DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

OPCNAKE. The monthly meeting was held in the secretary's (Mr O'Brien's) ofliee on Thursday afternoon. Present : Messrs T. P. Hughson (chairman), A. H. Moore, C. IT. Hurst, J. Macfie, R. Lamlie, K. Malcolm, A. McKeown. The secretary reported that a signboard warning that no gravel or shingle was to be removed from the Hoard's reserve without permission had been knocked down twice.

The Board wrote to the manager of the Farmers' Co-operative Society claiming royalty on 000 yards of gravel. The manager replied' that the society had contracted for the gravel, and if any royalty was claimed that it should be referred to Mr Hiekey, the contractor. Mr Moore said the contractor did not include royalty in his contract with the society, and the society would have 10 pay. The. Board was not asking for double payment. On the motion of Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Hurst, it was agreed to write to that effect.

The Marine Department wrote in reply to the Board's communication that the Department had not answered the Board's letter of inquiry asking what was the position in the event of a contractor dismantling a wharf and leaving stumps of piles in the bar to the detriment of shipping that the Department had replied on oth March and forwarded a copy of the letter. The letter stated that under the Harbours Act, PHIS, it would be illegal for him to do so, and he would be liable to a fine of £2O and the cost of removing the obstruction. Messrs Symo and Weir, solicitors ;or Mr E. Cave of Eltham, in reply to the board's letter of the -ath inst., said they could not entertain for an instant the Board's proposed clause in the draft license, as it was a deliberate attempt to try and take away from Mr Cave what lie bought at a public sale, and what lie was entitled to, <.ud cluirsvtcriseil it as an improper purpose on the part of a local public body to do. Mr Cave was to be granted a license on the same conditions as the licensee to the wharf company.

The Board discussed the matter in committee and reported that the board did not contemplate giving any concession, and that Mr Cave he asked the nature of the compensation he is prepared to discuss with the Board.

'The motion was moved by Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Malcolm and carried.

The Horticultural Society held a meeting on Wednesday night and decided to hold its annual Spring Show. Messrs. Moore, Judson and the secretary (Mr Marshall) were appointed a committee to fix the date. The schedule adopted was similar to that of last spring show. The society will also hold an auction of exhibits in aid the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Mr. M. Fleming was appointed delegate from this district to attend the conference at Wellington re amalgamation of patriotic societies, as circularised by the Mayor of Wellington. Dairy cows at .Mr Locklev's and Mr Kapplcy's clearing cales at I'ihaina brought good prices. In the former the stock did not look so well as that at the latter place. I have heard inquiry is tairly strong for first-class heifers, as much as £l2 having been offered'per head for heifers of the right class.