DISTRICT NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, 29 March 1920, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

Carterton.

(Prom Our Resident Reporter.) It was reported to the meeting of the County Council yesterday that the roadmen at To Wharau and Land's End had left their positions, and that work on these lengths of road had been suspended. The Council resolved to call applications to fill the vacant positions. The clerk to the County Council on Saturday brought under the notice of Councillors the position of the finances. Tho ordinary revenue, with commitments, had been overspont by over £3OOO, and thero appeared no alterna tive but to increase the rates during tho coming year. The position was discussed at some length, and it was suggested by Cr. Moore that a separate hospital Tate bo struck. This course will probably be adopted. It is stated that a syndicate is being 1 formed in Wellington with the object of creating a permanent outlet for the waters of the Wairarapa Lake and thereby releasing thousands of acres of some of the best land in New Zealand.' A special committee of the County Council has been, empowered to pur, chase a horse, cart,'and harness. Cr. Moore stated that a special committee, of which he was chairman, would haVe made the purchase before but for the Btate of the finances. Tho County Council recognises that if it is to retain the services of its employees houses must be provided for ; them. The matter wbb introduced at tho meeting on Saturday, when the report of the water Tace overseer was under discussion. A special committee that had been set up to report on water-race matters was deputed to go into the whole question of housing employees. It was reported to the meeting of the 'County Council- on Saturday that certain ratepayers were draining their household refuse into the Taratahi water race. The clerk was instructed to "write the offenders informing them that if they did not desists in tho practice within a fortnight they would be prosecuted. A special committee of the County Council has been sot up to inspect the , headwerks of the Taratahi water race, and to interview the freezing works authorities as to why a water race had been diverted without first. obtaining the permission of tho Council. Tho whole of the ratepayers will regret to hear that Mr. Alf. Johnson, overseer to the County Council, has tendered his resignation after twentyono years' service with that body. Mr. Johnson has proved himself an efficient and painstaking officer, and, besides enjoying tho confidence and respect of tho Council, ho served the ratepayers in a conscientious- and thorough manner. Mr. Johnson is going on the land. He .went there for a.time when his brothers were called upon to serve their King and Country. He was enveloped with the dew if free life, which lie has -been unable to shake off. He may yet develop into a useful County Councillor. Anyhow, all Mb friends will wish him prosperity in his. new sphere of operations. A party of prominent local residents intend spending their Easter holidays testing the deep waters in and around Picton. Overseer Alf. Johnson tendered his resignation to Saturday's meeting of the Wairarapa South. County Council, and asked to be Telieved of his duties on April 30. In reply to the chairman, the overseer stated that, v like others, ho was obsessed with the land hunger* His-decision was final. It was not aquestion of salary. He had given the Council the best part : of his life, hav-> ing commenced work with the body when he was twenty-one, and he was now forty-two years of age. The chairman said the Council know Mr. Johnson was not'likelyto bo diverted.from a decision arrived at. The resignation, however, was sudden, and he felt loath to accept it,. Tho Council had the greatest confidence in Mr. Johnsen, and this "had made the lot of the chairman and councillors easier than it might otherwise have been. He moved that the resignation bo accepted with regret. Cr. D. McGregor.. said the motion was more than a formal one. They were all extremely sorry to lose* Mr. Johnson. The motion was carried, and it was decided to call applications for tho position, the conditions of appointment to be drawn up by the chairman and Crs. Moore and Stevens. The ovorseer, in replying, said it was nice to know he retained the confidence of Councillors. He had always tried to do his best, and thanked the Councillors for the assistance rendered him.

The Carterton Municipal Silver Band matte its. first public, appearance since the arrival of the new instruments in CaTringtou Park on Sunday afternoon. In spite of the threatening weather there was a good attendance of the public. The selected programme was played in a manner that created a very favourable impression, and reflected credit not only on the players, but on Bandmaster Woodloy. Carterton should be proud of its band. It is an organisation to be proud of.

A female was before Mr. Kitchen, J.P., on Friday morning, charged with drunkenness. She admitted having wandered from the straight path, but said she took tho stimulant as a medicine. The police said the accused had a record, and they wanted her sent to pastures grocn. The female protested that sho had not adorned the "dock" for twelve months. She was fined 10s, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. Soldier settlers will bo occupying their Ahiaruhe properties in June. The subscriptions to the Wiley Belief Fund are coming in very slowly. This is a most deserving case, tho unfortunate widow having been left with six children, ranging in age from two years to fourteen years, and almost without a penny. A man who had been imbibing some-what-too freely was collected by the police on Saturday afternoon from the roadside at South Carterton.