The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, SEPT 16, 1889. The Proposed Division of the Borough.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3310, 16 September 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, SEPT 16, 1889. The Proposed Division of the Borough.

Ma Bexai,l's party is not yet satisfied I They have still to play their lust card, and it is said that they aro now about to throw it. What this card is will be found in the following extract from the leading columns of our local contemporary:

Tin) business residents have already hud the ultimatum of the insuiimco underwriter.-, and there is not tlic slightest prospect of any relief being obtained without ample proof is afforded of a sufficient am! reliable water supp'y, This cannot be done without further expenditure, and it is pUinly evident that the present Council iadetennincil not to contribute a fraction from the rates. Of course we do not particuhrly Manic either Councillors or ratepayers for tbis because the former doubtless icel that they arc largely indebted to tho outside or suburban burgesses for their seats, and tlic country ratepayers, on the other hand, have no right to be taxed for purely local town improvements. There is, however, a way out of the difficulty, and we hope tho step will be taken without delay. We refer to the division of the borough into three wards, tlietown proper being constituted a ward in itself. This will secure to the country or suburban rate- | payers an absolute majority of six councillors out uf nine to watch over their interests in the Council, mill it will enable town ratepayers to specially rate themselves for local improve, incuts such as a surface water supply. Of course it may be said that our advocacy of tbis course is inconsistent because we previously suggested four wards and that turned out a failure. Our reply to that is that we have never made liny claim to infallibility, wo arc always ready to admit a mistake, anil rectify an error, am! wc ljulieve, after wliat Ims transpired that the quartering the town before was a great blunder, aud that '.Mr ("asclbergand bis supporters were quite right when they suggested a division into three wards keeping tlie business centre intact,

This is altogetlicrtoo lovely, for lias not our friend Mr lienall already, divided the borough onco; has lie not subsequently abolished bis own divisions, and now is bo to begin again the old game, and whenever lie is defeated divide or untlivitle the borough, as' the case may be ? Is out' contemporary, in admitting the great blmuler mmlo pn a former occasion, quite sure tli/it lie and his chief are not perpetrating a greater blunder or. the present one, or is he confessing one sin merely to clear the road for committing another? He believes that the quartering of the town which lie formerly advocated was "a groat blunder," but arc tlio ratepayers wise in accepting as their guides, counsellors, and friends, gentlemen who s;iy, without hesitation, "What we did before was a great blunder" ? Would it not be better for tlieni to pin their faith on men who have not been in the habit of committing great blunders? Ol'i 'course in stealing Mr Casolberg's policy, as a matter of convunieiicc to themselves, tlio Mayoral party arc on firmer ground than usual. The proposal made during Mr Caselberg's mayoral term was a wise one, but it was bitterly opposed by Mr Renall and his friends, and now its adoption is mainly objectionable as it involves heavy expense in defining boundaries and in electing a new Council, which the finances of tlio borough can ill afford. Then again, there in no guarantee of finality, for if, after the new election, Mr flenall finds his p?i,rfcy in it minority, he will probably desire to uiidq !)is own handiwork as promptly as .011 former ppcasions, If Mr Kenall's' party liad pn last weelt's .election, we should noji have heard ft wd about dividing the borough, awl w nw & mm that the principal reason fbf the proposal is that Mr Eenall has been defeated. But even it tlio Borough be divided there is 110 guarantee that Mr Eenall's party will ww the next election, and the present project is only a forlorn hope for his relief. We aro disposed to sympathise with tlio sorrows of a man who ljttS unwisolj exposed £2OO on the

Queen-atrcot gutters, but we object to them being relieved by sub-divid-ing tlio town into wards, We say M) bccanso an intimation was given by bis canvasser at the late election tliat unless his men were returned lie would lose this sum, We do not desire to see Mr Kenall forfeit so large an amount out of his own purse, but the remedy his friends propose would only lead tofurtliei trouble. Wo believo the Counpi would willingly lake oyer his under taking and complete it so that i would be of some permanent valai to the town, if lie will give such i title as will protect the interests o tho latcpayers. _lt is altogothe unnecessary to divide the town t< bring about an arrangoment of thii character, and nothing less than thi; is likely to prove acceptable to cithe the Council or to tho burgesses. Th principal drawback to the successfu administration of the Municipal Ac in Masterlon has been, and is, thi insane desire of public men to trove out of their proper duties and under take the execution of public work: which ought to be entrusted t< qualified engineers. It will bo I good thing for Mastecton -when al public works arc designed and super vised by competent professional men We do not advocate tho engagemen of a salaried engineer, but merel; the payment of the ordinary five pei cent commission, which is usuall; charged for professional services. Tin payment of such a commission would ive feel certain, prove in the long rui i considerable saving to the town Wo are weary of city fathers fancy ing that they are heavenborn engi neers and inspired lawyers. It is no ;heir business to supply the towi with law or engineering, and thougt ;he public may get a cheap articli ;rom them, the indirect cost of it is jften considerable, and, at the best t is less reliable thau that which i; supplied by a qualified profession ixpert. In the present instance, 1 ihe Council were disposed to tula )vcr Mr Ronall'p project, and relieve :iim from the pecuniary loss to wliicl 10 is committed, the first thing to b( lone should be to obtain a report 01 t from a competent engineer, and at istimate of the further expenditure es lential to make it serviceable, Our con iemporary knows well enough tlia 1 Jie Insurance companies are un ikoly to obtain ample and sullicieni jroof of a sufficient and serviceabli

