LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 June 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In the Festival of Empire landscape garden at the Crystal Palace, L< ndon. no lower than 2,000,000 plants will bo used. Xext week, at hoe,key, the Rovers will meet Otaki at Levin. On Coronation Day a. combined team of Levin-Hovers will meet at Levin., either Wellington United or Palmerston Xorth. The Xew Zealand Picturo Company, which is proving .such an •atin Levin, will appear again at the Town Hall this evening. A programme depiftinj; lilV in. cities, c<v(utry. an:l tJ!•> wilds is to be submitted, as well as comic films. Disparity between owners' and buyers' estimates of the value of store and springing dairy stock hampered proceedings at yesterday's stock sales in Levin. A 'number' of lines had to be passed in, but it is very satisfactory to be able to record that subsequent negotiations led to sales of practically every line of store cattle submitted to ' amotion. The Tramway Appeal Board, sitting in Auckland dismissed (the appeal of Henry Carter, a motorman, against liis dismissal by .the Auckland Tramway Company, on tho ground that he deliberately disregarded a special notice as to the observance of the rule regarding moving cars and that be was guilty of gross negligence in not applying the power in the manner directed. _ Mr Rosser, in a minority report, dissented, contending that the punishment was too severe for the offence. Mr Kettle, S.M., said that if the Appeal Hoard was to continue as assessors, it must be absolutely independent and free from interest 011 either side, with which remark the other members of the Board concurred.

The English mail papers, which came to band at.Levin yesterday, abate that a, pu'blic institute, costing £3,000, Ihns -been opened at Newtongrange (Scotland), for the .inhabitants of the New Battle Colliery district. The cost is to be met by profits from the Dean Tavern, a Gothenburg publicbouse, wliiob has already provided various buildings of pubic utility. It may .be acldled! that the Gothenburg system repitv lates tlijg trade in intoxicating liquors, and bias been warmly advocated. in England by the Bishop of Chester. The essential feature of the system is that the sale of these liquors is in the bands of state-con-trolled and chartered companes. who are allowed only a. fixed rate of interest on then'r capital, iand must expend any further profits on objects of general utility, such as .hospitals and homes for thie aged and poor.

," Quartettes and Rymes," a fascinating parlour .game, is on sale at Thompson's Arcade, Levin.—Advt,

Mr B. R. Gardener, Mayor of Levin, has consented to make the opening speech at the social gathering of the Levin. Defence Rifle Club.

The Cpunty Council to-day granted Mr N. Campbell's application for a portion of road reserve frontage, E.R. sec. 00, Kaitawa S.D., on behalf of Mr D. McKay, Auckland.

To-morrow evening, at the Century Hall, the Rev. T. F. Jones will commence a series of addresses oil the "Book of Daniel." The- subject, for to-morrow is " Daniel in Babylon." A cordial welcome is extended. . , __

The action of Crs. Watson and the engineer in accepting the tonclor or Mr T. C-armody for widening the road at the Blue Bluff, Otaki Gorge, for tJie sum of £35, was approved at. to-day's meeting of the County Council.

A striking display of trophies is being made to-diay in the window of Mr V\ .J. Glackin's shop. Oxford street. They comprise the whole of the trophies donated to the Levin Rifle Club during the season 101011, with the names of winners attached. The trophies will remain on view until the night of tho club's sociad gathering (next Friday).

Tho funeral of the late Mr Frank Plaster, a very old resident of Levin and an employee of the Borough Council, who died in the Otaki Hospital, took place yesterday at the Levin cemetery. The Borough Council was represented by Mr 13. R. Gardener (the Mayor) and Mr P. W. Goldsmith (the Town Clerk). The service was performed bv the Rev. T. F. Jones.

The County Council sat to a. later 'hour to-day than for some time past, owing to a number of important matters arising. In connection with the question of Biillor list ate Cr. McLeavey moved: That the engineer be instructed to iorm and metal that portion of the Arapaepae road between tho Kim'berley road and the boundary of the Buller Estate, to enable metal to be got for the roads in the Buller Estate at the time when he roads in the estate are formed. Cr. Richards seconded the motion, which was adopted.

Rev. I). C. Bates' weather summary and forecast, wired from Wellington last night, is as follows: The centre of a cyclone ot small intensity has passed over Cook Strait and apparently modified. The front of an Antarctic disturbance is now due from tho westward. The aspect, however, is still ominous. A Southerly storm will probably follow in about 36 hours. This is likely to be preceded by a smart fall in the barometer in the South. Present indications are for a falling <rlass everywhere. Strong northerly and westerly winds with unsettled weather, but a decided change may be expected before Monday, with a. southerly gale, cold and stormy weather generally, with rain and snow on the high lands in tho South with a, rapidly-rising glass.

