The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 9, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 952, 9 February 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 9, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The charge of ,£5 inflicted by a Christchurch Magistrate upon a fisherman for having undersized flounders in his possession, should be a warning to law breakers in this respect. The Magistrate said he could not overlook the seriousness of the offence. Despite the previous warnings we have published, the law appears to be flouted. Only yesterday we were asked to draw attention to the fact that undersized flounders were being offered for sale locally. We don’t mind calling public attention to this matter, but a better method to stop such infringement would be tor our informants to go direct to the police and place the matter in their hands.

Thk long spell of dry weather is causing the farming community a good deal of anxiety throughout this district. We are informed that milk Irom one dairy herd has declined looolbs during the past four weeks. There has been a considerable decrease in the milk supply throughout the district. Water holes in many localities are giving out. One Himatangi settler informs us that he does not remember such a dry season previously. Owing to the sandy nature of the soil in this locality, rain at frequent intervals is most essential. Fairly hardy shrubs in a number of gardens have withered up. House tanks, from which we draw our domestic supply—tainted, as it is with the filth from the roofs and gutters—are getting very low, and in a number of cases the tanks are empty. This fact alone should convince borough residents of the necessity for a water supply scheme. In this connection we notice that the Mayor informed those interested in the Shannon water supply scheme that Foxtou would lend its support to the movement. Whether Foxton would do so, until the residents are acquainted with the nature of the scheme and its cost, is very problematical. The Manawatu river is very low and up river the steamers cannot negotiate the shallows. Palmerston’s water supply is also found to be inade-

quate and the ratepayers there have sanctioned a further loan in order to provide extra storage at the source. Rain is badly needed.

Speaking at Raetihi this week in reference to the alien menace, the Prime Minister pointed to the tact that within a comparatively short distance there were 500,000,000 people ol an alien race from whose development grave danger to Australasia must arise. “We want now to be practically sure,” he declared, “that our position with regard to the Old Land is made such that there can be no possible doubt as to our being able to guard and keep this beautiful and prosperous country as a heritage to succeeding generations. The only way to prevent aggression on us and fell consequences ot war is for all parts of the British Empire to be ready to defend ourselves and to stand united against any comers.” The Premier’s sentiments will find a ready response in the hearts of all who have studied the Eastern question in relation to Australasia.

The Minister for Railways informed a Dunedin reporter that safety bars are being fitted to the platforms of all carriages, to prevent accident when passengers are crossing from carriage to carriage. Already 120 carriages have been fitted, and the rest will be completed in about two months, the cost being charged to working expenses, and not to capital. This innovation will be much appreciated by persons of nervous dispositions who find it necessary to cross from carriage to carriage in order to reach the refreshment car. Another matter which should receive the immediate attention of the Minister is the setting apart of lavatories for ladies only. The mixed sort of arrangement which now obtains on our trains does not provide that privacy which the ladies are entitled to.