The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, March 8, 1910. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 811, 8 March 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, March 8, 1910. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

A number ot extraordinary and, in some instances, misleading, statements are being circulated by opponents of the water and drainage scheme, which may influence a number of unthinking ratepayers against the proposals. The ratepayer whose reason lor opposing the scheme on the ground that it will increase the rates is beyond argument, and, in the words of the old saw, convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. Unfortunately, two coins obscure his vision, and he is blind to the ultimate benefits of such modern request. Such an one will oppose any scheme which has for its object the purity of the town and the health of its inhabitants — unless he can obtain the good things at someone else’s expense. Thank heaven this class ot ratepayer is in a minority, and so long as his objection to the scheme is on the ground that it will raise the rates we are prepared to let him wallow in the pool of municipal stagnation, but when he attempts to poison the minds of others by misrepresenting and distorting facts, then it is time to lay hands on him. Another objection is that by adopting the present proposals we are standing in the way of a better water supply scheme, i.e., from Shannon. Our reply is that when Foxton has a population of ten or twenty thousand it will be time enough to consider the Shannon scheme, but at present, and for many, many years to come, any reasonable person must admit that it is beyond our means, and in the meantime it is illogical to make that an excuse for opposing the present scheme. It is a dog in the manger policy. Still another objection : The artesian water is useless for domestic purposes. This objection is answered by the opinion of the Government analyst on the samples of artesian water from local bores sent to him for analysis. While on this point we are permitted to quote the Petone Town Clerk’s opinion on artesian water. He says : The Government Analyst’s report on the quality of the water is highly satisfactory,

and the accuracy ot the report is borne out by our experience of the water. Artesian water has been in use here for over twenty years by private supply and .or vo years for the town supply. I believe, however, that artesian water obtained from some wells near the seashore is somemhat brackish. Our town wells are sunk to a

depth of from 80 to 90 feet. Of course, it is not to be expected that artesian water direct from the bowels of the earth Is as soft as rain water, but when subjected to aeration the difference is not great. We will deal with the financial aspect of the question in a subsequent issue, and in the meantime invite arguments for and against the proposed scheme in our correspondence columns.

A brown paper parcel, containing a boot and stocking, await ar owner at this office.

Mr G, P. Walker, draper, etc., notifies by advertisement that new season’s goods have arrived in great variety.

Tne Society for the Promotion of the Health of Women and Children have decided to approach the Minister for Health with the object of preventing the sale of indiarubber devices known as “ dummies,” or “ comforters.” A Taranaki farmer a short time ago bought a couple of thousand acres of gum-picked land north of Auckland for £i an acre. He had half ot it ploughed, and after growing a crop of turnips upon it he put it in grass. The same laud is now worth £S an acre.

Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., who is suffering from nervous breakdown, has resigned from the Canterbury College Board of Governors, of which he has been a member for 13 years and chairman for three years. He states that the strain of public duties has impaired his health. Mr Russell has re-organ-ised the finances of the College since he took office.

Senator Gallinger is introducing a Bill to incorporate in the Rockefeller foundation a district in Columbia. It is explained that Mr Rockefeller has already given away fifty-two million dollars, and seeks a method of disposing of his fortune for the benefit of mankind. The aim of the foundation is to promote the well-being of the people of the United States, and its possessions abroad, the dissemination of knowledge and the relief of suffering. Katipo again. A camping party at Tittle Raupo Bay, six miles from Tittle Akaloa, Banks’ Peninsula, recently found a colony of strange and conspicious spiders, says the the Akaroa Mail. Their suspicions were aroused in regard to the creatures’ character, and some specimems were caught and sent to Dr Chilton, of Canterbury College, who identified the spiders as members of the dread katipo species.

