PAHIATUA NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3110, 8 February 1909, Page 6

PAHIATUA NEWS.

; ' (Fum Our Resident Reporter). Saturday. "PAHIATUA COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Pahiatua County Council was held in the County Chambers to-day. There were present Crs T. Hodgins (chairman), R. Smith, A. Ross, S. Bolton, H. Cornelius, A. barrell, Thos. Quirk, J. n. Piper and H. F. Coom.

The medical officer reported that one case of diphtheria had occurred in the County. The patient had since been removed to the fever ward at the Pahiatua hospital. The health officer stated that the health of the general public was satisfactory, and he had inspected the townships and villages in the county. Mr J. Wishart wrote asking the Council to repair the Mangatoro road. —The matter was referred to the

engineer for a report. The county ranger wrote enclosing the names of residents who on a certain Sunday had allowed their horses and cattle on the roads.-The ranger was instructed to summons people who persistently allowed their stock to wander on the public roads. Mr W. A. Corbins (Makuri) offered a section with buildings for a roadman's cottage.-This offer was held over for further consideration. The county ranger's application for the lease, of county reservtj of five acres on top of Birnie's hill was

granted. Mr John Dick, junr., waited on the Council in reference to repairs on Dew's road, Ngaturi.—The engineer was instructed to inspect and report on the metal required, MiDick's offer to form two and a-half chains to his gate, the Council to metal same, was accepted. Mr Simpson waited on the Council

.and asked for a refund of the amount he was fined for allowing cattle to stray on the county roads. After considerable discussion, the engineer was instructed to report on Mr Simpson's grievance regarding the fence, and report at the next meeting.

Mr Downsrd's letter in reference to repairs on the Nai Nai road was referred to the engineer to report. It was decided to fill up holes on far end of Rock road as requested by Mr K. Griffith. It was resolved 'to remove the stump at the Te Aupapa ford referred to in Mr Eglinton's letter, and to inform Mr Eglinton that if he interfered with county property, as threatened, he would do so at his own risk.

The enginesr's report wa* adopted with the exception of the portion regarding the Tiraumea road, which was left over until the county teams are available. Cr Quirk asked that a return in connection with each Riding be laid on the table monthly. On Cr Smith's motion, it was decided to repair all fences concerned when metal was taken from private properties. Cr Quirk moved, and it was carried, that an estimate be obtained of metal required to metal the main road, from the borough boundary to the southern portion of the county

near Hamua. On Cr Barren's proposition it was resolved that the Council take steps to have all fences, at present on the main road, belonging to settlers who have not yet purchased their frontages, removed to their proper boundaries within one month. Cr Coom brought up the matter of opening up Tylee's ford at Makuri for traffic, arid it was decided to get plans and estimates of work required

from the engineer. The Finance Committae recommended the following accounts for payment:— General account, i>3l6 6a 7d; riding account, £l7l 16s lid; loan account, £1 la 6d; total, £489 ss. This is the smallest amount passed for payment tor some considerable time, and the chairman congratulated the Finance Committee in connection therewith.

BANQUET TO HON. A. W. HOGG. The Hukanui Hall was crowded last evening when a banquet was tendered to the Hon. A. W. Hogg, who has b3en elevated to the Ministry. The hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens, flags and Chinese lanterns, and about 200 people were present, including about 50 ladies.

Mr T. Moss, chairman of the Eke- v tahuna County Council, occupied tfcft I chair. Apologies for absence were - received from Dean McKenna (Masterton) and Mr T. Quirke (Konini). After the toast ot "The King," Mr A. Reese, in a lengthy speech, proposed the "New Zealand Parliament," coupled with the names of | the guest of the evening, Mr Reese said Mr Hogg had been associated with the district for many years, and the speaker had known him for over 26 years. The position of Minister of Roads and Bridges was admirably suited to Mr Hogg. Roads and bridges were just as important now as in years gone by, as every year settlement was going ahead, and fresh country in the backblocks was continually being opened up. The New Zealand Parliament was known all over the world, and other counries were benefiting by some of the laws which had been passed. He cognartulated the Ministry on having such a capable member as Mr Hogg.

Mr R. B. Ross, M.P. for Pahiitua, said that he felt like a pigmy as compared with such an intellectual and political giant as Mr Reese. He was pleased Mr Reese did not bring in political argument, and he congratulated the people in the backblocks from one end of the Dominion to the other, on Mr Hogg o ta ning the portfolio of Roads. Bridges and Labour, etc., as fee knew Mr Hogg would fill the position with credit.

