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Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 1 April 1913, Page 4

The following Is Mr. D. C. Bates' weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day:—"Easterly winds prevailing. There as a. prospect of fair to cloudy weather; barometer little movement."

Mr Devereux reports that the rainfall in Waihi for the mouth of March was 2.79 inches, the average being 9.2 C inches. The rainfall during i_e past summer in Bay of Plenty has been the lowest recorded since records began in 180f». The fall .tit Waihi was 17— inches for six months, or only 4ft per cent of the average of the previous summer.

! Of the three hundred odd immigrants who came to' New Zealand by'the Tono-a-iTiro last week 156 had booked for various parts of the North Island. There nre 55 persons for Auckland, 12 for Napier. 12 for Gisborne, and 77 for Wellington, children being included in the number in each cuae. There are 22 farmers and farm labourers in the whole number, nnd 51 domestic servants. The latter etaie out in charge of two matTons, who accompanied them to Wellington. All the newcomers enjoyed good health. on' .the voyage.

" A stitch in time sa.ves nine," was the text upon which several members of the Grey Lynn Council discoursed last evening, the application being to the mending of the Toadways. The opinion was freely expressed that speedy attention to holes in tbe roads would be more economical than letting them develop into bigger ones before effecting repairs. Mr. E. Carr said that a barrow of metal would mend a nole which, if left a week, would require a dray load. Mr. F. Brinsden held that the Councillors should not be expected to inspect the roads and tell the officers where the holes existed, and Mr. Tattersfield was of opinion that no private firm -would run its business on similar lines to those adopted in some departments of the Borough.

A bush tire was started at Te Kapua on Friday morning, and shortly after a strong gale sprang up, and spread the fire at a rapid pace. During the afternoon (writes a correspondent) settlers sent word into -Mangaweka that fchey would give two shillings an hour to anyone who would assist in fire-fighting, on account of several buildings being in danger of being destroyed. There was no response, but the settlers combined together, and fought the fire all tbe afternoon and night. A strong gale counteracting their efforts, the fire spread close into Mangaweka during the night, but welcome rain fell at S a.m. on Saturday, which helped to quench the fire. Mr. G. Zohs lost a valuable sheep dog in the fire, and Mr. Zohs himself was blinded with smoke, and will be laid up for some days. During the past few days an incipient fire has been bnrnir.<* in the centre of one of. the prettiest S' eC f 3^^ f scenic "serve opposite the Post Office. Fortunately a beavv downpour of rain on Saturday morning stopped further destruction.

It is a singular thing that many per-' sons who receive summonses to appear for debt at the Magistrate's Court appear never to have read the line notifv- «■*_ v— mtenti °a to defend must be hied. A\ hen the case is called the defendant appears, and finds he has no right to do so. An instance occurred this morning, when the person summoned' attended and produced a receipt for the amount claimed. Had he given notice to defend, he would have been entitled to costs against the plaintiff. As it was, the case was simply struck out, and the defendant lost fc'alf-a-day"s wages on account of the plaintiff's mistake. The road formation along the route which the tramline is to follow on the Mountain Road extension is in a sorry plight, according to a letter before the Remuera Road Board from the general manager of the Tramway Company last evening and remarks made by members of the Board. Mr. Wulklate's letter asked what the Board proposed to do, as the tramway work was completed as far as possible, including the overhead work, but that the whole business was hung up by the incompleted state of the road, while damage was also being done to the rails and other property of the company by the traffic over the uncompleted road. Several members of the Board expressed themselves strongly that no further time should be lost in taking the work out of tbe present contractor's hands, and make other arrangements for the completion of the work. "The whole job could be finished in a fortnight," remarked the Board's engineer, Mr. Munro Wilson, in recommending the Board to go carefully into the matter of a new contract, which, he pointed out, would cause some delay. Ultimately it was decided to notify the present contractor that if he did not acquaint the Board within two daws of his willingness to terminate the contract, new tenders wouid be invited. The tramway manager also complained in his letter about the delay caused to the Victoria Avenue extension through the uncompleted roadwork. On this point the Board was of opinion that the road work was going along ac expeditiously as could be compassed.

