LEVIN MATTERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 137, 9 December 1908, Page 7

LEVIN MATTERS.

BOROUGH IMPROVEMENTS. |.Br TuxBGBArH.—SrEOiAL to The Post.] LEVIN, This Day. A matter of considerable importance to the townspeople came in for a good deal of discussion at the council meeting on Monday, and that was the procuring of a suitable engine to cope with outbreaks of fire. It was resolved that a gasolene engine be procured, the council to guarantee the interest on the cost, which was said to be about £280. A very lazge petition had been sent to the council, and in the face of this it was thought some steps- should be taken, as the ancient manual — at present the only available machino in case of a fire — was quite obsolete and of little use. The brigade is an efficient one, and quite worthy better equipment. Lieutenant Johnson, of the local fire brigade, has been appointed fire inspector by the council, vice Mr. H. Anstice, formerly captain of the brigade. There seems little doubt, judging by the progress of the various -works, that Levin will have the gas supply by May. All the material needed ib either on hand or else to arrive within a few days, and the engineer and manager are pushing things energetically. It is a pity for the town that the water scheme was not advanced to a like stage. The tightness of the money market is delaying this scheme. The population has increased considerably, and we are still dependent on tanks and wells, and as these are by no means everlasting, recourse must again be had to the waterraces. Good rain fell yesterday, which will replenish in some measure the tanks, besides greatly benefitting the orchardist and farmer. Considerable annoyance has been caus* ed recently through youths and men holding impromptu race and -sports meetings on vacant lots in various parts of the town, and in a strongly-worded letter to the council, the minister and office-bear-ers of St. Andrew's Church asked the co-operation of the council in putting down this decided nuisance. It was resolved that the matter be placed in the hands of the police, witb a strong recommendation to put this qnd any other infringement of the law down. It is hoped that this may have the desired effect. Constable Gray is being relieved of his numerous duties gradually, though he is not to be off the police roll till 31st December. He has been 26£ years in tho service — the last eight having been passed at Levin. There is some talk of the Justice Department appointing some one to take the court work from the local constable. Constable Fleming is at present relieving here. The County Clerk, Mr. M'Cullough, is so far recovered as to be able to be out of bed for an hour or two during the day, and the doctors have prescribed a short rest at the seaside as a means of completing his recovery. Mr. and Mrs. M'Cullough are to spend a week or two at Paekakariki, and all hope that the invalid may soon be able to resume his duties. Mrs. J. G. Hankins is progressing towards recovery after the severe shaking experienced when thrown out of the trap the other day. The escapo with a few brul&DH was littlo short of miraculous