The Lyttelton Times states that while Lord Kitchener was in Lyttelton, he was met by Mr W. A, Carpenter, of Governor’s Bay, an enthusiastic gardener. Flowers are said to be Lord Kitchener’s only hobby apart from his work, and Mr Carpenter brought under his uotice a collection of magnificent dark maroon gladioli blossom, a new variety grown by him. Lord Kitchener was much gratified to see the flowers, and readily granted the grower permission to name the variety after him. Says the Palmerston Times: — “ A launch, claimed to be the first steamer to go down the river from this part of the district, left town by lorry on Saturday from Messrs Holben and Kirk’s establishment for Rangitane, where it was placed in the river and proceeded to Foxton. The launch is steel framed, and a good model with good passenger accommodation, and reflecting credit upon the local firm who constructed it. It will ply upon the river chiefly between the Heads and Foxton.”

The Bishop of Sodor and Man tells an amusing story of a visit he once paid to a friend of his. At the station he found a carriage waiting for him, so he jumped in and closed the door. But the carriage did not move, and Dr Drury sat still for some time, wondering what was amiss. At last he put his head out of the window and asked the coachman what he was waiting for. “Well, sir,” replied the coachman, “ I was told to wait for the Bishop of Sodor and Man. You’ve arrived, sir ; but where is your man ?” Sergeant Stagpoole. so long associated with the Palmerston police, and identified with so many branches of athletic sports, etc., has received notice of transfer to Oamaru. During his eight years’ residence in Palmerston, the Sergeant has made many friends. He was a great footballer and runner as a young man, and since then has remained a staunch patron. He was for many years a delegate to the Rugby Union and vice-president. Several times Sergeant Stagpoole endeavoured to resuscitate the Amateur Athletic Club, and has had the gratification of seeing his efforts finally crowned with success. As a Freemason the Sergeant was also well known. Sergeant McGuire, a well-known Wellington officer, replaces Sergt. Stagpoole.

A machine has been invented by two Frenchmen, MM. Desgoffe and Georges, by which wheat is converted directly into bread without having to be ground into flour. The machine is called a “ panificator.” It is a cylinder standing on end, on the inside of which is a screw thread. In this a large screw revolves, the threads on both decreasing in size towards the bottom. The wheat is soaked for six hours in tepid water, which increases it to double its normal bulk- It is then introduced into the machine through a funnel at the top. In its progress it is pressed into dough in which there is no bran whatever. Salt and yeast may be added either before or after machining. It is afterwards baked for forty or forty-five minutes, and is said to possess a more marked and more agreeable odor than ordinary bread, containing the whole wheat, both kernel and envelope, in a homogeneous mass.

Sprinkle Insectxbane on the window ledges. The flies go there Insectxbane kills flies.* 4

Mr Parkes, he locai watch maker and jeweller is opening up a splendid assortment of gold, silver and electro-plate goods suitable for presentations. Watch the window displays.*

The secretary of the local Horticultural Society acknowledges with thanks a donation of half a guinea from Mr M. H. Walker.

The Horticultural Society's first autumn show will be opened in the Public Hall to-morrow afternoon at 2.30 p.m. by Mr E. Newman, M.P. At the local Police Court this morning before Mr Hornblow, J.P., Robert Henderson, charged with drunkenness was convicted, and fined 5s or in default 24 hours.

Girley Watson, ex-champion cf the Navy, was knocked out in a boxing match at Wonderland and died in three hours. His coloured opponent, Inglis, has been arrested. At a meeting of the local Shopkeepers Associatioh held yesterday it was decided to close business premises on Thursday, March 17th and remain open all day on Wednesday, 16th instant. A notification to this effect will appear in our next issue.

Entries for the local Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show, which opens to-morrow, will be received up to 9.30 o’clock tomorrow morning. The secretary, Mr Eevett, will be at Mr Hennessy’s store and at the Hall up to that hour.

