The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1910. ELECTIVE HOSPITAL BOARDS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 62, 15 March 1910, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1910. ELECTIVE HOSPITAL BOARDS.

CIRCULATES IN Dannevirke Mangatoro Tamaki Ngapaeruru Mangahe Weber Ti Tree Point Waione Wimbledon Herbertville Akitio Horoeka Oringi Kiritaki Maharahara Woodville Uniutaoroa Matamau Piripiri Makotuku Ormondville Norsewood Takapau Whetukura Awariki Otanga Kumeroa Rangitane Raumati Rua Roa S. Norsewood Tiratu Tipapakuku Mangapuaka Mangatuna • Makaretu

In view of the election to-morrow, a few words bearing upon the change brought about by the legislation of last yeai* may prove of interest. Hitherto Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards have been -mainly nominative, but not less 'representative in character because their members have been chosen by the representatives to the Borough .and County Councils and other -contributing bodies. Under the Aot passed last session the Board of Hospital Trustees -and the Wia.ipawa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board will be dissolved on the Ist of April, .and control of tlie functions hitherto exercised by those two bodies will be assumed 1 by the Waipiawa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, to be constituted under the provisions of the new legislation upon a purely elective basis. The law provides that the representatives on, a Hospital land Charitable Aid Board shalil be elected by the electors of the contributory local authorities of the district, every sucih election to be held, in the same manner, with all necessary modifications, as the election of members of our local governing bodies. County ratepayers, it is interesting to note, will lose tlie right of plural voting that they possess in the election of members of the County Council, for the Act specifically directs that in regard to Hospital Board elections every elector shall have one vote only. Future elections are to be held sychronously with tlie elections of County and Borough Councillors, balilot papers of distinctive color to be used to avoid confusion as to tlie r-espective local bodies for which the candidates are offering their services. Referring to this subject, the Poverty Bay Herald makes some interesting remarks. That journal mentions that "the change of legislation lias been brought about in consequence of a

good deal of dissatisfaction that has been expressed elsewhere in regard to the constitution of Hospital Boards and oil account of friction that has occasionally arisen between the Hospital Boards and Charitable Aid Boards through overlapping of authority. There, is no doubt that one body vrill be quite as we'll able to do the work as two, and the representation being on a popular basis should make the now lxkly thoroughly responsive to the public will. It is, however, exceedingly questionable whether it is desirable to have th<: details of hospital administration made the possible grounds of political contest. One can easily foresee that if keen party .rivalry exists in a | town, ais sometimes happens in some of our coloniail cities, there will be a tendency to make hospital affairs a subject of controversy, and possibly squabbling, with perhaps allegations of maladministration. New Zealand has had a few so-called "hospital scandals" at various times, and there is nothing tlliat provokes greater bitterness a,nd in which public opinion is liable to faulty and unduly harsh judgments than in regard to such matters. It is sincerely to be hoped that, the fears which have been expressed that the democratising of our Hospital Boards, may have this tendency will not be realised, and so far as the local hospital administration is concerned we see no possible reason why it s'hould be so. In other respects the Act should materially assist to place our hospital and charitable institutions on a good financial and sound business basis."

THE BOROUGH CANDIDATES. | We have expressed our views concerning the suitability of the three candidates who desire to represent the borough on the local board. Further consideration has not suggested any re arson why these views should be modified. The candidates are all suitable men, and each is capable of rendering good service to* the electors, but as only two aire required a choice must be made, and therefore we strongly aidvise t'he election of Pastor Ries and Mr Bickford—the former oil account of his personal knowledge of the working of the old Act, and tlie latter owing to his connection with the Board of Trustees and Iris general business ability, wliioli would make him an invaluable addition to any boaa'd. It is no discredit to Mr Wratt tlxart these gentlemen should be preferred to him. We think that even Mr Wratt woai'ld not be disposed to argue that his claims to the office are superior to those of the gentlemen named, and under these circumstances Ave strongly urge the electors to vote for Pastor Ilies and Mr Bickford.

On page 2 to-day will be found New Zealand news and Weber cricket. Page 3: Chamber of Commerce; a colonial tour proposed to be taken by , General Baden-Powell. Page 6 : Miahaa'a'hara sports .handicaps; and Wanganui arson oases. Page- 7: A fable by Mark Twain. The meeting of the Library Committee to have been held last evening lapsed for want of a quorum. This was to have been the last meeting of the year. There being no quorum at the adjourned annual meeting of the*Dannevirke Building Society, the question of electing auditors was delegated to the directors.

All the threshing mills in the Asliburton district (says the Guardian) do not complain of a. low average. One mill-owner states that he threshed out 40,000 bushels in twenty-eight days, and the earnings of the men wore fourteen shillings per day, per man, clear of food expenses.

