PALSMERSTON NEWS

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1178, 13 July 1911, Page 3

PALSMERSTON NEWS

THE MILITARY X'ETE. IBy Telegraph —special Correspondent.! Palmerston, July 12. The Management Committee of the New Zealand military and naval tournament is already actively engaged preparing for the next tournament, which is to lake place at Palmerston at Christmas. The whole of the officers of Hie different corps in the Dominion are being circularised, with the object of securing tliem as honorary members, and to obtain further entries for the different events. At tho last tournament (here were eight hundred competitors, aiul, this year, if is hoped to increase the number to over a thousand, and it is also expected that there will be a larger contingent from Australia at tho coming display. The new organisation, tho senior cadets, is to receive special consideration in the prize schedule. His Excellency tho Governor has consented to become patron of the tournament. Tho Citizens' League met last evening, Mr. R. S. Abraham (president) being in the chair. It was decided to co-operate with the Chamber of Commerce in securing a stamp office in Palmerston, and the president and Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert were appointed to act with that body. It was decided to again take action with the object of keeping the tram question prominently before the public. Several new members were elected. It is expected that two hundred officers and noncommissioned officers will attend at. the showgrounds this month for a camp of instruction. Tho Terrace End School Committee met last evening, Mr. J. A. Nash (chairman) presiding. It was decided to euter a strong protest against the intimation from the Education Board that the committee would have.to repair the windows and sashes at the school, it being felt that this was outside tho functions of the committee, and also a work for which they had no funds. Tho board wroto that it was suggesting to the Minister for Education that School Committee elections should bo held on the second Monday in May, instead of (as now) on the first Monday in that month. The headmaster, Mr. F. Fairbrother, reported that there were <115 names on the roll; with an average attendance of ,171, the highest attendance being 303. Tho inspector's report, which was very satisfactory, was read. There was a very large audience at the Opera House last night, when tho I'alni°rAton Lle(lcrt «fcl Save its first, concert of tho present season. The programme proved a most enjoyable one, and the audience was thoroughly appreciate, if-'" H- L. Ounter conducted, and he and Stanley Bett played the accompaniments. Iho items of the LeidertaW were given in a capital manner, and in most cases were redemandfd. the vocal soloists were Miss May Newman and the liev. H. G. Roscher, and both singers had to respond 'to encore*. Miss Nellie Simpson's flute solos also met with great appreciation, and she had to supplement her numbers in responso to the demands of the audience.

At tho monthly meeting of the liairanga County Council yesterday, a depulation (comprising Messrs. P. Hennessey and J. A. Nash, from the Foxton Harbour Board) waited on the council in respect to. the purchase of the Foxton wharves from the Government at a, cost of £20,000. The deputation pointed out that the Harbour Board had no power to raise a'loan, and'it was proposed to ask the different local bodies interested to raise the' money by way of a special rate. After discussion, the council decided not to entertain the proposal. A sum of .£l2 was voted to. tho-funds of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, A petition was received from residents on Hangitikei lino calling' attention to the very unsatisfactory state of that thoroughfare; and requesting Hhat something should be dene at once to improve it. The'council pointed out that i'oOO had been placed on the estimates for this work, which would be rarried out as early as' possible. An account was received from the Pahiatua City Council for tho expenses of Councillor iTodgins in attending a deputation to the 3'linistir for Public Works in Wellington in regard to the Jlanawatu Gorge Koad. It was decided to reply that the councillor iu question was representing the Pahiatiia County. Conncil, which should pay the account. A cheque for -£53 was received from tho Manawatu Racing Club .towards tho extension of College Street West, and it was decided that, on receipt of the other amounts guaranteed, the work bo at once proceeded with. The ranger was instructed to take vigorous measures to prevent stock grazing on tho roads in the county, and tho owners of pigs running loose are to bo especially warned. It was decided to agree to tho proposal to raise a loan to put a road through the Siberia Estate.

Now that the Manawatu River has subsided considerably, tho damage dona by the flood waters is very perceptible. At various, points in tha borough a good deal of erosion has taken place, fairly large areas-having been washed away. At the danger point in Fitzroy Street,_ the protective, works have suffered considerably, anil one groyne has been practically destroyed'. ' At" the old racecourse, also, the damage by erosion is considerable, and there is grave daiiger of tho river gatting into the old lagoon. On the Foxton railway line, the flood waters impeded traffic for some time, while the surrounding country for miles was inundated. Many flips have occurred in the Jlanawatu Gorge, blocking tho road, and it will be some days'before traffic cau be resumed. At the Police Court to-day a young man was brought up on a charge of attempted suicide. He was convicted and discharged. The wash-out on the Foxton railway line has proved to bo more extensive than was at first thought, but it is cxpected that traffic will be restored to-night. The Works Committee of the Borough Council will meet on Friday night to consider tho desirability of raising leans to provide baths, a new library, installing electric trams; and several smnil works.. Three railway carriages of I'almerston Masons left for Feilding this.evening to attend tho installation of Ero. Willis as WiM. of tho Feilding Masonic Lodge.