PALMERSTON NORTH OR MANAWATU?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 840, 17 May 1910, Page 3

PALMERSTON NORTH OR MANAWATU?

[TO TIIJC KOITOK’.J Sir,—Your leader of the rath was read with equal ind-icst by Palmerston North residents as u was in Foxton. The renaming o; Palmerston North (or the advisability to do so) is likely to cause discussion in the near Inline. Vi: Gardner appears to lie “ the lead ing spirit,” \ou remark that " Mr Gardner's dream of substituting Manawaln for Palmerston Noith is altogether 100 tunny. ’ I feel sure Mr Gardner docs not mean fun, he is an earnest, unselfish ami statesmanlike man who looks into the future and is anxious to ‘‘serve his day and generation.' l The old boxlon llaxmillers of iSpo will remember his public spiriteduess. He, with others, sees the inconvenience ol the present name and, no doubt, feels that growing dilhcullies

should not be too long delayed. When the matter was first suggested it was treated lightly, Later on the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce accepted and passed a resolution in favour of Mr Gardner’s motion which proves that as people think over the matter they generally agree with the proposer. The Palmerston papers will be taking up the question directly—one has already promised an editorial on the subject They are probably wailing to hear more public opinion first. T;ie Manawatu Hkkai.u is acting as watchman for the district but is sounding a false alarm. Palmerston and Foxlou should puli together. It might be advisable tor the latter to drop further agitation re the Grealford-Levin railway and work with the former lor the general good of a vast and growing district. Foxton is the port and should Palmerston ‘‘ take to itself a name which designates a vast and important district,” the former still remains the port o! that district. The writer wa.-> appointed last Tuesday by the Palmerston North Debating Society to bring forward the question ‘‘should the name ot Palmerston North be changed?” He has decided to take the albmative. Having lived so many years in Foxton he almost feels himself to be a Foxtonian. I. will not weary you with my views, which might not be iuteresting to your readers, neither wrll I presume upon your valuable space. —I am etc.,

Kd.aiund Osuok.ni

[We feel sure our readers will be pleased to hear our correspondent’s arguments in favour oi substituting Manawatn tor Palmerston iNoith and we can assure him we shall be pleased to reproduce them after the proposed debate. —Fo.H.J [To the Kdilor.j Sir. —In your issue ot the i.:th instant, you iail to see in what way a Municipal Coal Depot would benefit local consumers, and, I purpose trespassing on your valuable space with a view to showing the benefits that would he received by householders in Buxton Horn such a depot. Von stale in the first place that the West Coast Trading Co., are prepared to supply coal at eSs 6d per ton at the bins. Theo: has evidently been a reduction made in this linn’s rales since the scheme was carried, ns Mr Gibbs, their manager, on the 9UI inst., quoted 19s 6d to 29s at lire ships side or 4s per ton more than State price for Pupouga, an admittedly inferior coal. But the question of price per ton is by no means the factor in the question. You admit that State coal can be bought in 4. ton lots at 25s per ton, wharfage, cartage, etc., extra. How many householders are prepared to take 4 tons ol tons of coal at a time, and even allowing that they are ready to accept delivery ot so large a quantity, can they as a matter of fact get it. Would it surprise you to learn that in several cases Slate coal has been on order in 4 ton lots lor 2 months, and the purchasers had not received same at time of last Council meeting. For the benefit of the public I append details of borough scheme as follows ;

Initial cost: —Kstimates cost of weighbridge, coal shed, ,£75: coal in yard on the 20th ul each month, ,(,100 : total, ,£2OO. Consumers cost lor screened : Cost per ton at ship side, /,i 5s : wharfage and weighing, is ml : carting to shed and trimming, is 6cl ; carting from yard to consumer, is 6d ; interest on ,£2OO (estimating output at 30 tons per month only) 9 per cent., is ; total, ,(,1 los 6d.

Unscreened; —Cost per ton at ship side, gjr is 6d ; same charges as in screened, 5s 6d ; total ,£1 7s. Town Clerk or assistant to check coal from ship to yard, to receive payment for coal belore leaving yard, to weigh coal before leaving yard, also to keep key of coal shed. Coal to be ordered the day before deftvery, town carriers to be given the option 01 carting coal from ship to yard and carting to consumer (month about). The opposition to the proposal in the Council is easily accounted for; two of the tour who voted against it are shareholders iu the W.C.T. Co. (Messrs Stiles and Speirs) while Councillor Gibbs is the manager of the Company. In conclusion may I express surprise that you were strongly m favour of Municipal Gas should fail to see any benefits in Municipal Coal. In answer to Gotemtoo: lam quite satisfied he has. —I am, etc,, Pfkcv T. Roiuxsox.