water supply from amateur engineers, but if they wore offered it by a responsible professional mail tlie prospect of a reduction in insurance rates would bo immensely enhanced. The insuranco agents have seen Mr Renall's handiwork and condemned it, but an engineer of reputation would be very unlikely to turn out a work which would fail to satisfy them. Tho Mayor lias been wont to scout the skill of professional men, but his own work speaks for itself and shows that old settlers, however good may bo their intentions, are not qualified to supersede trained

experts. At the present time the Borough Council incurs a serious risk with MrKomtll's water supply. Some fow years ago our readers may remember that Mr Thomas Maher while driving down Willis-street ran into tlio water-table, through his horses shying and his coach struck a verandah post, both vehicle and driver being more or less injured. A verdict of £2OO damages was subsequently given against the Wellington Corporation on the ground that the gutter had not been properly constructed, but was too deep. The Queon-strcot gutters in Masterton, as left by Mr fiouall, are far more dangerous than the Willis-street gutter was at the time Mr Maher came to grief, and if through a horse shying, or from any other cause an accident to a person or vehicle came | about, the Borough Council, not Mr llenall, would have to pay all | damages. It follows therefore that although the Council has persistently declined to accept the responsibility in loin of Mr Kenall's work it is yet legally responsible for it, and it is almost bound in self defenco to complete it. We have before pointed out the utter absurdity of a number of members in our municipal body having each his own particular way of supplying the town with water. If tlio members of tho Council, instead of advocating their own projects, satas a jury on the recommendation of some experienced engineer, the water supply difficulty would be solved. However this may be, we feel certain that no inmiediato advantage is to be secured by again dividing tlic Borough into wards, The Act is so framed that a minority can force a division, but should Mr llenall, for his own purpose, put the town to the trouble and exponso which it would entail, we feel certain that his action will be generally condemned, and that his party instead of gaining strength will sustain further loss.

lr is whispered lliat the Justices of the Peace of 'Wairarapa North intend to hold a meeting on tlie rabbit question, No douht some of them would like to guillotine our K.lt. aud dynamite Messrs Clifton and Druimnond, We should not wonder if the rabbits themselves take the same view oi the situation. We trust that better counsels will preyuil, and that tho pastoral lords, whether Justices of tlie Peace or simple noble gentlemen, will acquiescn in tlie Act being strictly administered, both by the Bench and the inspectorial stuff. It is better to have a stern R.M. and a relentless Inspector than to perpetuate tho pest, I'lagues cannot be stamped out by uiild measures, and those who perhaps now regard Messrs Boborts, Clifton, &Co,, as their deadly enemies will a few years hence esteem them to have been their best friends.

An increase in the number of youthful suicides is reported from ull parts of Europe. The self-destruction of youths of twelve to sjxteon is not at all uncoai: mon, but the youugcstsuiciiloever heard ofiti all probability was an Austrian youth aged six years, who drowned himself in order to cscapo a flogging, • Two curiosities in natural history aro reported from the North. Iu Falkirk a cat is nursing a brood of chickens' But this is eclipsed at a farm at Trinity Gask in Perthshire. Thero a cat which had been deprived of her kittens caught a mouse, which she lws now adopted, and is nursing with apparent success. Wo remind our readers of tho Plain and i'ancy Dress Masquerado Ball to be held m the Theatre Royal this evening. Tlie hall is very prettily decorated with ovorgreons, flowers, bunting,. and the effect to-night in the gasdigjit will be n;)C| no doubt, not often witnessed in ilastprion, Efficient M.C.'s have boen appointed, and with excellent music, aiidagood floor, [everything hw been ijone by an' energntic coijjmitte? to mai'ti file afl'air a success. We are requested to #0 tjjat dancing _ will commence punctually lit the' appointed time, and that masks will bo obtainable at the door, A great number of _ fancy dresses havo been hired from Wellington and othor places, and as soveral visitors are .expected, the effect from the Dress Circle, to which spnetators aro to be admitted, will lje a Very nt>V.e] one.

