HASTINGS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9821, 21 July 1900, Page 8

HASTINGS.

[own cobkesfondent."!

The question raised at the last Council meeting as to planting fresh trees on Arbor Day was met by the opinion that we have too many trees in Hastings. That may seem a strange thing to say, for a treeless district is neither healthy nor beautiful. But if any one doubts the fact stated in the Council let him drive down the Havelock road in winter time, especially after a little rain. The road is simply spoiled by superfluous tree?. In some places, they are planted so close together; that they cannot grow, and are mere slicks. The consequence is that the sun cannot get on the road, which is kept damp and muddy, and the leaves from the treea choke the drains. I have been told by a person able to judge, that through this the road cost 3 the ratepayers twice as much to keep in repair'as it would if the trees were properly thinned out. Another matter in this road requires attention. This is a green and stagnant pool by the side of the road, and this at night emits disagreeable odor?. The Church Brigade of St. Matthew's parish increases in popularity and is a real service to them, as finding useful and interesting oecupa'ion for young lads. The ages of which they are eligible is from 13 to 19 years. At the liter age they have to leave, but are fully qualified oy that time to join adult volunteer corps without g"ing through the recruit drill. Capt.ain~Mai.-kay tells me that the Brigade now Eurabers forty members. A Hastings gentleman who returned from Wellington last night v a the Rimutaku, says that at the summit there was at least four inches of snow. The passengers by the two trains which met there found this quite irresistible. It was too good a reminisefmee of their boyhood days to be missed, and forthwith they commenced a snowball battle, noith train v. south. The result was a draw, the guard's whistle effectually putting ~. stop to the fun, which vra-, highly enjoyed. The same traveller puvs tuat ; through the races, Wellington is ir. a state of crush just now, many Ye having to walk the streets at night, Let ever a shake-down being available. It is to be regretted that tiia b'.so-gh should be put to the expends of a byeelection, when the usuai air-uo.L election for borough councillors is c-,o near. rsuppose that Cr Murdoch will ootsist ir. j his resignation. Of course the Council -can refuse to receive it, but they coidt not compel him to attend. S;veial resi•deata have been approached v/liii a view to their nomination, aid there is every reason to believe that an excellent; man, who has had many years'er-cperieuce in Hastings, will consent to occupy the vacated seat. f

MV a. L. D. Frasef, M.H.R., has arrived from Wellington to be present at the Western Spit examination. Mr Hales. Government engineer, appointed to investigate and report on it, will not' 1 arrive until Monday. 1 have not yet been abio to ascertain whether they will consider, the Roy's Hill matter or not. The prompt action of the chairman of the Pukahu River Board, Mr Hugh Campbell, has been endorsed by the Mayor of Hastings, Mr W. Y. Dennett. There was no intentional disrespect whatever on the part of Mr Hugh Campbell towards the Mayor hy taking one councillor and the road overs-er to Roy's Hill upon the emergency visit. The Mayor has fully ;areeogni ed the emergency of the occasion "byGei.dingthsroadoverseerandMr Curtis !-(roadm;in) tohelp the Pukahu River Board ::ia the dynamite, explosion necessary for the protective work, Mr Cook (overseer) being familiar with the work. The matter is of supremo importance to Hastings, and to the Government railways, and it ia hoped that CaptainRussell and Mr A. L. D. Eraser will do their utmost in the matter at once.

The provincial list of non-comiuissioned officers for the Mounted Infantry, is nowcomplete. The prefix "lance" to the appointment may be puzzling to outsiders, but the fact ia that it is a term which meams a brevet rank to the offices named, the full rank being obtained upon the holders securing certificates, for which six months' preparation is allowed. In the event of ■ candidates not passing for the full posi'siisa a they will still retain their brevet, "or '•ianeo,'' rank, for which latter they have already qualified. The following is the list:—Lance Sergeants Jones, Eliott,! Pattiscn,Canning, Nettlmgham.Shattky,' Le Hyde, Taranaki; Lance Cor-pr-iil-i Chapman, Peweii, Baker, Reiliiua, oas. Well wood, Thorp, Mere-Weta-i-, Roach, Purves, Twigg, William*, Graham. Seniority will hold good whilst holding the above-named, acting appointments.