SHANNON NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 122, 27 April 1925, Page 2

SHANNON NOTES

MAYORAL ADDRESS. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Murdoch) addressed a largo gathering of electors on Friday evening in support of his candidature for the Mayoralty. Mr F. Taylor occupied the chair and in introducing Mr Murdoch spoke very highly of his services as Mayor of the town, also making reference to his self sacrifice, his ability, and his attention to publio duty which the Mayor had placed before everything else. His Worship gave a resume of the history of Shannon and Levin. lie pointed out the advantages Levin had received from the Government of 30 years ago, through being surveyed as a Government. township and village settlement. On the other hand, Shannon was sold by the Man* awatu Railway Company for private profit. AKo, Levin was the centre of the Ilorowhenua County Council, Power Board and other institutions. Ho pointed out that flax in Shannon some 25 years ago was a loosing proposition and a. great number of persons who had ventured in it had lost all and it was only, about the last 20 years that it became a payable proposition. Mr Murdoch said that: the old inhabitants of 'Shannon were not. backward in doing their utmost for the town and district, but had laboured under disadvantages. Ho told how a party 16 years ago which included Mr Field, M.P., traversed the mountains and bush of the Mangahao river to try and do something to further the electric power scheme which was now completed. From that venture the agitation had never ceased and in this respect lie paid a high compliment to Cr. Gunning. The speaker had interviewed the late Sir William Fraser on the matter several times and had written some Members of Parliament showing the great benefit of elect rio power , and Mangahao in particular. About 18 years ago it was found that money for building in Shannon could not be obtained from the Advances Department. Mr Murdoch said ho then protested in the press and brought the matter under the notice of the then member of the district, Mr Field, with the result that advances were made to Shannon in duo course.

Coming to matters of the present day, Mr Murdoch said he was in favour of bitmnenising the main thoroughfare of Shannon which was a main highway. But in this respect help would be required from the Main Highways Board for ho construction work. Resolutions had been passed by the council and forwarded to the Minister of Publio Works, Main Highways Board and member of the district (Mr Linklater). The question wus now being considered by the Highways Board of giving aid to small towns through which the highways passed. He was in favour of municipal buildings and, generally speaking, judicious borrowing, but to a limited extent. The speaker dealt with a number of minor matters, and during his address received a good hearing. Mr A. E. Hyde, also a candidate for the Mayoralty, replied at the finish of Mr Murdoch's address to one or two criticisms made during the evening. Mr T.. Moynihan was compelled to enter a private hospital on Friday to undergo an operation for appondicitis. He is progressing favourably. His Worship the Mayor received a cheque for £1 Is from Mr Wong Teng towards the Palmerston North hospital funds. Mrs Venn, of Clopham street, leaves at the end of this week for a trip to the Old Country.

Mrs Ourrie, of Wanganui, is paying a visit to her parents, Mr and Mrs W. H. Gunning.

The Rugby championship games of the Horowhenua Union commences on Mav 2nd.

The annual rneeiing of Shannon School householders takes place on May 4th. In view of the importance of the occasion, it is surely worth the time of parents and householders to do all they can towards the control of such an institution and it is hoped that this year will see a large and interested attendance. A meeting of delegates from the school committees in the HorOwhcnua -district will be held at Levin this week to, discuss a. united dental scheme.

The local Druids’ Lodge lipid a successful and enjoyable dance on Friday evening. The music was supplied by Mr J. Olsen, while the duties of M.C. were capably carried out by Mr Mason.

At the annual meeting of tho Horowhenua Rugby Union a committee was set up to meet the Mnnawatu Union and discuss tlip matter of amalgamating for all representative matches.