The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” TUESDAY, JULY 14,1903.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 198, 14 July 1903, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” TUESDAY, JULY 14,1903.

Mr A. Manoy's letter to the Borough Council concerning sanitary matters, partially considered at the meeting on Tuesday last, deserves more than passing notice. The public health is a matter of first importance to the community, and in the case of a Borough, the responsibility of seeing that healthy conditions exist is thrown upon the controlling body, the Borough Council, which, according to the Municipal Corpoiations Act is also a Board of Health. That they recognise the position was apparent by the remarks which fell from His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Ryder, and Trewavas. "Our Chief Magistrate is to make enquiries when in Nelson this week and if he has time it would not be misspent if an interview was arranged with Dr Frengley, the Chief Medical Health Officer who could furnish valuable information. The result of the visit to Nelson will be looked forward to those who have for some time past seen that with the growth of the Borough, especially in the business portion, the custom followed hitherto must cease, or we may have visitations of epidemics and fevers which will bring desolation and sadness to many homes. Now that public attention has been drawn to our present unsanitary methods it behoves those in authority to at once set their house in older, even if those within the inner or more particularly affected area are called upon to contribute to the maintenance of an organised and effective system. Sanitation and drainage (especially the latter) are questions which exercise minds of all Borough Councillors, and there is often considerable diversity of opinion as to the best means to be adopted, but as Cr Ryder said, the position has to be faced.

The Steele-Payne Family of Bellringers had a crowded audience at the Institute Hall last night—a proof that when a talented company, with a well established reputation, comes here it is well supported. The programme submitted was an excellent one, thoroughly appreciated by those present, every item being vociferously encored. The company left for Wellington to-day. A correspondent of~ the Mataura Ensign mentions a somewhat curious coincidence in the fact that the first customer to partake of a drink at the

Stony Cieek Hotel when it opened on July 1, 1894, also had the last drink in the house on Tuesday nipht before the bar finally closed. The Pekin and Indian Runner ducks which Messrs Boyes and Canavan exhibited at the Nelson Show, carrying off several prizes, were greatly admired this morning when they were landed on the Motueka Wharf.

Mr Tarrant, being unable to procure the services of F. Starnes for the stone breaking machine, has engaged James Starnes, and we are informed that they started work this morning. In order to secure a strong representative football team to visit Takaka and Colling wood on the 24th of this month, the Secretary of the Riwaka Football Club, Mr H. Byrne, asks all footballers to send in their names to him at once. We trust Mr Byrne's efforts to secure a team will meet' with success; he is certainly deserving of thanks for taking an active interest in the project. A comfortable nine roomed house, with coach house, stable, etc., is advertised for sale, Mr G. Austin, of Motueka, The house stands on half an acre of land, and there is an orchard in full bearing.

Messrs Bert Taskei and Co., the ready money drapers, notify that their mammoth clearing sale will close on Saturday next. Those in search of bargains will do jvell to pay Mr H. Fowler, the manager, a visit. f We are informed the Rev. Thomas Johnston has handed over tp Mr H. L. Moffatt the sum of twenty-two shillings as a donation towards the Motu- ' eka Memorial Fund. The money in question was collected for another [object which is not likely to be attained land Mr Johnston has therefore devoted Stto another equally laudable purpose. The present debt is a personal one as far as the committee is concerned and the public should see that thev do not have to put their hands in their pockets to pay it. The conference between members of the Borough Council and the Wharf Board, to consider the draft of the Harbor Board Bill forwarded by Mr R. McKenzie, M.H.R., will be held at the Council Chamber to-morrow afternoon.

King Edward's lecent visit to Malta recalls a fact which is known only to very few persons. Malta is one of the largest granaries in all Europe. In its subterranean caves and magazines are always stored millions- of tons of wheat destined to prevent the population from being starved into surrender in case of a blockade by the navy of an enemy. These enormon,s quantities of grain which are continually being renewed, wheie inspected with gieat interest by the King, who was the first English sovereign ,to put foot on the shore of Malta since the island j became an English possession. Mr Ell's Bill to abolish the totalisator is a measure of only one operative clause, which repeals sections 47 and 48 o*f the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, sections 3 to 6 of the Stamp Acts Amendment Act, 1891, and section 6 of the Gaming Act, 1894. The West Coast Times says:—At the County Council meeting the other day the "scenes" for which the Council is attaining uncivilgnotoriety, occurred once mote. Ooe Councillor made unprovoked and gratuitously insulting attacks On the Chairman and .vent to suehfpengths that two of the older Councillors futtered vigorous protests. The Chairman is much too long suffering with this particular member, and would be well advised in adjourning the council if such offences are repeated*.. Sixty-eight horses were sold by public auction at the Whangarei pound on Saturday week at prices ranging from Is to 3s each. Some of them are said to be fine auimals.