The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1017, 13 July 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In our last issue we stated that the flood waters from the Manawatu were running across the road at Whirokino. Much of the water in the vicinity of Herston farm came from drains on the adjoining properties, and very little water from the high flood in the Manawatu found its way on to the land in this locality. The protective works erected by the Moutoa Drainage Board saved hundreds of acies of land from inundation. In fact the only flood water which came over the banks were at localities not yet protected against high floods. Although the present flood is very high, it is the first time on record that it has been kept in check to such an extent. Localities which, in previous years, would have been feet deep with water are now high and dry thus effecting a great saving to settlers. The Board has more than justified its existence.

Mr Massey, leader of the Opposition, was to have addressed a public meeting at Christchurch on Tuesday night. Mr T. E. Taylor, m.p. and Mayor of Christchurch, consented to occupy the chair, but |in doing so referred to a statement made by Mr Massey in the House of Representatives on November 30th, 1910, as reported on page 1170 of “Hansard,” in which Mr Massey said that he was behind the scenes in the Sed-don-Taylor case, and if ever it fell to his lot he could tell a strange story in connection therewith. Mr Taylor expressed the hope that Mr Massey would avail himself of the opportunity on Tuesday night of proving the allegation quoted, or failing his opportunity to do so he would tender Mr Taylor and the constituency he represented a frank and generous apology. After this announcement appeared the papers endeavoured to get Mr Massey to make a pronouncement but he refused to be drawn. The public anticipated a lively time and

Christchurch and its wife wanted to attend that meeting. The Choral Hall was the only building available and long before the hour for the meeting the crowd took possession of the building and it was packed to suffocation, while crowds waited outside. The Mayor, Mr Massey and Inspector of Police, alter a brief conference, decided that it would be unsafe to hold the meeting and the Mayor announced this fact to the crowd. Mr Massey also briefly thanked them for the splendid reception they had given him and promised to address them at a subsequent date. The meeting was the most extraordinary yet held in Christchurch. The public were not interested in the policy speech ot the Leader of the Opposition. That was a very minor matter compared to the wordy battle they had been thirsting for between their “beloved Tommy” and Mr Massey and they went home disappointed. The meeting was a fiasco.