SOLDIERS AT PLAY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 25 September 1915, Page 4

SOLDIERS AT PLAY.

BEHIND THE FIGHTING LINE.

The proximity of the battlefield no more precludes the sports of soldiers in Europe than it deters the Australasians from sea-bathing on the coast of Gallipoli. According to a recent issue of the London Sporting Life it is not only the British battalions that are holding sports in France. Their- example has proved infectious, and now the French troops are as keen as their comrades in khaki, while even the Belgians have remembered the call of sport. , The Battalion of Infantry held a meeting within hearing of the guns; and although the performances wore not up to championship standard they were quite good for the prevailing Conditions. Captain Geoffrey dc la Mothe was the most prominent, athlete, winning the 100 metres and 400 metres hurdles, and giving his section the victory in the relay race. The 2nd D.A. Belgian Cyclist Company held an athletic meet somewhere in France, at 'which Van den Auden, now a member of the C.A.V., Paris, won the 100 yards and long jump.

There is n groat demand for boxing glow's among the British soldiers on th.C Continent.;

TAIHAFS BOROUGH COUNCIL,

FORTNIGHT]jY MEETING.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Talhapo Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night, when there were present:

The Mayor (Cr A. L. Arrowsmith), Crs H. D. Bennett, Geo. Wrightson, R. Healey, E. C. Barnett, F. W. Somerville, W. McLennan.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed on the motion of Crs Bennett and Wrightson. A letter was received from the Rev.

Stent, on behalf of fellow ministers, thanking the Council for generosity in refunding charge for hall. —Received. Engineer of Railways, Ohakune, stating that Railway Department would supply 30 yards of. metal as early as possible and balance of order later. — Received.

From Inspector of Health (Mr Swindells), submitting to Council new sanitation by-laws for adoption, and suggesting that if uniformity was arranged. it would save a great deal of trouble when inspecting. Cr McLennan moved tjhat the matter be left in the hands of the Works Committee. Cr Bennett seconded. —Carried.

Prom New Zealand Home Builders, asking premission to cart shingle from the Borough pit.—Permission granted. From R. J. Downing, secretary of Miss Whenuaroa’s committee, asking for use of Recreation Ground on October 25. The matter was held in abeyance in accordance with the report of the Reserves Committee.

A letter was received from J. O’Brien, livery stables, drawing attention to the dangerous nature of the approach to his stables, and suggesting that Council extend the culvert for a short disatnce, and offering to do all filling in. Thi s letter had been submitted to the Finance Committee, who realised the need of th e improvement, and in their report recommended that the amount required for this work be authorised. Councillors concurred with this decision. and the recommendation of the Finance Committee was adopted. The letter sent by the Town Clerk to the Universal Film Supply Company, of Auckland, was read to the Council, but as no reply had been received to it, the matter was left in the hands of the Special Committee. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT. The report of the Finance Committee read as follows: Your Committee has to report having met this day, and recommends as follows; 1. That, the Treasurer’s report, submitted herewith, be adopted, and that the accounts stated therein, be passed for payment. 2. That the amount required for the work recommended by the Works, Committee, at the approach t% My J. O’Brien’s stables in. Matal Street, be; authorised.

The Mayor moved its adoption, and Cr McLennan seconded. WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT. The report of the Works Committee which read as follows, was adopted; Your Committee has to report having met on the 23rd inst, and recommends as follows,

1. That the Borough Foremans report, submitted herewith, be adopted, subject to the question of purchasing a water cart being held over until further information in connection therewith is obtained.

2. Re Application from the Foreman of the N.Z.. Home Builders, Ltd./ for permission to cart shingle from the Borough pit: That permission be granted. 3. Re letter from Mr J. O'Brien in regard to improving the approach to his stables in Matai Street; That the Council undertakes the necessary" work, on conditions stated in Mr O’Brien’s letter, and provided the Finance Committee can see its v/ay to recommend the expenditure of the amount required , for the work. BOROUGH FOREMAN’S REPORT. Work during the fortnigjht just ended has consisted of the finishing of the various road s works authorised.

South Road. —Work on this road is how completed, with the exception of a few chains of watertahles yet to be cleaned out. ....

■North Road. —Rhe portion of this road leading towards Cody’s brewery has been reformed .metalled and rolled. Kuia and Kuku Streets have been scarified and reformed. While at work on Hula Street, the road roller broke down, and it will be some time; before this machine is at work again.

Liberal use has been made of the Countjy Council’s water cart during the dry weather, to allay the dust nuisance, etc. TO save the roads from breaking up too badly during the summer months, I would recommend that favourable consideration be given to the purchasing of a suitable water cart.

ELECTRIC LIGHT AND WATERWORKS COMMITTEE. The report of the Electric Light and Waterworks Committee, read a.? follows: Gentlemen, —Your committee has to

report having met on the. 20th inst., and recommends as follows:

That the pump at present on hire from Messrs Niven and Co., Wellington, be purchased on tferais to be arranged by the Finance Committee.

Cr Bennett mentioned that the Council had got a pump in their possession, which they had got on hire from Messrs piiven and Co. The arrangement made was tjhat if the pump was purchased within a specified time, no charge would be made for hire. The Finance Committee had now agreed to the purchase of the pump, and he- - thought tjheiy had nothing to lose and everything to .gain. The pump would com e in useful in many ways, and it was proposed to put it into execution at McKeown’s at once. He would move the adoption of the report. Cr Wrightson seconded. —Carried. TOWN HALL AND RESERVES COMMITTEE.

The report of the Town Hall and Reserves Committee read a s follows, aud Cr McLennan moved its adoption. T our Committee has to report having met this day, and recommends as follows:

1. Re application from secretary of Mis s Wlhenuaroa’s Carnival Committee for use of Recreation Brounds cn 25th October: That, it being understood that the Carnival Committee proposes to hold a combined function on this day, the matter be held in abeyance.

2. Re charge for Hall during the Carnival: That each candidate be granted the use of the Town Hall for one night a week up to 1 a.m. for the nominal charge of £l. The Mayor said there was one matter which required the attention of the Council, and that was in regard to th e damage being caused to roads and streets by the tyres of the vehicle being driven by Mr Carrie. TJhe wheels were now practically without rubber tyres, and if they permitted this to go on, it would seriously injure the roads. The matter could be left with the Borough Inspector. The Town Clerk x-eally held that position by virtue of office. Cr Wrightson agreed that the matter was a serious one, and needed immediate attention. Cr Bennett moved that the TownClerk bo appointed inspector. Cr. Barnett seconded.

After some discussion it was decided that the matter be left with the Inspector to deal with. The Council then adjourned.