COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 192, 9 May 1919, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS i CENTRES

MANAWATD

At the Miranui flaxmill on Wednesday an accident occurred resulting in the death of a workman Darned E. Olsen. Deceased was one of a gang of men engaged in quarrying operations, and a section of clay had . been undermined, leaving a face of about six feet. A shot was put into this,, but for eome unexplained reason the earth was not shifted, and deceased and a mate went up on top to investigate. While they were examining into tho reason the face began to move and fell beforo Olsen could got out of tho way, carrying him with it and burying him beneath a quantity of earth. He was immediately got out, nnd a medical man and an ambulance sont .for. On the doctor's arrival he could only pronounce life to be extinct. Deceased was a widower with four children, residing at Miranui. An inquest will bo held.

Che death occurred this week at her late residence, "Buckland," Awahuri, of Mrs. Emily Leonore Weightman, wife of Mr. Joseph Weightman. The deceased lady,- who was in her Bovonty-third year, .had with her husband and family lived at Awahuri for over forty years", bhe was well known and highly esteemed for her many acts of kindness. In addition to her husband she leaves a grown-up family of sons and daughters H>e eons being Messrs. William (Awahuri), Charlos, John, Hugh, and Joseph (Waikato), and tho daughters, Mesdamea W. l.rechlington (Sanson), Browning (larannki), Wallis, and Bathe (Waikato). Mr. Charles Gasgoine, of fatroet, Palmerston North, is a. brother and there are a number of iirandehildron. • At the initial meeting of the newlvelected Palmerston North Borough Council on Wednesday evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P.), in speakibr of the work to be done during tho ensuing year, urged the necessity for cutting down expenses, in order that the council should live within its means and have something to spare at the closo ot the year. A loan was absolutely necessary for street improvements; while the question , of surface,-drniaage would fllso havo to be taken into account. Anese, with-the question of conduits, would have to bo seriously considered, although they could not be dealt with at once., There was urgent need for conduits in Church and West Streets, and also m Botanical Koad. Tho present condition of these drains was a menace to public health, more particularly in the summer time, and continual complaints were being mado about them ■It was..hoped that, tho present year would see the new half-million capacity gasholder installed. The delay in this matter had been through no fault of the council, but the exigencies of the war wero alono responsible for the work n ?.V ?? inff completed; In connection witn.tne.gasworks, the matter of providing vertical retorts would also havo to be taken into consideration. In 6peakvng of the abattoirs the Mayor eaid that further additions wero necessary, especially In the freezing chambers, which Were now.totally inadequate. Ho said that he was, satisfied that when the Chambers wero completed according to tho original plan they would be a. source ot considerable income to tho council As showing tho necessity for tho work, iie mentioned that sixty head of pigs winch had been slaughtered lately had nad to bo left outside owing to lack of aocommodatioii. The present incinerator was quite inadequate for tho recinirements of the borough, and tho question of tho erection of an up-to-date' destructor would have to be faced. Tho Public Works Committee were faced with tho problem of decreasing the cost ot spreading metal on the streets, fot H-luch some now system would havo to be devised.. The question of a. National Provident sick and benefit fund for the employees would have to be faced,'as the council had been notified that its

A welcome homo to returned soldiers took place at Palmerston North on Wednesday night under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, and passed off very, successfully. Twelve returned' ■Bodiers were present, and also Nurses MLean and lulgour, who had seen service abroad ltoponse was mado on behalf of the.soldiers by Lieutenant Murray. . During the evening a musical programme was rendered, items beins Zin U v d f SSeS Yol,n 8- WilliS! son (2), Voss, and O. Belt The Mayor (.Mr. J. A .. Na3h Mp) brought up the matter of appointing an engineer to he council at a meeting of to Palinmtoii North Borough Council this week. Hβ stated that under the Jickell) the latter had terminated his engagement with tho council, but would conhnue to act as; consulting engineer. Ho Jjad appointed the assistant engineer (Mr, Proslj as acting-ongincer in the meantime. The Mayor's action was endorsed, and it was resolved to xaiso Mr t rosts. salary to .C«0 a yQar until rime; as a permauent engineer was appointed. On the suggestion of the Mayor it was eventually decided to advertise for an engineer at a salary of MM per annum, and Councillors Bryant, Crabb, Spooner, and the Mayor wero appointed a committee to draw ud specifications for the position NnVi 0 mc w? of the Mmerston i orth Borough Council this week Conn, cillor S B Lancaster, a new member, drew attention to the manner in which live pigs were handled at the railway station He described the conditions f a i « Sg !' a f, e t0 lho com munity, end stated that tho animals were allowed to lie aroun<l anywhere and to attract flies. He did not know-whether the council Kid power to interfere in the matter, but .'he thought that it should be referred to the Health authorities, and he movC( j iu that <l i l . eotion _ Vmn _ cillor Spooner-bore out Councillor Lancaster's remarks, and said that the manner in which pigs W ere left about was disgusting. The motion was carried, tounci lor Broad gave notice to move wat the council consider tho question of acquiring a site suitable for the housing of tho whole of the council's offices, library, showrooms, etc.