The Dunedin Star is in a position to state that the Royal Commission which inquired into the North of Auckland railway route, have completely vindicated the action of tho Minister of Public "Works, who, two years ago, authorised a deviation of ■the line to the westward of what is known locally as "The Gap," and tapping the country in the neighbourhood of the Otametaea river. As a sidelight, it may be mentioned that the bridge over the Otainatacn river, which, according to some witnesses was to cost the country between £10,000 and Gin.ooo, will he constructed for about £21,000. The report will be presented to Parliament in due course.

Lu regard to the hemp market the Trade Review says that a little over a week ago there wa.s a slight spurt and values rose to £18 for good fair, and Cl 7 tor fair. at which prices some business wa.s done. However values have receded again, and good fair is now worth L'l7 10s to 17 15s, and fair £10 10s to £1B 15s. The Manila output to 15th Mar was 510,000 bales, against. -11)2',000 in 1910, anil IBG.OOO in 1909. Tow remains firm at €8 10s for first grade. C 8 to £8 5s for second, and £7 5s to £7 10s for third, but there is not much business doing, as mills are beginning to close down lor the winter.

A petition was presented by Mr G. H. Harper, of Otaki, at to-day's meeting of the J-lo row.henna County Council, signed b.v ratepayers wJvose properties would lie affected by the proposed new 'Man to re road. As the petitioners wore very anxious that the matter should lie proceeded with, he (Mr Harper), asked the Council that the petition should rec?ive early con.siclera.tion. — Tho council decided, on the motion of Cr. "Watson, seconded 'by Cr. WincUey, that Mr Harper be informed that tho council will take steps to raise a loan for the purpose over the whole of the To Horo riding provided that a sufficient guarantee be forthcoming to indemnify the council against the cost of all preliminary expenses and cost of taking the poll should same be not carried.

At the Inst meeting of the Hwowheiiua County Council, the <"|iie>stion of a .sane] ridge betwc-en tho Main C.mnty road and the railway near Hadfield was discussed. and it was determined to draw Mr Field's attention to the matter. At to-day's meeting of the Council, n letter was received from Mr Field. M.l\, stating that lie had inspected the spot with Cr. Watson a few days ago, and he was satisfied that the only effective method of overcoming the difficulty was l>.v having the sand removed. Ho had written to tho Minister of Railways nrgmg t-hat this should he done. Mr Field adde l that the main road in the locality was in places somewhat narrow, and the sand might well he utilised for widening it.-Cr. "Wat-son said that tho wlvole matter had 'been attended to, and the letter wa.s noted.

The clerk to the Otaki Road Board, at this morning's mooting of the County Council transmitted a letter the iliad received from tilio Railway Department with reference to tlio estimated cost of a subway crossing at the south end of the Manakan station. The Department in this letter, stated that'it would not !be feasible to provide a level crossing at that place owing to the high bank at the south end of the station, but the estimated cost of a subway with a headway of ten feet was £300, and the amount which the Board would lie required to pay in conjunction with the County Council was £120, and the work would -be put in hand on receipt of a. cheque for that amount. A similar letter was received by the Comity Council. — Cr. McLcavey thought the idea of a subway was a very good one. Cr. Watson thought that a cheque should be passed that day, as the .settlers were most anxious for the subway. The chairman : The Otaki Road Board is meeting at an early date and is awaiting our reply. I think we are getting a fairly good thing from the Government in the matter. On the motion of Cr. Tompsitt, seconded by Cr. Freeman, the following resolution was passed : That re subway at Manakan this council contribute £00 towards the cost of the same.

Beautiful tinselled nreetmgs, with views of Levin are now displayed at Thompson's Book Arcade, Levin. — Advt.

Mr F. C. Remington undertakes Milk Testing, and all kinds of Dairy and Agricultural Analyses, such a? analysis of soils, water, butter manures, etc. F. C. Remington Oxford street, Lerin.—Adrt.

The subject of a waiter supply for Maiiakau is dealt with in the county engineer's report, which appears in another column in to-day's papei.

Shannon Rifle Club is still firing, notwithstanding the shortness or the days aiul the moistness of the atmosphere. At present the members are competing for a trophy presented by Mr 0. Bromley, the Ballance street bootmaker.

Headed by the Mayor, Mr B. 11. Gardener, a deputation waited upon the Horowhenua County Couaicil today with referenoe to the proposed Kawiu road improvement. A report on. the matter will appear in Monday's Chronicle.

The Minister of Railways is to be requested to repeal the charge of " rate and a half" re imported hardwood timber used in bridge and culvert work bv County Council and Road Board! This decision was come to at to-day's meeting of the County Council, on the of Cr. Prouse, seconded by Cr. A\ mdley. The resolution is to lie transmitted to the Minister.

With respect to the erection of the banks on tho Manawatu river, near Shannon, ihe Horowhenua. County Council to-day received a. letter from the Minister of Public Mines stating that he was giving instructions for a report on the subject. And also to report as to whether an officer of the Department should make an inspection of tho same.—Received.

