LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1094, 10 September 1912, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The local State school re-opened yesterday. At the skating rink next Thursday a rehearsal of all those taking part in the grand march for Monday’s carnival will be held. The Inspector of Nuisances reported at last night’s Council meeting that the borough is in a satisfactory condition at present. The primary elections of representatives to the Chinese Parliament have been fixed for December roth, and the final ballots for January roth. Mr John Mason, solicitor, of Palmerston North, who intends paying weekly visits to Foxtou, will be in attendance in rooms in Mrs Hamer’s buildings to-morrow and Thursday. It was decided at last night’s Council meeting on the motion of the Mayor seconded by Cr Whibley, that all rates unpaid on October ist be sued for without further notice.

On account of Cr Greig’s absence from last night's meeting of the Council it was decided that his notice of motion in connectiou with the granting of the ball to the Horticultural Society be held over until next meeting. At last night’s Council meeting Cr Whibley said he had been informed by a member of the Band that the sum donated to the Band last year, £5, was an annual grant. He asked if this was so. The Mayor said that on two occasions donations of ,£5 had been made, but it was certainly not an annual graut.

At last night’s Council meeting a letter was read from Mr E. Dunn, asking what the Council intended to do in connection with Mr Cooper’s account for advice, etc., in the matter of the exhumation and re-burial of his child. The account {£2 2s) was enclosed. — The Mayor stated that the Borough Solicitor was of opinion that the Council was not liable. No action was therelore taken.

During last month 309,000 ft of gas was manufactured at the local works, which, added to the amount in holder on August Ist, 6000 ft, made a total of 315,000 ft. The amount sold to consumers was 242,600 ft, used in street lamps 26, • ooott, used at works and manager’s house 30,000 ft, gas in holder on Sept. Ist 9,000 ft, leaving 7,400 ft unaccounted for. The amount of coal carbonised was 25 tons jcwt yielding i2,noit per ton. Since the previous meeting of the Council, Cr Richmond gave notice to move at last night’s meeting that the motion deleting the southern end of Main Street from the brick wall area be rescinded. When the matter was mentioned last night the Mayor pointed out that the motion was not in order as an amendment to a by-law could only be brought forward at a special meeting convened for that purpose. The working of the gas works last mouth resulted in a profit of £g 8s gd after providing for interest and sinking fund. The receipts totalled £147 6s gd, made up as follows: Gas sales 7s 7d, tar sales £6 Bs, coke sales £g 4s Bd, fitting account labour only £l4. 4s and weighing £i 2s 6d. The expenditure was 18s, comprised of coal 14s gd, working expenses 16s rod, fitting 16s, plant 18s gd and interest and sinking tund £sg ns Bd.

At last night’s Council meeting the following letter was read : “The Mayor and Councillors, Foxton Borough.—Having had a summons for the amount of ,£3 served on me on the 4th September, 1912, which I had paid on August 20th and having received no receipt for it, I think, gentlemen. the affairs of the Council are carried on in a rather lax manner, and gentlemen I think it is about time the Town Clerk was dispensed with. Yours etc., Syd. Easton, for Fasten and Co.” At the request of Cr Coley the Town Clerk explained the position. He said the amount referred to was owing for gas fittings supplied about r2 mouths ago and that an account for same had been rendered every month. About two or three months ago a notification was sent that if the account was not paid it would be put into the hands of the Borough Solicitor for collection. The account, with others, was afterwards handed to Mr Moore and a day or so afterwards the cheque was placed iu the letter box on the door of the Council Chamber. As the matter was in the hands of the solicitor he had handed the cheque to him. The matter was entirely out of his (the Town Clerk's) hands. Short stories by Joseph Hocking can be obtained every week from Mrs Nye, price one penny weekly Place your orders now/ Try H. C. Easton for good Meat Only the best supplied.*

The ordinary meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board will be held in the Council Chambers on Friday next, 13th inst, at 7.45 p.m.

The poundkeeper reported at last night’s Council meeting that during the month of August six head of cattle and 14 horses had been impounded by the ranger, the driving fees amounting to 15s. There were present at last night’s Council meeting: The Mayor (A. J. Gibbs Esq.,) and Crs. Coley, Speirs, Richmond, Stewart, Chrystall, Whibley and Hannah. Cr Greig forwarded an apology for absence on account of being subpoenaed as a witness in a Supreme Court suit at Wellington. Surgeons at the Chicago hospital removed nineteen pocket knives, seventeen nails, five knife blades, a dozen screws, and a silver dollar from the stomach of John Mariner, a patient who was sent to the hospital complaining of stomach ache.

