The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 1917. UPPER WANGAEHU ROAD DISTRICT

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 August 1917, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 1917. UPPER WANGAEHU ROAD DISTRICT

(With which is incorporated The Taihape Post and Waimarino News).

It has been conclusively pointed out that the relationship of the Upper Wangaehu Road District and the Wanganui County is an unnatural one, and therefore an utterly impossible one for all practical purposes. It i s humanly certain that the man who scrawled County boundaries on a map could have had no knowledge of the topography of the country. Officers of the Wanganui County virtually admit all this, and recently the Clerk of the County attended a meeting of the Road Board a.td urged th Board to take steps to get, separation. The County officer that the Road District was being ruled and the money spent year after year with absolutely no benefit to the settlers from whose pockets the money came. In fact it was quite impracticable to get County machinery into the district. On the other hand the Road District is a nuisance and a drawback to the County as, owing to the variation of rates levied the County loses considerably more in subsidy than i s gained from the unnatural alliance. Road District and County are agreed that it is distinctly in the best interests oT both parties that they should be divorced. The first proposal was to make a new County, but the policy of the present Government is opposed to increasing the number of such bodies. Therefore, a more natural, profitable, and satisfactory alliance has to be made, or the Road District must go- on sending its money to Wanganui, getting norhing in return, and allowing its roads to starve. Perhaps some way out of the difficulty is available that would prove much more advantageous I an fcftuing a new County, and one that would be in accordance with the Ministry’s view of County government. The Read District could be managed by the Rangitikei Coumy as easily, or more easily, than some of its present territory and an amalgamation world be distinctly advantageous from every point of view. The Wanganui County is anxious to get rid of the unnatural alliance, and the Road District is equally anxious for arrangements that

would result in greater efficiency at a less cost. The process of divorce is simple and the linking up with Rangitikei can be brought about at the same time. In a case of this kind, in which it is admitted by both parties that here is a non-community of interest, the 1913 Amendment of the Counties Act prescribes a very simple .procedure. There is absolute unanimity of the settlers, and the County has, through its Clerk, expressed its desire to have the lopping off process put into action as soon "as possible. Then, we understand, the Rangitikei | County has expressed its willingness to have the Road District brought [within its jurisdiction. There are no distracting elements; the Road District goes in toto from one Coimty to another by the one simple operation. All that needs to be done by the Road Board is to approach the Wangauui County, requesting that body to I pass a resolution proposing that the 1 County boundary be altered by ex- | eluding the Road District and that the I area so excluded be included in the Rangitikei County. The Rangitikei Council will have to pass a resolution just on similar lines, namely, that the Road District be taken out of the. , Wanganui County and included in that of Rangitikei. This done the R-.ad District becomes a part of the Rangitikei County forthwith. There is no need for merging into the Wanganui County first. The 1913 Amendment of the Counties Act Is clear and simple on that point. As a change of this nature will largely benefit settlers in the Upper Wangaehu we expect, within two months, to see these setters brought under the jurisdiction of the Rangitikei County Council, and to see the County officers and machinery at work on the Upper Wangaehu roads.

AN APPEAL FOR MONEY. From reports that reach the Minister of Finance it seems tolerably certain that the War Loan is satisfactorily progressing towards a complete success. In various parts of the country locally instituted organisations are assisting the Minister most materially, bringing in considerable sums of money. No news his yet come to hand of any very extensile contribut'd!? from wealthy men cr institutions, but there are numerous cases recur led of working people going to the Post Office counter and asking tor their one, two, three or four more one pound War Certificates. One man put down his three or four pounds and apologised that he could not take more; he gave all the monetary assistance that he was capable of towards winning the war. This man was a specimen patriot, a brilliant example to those with more money w T ho have not yet invested a penny to help- in smashing Germany, and achieving a lasting peace. There was no occasion for this man to apologise, his action is one that every humane man and woman in this country will applaud and feel proud of. A certain sum of money to be raised by these one pound Certificates has been fixed so as to . allow the . poorest amongst us to show that we are as earnest over this war as the richest can be. The poor man who hands his pound over the counter for his one certificate has probably passed in all the money then in his possession, there is not a rich man in the land that is likely to- emulate the sacrifice. The Minister of Finance seems to think the wholes .country needs shaking up to a full realisation of its duty in connection with this War Loan, and he has addressed a Stirring, earnest appeal to the head of every local body in the Dominion. Hereunder the text of this appeal is printed in full:

‘ ‘ Dear Sir, —Never in the history of our race has an issue fraught with such far-reaching and grave consequences been before the nation. The enemy, who would forever crush the freedom we prize so de'arly, is at the zenith of his power. By a supreme ef: fort we can hasten the inevitable setting of that enemy’s sun, but to accomplish ' this combined, continuous and prompt action is absolutely essential. To one in your position it is not necessary for me to explain that the War Loan provides one of those elements towards success which cannot possibly be omitted. I feel, therefore, safe in your active co-op-eration in making it a success. What is required is not only meetings of citizens, but the formation of active committees, to whom will be assigned specified, districts in which to obtain definite promises of help towards the Loan. Will you help the State to make this Loan an even greater success than the last? The need is great, the time is short, but I rely absolutely upon the people of all classes to subscribe according to their means, and upon you to see that local organisation and concentration of effort are adequate to the requirements of so great an occasion. In the certain knowdedge that you will met fail.—Yours sincerely, J. G. WARD, Minister of Finance.”

