MASTERTON ITEMS (BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 71, 25 March 1914, Page 8

MASTERTON ITEMS (BY TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

MASTERTON, This Day. The tender of a Wellington firm of contractors has been accepted for the erection of workers' homes at Kuripuni. The buildings will be of concrete, with cavity walls, and it, is understood that under this system the houses will be erected at considerably less cost than if in brick or wood. The applicants express themselves as highly satisfied with the material to be used. In regard to the acquiring of five-acre sections at Solway for rural homes, it is understood that difficulties in regard' lo the purchase of the land have been practically overcome, and tenders for the erection of the buildings will shortly be called for. As there are some thirtysix applicants for nine sections, it is expected that the Government will be urged to secure further suitable areas of land to supply the demand for rural homes Mr. Colman Phillips, of Carterton, addressed a meeting last evening on the question of the Rimutaka deviation. Mr. Phillips spoke at some length on the advantages of the Wainui route, as against the Woodside loute, pointing out that a, line could be brought by the former route at a much cheaper cost than by the latter. The Wellii^ton City Council, he taid, strongly advocated the Wainui route, and he would like • the Masterton and Wellington councils to appoint delegates to meet in conference, with a view to coming to some decision on the matter. Ab Jong as the different districts %vere divided the matter would never secure attention from the Government Messrs.* J. M. Cordine (Mayor), C. E. Daniell, and J. C. Cooper also spoke, but they urged the claims of the Woodside route. Mr. Cooper said' he was sure the people of the Wairarapa would be satisfied to accept the advice of the Government experts on the question. Mr. Phillips was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. At the monthly meetingof the Borough Council considerable discussion took place in regard to a proposal to grant all borough employees, who have been twelve months in the service of the council, annual leaVe of two weeks on full pay. The matter was finally referred to the Finance Committee to bring down a recommendation. It was decided that the engineer report on the probable cost of acquiring land in various parts of the borough for the purpose of making more adequate street connection. Mr. J. M. Coradine has signified his intention of again contesting the Mayoralty.

An amusing incident took place at the Supreme Court at Gisborne on Saturday afternoon. One counsel was enquiring of a witness as to certain regulations in tho Native Land Act, when counsel for the other siflf interposed that ho would like f ho Act pioducfd, .stating ho had been utiablo to .find it in the law library. "1 havo n copy ln>re of my own." rematkpil Mr Justice fTosking, "given me for the purpose of making myself acquainted with its contents." His Honour's associate, who usually uses &oini> law books lo wise his seat when typing the evidence, perused the titles upon which he was elevated, and passed a remark to his Honour. "My associate informs me." smilingly observed the Judge, "that he is sitting on the Act referred to." Mr. 11. E. Holland, the Social Democratic Party's candidate for the mu.vo:alty, t« advertised lo speak "in tho Viei lorn Hall, Newtown, this evening. '