Cr. Stephenson, at to-day's meeting of the County Council, moved the following resolution: That application lie made to the Government for the old Shannon Post Office as a Coronation subsidy for a public library and reading room, and that Crs. Venn and Stephenson be a deputation to lay tho facts before the Minister. Tn doing .so, Ire said that whether anything" or not was done would depend upon what value was asked. If it were a reasonable value, the local people would l give it every aid. but it would be necessary for a deputation to wait on the Minister on the subject. The place would require, alterations and money to be .spent upon it. Or Venn seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Ratepayers along the Kiinberley road forwarded a petition to the County Council to-dav, requesting the Council to get an estimate for erecting n bridge over the Ohau river at the road crossing. They pledged themscilves to assist its construction, if tihe cost was not beyond them. The petitioners said that they thought the Government should be approached to subsidise the amount required even more liberally than £ for £. as almost the whole of the lands benefited were L.1.1\ tenure.—The engineer said that he had dealt with the matter in his report. Although he had not gone fully into it. he thought it would cost about £2000. A report will be presented to the council at the next meeting on the matter.

'•'Muhunoa gravel should be paid for, 1 ' was the gravamen of a lawyer's letter sent to the Horowhenua County Council to-day, by G. H. Harper, of Ota.ki. Mr Harper, in his letter, stated that ho was instructed by the owners of Muhunoa block, No. I B, No. 2 E. to apply to the council for payment for the metal lately removed from tho ahove land by employers of the council. The land. Mr Harper explained, wa.s situated immediately above the Ohau bridge, and tho owners claimed fid per load for all stones or gravel taken as above mentioned.— The. engineer said that the owner l of tho land came to him about the matter and lie (tho engineer) said that the council would take no more gravel. He thought they had only taken about 30 loads. The owner had no 'boundaries. The matter was left in the engineer's hands.

A strong resolution was passed by the Horowhenua County Council today on the subject of the delay in the erection of overhead bridges in the Shannon district. Cr. Venn said that the Department had the money for over a month, and vet nothing had been done. Cr. Stephenson said that settlers were mast anxious for the work to be carried: out. He asked how long ifc was since the money was sent. The engineer: The money was sent away after last meeting! Cr. Venn then moved, and Cr. Stephenson seconded the following resolution, which was adopted : That, as the council's share of the cost of the overhead bridges at Tokomaru and Buckley's has been in the hands ef the Department for a month past, the said Department bo again urged to at once proceed with the erection of such bridges.

The Ohau school ball committee met last night. Thero were present: Mrs Heap (secretary), Miss McLeavey, Messrs Heap, McLeavey, Karauti, Wehipeihana and Henderson. It was announced that Mrs Gardener, of Levin, and Mr Mcßain, of Mauakau, had consented to act as judges in the waltzing competition. Mr Karauti was appointed to take nominations for the dancing competition, and it was resolved, on, the motion of Mr Heap, seconded by Miss McLeavey, to reduce the entrance fee from Is Gd to Is per couple. The offer of Messrs Weliipeihana and Karauti to decorate and prepare the hall was accepted with thanks. Mrs Heap and Miss McLeavey were appointed to arrange for the catering and to procure trophies for prizes in tho competition. On the motion of Mrs Heap it was decided to invito Mr Tobi Mahima to assist on the night of the dance. Groat local interest is 'being taken in this function and nothing seems wanting to make it the success of the season.

Mr J. C. Neill presided last evening over a meeting of the local Fruit Growers' Association, the others present being Messrs Lancaster, Newport, Blackburn, Greig, Groce, Bowers, Arcus, Buller and M. Fosella (secretary). A letter was received from the Department of Agriculture stating that Mi* J. Stratford, of British Columbia, had been appointed Orchard Instructor in the Department, with headquarters at Palmerston Xorth. His district would comprise, among other counties. those of Horowhenua and Mana-wat-u. He had had large experience in fruit growing, and the Department thought that with the cooperation of the various Fruit Growers' Associations' the work of orchard inspection and instruction would be efficiently carried out. On the motion of the chairman, the letter was formally received. On the proposition of Mr Lancaster, seconded by Mr Newport, tho following motion was passed.—That members of the Association he requested to hand in at the next meeting a statement as to the quantity of arsenate of lead they may require for the coming season. The chairman pointed out that Mr Boucher and Mr Kirk, when at Levin, laid stress on this Association being represented at the Dominion Conference, and that the delegates should have a free hand in pledging the Association to join the Dominion Association. It seemed to him they should not do that until they knew more about the objects of the Dominion Association. Their exact object was unknown to them, and he suggested that some information should he obtained on the subject. Mr Arcus moved, and Mr Grace seceded: That the secretary write to the secretary of the ECawke's Bay Fruit Growers' Association and procure particulars as to the aims and constitution of the New Zealand Fruit Growers' Federation. This was agreed to.