NELSON NEWS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 196, 14 May 1924, Page 10

NELSON NEWS

BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL COBBESPONDEHV,

Nelson, May 12.

The month of May has brought with it tho first touch of winter, and already several frosts have been experienced. With clear, sunny days, however, the extra “nip’ in the air in the early mornings is more than compensated for. Last week-end, when such bad weather was being experienced across the Strait, the days were particularly bright, and the seashore resort at Tahunanui was liberally patronised by both town and country residents. What a great asset Nelson possesses in this fine stretch of sand is not fully recognised by the public; and at present correspondence is going on in tho Press setting out its advantages and urging that the resort should be provided with additional facilites for the public. The population of Tahuna has increased considerably of late years, and pretty little bungalows are now dotted along the hillside facing the sea. A road is now being formed through what was formerly known as Richmond’s estate to connect with Washington Valley on tho city side, and when opened will afford a magnificent drive. The Nelson Operatic Society, which, has put on many successful productions, held its annual meeting this week, when the following officers were elected: President, Mr. F. AV. Hamilton, vice-presidents, Messrs. R. S. Booth. C H. Coote. E. B- Moore, A. J. Glasgow, C. R. Fell, A. G. Betts, H. C. Cock, J. B. Harrison, G. F. Dodds, A. Gould and Dre. F. A- Bett and R. J. Tillyard; secretary and treasurer, Mr. N. V. Wotton; auditor, Mr. S. C. Levien; committee, Mrs. Lemmer, Miss Hall, Messrs. Saunders, Short, Mitchell, Wansbone and Cheek. The retiring secretary, Mr. A. Rout, did not seek re-election, and a resolution was carried expressing appreciation of his services. It was decided to stage a comedy about July; and to put on “Our Miss Gibbs” at the end of October- The balance-sheet showed the society to be in a sound financial position. Rabbits have caused a good deal of damage to the Waimea County Council’s plantations on the Rabbit Island, and means are to be adopted to keep down the peste. A tender has been accepted for installing electrio light in the Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges. The work will be carried out during the term holidays, which commenced this week. Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., has been appointed a commissioner to inquire into and report upon the apportionment of the cost of maintaing the portion of the Rocks Road through Tahunanui Town District, and will commence his work on May 27. The Harbour Board’s dredge has finished dredging the cross-channel from the new entrance to the wharf, and there is now an average depth of 14ft. 6in. at low water spring tides. There is still some dredging to be done at the north end of. the main wharf, but it is considered inadvisable to commence this until the Maitai river has been diverted from the southeast corner of the wharf. The Hospital Board levy from the Waimea County Council this year amounts to £2841. Some of the members, in commenting on the increase on the previous year, asked where it was going to stop. It was considered that the rate should be levied on a population basis and not o* the capital valuation as nt present. A resolution to this effect was carried, and the Government is to be asked to introduce legislation giving effect to the proposal. A considerable amount of permanent harbour works will have to bo faced by the Harbour Board in the near future, and it is probable that loan proposals for the purpose will bo brought down. The text of a private bill to be introduced into Parliament by the Cawthron Trust Board, has been published. Among the sixteen clauses is one to provide for. the appointment of personal and official trustees; and another to provide that the number of trustees shall not he increased if a personal trustee becomes qualified to hold office as an official trustee and vice versa. Some curiosity as to the exact meaning of the. proposed, bill was evinced by the City Council nt its meeting last evening, Councillor Moffatt stating that the matter was one of great importance not oulv to Nelson but also to the people of the Dominion. ■He expressed the opinion that it was the intention of the trus- : tees to anticipate the legislation which •the Government has promised to bring i down nt the request of local bodies concerning the future annointment of the trustees. Tlie public, he said, alre had a right to know whether the bill had been brought forward on the initiative of the Government or the trustees. Wliat the council had. a right to know more than anything else was whether the Mayor of Nelson was to have a sent on the board. The Mayor (Mr. Lock) said that lie had refrained from taking part in previous discussions concerning the trustees; but. as a councillor and n. citizen he thought the public should have soinfl further information on tho matter. A resolution was carried unanimously, on the motion of Councillor Moffatt, asking tho trustees to explain their proposals, more particularly concerning the meaning of “personal and official trustee.” also pskmg Thom to reply to a scries of questions embodied in the resolution.