Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUG. 2, 1900. The Wirokino Bridge.

Manawatu Herald, 2 August 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUG. 2, 1900. The Wirokino Bridge.

The Borough Council has obtained from the solicitor of the Municipal Corporations an opinion that it will not be legal to charge a toll on the Wirokino Bridge. As far back as the year 1894 the Public Works Act contained a clause that "no tollgate shall hereafter be established within one mile from the boundary of any borough, except for a ferry." Under what circumstances the three local bodies urged the construction of the bridge upon the ratepayers on the assumption that the tolls collectable thereon would pay the interest on the cost, must be left for them to explain, but the facts are as we have stated. However much the public desired the bridge we think we are correct in stating that had it been known that the bridge would have to be a free one, the local bodies would not have concurred in its erection even with the assistance of the Government subsidy, and thus the doubt Mr Stansell said we had expressed as to its erection, will be seen to have been very well founded, the one point in whioh we were mistaken being in

crediting the local bodies with some knowledge of the law« under which they worked. As a further addition to the views we are credited with, it has been shown pretty plainly that without powers to collect lolla one local body at anyrate would not have become a willing partner in its erection, as the Horowhenua representatives are talking of having a toll-gate on the main road a mile away from the bridge. Fortunately the Act which prohibits tolls on this bridge prohibits tolls on main roads, and we know that the road from Foxton to Levin has been gazetted a County road for years.

It would be a pity tlr.r i,he oversight about the tolls should cause an> bad feeling, as the bridge has been the cause of a happy united aotion, and the amount each body would have to provide out of their income is only^the small sum of £48 a year. This sun? would soon be collected indirectly by increased traffic, and the general prosperity created by better communication, and in a year or two's time we shall be surprised how we managed without a bridge so long.

Next Tuesday Mr R. H. McMillan, of Taikorea, gives a large dance at his residence as a farewell to his friends.

To-morrow week the first of the Palmerston Assemblies will be held.

The news of the death of trooper Charles H. Enderby of enteric fever at Pretoria, will be received with regret by all, as when on duty at the local railway station here he was very popular and his bright and obliging manners made him much liked.

H.M.S. Torch has lett Cairns for the Solomon Islands, with Commissioner Woodford on board. His mission is to hoist the British flag over the islands secured under the Samoan treaty.

Miss Frances Spence, formerly of Invercargill, has just been appointed town clerk of the Borough of Alexandra South.

The Official Assignee announces that as Mr Gerard has left Foxton all monies due to Joe Tos's estate must be sent to his office direct.

In our advertising columns F. Loveday notifies the public that his halfyearly sale commences, and will continue for three weeks. We advise our readers to visit this sale early as the discounts are genuine, and the stock can be relied upon as good.

The Roman Catholics to show their appreciation of Miss Lily McKenna's services in connection with the choir during her residence at Foxton, from which place she has been transferred to Castlecliff school, sent her a very handsome gold bangle, set with emeralds and pearls, and wishing her success and happiness.

Hans Christiansen on Tuesday was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment with hard labour for the use ot obscene language. He was also fined for assault and for resisting the police.

On Tuesday Simeon Wilson, a "prohibited person, was fined 20s and costs for drunkenness. He acted very rudely towards the Governor, and made himself a nuisance at the railway station on the departure of the train.

Total prohibition appears to be gaining in favour with the drinking classes, as on Tuesday no less than three persons made personal applications for prohibition orders against themselves, being William Tomlinson, Thomas G. Collins, and Thomas Mitchell.

The steamer Huia'was successfully launched on Tuesday, and is now at the Patea wharf.

Messrs A. and H. Russell have now disposed of the last of the freehold portion of their Te Matai Estate. Mr T. W. Stace, of Aramoho, negotiated privately for the purchase of section 345, containing about 100 acres, at a very satisfactory price, for cash. That now completes Mr Stace's block of freehold from the Te Matai homestead up to the Native Reserve, Te Wi.— M. Times.

Mr Bridge notifies that owing to the increased volume in Dental work he has taken into partnership Mr Andrews. This gentleman has now for many months represented Mr Bridge here so that it is satisfactory to know no real change takes place as far as the district is concerned, except as it ? fleets Mr Andrews on which we heartily congratulate him.

The unsettled state of men's minds after the Governor's visit was evident at the Corrick entertainment on Tuesday night. Even the lamps felt disinclined to work and went out, which showed their bad taste at such a musical treat, one by one, until only the lamp on the stage remained on duty. Mr Corrick secured from the 'back another lamp which he placed on the piano. The young people in the audience did not seem in the least distressed at being in darkness.