CARNIVAL EFFORT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2261, 9 April 1921, Page 2

CARNIVAL EFFORT

AS a result of the Queen Carnival effort, the funds of the local Beautifying Society should benefit to the extent- of upwards of a thousand pounds, which should enable the Society, in conjunction with the Borough Council, to start out on a well-defined scheme for the beautification and improvement of local reserves, which in the past have been neglected, owing to lack of public interest, and insufficient funds. -The gift of a valuable piece of land in the heart of the borough by Mr A. S. Easton, to lie used as a public park, stimulated interest in a beautifying scheme, and it was argued that without spate outside assistance and enthusiasm the Council would not be able to accomplish much with its restricted reserve revenue. Further, the beautification of the town was looked upon as a work upon which every one should take an interest. In this connection the local Horticultural Society has done much to foster a love for the beautiful in the home cultivation of flowers, etc. Something more was necessary to meet the general need,

lienee the formation of the Foxton Beautifying Society, which provided the dynamic force. But the Society could not make much headway without funds. It made a start, and employed an expert to submit a definite plan or lay out of Easton Park, and gathered in a few donations to supplement the Council’s reserve expenditure. But without an amount of at least £SOO very little progress could be made. ' Hence the appeal to the public for a big effort. A Carnival Committee was set up which, in its early stages, lacked enthusiasm, and was on the point of fizzling out for lack of a guiding and controlling head. With the appointment of a paid organiser, the effort began to assume shape. In this connection it should not be forgotten that without the appointment of an organiser there would have been no carnival, and any adverse comment in this connection should be scotched. The various queen committees entered into their work with splendid enthusiasm, and the spirit of friendly rivalry added grist to the cjirnival mill. It would be invidious to single out any particular committee for special praise where all worked so enthusiastically with the result that almost every one in the town and district in one way or another contributed to the funds. If there were any little omissions or commissions which caused passing individual disquiet in connection with the Carnival, let it he forgotten in the general rejoicing at the splendid result achieved for the common good of all. Foxton and district rose splendidly to the occasion, at a time of financial depression, and broke all previous records in this connection. The community can rest assured that the Beautifying Society and Borough Council, as trustees of the fund, will exercise a wise jurisdiction over the expenditure.

THE CENSUS. .ON Sunday, the 17th April, what is known as the “census'’ will be taken in New Zealand. A census is simply a means of obtaining information about the people of a country. It is nearly six thousand years Alice the first-known census was taken in ancient Babylonia. Something of the kind was certainly in use in early Egypt before 2500 8.C., and also in China prior to 3000 B.C. A Biblical instance of a census is (hat of the Hebrews, in 1490 8.C., when Moses took a count of his people, as related in the Book of Numbers. In ancient Roman times a very systematic form of census was taken; indeed, the very name of “census'’ is derived from the Latin verb eenseo (I register, or enrol), It was the duty of certain high officers called “Censors” to make a register of the citizens and their property. This register determined a man’s position in the State, and also the taxation due from him as a citizen. Far different in purpose are the modern censustakings, which'date back to those of Sweden in 1749, America in 1790, and England in 1801. New Zealand's first general census was that of .1851, and the present forms the seventeenth enumeration in the history of the Dominion. At first the census was taken every three years; now it is a live-yearly one. The census of 1921 lias a very special interest, as it forms a part of the great Empire post-war survey. In all parts of the British Empire a census will he taken in 1921 —in Austrai'a on the 4th April, in New Zealand on the 17th, and in the United Kingdom on the 24th, while South Africa will count her people on the 3rd May, and Canada on the Ist June. In order to carry out the census the Dominion is divided into districts, each in charge of an officer called an “Enumerator,” who employs assistants called “Subenumerators.'’ Over a thousand 'men will he engaged in distributing

iincl collecting census papers. Each carries a map of his*(listriet. and must leave a census schedule at every inhabited building and on hoard ship within that area. On horseback, on bicycle, on foot, by boat, the census-takers penetrate every inhabited part of the Dominion.