Some objection has been raised to the practice of the Onehunga Borough Council referring important business to the Council in committee, which prevents the publication of discussion. This matter received its condemnation last ni"ht when Councillor Simpson asked what steps had been taken to recover a lar~e debt owing to the Council by a plumber for sanitary goods supplied. The Town Clerk stated that an Onehunga firm was taking the neeessarv steps to have the debtor declared a bankrupt. Councillor Simpson said there was., fat too much mystery about the business. Ratepayers were asking him to account for the Council giving so much credit, when he had to tell them tliat the Council knew nothing about it. In fact the Finance Committee was just as ignorant of the business. The 'Mayor said the debt had been incurred without the knowledge or sanction of the Council. The first, intimation the Council had that this man owed them money was the receipt of a notice to be represented at a meeting of creditors. Councillor Simpson said that was so, but since they found out nothing" had been done. Why had the matter not been brought 'before the Finance Committee, and then on through them to the Council, with a recommendation as to what steps' should be taken in the matter? This gave Councillor Skinner an opportunity to say that he 'believed several matters which had been, referred to the Finance Committe had not been reported on to the Council, and he gave two or three instances. He characterised such ' proceedings as a "hole and corner" way of doing business. The Mayor showed that two, if not three, of the items mentioned by Councillor Skinner had ibeen withdrawn from the notice paper by himself as the mover, and a reference to j the minute-book showed that the other] business had been dealt with by the Council -when Councillor Skinner was absent on holiday. Councillor Skinner apologised for blaming the Mayor and Council when they were not culpable. The discussion terminated with the adoption of a resolution, moved by Councillor Dillh— ', appointing the Mayor to represent the Council if the debtor in question is declared a bankrupt and his creditors are called together.

The amount of money wasted through people failing to pay their debts may be to eenne extent estimated by the fact that-no less than 240 petty "debt cases were set down for hearing at the Magistrate's Court this morning. This necessitated quite a company of legal gentlemen's attendance, all of which means added costs.

In'the course of a discussion at the Remuera Road Board last night, it was announced that the whole of the area of the district south of Remuera Road, between Market Road and the Ladies' Mile, has been reticulated and -connected with the drainage system, and is now ready for private connection by householders.

Figures for this month's rainfall show a rather unusually small total of 2.34 ins which is about half-an-ineh under the avernge. For the corresponding period of last year the total rainfall was 6.21m5., an exceptionally large amount, as March is on the average Uio direst month oi iha yu,

The Devonport "Borough Council adI vanced last night in the ' framing of the agreement which will be ! entered into with the firm of George | and Davis for (the electric lighting of the' 'borough, should the ratepayers, by | poll to be tiken ■on election day, I authorise the electrification of Devon- ! port by a private firm. ■ The issues to be j submitted to the ratepayers are: (1) ■ Whether the corporation shall be authorised to delegate the right to. supply the borough with electric light and power to a private contractor; or (2) whether the corporation shall carry out such a scheme of electrification on municipal lines as recommended by Mr. Wylie (Auckland City Electrical Engineer). The terms of the proposed deed of delegation will be further considered at another special meeting of the Council, to be held next Tuesday evening. All information respecting the proposal will be printed and distributed among the ratepayers prior to the date of the poll.

The method-hitherto in vogue of appointing Justices of the Peace has been ■altered. The Hon. W. Fraser explained the position to a deputation of settlers at Tangiteroria, in Hobson County, which asked his advice on the way they should set about having a justice appointed in the district. Mr. Eraser said that formerly big batches of justices had been appointed by the authorities regardless of whether they were required in their respective districts or not. That system had led to confusion, •but the present; Government had made the "matter inuc-h simpler. When the settlers of a district required a justice, all they had to do was to select one of •their number, recommend him to the member of Parliament for the district, and that person, if suitable, would be appointed in due course.

LAn observant visitor to Te Kuiti during the Easter holidays expresses his linn conviction that an active man as "dropper" can make three pounds a day in the King Country. The business certainly has its risks, but then so has every business enterprise, and very little capital is required. Quite a number are •engaged in the industry, he states, but it is not overdone, and the demand keeps well ahead of-the supply. The.contents of the. "dropped" battles, he explains, usually cons—it of three concoctions, and are known as "spots." The first layer consists of whisky, the second of kerosene, and there" is a top dressing of methylated spirits. ■ It is a vile compound and its effects are deadly. A bottle ccsts 12/6, bnt when there is a Maori tangi on prices go up to 15/.