Joseph Eesina, of Queensland, has been appointed New Zealand organiser for the Trade. Eesina represented Claremont in the last Queensland Parliament, and as his constituency was abolished in consequence ol the redistribution of seats, he did not stand last election.

At last night’s Council meeting accounts amounting to ,£551 os rod were passed for payment. This amount was allocated as follows General account ,£169 18s yd, gas works 12s 4d, reserves £5 17s, town hall 5s rod, sanitation ,£433, and library account £4. 4s. Some little time ago the Council invited tenders for the erection of an iron fence round the section recently purchased in Hall Street. Two tenders were received, the lowest being ,£4B ios, which Councillors considered excessive—the tenderer then offering to reduce his price by ros. It was decided to do the work by day labour, and at last night’s meeting the Town Clerk reported that the total cost of the work, which had now been completed, was 12s yd, the carrying out ol the work by day labour resulting in a saving to the ratepayers of almost £lO. After being sworn, and before any questions had been addressed him a witness at the Carterton Magistrate’s Court, directing his speech to the Magistrate, said in a manner which sounded very much like a testimony from the ring ; “ I have only a few words to say, dear sir, and I won’t keep you long!” Everyone, including the wondering magistrate, looked in the witness’s direction, and as he remained silent for a few seconds examining counsel asked : “ Well, and what do you know about the fight?” Quick came the response: ” Nothing !” The crowd laughed, and the witness was dismissed from further service.

Saturday night’s municipal picture entertainment was fairly well patronised, and the programme submitted met with much approval. The nature study film, “Pitcher Plant,” provided an interesting illustration of the peculiar nature ot that insectcatching plant, and also the several varieties of the same species. The topical film showing the late Miss Harriett Quimby in her great aeriel achievement was very good. The remainder of the programme was composed of a good variety of dramas and comic items. At the Patea S.M. Court last week, two brothers, named Sellan, recent arrivals from the Old Country were fined ,£5 and 7s costs in default three weeks’ imprisonment, and 40s and 7s costs in default seven days respectively for failing to comply with the terms of the Defence Act. Defendant’s father said, “I didn’t come out here to have my sons made soldiers. I will not have them taken away from their work.” Defendant remarked that he would leave the country, to which his Worship said that it would be a good thing if defendant carried out his expressed intention. New Zealand did not want men of his stamp. As defendant had apparently made up his mind to defy the law of the land it was no use him explaining that he should so something for his country while he was in New Zealand.

The trophies for the forthcoming skating carnival to be held in the Town Hall on Monday next, 16th inst., are now on view in Mr Bradley’s shop window. They are a particularly handsome set of prizes and include solid silver spoons in case lor the winner of the ladies quarter-mile race, silver shoe horn and button hook for best lady’s fancy costume, ladies silver hat pin stand and two silver mounted hat pins lor lady in best couple, ladies toilet set in Morocco case for best lady skater, embossed silver match box for half-mile gents, race, silver shaving mug and brush in case for gents, prize in the best couple competition, silver mounted smoke skin card or cigar case for best gents, fancy dress, full toilet set in Morocco case for best gent, skater. All trophies are restricted to competitors in fancy costume. The promoter of the carnival. Mr R. A. Rough, has acted very generously in the matter of prizes which should attract keen competition. The prizes will be awarded to the winners by the Mayor at 10 p.m. All entries are free. The carnival, which will be the first of its kind held in the Town Hall, should attract a fulljhouse. Manures for farmers and gardeners. Give your plants a good start by using Superphosphate. Also a line of Fowl-feed Oats, 2s fid per bushel. Orders booked at Nye’s Coal Yard,*

Mr F. Pirani has signified his intention to retire from public life for twelve months in order to have a little time to himself. He deserves it.

At the Trinity College Musical Examinations held in Palmerston on Friday last, the pupils presented by Saint Mary’s Convent were successful. The following are the marks: Annie Conlau (Intermediate), 66 ; Hazel Pearson (Junior), 69; Gladys Walls (Junior), 67. It will be six weeks on Wednesday (says the Post) since Parliament assembled to do business under the new Ministry, and according to the Premier’s original estimate another six weeks should bring the end of the session. But so little has been accomplished so far that the record of the session will be a barren one. unless the Premier’s estimate is considerably exceeded or the legislative pace is much accelerated.

The latest books at R. M. Parkes’ 21/-watches selling for 17/6. A few more lines still to clear in plate at much reduced prices.* Wanted—The people of Foxton and the surrounding districts to know that A. de Luen, tailor, of Palmerston North, will call on anyone with samples upon the receipt of a postcard. Costumes from £4 4s, Suits from £4 10s.*