At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce last evening, members present spoke in eulogistic terms of the postmaster, Mr Black, for the very courteous manner in which he was always willing to adopt the suggestions of the chamber and assist them in anything t'liat would tend to improve the postal services The preliminary work of clearing and roadmaking on the block of land at Te Awaanutu which is to be utilised as a prison reformatory farm will soon begin. Accommodation is now being provided for the detachments of prisoners who will do the manual work, and these preparations are being rapidly pushed on. At a committee meeting of the Canterbury Horticultural Society on Monday evening, a first-class certificate was awarded to Mr A. 11. llagg for a double seedling begonia "Lady Margaret," raised by himself. The committee was unanimous in their opinion that "Lady Margaret" (a rich rose-pink in color) is one of the finest and most perfect specimens ever raised in i\ew Zealand.

Pastor Hies and his motor party who went to Napier yesterday had an unpleasant experience on the return journey, running into the storm which blew in Dannevirke all the afternoon juist on this side of Takapau. While running a.cross the plateau between Takapau and Norsewood the gale blew a. perfect hurricane, accompanied by a drenching rain, and it was as much as the driver could do to see •the road in front of him. Up to Norsewood the weather was simply a blizzard, but on arrival at that township the wind dropped somewhat, although the rain continued. Still, in spite of these drawbacks, the stout little car brought the party through in the excellent time of 4£ hours. The journey to Napier in the morning was accomplished in 4 hours.

The German have just had a curious case before them. A trader died at Bad Maainlieim, and three days before his death he sent a postcard to "a lady friend on her birthday, deploring that he was ill and so far away from her. He added : "For a good birthday present, 1 am leaving you my fortune." The lady to whom tlie postcard was sent claimed that this missive constituted a will in her favor, and on the strength of it claimed the estate, which was valued at 300,000 marks. In. the first court the decision went against her, and on appeal the findings of the court below were upheld. The grounds of the decision were that, by German law, when -a. person draws up his own will it is necessary for the document to state where it was written. The trader, though lie had dmly signed the card, had neglected to place his address on it.

The Maoris at Paki Paki liave a run on croquet just now, and play this innocent game on one of the lawns from morning till dewy eve. The meeting of the North School Committee, to have been held last evening, again lapsed lor want of a quorum, but will be held this -evening. The Dannevirke liifle Volunteers held tlieir usual weekly parade last evening. Owing to the wet weather the usual drill was not lvokl, but Captain Davidson gave an interesting lecture on "Discipline. Two horticulturists at Mataura have been experimenting with a new American variety of tomato. The tomato is bottle or pear-shaped. The seed was procured from the United States last year, and the growers have, so far, had a fair measure of success.

The accumulation of business is even greater at the Hawera Court than at Eltham. It is stated that there are now 20 defended cases waiting to be dealt with at Hawera. The lengthy hearing of the case against the Meremere Dairy Company is partly responsible.

A witness in the Supreme Court ! at New Plymouth a, few days ago was referred to as the "proud possessor of 17 children." Evidence was given that the family "overflowed" the parental domicile, and three were quartered in an -old outbuilding. "I lia'd to put them somewhere," murmured the proud possessor, apologetically. . The two freezing works at Gisborne are kept very busy. A steady stream of fat stock lias been, pouring into both works, and the conversion of live stock into the frozen article has been proceeding recently at tli-e- rate of nearly 5000 mutton carcases per day. New freezing works are being erected at Toliomaru Bay (Gisborne). A tender at £29,000 has been' accepted already for installing part of the machinery. A Haslam freezing machine will be put in. The usual weekly session of Anchor of Hope Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, with a good attendance of members. One candidate was initiated. It was decided to give members a. free handto invite friends for next Monday

evening—open liiglit. It was also decided to provide a. musical programme the members to provide refreshments. The harmony part of the evening consisted of a singing' competition, which was judged by vote of the members, N and resulted: A. It. Hill 1, G. Anderson 2, L. Anderson 3. There are two small Maori boys-in this town who arc an example not only to their own race, but a credit to the Dominion (says the Opunake Times). They manage for their father a 30 or # 4O-acre farm, milk fifteen cows, get to the factory very regularly every morning in the lead of mil kcarts, cook their own meals, then attend school, and then find time in between to earn a' few shillings exercising a racehorse. Tli'ere is no fear for the future of the native race or the Dominion if the country can produce lads of this calibre.