To celebrate the granting of the decree absolute in the divorce petition made to the Court by his wife, Col. Astor gave a great ball to the New York “Four Hundred.” There were a hundred and forty guests present. Magnificent gifts were made to the guests. The ball cost £6OOO. A sad bathing fatality occurred at St. John’s lake, East Tamaki, on Saturday afternoon, the victim being Mr Edward Claude Budd, 8.A., son of Rev. E. C. Budd (Prison Chaplain), who was studying at St. John’s College with the intention of entering the ministry. There will be a special midDent service in All Saints’ Church to-morrow night at 7.30 o’clock. The vicar will conduct a special service on behalf of the general mission to New Zealand, and the Rev E. I. Sola will preach the sermon. As this service is a particular one it is hoped many will be present. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Mail reports that twenty gold wreaths have been stolen from the Imperial mausoleum in the fortress of St. Peter and St. Paul at St. Petersburg. The outrage resembles the Roskildo Cathedral affair in December, 1908, when the gold wreaths were stolen from the burial place of the Kings of Denmark.

A street preacher who was before the Magistrate’s Court, at Christchurch on Saturday, charged with having caused an obstruction was convicted and ordered to pay costs. He said it was against his religious principles to pay costs. The Magistrate: Don’t talk rubbish like that. If you are in this country you must obey laws. You will go to gaol for the full term provided by law. The preacher was thus sent to gaol for a month. On page 3 will be found the copy of a cable message, received by Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., from a Melbourne lady who accepted the position of milliner with the Palmerston firm. This lady, who arrived in Palmerston on Fr'day, came from one of the leading Melbourne houses. As a result of her advent, Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., are making a special display of millinery this week and an inspection of the showroom is invited.*

Messrs Ross and Co., of the Bon Marche, Palmerston N., announce their first grand show of latest London novelties for autumn and winter wear in stylish coats, costumes, millinery, blouses and dress goods. It is claimed that this season’s importations eclipse all former occasions in extent and variety, and the firm are anxious that visitors from this district to Palmerston will make a point of looking through their warehouse, and inspecting the goods and values now at their disposal,* A Chinaman named James Shang Ton Sam was fined with £,\ 5s 6d costs, at Wairoa, for pretending to be a doctor. The same accused was committed for trial on a charge of so negligently and unskilfully treating a Maori child that she died. The parents, a young married couple, were committed for trial on a charge of aiding and abetting the Chinaman.

Hector McLean, second engineer of the steamer Strathness, has been committed for trial at Adelaide for manslaughter in connection with the death of a Chinese fireman on February 18. Witnesses, who were principally Chinese, stated that deceased was thrashed and kicked on several occasions, and died the day following the last hammering. There were between twenty and thirty bruises on the body, which was thrown overboard at sea.

On Thursday, March 17th, the Oroua Bridge Sports Association hold their annual sports meeting, and given a fine day, the attenddancf hould be a large one. The course is in very good order, and the committee have been working hard to make the meeting turn out a success. Judging by the number of horses training on the course, there should be large entries. The association have engaged the Foxton Band to play during the day, and this alone should prove an attraction. The committee have been successful in getting the Railway Department to stop all trains from Foxton to Palmerston, and Palmerston to Foxton, at Pyke’s Crossing, just opposite the course, to pick up and set down passengers.

Mr E. Wanklyn advertises an|L express for sale, also two quarteracre sections and one half-acre, on ■ easy terms. , ■ A '-

Already a large number of entries have been received for the local HorticulturahSociety’s Show, which opens to-morrow, and coinpetition promises to be very keen in a number of classes. It is anticipated that there will be a large attendance of the public on both days. The refreshment stall is in capable hands, and the competitions, hat-trimming and nail-driv-ing, should create much interest.

There are two small Maori boys in this town who are an example not only to their own race, but a credit to the Dominion, says the Opunake Times. They manage for their father a 30 or 40 acre farm, milk 15 cows, get to the factory very regularly every morning in the lead of milk carts, cook their own meals, then attend school, and then find time to earn a few shillings exercising a racehorse. There is no fear for the future of the native race or the Dominion if the country can produce lads of this calibre.