, One of the highest tides for many/ years visited New Brighton, six miles from Christchurch, last Wednesday, and was responsible for a fair amount of damage. The sea came well in pact the outer line of sand dunes in several places, and the residents turned out in good numbers to watch the incoming tide and tremendously heavy surf. Two or three residents who were oh the extreme end of the pier at the height of the tide state that not only did the structure visibly'rock, but that .there was a marked cant to the north at times under the-pressure of wind and waves.

A rather' regrettable incident is recorded in,- the Wellington papers. A young lady ~who .returned" to the cloak-; room after skating missed her jacket, and at once started to search for it. In doing so she natui-ally • handled and turned over a number «f the garments which were deposited in the cloak-room. ■While so engagedjabe was observed by a person, who drew his own conclusions and reported what he had seen to the management. Dramatic developments followed. By a -public announcement on the floor, people were requested to'ascertain, whether any of their property had gone astray, and -policemen, summoned in haste from MoUnt Cook station, appeared upon the scene. Naturally there was a. good deal of excitement and agi/ tation. Eventually the young lady whi had innocently given rise to all ths' trouble was requested to walk to Mouifc Cook station. This 6he did,.co_stabJfs following in her wake. The sequel shojrs the unwisdom of jumping at conclnsiols. The police, on making inquiries, tire' soon satisfied that the story told/by: .the young lady of a -hunt 'for a lost jacket -was true -in every particalar. Nothing was missing except the jiket. It was satisfactorily established _at a regrettable mistake had been mad/, and the young lady waa-immediately refea-ed. .!'' " J '

To-morrow will be the 49th anniversary of" the Battle of Orakau, tie last engagement in the Waikato, where the Maoris concentrated their forces and put up a very stubborn resista—." One of the regiments taking part ia the encounter was the 18th Royal Irish, under the command of] Captain ani BrevetMajor J. T. Raine, who waj mortally wounded while leading his jartv. ' A train of powder fvras laid on to the natives' position, and they vfere warned to surrender by General Cimeron, but they took advantage of the 5 withdrawal of some of the troops from'— angle of the Tedoubt to a frantic rush for an adjacent swamp. They were pursued by the troops, and about 80 ? ©f their number were shot down. Thejencount er resulted in 42 of the troop.being killed and wounded, while the Jlaoris suffered a loss of 180 killed and wounded. A short time afterwards,; 1 the whole of the troops were withdriwn to England with the exception of/the 18th Royal Irish, who were here until 1870. The 50th anniversary of the rally of the survivors of those who took "part in the battle will take place on July 4th next, and those who desire fc take part in the function should communicate with Mr. Joseph Neylon, GreenilAne. A (Palmerston North ijournal strong advocates that towns-claims to attractiveness as a holiday .resort. In +he very next column i«* published this paragraph: «A visitor to Palmerston during the holidays is sti'ted to have been re" heved of his goldiwatch and chain." n. A \?' banquet n at Na seby, Ota<*o the Mayor mentioned that the boroiHi was rjuite free of debt, and that it odss—ed very satisfactory water and lighting Tie county clerk was able ;Z A°, °H e bet h" when *»? announced that the County.Council had a credit balance of yearly £1,000. The roads under its control iiy the Maniototo countr •would reacn from the Bluff _ Cane Mana van r4man, as they extended for 1 000 „__2 They maintained their hospital and charitable aid on the smallest rate levied in the whole of Otago. The cr—fa of a witness at the a_P/™ F ridge to-day showed thai a remarkable increase h_ taken place* in the valuation of the Mangere Road District durine the oast few years./ In 1896, he said, „c valuation for rating purposes was f 157 386 whereas a 1912 it was £55,1,421, practically a fourfold increase. ' The.stoa.mcr Kennedy, which is due at 'Wcllijgtin to-morrow from Motiieka, j 6 large consignment of apples (4,000 oiaes) for transhipment to the R.M*. luahinc, witch sails for London towardi the end. of ibis -week.