HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 June 1916, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly ineeLt|ig ol the liorowfienua County VA>uncii -was held in the borough chambers on Saturday. Tlie chairman (Councillor G. Monk; presided and Councilors U. (Stephenson, I''. Venn, x. Ryder, ±1. I'reoman, S. A. ihoadbeix, !<'. Rettcr, J. Kebbeil and G. I'. Catley also v. ere present. In connection with the .Lower ilutt County Council's suggestion to hold a further conference in connection '.vitii the hospital levies tho chairman saidi ii u did not tin 11k it would do any good, but th© Levin .borough Council was sending a representative, so perhaps it would be as well u uie council was represented. At the last conference (held a few weeks a<go) very little was done. A Jot of hot air was blown olt but it was a case o-f as you were. The only thing that was considered was that more of the maintenance fees should be collected, but nothing definite was done. Ihe Mutt council was the only local body concerned that did not send a delegate to me 4,lst oonter-e-nce. The council decided to appoint the chairman to represent it at the proposed conrerence. Ihe council's seal was affixed 10 the plan ol the Tasmam road, Rangiuru, Otaki. A letter from I£. B. Pees for a light traffic bridge over the Mahahika stream (a tributary of the Ohau river) was received, and tho clerk was authorised to lake the necessary steps for raising a special Joan of £300 lor the purpose. All application from the Wellington Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society was received. Regarding the ranger's application for assistance in> the purchase of a light motor car it was resolved (after the matter had been thoroughly discussed in committee) on the motion of Councillor Kebbell and C-atiey that the council could not see its way to grant tic ranger a motor car but would . an; him an increase in salary a.ntuir ing to £20 per year, the arrangement to remain until the end of iranger's first year of service, to date from June 10th, 1916.

The engineer's report was adopted as read. Councillor Freeman moved and Councillor Ryder seconded tiiat steps lie taken for the purpose ot constructing water races in the Kuku water supply district. SBsyatssmxsr ivicmoxiu-l ociUiUb 111 i_e.m Ihe parade in meniuiial oi' the death ol Field-Marshal liari liLuchuiei 01

lYhurtoum moved off horn me railway station at xl».3j yesterday morning and marched to Levin. The Boys Training l'arm brass band p.ayed liisti, tlie bah a lion Army tool-; ihe next* change, and. the Levin Brass Btuid played the

"Dead .March-in tSaul'' irow the Arcadia to the Post -Office, whore the parade was dismissed, and the meii taking pare inarched to tlie churches they belonged. .Major Burlnisun.lutided the procession, the Levin band followed, then tneu from the irout and territorials, then the Salvation Army band -No. -50 Levin cadet company nest ; then came tlie Boys' i raining i''arm brass band, followed by A'o. 54 coinpany (Weiaroa; cadets. A number of lads in plain clothes brought up the reai'. The day was line -and many turned out to see the spectacle whiun was ail that could be desired. The "Dead March" waa impressively played, and everything weni olf very smoothly.' All the churches had quite lull congregations showing the feeling of universal respect and admiration for the late Earl Kitchener. !

A memorial service was held in the Century Hall yesterday mornjng. Chaplaki Captain \V. 11. E. Abbey conducted the service. Ihe hall was quite full, even the platform being used to seat the Training Farm boys. A Union Jack hung trom the pulpit, and the whole service was deeply mpressive and of an inspiring nature. Appropriate hynms were sung and at the close the Town Band played the "Dead March in Saul. ' The address was based on the words ''Tribulation worketh patience, and patience ex perience, and experience iiopo." The preacher dwelt on the discipline of a reverse. Ali nations and tribes know how to celebrate victory. There is something in the human heart that leaps forth in response to the homeward march of victorious armies. Unwvi■lized savages exult in tjieir wax dances and cannibal feast#.' Civilized nations confer honour on triumphant soldiers; while a people of culture befiag their cities and give their school' children a holi ly. liut not every nation knew he to take a reverse. England was as majestic in her deteats as in her victories. We have seen our beloved empire arise from the tire and ashes a thousand time-; purified We are never panic-stricken over a reverse or loss. It is a Christian privilege to accept losses and be chastened thereby. Lately we had lost a wonderful man—a genius in his profession. EarJ Kitchener had both commanded and won success. What a

wonderful galaxy of fighting men our nation lias possessed. Roberts. Gordon, Wellington, JS'elson, Drake. Every Imperial crisis has produced a man. In the present crisis Kitchener seemed a man schooled and r»repared for the hour. JdLis best monument is th© huge volunteer army of five million men he raised. Now lie has gone. No tombstones mark his last resting pI.K-e. The cold waters of the Arctic region enshroud his body Had he diul at home a place would liavo been found for him in Westminster. Sti). God removes his workmen, but carries on His worK. Our empire is not founded on the mere galaxy of brilliant men. Our imperial hope does not reside m *a Kitchener, nor in an army. Our hope is in God. It is said that the news ot ivuefiener's death was received in Berlin -vitli gravity. The city was hushed by the sensation.. That hueh is significant. The whole world knows tnat the cause of righteousness is not wrapped up 111 one man. God will raise up a new prophet to lead onr imperial oaiLv Well might our foes grow silent in the presence of the providence ot God. We thank God for Sari Kitchener and we pray that his mantle may fall on another who will prove to be the chosen of God. While we mourn our loss let ns at ike same time grow hopeful.