Amongst recent visitors to Mount Egmont were Mr Frank Messenger, of New Plymouth, and his brother. Both gentlemen (says the Taranaki Herald) climbed the mountain and about eight feet above the snow line on the northern peak discovered a hole about thiree feet in diameter and going down a distance of probably eight feet. They descended and then found that from the hole runs a tunnel at an angle of about 40 degrees towards the centre of the orater. The climbers were without ropes and were therefore unable to make further investigations, but it is presumed t'hat it is an old steam vent which has been covered with ice and snow for perhaps hundreds of years. A former, resident of Christchiirch, now in Pretoria, writing to a. relative here, states that Pretoria at the present time is going ahead like wildfire. A new post office is being built, also a fine block of buildings for the Unio'ii offices. "This time next year," the writer continues, "no one will recognise the place. I don't know wha.t the baek'-velders will say when they come into town and see the electric cars running .along where their

oxen transport used to travel in "the old days. Tliey thought motor-cars were bad enough. The news of Gladstone's .appointment as GovernorGeneral has not caused very much comment out here, although 1., think the great majority will be sorry to lose Lord Selbome, who' has made himself very popular." In the entertaining volume entitled "More Tramps Abroad," in which Mark Twain describes his last great tour round the world, there appears the following entry from his diary: "October 23.—Got tip at 6, left at 7.30; soon reached Castlemaine, one of the rich goldfields of the early days; waited... several "hours for a early train; left at 3.40, and reached Bendigo in an hour. For comrade a Catholic priest, who was better than I was, but didn't seem to know it—

a man full of graces of the heart, the mind, and the spirit-; a lovable man. He will rise. He will be a. bishop some day. Later an archbishop. Later a cardinal. Finally an archangel, I hope. And then he will "recall me when I say, "Do you remember that trip we made from Ballarat to Bendigo, when you were nothing but Father C., and I was nothing what I am now?" Now (says the N.Z. Tablet) —while the editor of the Tablet is several thousand miles away —it is safe for us to mention that the "Catholic priest'' referred to is Father Cleary, then stationed at Ballarat, and now nominated by the Auckland priests as "dignissimus" for the vacant northern See. The Musical All Blacks gave an admirable entertainment a,t the Drill Hall last night. It is five years since the company appeared at Daunevirke, and the show lias been wonderfulll.v improved in the interval. Miss Nellie Black remains the bright particular star of this talented combination, and both as a singer and a. violinist she takes high rank. Miss Elsie ill ack on the flute, and Mr Bert Black, coriietist, are first-alass players, and the various items by-these

members of the familj' were all voci-

ferously encored. The orchestra supplied some admirable selections, MiHerbert Carroll provided an entertaining turn with his musical sketch ''Harmony Hall," and Miss Elsie and Mr Bert Black delighted the audience with a very taking dance. Mr Harry Spencer's comic songs were much appreciated. Mr Black has a splendid electric plant, and the animated pictures shown before iand after the musical items were easily amongst the best that have been exhibited in Damievirke, and they certainly lia.ve not been excelled. Enough power was available to supply the current for rows of electric bulbs, both at the side and top of tho stage. In thanking the people for their patronage, Mr Black said be might possibly be able to work in a return visit in a few weeks' time, a statement that was most heartily applauded.

Tlie United District Charitable Aid Board viil meet on the 31st instant, to pass«ail outstanding accounts, with the idea of handing a clean sheet to the new body oil April 1. As indicating the force of the gale at Clive yesterday, we might mention that two large trees, a poplar, and a pinus insignis, were blown out of a row growing alongside the main road, and before traffic could be resumed a gang of men had to get to work with axes to clear the fallen timber away. Mr Radclifr'e, a resident in the vicinity of Jerusalem, up the Wanganui River, reports that an outbreak of typhoid lias occurred in a Maori pah at Jerusalem. Six cases have occurred up to the present, and several deaths have taken place. Mr Radclilfe says that the native doctor was there a week ago, but so far nothing has been done to check the disease.

This morning Messrs W. Nathan (district road engineer), G. Harris (county overseer), accompanied by Messrs C. Hall,* M.P., and F. G. Cowper (chairman Dannevirke County Council) journeyed out to Piri Piri with the object of making an inspection of the roads in the settlement. To-morrow it is the intention of the party, accompanied by Mr RB. Ross, M.P., to proceed to Ormondville and make a. tour over the roads in the Mangapuaka. A Ngaere farmer agrees with the D aiiry Division experts that New Zealand is losing annually a. very large sum (of which Taranaki's share is a full quarter of a million) owing to the inferior character of many of the dairy cows. He'told a Star, porter on Tuesday he knows from experience that a little care in selection and breeding would make ail immense difference in a very short time, for within- a- period of five years he has by this means increased his out-turn of butter-fat by at least 25 per cent. He has no more land tha.n he had, and no more cows, but lie has improved the productiveness of his herd.