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The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, April 13, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Our Palmerston evening contemporary, referring to the meeting held at Devin recently in respect to the Leviu-Marton connecting link ot the Main Trunk Dine says: “ The dying embers of the LevinGreatford railway agitation have once more been fanned to a feeble flame by a meeting held in Levin on Friday evening. There is something quite pathetic in the methods used by our friends who lead the agitation for the new route. The history of that agitation is quite a peculiar one, and has consisted, not of a steady campaign, but of a series of spasmodic outbursts, inspired, it would seem, more by a terrible fear that

the dream of deviation was threatening to dissolve into thin air through lack of public interest than anything else. There can be no more substantial reason than the one quoted for the sudden revival of a project which appeared to be about to expire from sheer lack of vitality. It may be, of course, that the real reason for the meeting springs from an experienced reading of the political mind. The Levin-Greatford railway agitators, having had a good deal to do with a pliable administration, know that very little will be denied in election year, and consequently the demand for a survey of the proposed route, which can be characterised as little more than a waste of public money, has a very fair chance of being granted by desperate voteseekers. No new arguments were raised at the meeting in favour of the proposal. Palmerston was the object of a good deal of attention, and quite a pathetic solicitude for the welfare of this rising city was displayed by more than one

speaker.’' .... The Standard admits there is “a good deal of ground for protest against the assertion that the proposed line would pass through a lot of sandhills ” and adds: “Palmerston knows very well that the railway would pass through some of the finest land in the Dominion, but Palmerston also knows that that laud is fairly well served in the matter of transport at present. It is infinitely better oil than large areas of country in many other parts of the Dominion, and we are afraid it will have to be content with its lot for many years to come. Improvement in that direction will not be effected by the deviation of the Main Trunk line, but probably by an extension of the present light tramline running from Foxton to Sandou,” It is a pity that our contemporary cannot view this important proposal other than from a parochial point of view.

Thk Palmerston Times says: “ It cannot agree with its evening contemporary that the embers of the Leviu-Marton agitation are dying. Far from it. The agitation is spreading and is very strongly supported outside Palmerston, and though we do not think that there is a likelihood of the administration considering such an unnecessary expenditure till the Fast Coast line is completed and the North Auckland line also, every pressure will be brought to bear to induce them to do so. The meeting at Levin is only one symptom of the efforts being put forth. It has to be remembered that Palmerston is opposed in this by Levin and the towns south and by Martou and the towns north. Every member for the West Coast other than the member for Palmerston is supporting it, and there are men concerned who confidently anticipate that the deviation will be begun within the next two years. And these people have, some of them, strong interests to serve in pulling the line to the West. They quite overlook the fact that if any deviation were made it should be a new line to the West. They quite overlook the fact that if any deviation were made it should he a new line up the Pohaugiua Valley to come out about Maugaweka, which would a geuuiue straightening of the Main Trunk, nut a merely local one. No one,” says the Times in conclusion,“ has said that the proposed line would pass through ‘ nothing but a lot of sand hills ’ (though we have been accused of saying it), but the line runs through country already near a railway and tram line and bounded by the existing lines ou the one side and the sand hills beyond on the other, while it has country liable to floods, and two big rivers to negotiate. While it goes right away from the centres of population. It is a proposition that should not be agreed to, but it is one that its promoters will strain every nerve to put through.”

A pkkss telegram from New Plymouth makes tbeaunouucemeut throughout the Dominion that “the town clerk, Mr F. T. Bellringer, v, as stated at the Borough Council meeting to have established a record which must be considered as unique as It is satistactory. For the past three years every penny of rates and rents due to the New Plymouth Borough Council has been collected before the end of the financial year.” No doubt this is very commendable in view of the fact that New Plymouth is a very extensive and important borough, but Foxton’s Town Clerk cau, we believe, lay claim to a Dominion record. For eight years Mr Fraser has collected every penny of the rates before the end of the financial year and only D 4 (last year) during a period of nine years, has been written off. We think our Town Clerk is entitled to the palm, and his excellent work is worthy of public recognition. Foxton has at last established its claim to a record.

TuR number of elections to he held this month are quite bewildering. First, there is the municipal election, when nine councillors are to be elected under the extended franchise. Nominations close on Wednesday next, 20th iust. The present councillors who are offering themselves for re-election are : Messrs Dr Adams, Geo. Coley, A. J. Gibbs, Thos. Rimmer, Alex. Speirs, and W. S. Stewart, Cr Wm. Ross, we regret to state, is unable to continue in office owing to his business taking him so much away from town. The other councillors above-mentioned have put in a strenuous term of office, and we hope to see them all -e-elected. Mr W. Carter has definitely announced his candida-

ture aud he should prove a very useful councillor. Among the other names mentioned is that ot Mr Greig, a gentleman wellknown in commercial circles and a citizen whose administrative capabilities would be of incalculable value to the town. Mr Chrystall has also been suggested as a likely candidate. The coming term will carry greater responsibilities than heretofore aud it behoves townspeople to return the most capable men in our midst as administrators of the public fund.

Then there are two members to be elected to the Foxtou Harbour Board. The present members are Messrs P. Heuuessy aud G. H. Stiles. Both gentlemen have occupied the chairmanship of the Board with credit. Mr Henuessy’s connection with the Board is too well known to need comment, and it is his intention to again seek re-election. It goes without saying that he has the fullest confidence ot the electors aud his return is assured. It is matter for regret that Mr Stiles will not seek re-election to the Board, but the multifarious duties connected with the Mayoral chair are more than sufficient to occupy his time. We are in possession of the name of one gentleman who is willing to place his services at the disposal of the public on the Board, but if a more able representative is forthcoming, he is willing to stand down. It is opportune to place on record the excellent work accomplished by the clerk of the Board, whose duties during the initial period have been very arduous aud out of proportion to the salary received. Negotiations re the purchase of the wharf will occupy the consideration of the Board during the coming term.

The electors also are called upon to elect two representatives on the Wellington Harbour Board. There are three Richmonds in the field, viz., Messrs Cohen (present member), Abraham and Cobb. We have previously referred to the first two-named. The latter is a well-known Feildiug merchant who has done yeoman service on local bodies and should makea worthy district representative if elected. Elsewhere in this issue Mr Cobb publishes his platform, which commend to the careful perusal of electors.

East, but not least, the householders will be called upon, on the night of the 24th inst., to elect a school committee and review the work accomplished by the old committee. Nine “ good men and true ” will be required for this purpose. It will be seen, therefore, that the citizens have much to do this mouth and it is hoped thay will not shirk their responsibilities.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19110413.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 979, 13 April 1911, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,479

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, April 13, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 979, 13 April 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, April 13, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 979, 13 April 1911, Page 2

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