JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 826, 26 May 1910, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

RACECOURSE TICKET-SNATCHER. MOUMAHAKI: ANOTHER VIEW. (By Topograph.— Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, May 25. Mr. P. D. Jones, of tho local Customs staff, leaves shortly for Timaru, where he lias been appointed landing waiter. A man named George Barrett appeared before Mr. Kerr, S.M., this morning, charged with tho theft of a totalisator ticket from a Maori at the races yesterday. It was stated in evidence that accused walked 'up to tho Maori, Bnatched the ticket from his hand, and made off. Accused, in the course of his version of the matter, said that he was in partnership with the Nativo in the totalisator transaction, and merely took the ticket to collect the dividend. The Maori dollied this, 1 and his Worship saying that he could not believe Barrett's story, sentenced him to four.'months' imprisonment, and ordered the restoration of tho dividend. Owing to errors in old surveys, a good many fences in the upper part of the town aro in wrong lines, and encroaching on footpaths. The Borough Council is .consequently making a list of theso with a view to have them set back after a correction of the standard survey blocks which will be made by the Lands' Survey Department shortly. Tho local Borough Council has its own metal. pit, but tho cost of obtaining gravel (7s. 3d. per yard) does not appear to give satisfaction. Some councillors, in the course of discussion at the council table last night, pointed out that an item: for "royalty" was included, and several councillors objected to this on the ground, that it was only a paper charge and, even allowing for this item, tlic cost was excessive. Eventually a motion was carried authorising the calling of tenders for a supply of gravel, the object being to ascertain if it would not bo provided more cheaply by private contract. In viow of recent statements concerning tho management of Moumahaki Experiment Farm a local pressman visited the place a day or two ago and reports that, although tho retrenchments have had the effect of narrowing the limits, of the farm's' operation, certain criticism directed at tho new manager was quite without foundation. The latter appears to be applying himself to the work enthusiastically and scientifically, and various valuable trials aro being carried out. There is no ground whatever for any allegations of neglect or mismanagement and, though the farm's work" is on a smaller scale than formerly, .on account of the Government's retrenchment, it still remains a valuable object lesson, and a place which farmers can visit both with pleasure and profit. •