Mr C. Hall, M.P. for Waipawa, said that Parliament was just what the people made at Referring to Mr Hogg he thought that gentleman should have had the position he now held several years before. He hoped Mr Hogg would long remain in the Ministry. In proposing the health of the guest of the evening, the chairman (Mr Moss) made a very eulogistic speech regarding Mr Hogg. He mentioned that Mr Hogg was a member of the Education Board, and the Land Board, and had served the people well on these Boards. The toast I was enthusiastically drunk, | Before Mr Hogg replied, Mr J. ' Dawson eulogised the good work done for the country by Mr Hogg. j Mr Hogg, arising amidst appaluse. ! said if he ever had occasion to feel ' inflated, he thought it was that night. He believed he was the only member of Parliament alive who had ri?en to the position without the aid of his tailor. His hat was still TJin in size. Until the evening before his being sworn in as a Minister he nad no intimation of his beint; offered a portfolio, and it took him a fortnight to answer all the kind congratulations sent him. He would like to sweep away all Customs taxations that affected the fond of the people. Out of three millions of Customs revenue, over a million was paid annually Into the "Public Works Fund," and as Minister of Roads and Bridges he was going to see they got good work The olden days of wouden spoons were done away with, i and he hop°d to soon see the time [ when wooden bridges with their legs planted in the stream would be done away with also, as Mr Dawson's suspension bridges now being constructed cost only, about one-fifth of the old style bridges. Mr Hogg dealt at some considerable length on the revenue.of the Dominion, the Labour Department, dairy regulations and other interesting matters relating to the farmers in the Bush district. The Hon. gentleman thanked the people for the great honour done him, and was loudly applauded on resuming his seat. The following toast, list-, was then honoured:—"Local Bodies.'" proposed by Mr F. C. lurnor, responded to by Mr A. H. Herbert, (Mayor of Eketahuna, Mr 1). Crewe (Mayor of Pahiatuah and Mr Pitcaitliley; "The Dairying Industry," proposed by Mr J. Dawson, and responded to by Mr A. McFarlane; "The Visitors," proposed by Mr V. Anderson, ' and responded by Messrs W. Giliespie : (Masterton), and G, H. Smith (Pahlatua); "The Ladies," proposed by ; Mr N. Marison, and responded to by ' Mr G. Harold Smith; "The Press," proposed by Mr A. Kedpath.

A feature of the function was the recitations given by Miss Arnold <A). Wellington and Mr Oxley (2), Pahiatua, and songs by Miss Foss aid Messrs F. Morris, N. Manson and H. Daysh (2). One of the latter's songs was composed by a local resident and was entitled "Farmer Daysh's Panoramic Political Song," which caused much merriment amongst those present.

The catering was in the capable j hands of Mr F. Morris. j

The committee desire to thank all those who worked so hard to make the function the success it was. A word of congratulation is due to the Hukanui residents on their being the first to tender a banquet to the Hon. Mr Hogg since his elevation to the Ministry.

GENERAL. A cricket team from Mauriceville | journeyed to Pahiatua and played the local team to-day. The weather was fine and the wicket good. Pahiatua j batted first, and put up 129. The ; highest scores were:—S. Tipping 53, ! U. Griffiths 33, A. Welch 17. Erickson bowled best for Mauriceville, taking six wickets for 18 ruins. Mauriceville responded with 28 runs. Hoplin 7, Fisher 6, Blackmore 6, being the highest scorers. Allen Welch took four wickets two runs, and R. Welch four for 14. Mauriceville, in their second innings, only made nine runs, the Pahiatua bowling demoralising them. G. Griffiths took six wickets for five runs, and Short three for four. Hawkins, the Pahiatua wicketkeeper, was in good form behind the wickets. The visiting team were entertained by the Pahiatua team at the Trocade-o.

The District High School will not re-open until February 16th.

Messrs Mitchell, Griffith and Co., Ltd., report weekly sales as follows: —Pigs, weaners, 9a; other lines passed in under the reserve. Fowls, 9d tola 3d; ducks, 2s; fruit, peaches 4s to 6s 6d, pears ss, plums Is 6d to 5s 3d, apples ljdlb, nectarines 6s 6d, greengages ss. Over 200 cases of fruit was lasted for Saturday's sale, the lines being fairly well sold. Potatoes, 6s cwt.; onions, 2d'per lb; vegetables and other produce were all cleared.