source. It was estimated that the cost per horse-power would bo jfilß 3s. if obtained from the former, and Mi the latter. The AVaikarcmoano, power was estimated to, cost ■*.«. The proposed board will consist of one representative from the Mastcrton, Wavrarana South, Featherston, and Maurice■iUe counties, Maeterton, Carterfcon, Greytown, and Featherstnn boroughs, ond Martinborough town district. At Featherston on Tuesday Mr. Ji. b. Eton, Cormier, held an inquest on the Vody of Archibald Johnston, a soldier, 27 rears of age, who was found dead en the Rimuta.ka range at a spot about n.iles from Featherstoft on Monday last. Evidence showed that deceased, who was a single man, was a member of the ieJatriafcon g,.nrd stationed at others on Militiiry Camp, mid he was last seen alive on April 11, but when the roll <>• c"lled at 830 o'clock on April 12 it was found that ho was absent. When found there was a six-chambered revolver lying by the side of the body. The revolver contained four unexploded.cartridges and two empty cartridge cases A verdict was returned "that deceased died from a gunshot wound self-inflicted. Becowed s n«fc of-kin'was bis uncle, Mr. C. P. Johnston, of AVanganui.