DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1917, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

3IOKAU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of tho above was held on the Bth inst., Mr. S. Whitehead presiding. Correspondence was dealt with as follows: From the Marine Department, notifying the Board it must abstain from giving any particulars regarding imports and exports to any person other than those autliosied by the Government to receive them.—Agreed to. From Messrs Loughnan and Jacobs with reference to matters affecting river clearance, and drafting of new legislation with regard to same, —Tho secretary was instructed to write to Messrs Loughnan and Jacobs expressing tlie board's agreement with the terms of their letter.

From tlie Marine Department, repudiating any jurisdiction over the Mokau signal station, and refusing to assist in any way towards its repair.—Proposed by' Mr. D. Black and seconded by Mr. H. Maine. '"That the secretary be instructed to ask tlio . Minister ' whether ijj was absolutely necessary that the station should be maintained at tlio ipresent time, seeing that the number of boats entering the port do not average one a week, and that the board will have no funds available for the work of repair ;intil such time as the river is reopened and normal traffic resumed." Mr. A. G. Sampson reported that the work of repair would cost approximately £3O at a low estimate. In a discussion on ways and means the opinion was freely expressed that the time had come when it was necessary the harbor rate struck soma three years ago over a special rating area should be collected. This rate of one-farthing in the £ on the capital value of all land within the special rating area was primarily struck for the purpose of ividing interest on and sinking fund for the £IOOO loan utilised in .rebuilding the Mokau wharf. Before the blocking of the river occurred, the board was able to finance its affairs without the necessity of collecting the rate, but, now, owing to what is termed in insurance parlance "an act of God," a circumstance over which the board had no control, it was necessary to collect the rate, until such time as the finances recovered.

Notice of motion was given bv Mr. H. Maine: "That the board consider the advisability or otherwise of altering its day of meeting." Accounts were passed for payment. PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE. The members of the above, in order to roll Baby W'iliison's chariot a bit further along, have commenced a series of rallies in which all 'participants who do not get something for nothing will at least get nothing for something. GENERAL. A gentleman up this way got a case of fire-water the other day, and got rid of it quicker than the regulations allow. Hearing that our "Wee McGregor" (a six-footer) was on the way to interview him, ho hastily gathered up all the empty bottles, spread them out promiscuously, and fell down in a heap among them. ,So far as appearances .vent, he was helplessly drunk, having absorbed all the liquor himself. Hue. i being a Scotsman, kiiew better than 'that, and, failing satisfactory evidence, 1 will probably do all in his power to line! 'someone a Governr.ent billet for a short i period. KAHUI ROAD. (From A Correspondent). The ladies of the Kahui roftd held a very successful dance in the schoolroom on Tuesday last, the proceeds of which (amounting to the sum of £G 12s) are to ,be forwarded in Y..M.C.A. tickets as Christmas boxes to the boys at the front. The ladies wish to thank all who hulp,ed in making the dance a success.