Sorgt. Pi-ico wants an owner for purso containing a email sum of money found on Saturday, night. _ Thofixtures forthe week arc announced in our au ÜBomeHt column, the Baby Ogden Dramatic Co.i being the chief attraction. Tender? for painting the Maaterton Salvation Army Barracks closo this uveaill". Mr Angus Frazer's purebred Clydesdale Laird o' Largo is anuonneed to stand this fioaaon at Homubush, Mastorton, Members of the Pliomix Lodge, 1.0. G.T., are notified elsewhere that an important session will lie hold this "'nTho plain and fancy'dross masquerade Ball in aid of Pearson's Band uniform fund comes off to-night at tho Theatre Royal. A Sydney telupram, dated Soptombor l'itli, states that the largest Hood ever known is coming down tho Murray, We notice by our exchanges that tho well-known thoroughbred horse Voltigeur is standing at tho Oroua Downs, Manawatu district,

An energetic man nowly arrived in the colony who is thoroughly oxperitncod in stock and farm work, advertises through our columns for employment on a station or farm,

Tho Supplementary Estimates laid on the table of the House on Friday, provide for £IOOO to defray expenses of Hiß Excellency the Governor entertaining durine tho Dunedin Exhibition; £9OO advance to Wellington and W"irarapa United District Aid Board, to bo recovered; £SOO additional fees to members of \Yasto Lands Boards; £SOO to Dairy Instructor; £IOOO immigration of scper/ited families and relations; £3OO for roads to open up Crown Lands. Mmiriceville West; £50,285, purchase of Native Lands, North Island. It will bo seen by announcement that the "Baby Ogdon" Dramatic troupe play a short somoii at Mnstorton, commencing on Thursday evening next,

when the sensational drama "Jo" will be presented. The Company is a very strong one, inducting tho" Star" Little Nelly Ogden, Mias Fergus, and Mr E. D'Orsay Ogden, and several gentlemen known to Masterton play-goers, to wit Harry Power, Laurie Dunbar, Harry Saville, and others, forming a powerful Company of twelve in number. We need scarcely romind our readers that "Jo' 1 is an adaptation from Charles Dickens' pmrorful novel" Bleak Houbo" and contains most of tho sensational incidents of the work, while the impersonation of tho unfortunato crossing sweeper " Jo" by the " Little Star" is said to bo a life-like representation of the great novelist's creation, and wo have no doubt thut thero will be a lari'e attendance of thoso who enjoy a good piece of acting, more especially as this is tho first dramatic company we have had visit us for months.

A groat number of visitors assemblotl at tlis Eketaliuna Town Hail on Friday night to witness tho performance of Master Coker, of Mastcrton. As the exhibition skating did not comuionce till 9 o'clock several donned tho rollers, and wero soon gliding round to tho delicious music of Mr Arthur Forden. Sinco Mr Malberg lias taken over tho hall rinking has become vory popular in Eketaliuna, and that curious and catching complaint" rinkomania" is rife just now. Wo havo notico that when peoplo want to skato it is different to tho averago yearning. It tnkos hold of them like a pair of nippers, aud hangs on like a porous plastor, and they always have to take a bath to get'rid of it. Wo think Muster Coker must have got it bad, and after witnessing his startling feats oil tho stilts and amongst the fiery bottles, Eketaliuna will develop somo now cases.

Ono gentleman was taken bud on tho spot but at the first kick iff he broko a bottle and sat down on a pieco of glasß, seriously (laniaciu" one corner of himself. At ha'l-past ten tlio floor was cleuted for dancing, about twenty couples staying on. Refreshments wore pro-

vided at moderate rates by Mr Broi

mulil, confectioner. A good story, says a writer in Murray's Magazine, is t.ild of an American plutocoat visiting Oxford, On his tour of tlio colleges nothing struck biui so much aa tho velvety tuif in ouo of tho quadrangles. lie asked for the gardener, and mado minuto inquiries as to the method oflayingdown and maintaining tlio grass, "That's all, is it?" ho exclaimed, when tlio whnlo process had boen carefully describod. "Yes, sir," replied the gardenor, with a twinkle in his eye, "that's all; but wo generally kavo it three or four ceuturies to settle dowu in." After all, there is something tho inhabitant of a new country with all hiii wealth ennnot pxuoliaae. Tlio Nelson Mail of a recent date says:—This morning, as the Bishop of Nolson was walking hurriedly from tlio post office, and turning the cornor into Hardy Street, a huge Newfoundlaud dog, ivhich was trotting along in

