PATEA NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 28 November 1914, Page 3

PATEA NOTES.

(From our own correspondent). (HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME. , The engineer of the Patea Harbor Board presented a report at the Board's last meeting, which shows that he is losing no time in the efforts to further the harbor interests.

In the course of his report he said: 'With regard to dredging in the Patea harbor, I am of opinion that under our present circumstances the best course to pursue is to erect a non-propelling suction dredger, fitted, with powerful cutter gear and arrange to pump the spoil direct into the river during ebb spring tides. As soon as the guide pier is removed I do not antitipate that further dredging operations will have any bad effect upon the entrance to the harbor, owing to the character of the material to be dealt with. ,The removal of ,the aforesaid bank certainly presents some difficulties, but I anticipate that these diffitics can be overcome by carrying the work out in a judicious manner. Under normal conditions very little beneficial effect due to dredging can be be looked for at the entrance in its present conditions. The full benefit of -dredging operations will not have been realised until the breakwaters have been extended. The effect of clearing out the channel will, however, have a marked effect in flood time.

The engineer condemned the suggestion of a floating pipe for the purpose of pumping the spoil from the dredge over the eastern wall, he considering the scheme impracticable.

TROUBLE IN THE HOME DEFENCE CORPS. Some time ago a corps was formed locally for the purpose of home defence. Amid much enthusiasm a large body of local men, most of them ex volunteers, imbued with the spirit' of patriotism which is the pride of out Empire, gave in their names and attended drill in the local town hall. Officers were elected, and an average parade of from thirty to forty members was decidedly encouraging. There was, however, a fly in the military ointment. One member of the corps was given ih» position of sergeant, despite the fact that he possessed a German name, and came of German parents. The fulcrum of dissatisfaction was reached when he openly gave vent to pro-German sentiments. This was too much for our zealous defenders, and the evidence of the fact became palpable when eventually only one or two privates out of the whole company attended parade. A meeting of the corps was called, and the upshot was that the sergeant in question was asked to hand in his resignation. As an outcome of the affair, it is Alleged that the captain handed is his resignation and has been asked to reconsider it.

POLITICAL. The political fight still goes on with increasing activity on both sides. Mi Morrison is very confident of winning, and the same may be said of Mr Pearce, the Reform candidate.

Judging from the lively meeting which Mr Pearce had in Hawera recently, it is evident that his side of politics is not so popular in that centre as it was at last election. There arc, however, the' numerous side issues inseparable from local politics which make the thing somewhat complicated. Mr Massey is entering the field on behalf of the Reform candidate, and is to give two addresses one next Friday at Hawera, and a short one at Waverley on Saturday.

What the outcome of the election will be there is as usual a certain amount of doubt, though the Liberals claim to have made substantial headway throughout the electorate. The "Red Fed" party cry is being used by the opponents of Liberalism, but as Mr Morrison, the Liberal candidate, is himself a farmer, the Red Fed stunt is robbed of its effectiveness.

When it is applied to a man of Mr Morrison's standing, it becomes a mere fatuity. Otherwise the election is being very keenly fought, and neither candidate, V-% so far, indulged in personal "mudsliß'jing."