GENERAL TELEGRAMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 203, 7 May 1912, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS

AUCKLAND SUBURBAN LAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Monday. Forty-six acres of the Orakei Estate, which the City Council proposed to acquire for suburban homes, were sold last month for .1:4500, and application lias been made to the Maori Land Board for confirmation of the transaction. The Mayor states that steps will be taken to oppose the application on the ground that it is not in the best interests of the natives. It is believed that other sales have been completed, but details are not ascertainable. A CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY. Dargav/ille, Monday. An extraordinary vacancy having' occurred in the Borough Council, Mr. F. Jones, proprietor of the Times, was returned against two other candidates. The return was questioned owing to Mr. Jones' printing and advertising contract with the council. The manager of the Time 3 has asked for a withdrawal of the contract. Legal opinion was sought, which said that Mr. Jones was disqualified and also ineligible to stand again unless the council agreed to the cancellation of the contract. Meanwhile Mr. Jones offered to insert borough advertisments free if the contract was cancelled. A majority of the council agreed to this, and Mr. Jones is now considered eligible to stand. ABOLITION OF A PORTAL REBATE. Napier, Monday. Recently the Postal Department notified the abolition of the 1% per cent, poundage allowed merchants on automatic franking machines. Mr. Brown, M.P., at the request of a deputation, made representations to the PostmasterOeneral on the subject, but Mr. Ell has replied that he cannot see his way to reinstate the poundage, as the expense of making collection and allowing credit to holders is so heavy, materially reducing the amount collected for postage.