Local.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 30 October 1914, Page 2

Local.

Water is again so scarce that many are obliged either to buy it or carry it from the river. At the auction sale of Mrs A. Reid’s household furniture and effects fair prices wore realized, all lots offered being cleared. A fencing contract (labour only) is advertised in this issue, specifications for which can be seen at the office of Mr J. Elliot, I Land Agent. Monday was observed as a close holiday, the only intitutition open being the schools which, on account of the numerous holidays already given, it was deemed advisable to keep open. The cutting in the main Street is approaching completion. With the brick walls almost finished, and the addition of the hand rail contemplated, the job does not look at'all as unsightly as was at first feared. Comparatively few excursionits left the town on Labour Day. A picnic party which went up the Mangawhara creek in Mr H. R. Porter’s launch “ Ronald,” had a good time, all thoroughly enjoying themselves. Excursions to Auckland, where the racing season opens with meetings on the 4th. and 7th. prox., and to Palmerston North, where the great agricultural show will be held, are advertised in today’s issue, as also are the TimeTable alterations which will operate from and after the first of November. The date for the sitting of the special court of Arbitration set up by the Government to inquire into tho safety or otherwise of monobel, the explosion used in the Taupiri Mines prior to the disaster commenced its sittings , yesterday. Mr Justice Cooper presided with Drs. McLauria and Easterfield as assessors. The first ence taken was that of MiFrank Reid, chief Inspecting Engineer of Mines. Building in the town and dis- . t-rict has been resumed. On Saturday Mr E. Morris started : bis contract in connection with the erection of the branch which the bank of New Zealand intends to establish in the town. The timber is on tho ground for the •two houses which Mr G. M. Fraser contemplates building- in italph Street, while the pretty (residence, built by Messrs Briggs ind Mu roll at Huntly Wes 4 to /the order of Mr E. Marstoif is Vnearing completion, as also is the telle bungalow in Hakanoa Street, Guilt by Mr J. F. Denson for Mr '/b iV Jones, %

The question of extending the scope of the inquiry into the circumstances of the late mine disaster so as to include investigation into alleged cases of victimisation, as brought up in Parliament on Thursday again - Friday of last week by Sir Joseph Ward, elicited the reply that the present inquiry must be . kept to the commission’s order of reference, and, that concluded, it could then be decided whether the commission should make a further inquiry regarding the charges of victimisation. It was possible, said the Minister of Mines, that before the commission was dissolved its order of reference would be extended in that direction.