A slight fall of snow occurred in the neighbourhood of Masterton on Monday afternoon.

“It has been estimated that. 550,000 people go to the picture shows every week, 5 ’ said Mr J. A. Young in the House.

A motion to permit Sunday p!ay was defeated at a meeting of the Pahiatua Bowling Club. A proposal to keep liquor off the green during the currency of the war was thrown out.

There are degrees of meanness even in thieving, but it would surely be difficult to get much lower down th e scale of meanness than to thieve from a send-off social to soldiers. No fewer than 31 cups saucers, and basins were stolen at a send off to soldiers one night last week. —Timaru Herald.

It seems that cheap cables to soldiers fighting at the front is somei what of a misnomer, as the bare ad- ! dress on a cable to a soldier in Eng--1 land costs over one pound. At the rate lof Is 4d a word the soldier’s number ' alone ran into 6s Bd, This was the experience of a father, cabling to his son yesterday.

In view of the Second Division Reservists being soon called upon, Sergt Major Forrest proposes to open a class of instruction, entirely free of any charge, where men may equip themselves for gaining, rapid promotion. Any Second Division men wishing to avial themselves of SergtMajor Forrest's generous offer should copimunicate with him at the Taihape Defence Office.

How true is it (says the Manchester Guardian) that as things stand to-day it is the German autocracy, with its appanage of professors and officers, against the world against its own people as well as the enemies imposing on all alike the hardship, the bloodshed and the heartbreak, that can know no end until until the tryanny that is responsible for them is either finally beaten in the field or shattered in its own home.

Mr. A Litchfield, of Eaukura, has received from his son, who is fighting in France, a belt fantastically decorated with all the military badges he has been able to crowd on to it. There are buttons from Turkish soldiers coats, Gorman buttons and badges, besides the badges worn by various troops of our Allies, and by forces from other parts of the British Empire. The belt has evidently been planned and worked in the young soldier’s spare time.

‘ ‘There are a lot of farmers like you have never done any work, and it is about time you set to, and realised that we are at war.” So said Mr. A. O’L. Considine, to a farmer witness who appeared before the Third Military Board in Wellington on Wednesday. “This is a time when we must expect some inconvenience or other. Every appellant regards himself as essential. He is not so. As I have said, you must put up with inconvenience, and if necessary, do some work yourselves.”

A large steamer which left New Zealand recently met the full force of the easterly gale and for three days was buffeted about, being sometimes broadside on. This was due to water putting out some of the fires. The pumps were started, but became choked, and soon the water rose above the stokehold plates and prevented the firemen keeping up the fires. The steamer by this lost headway and kept falling into the trough of the sea. Fears wore entertained for the vessel’s safety, but after three days’ hard work, - the crew and the engine-room staff overcame the difficulty.

The first of a series of euchre parties in aid of the. local Catholic School building fund was held in the Town Hall supper room last night. A hard working committee of ladies and gentlemen had spared no pains to have arrangements for the entertainment of players as complete as possible. Considering the wretched weather conditions there was a very attendance and with ticketsj sold the function should prove financially as well as socially successful. Eighteen tables were engaged t>y players all of whom enjoyed themselves to the full. The ladies prize was won by Mrs. D. Neagle after play off with Misses McDonnell and D Leahy, whilst the men’s prize was won by Mr. Bert Barrett after a play off with Mr. W. Younger, Both prizes were donated by Father Ivincade. The lady’s consolation prize was won by Miss D. Swenson and the Men’s by Private Rolls. If is the intention .of the committee to hold these functions fo :t----nightly, and a cup will bef donated to the winner of the aggregate in all competitions. In addition to the euchre party in a fortnight’s time a social and dance will be held so that oil tastes will be catered for and of last evening’s function is a- criterion of those to follow a most enjoyable evening's entertainment is in store for those who attend future functions. Stocktaking thrown-out bargain event (see windows. Collinson and Gifford Ltd.

Nine purebred Campine pullets and bens are advertised for sale by Mr. T. P. Ransom, These birds are from the famous prize-winners of two years ago, and which were very highly praised by the Show judges.

A Christchurch, man who takes a very keen interest in military matters estimates that, owing to the absence of local camps, South Island soldiers on leave have spent about £90,000 for steamer fares up to the present. The expenditure involved by relations going to Wclington, to farewell South Islanders/ leaving for the front has approximated £250,000.

Labour papers and many alleged leaders of the Labour movement in Australia (says the Sydneys Bulletin) appear to consider that by denouncing Capitalism and profitraongers, and war in all its aspects, they can in some vague w r ay help to bring the fearful tragedy to an end and push the cause of universal peace forward. The most humble man in khaki is doing more every day, of his life for. the protection of Eight and Truth and Justice than all these others do in years.

Don’t miss seeing the Stocktaking Throw-out Bargains at Collinson and Gifford Ltd. (see windows).