an opposite direction in an unconcerned and careless manner, camo into contact with the episcopal gaiters with the result that the owner of them was first of all brought up all standing, and then thrown down on his hands and knees. Fortunately—for the bishop, not thn dog -tlio former camo down on the latter, and tlio force ot the full on tlio hard asphalt was bi'okon to such an oxtent that his lordship rose Btniling and unhurt. With (lie dog, lioivovcr, it was dilTorent, and tlio way in which it ran off howling wlion released of tlio burden so suddoniy imposed upon it may be accepted as a sufficient guarantee that in future it will, if possible, avoid a collision with a church dignitary of the bishop's calibro. L'jrd George Hamilton, speaking at the Chiswick Conservative Club, said the Irish question had now assumed a now plnse, for tlio long standing contest botween forces of law and disordor wa6 practically over. Tlio great Socrotan sale, after lasting three days was concluded in Paris, 011 July 12 among the objects sold being fivo pieces of Gobelin tapestry, which realised 85,000 francs, The total sum realised at tlio sain amounts to over £•240,000. ' The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa has been put np for sale by lottery, The municipality of Pisa, having beeomo straitened for money 011 account of expensive improvements, offers tlio tower for sale, in order to provent tlio Town Hall from being seized, Good news from Wellington, and quito true, you can get n splendid harmonium from L 5, piano or organ from Llo, organ with divided octave conplars all in solid black walnut cases from Ll7. This beats all the cheapest houses in town, Pianos tuned for 7s, or by tho year four visits LI, travelling expenses added. All kinds of musical instruments tuned, cleaned, and repaired new reeds put in acconleons, concertinas, harmoniums, and organs; also liberal exchanges made, Any instrument may be purchased, on tho time payment system from 2s Od por week. (Jail and exchange your old piano for a now ono atF. J, Pinny's Musical Instrument Dopot, Manners-street, Wellington. Sole agent of the celebrated Worcester orpans.)- JDVT. Ouii millinery department is now 111 sucneof much attraction, owing to the marvellous display of all the latest fashions and novelties selected by our Home buyer in the London and Paris Art Emporiums for Te Aro House, Wellington. A SLWiiT description of the materials and colourings most in favour will not be found aniiss. Tulles, arophan'es, aud crepes, will bo very largely used, with a profusion of Swiss laces, embroidered laces, and in addition, handsome embroidered and brochc ribbons, Of all these we have a splendid selection at Te Aro House, Wellington. Floweus also will be in great request and \rc liavo provided ourselves with a superb selection of flower mounts, flower trails, bunches of flowers, unmounted roses, marguerites, mignonettes, forget-me-not, honeysuckle, acacia, lilac, foliage, grass and leaves of all descriptions, with some charming Eiffel Tower" wreaths, at Te Aro House, Wellington. ' Tim most fashionable colours are snake, serpent, lizard, eau do jiil, apple green, azSlje, jcorjil, polombe, 'terra 'cijtta, aijd gobelin, aiid of these we liay'e a fiill assortment at To Aro Houao, Wellington. Duaiso tho season wo shall bring forward fresli goods every week acd the latest novelties by every mail steamer, Our millinery iw/fleis' this BeaSOseajno direct irott Paris to Te Ajo Hodse, WsiTiriftb'n.—AKVr.

The Tirnoa gives it as probablo that tho business of the sessionwill bn finished to-day, and Parliament prorogued by Gnzotte to-mtofow,

, The usual weekly practice of the Mastcrton Philharmonic Society, will take place to-morrow evening instead of Wednesday The propramme and priio-liat of tho Mastorton Agricultural and Pastoral Association Show liavo been circulated throughout the Wairarapa and Wellington district, Tho Exhibition takes place in Messrs Lmvus and lows' yards, Mastorton, on Tuesday, November sth. The Pope has decreed that tho works tor the astrouomical observatory to bo erocto'd in the Vatican are to bo begun at once. The sito selected is tho tower over the rooms occupied by the Master of the Sacred College, it being the most elevated building of tho Vatican Palace. Tho cost is estimated at 1,000,000f.