NELSON NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1924, Page 14

NELSON NOTES

(BI lILEGRATH.—SPtCUL 10 TH« POBT.> NELSON, 29th January. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday,' Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., presiding, fines for wasting water contrary to the bylaw were jAposed on seventeen residents. O n e defendant who pleaded guilty explained that the tap in a paddock had been turned on jby a cow. "We have watched the animal do so, to prove it," he informed the Bench. The Magistrate: "Well I cannot punish 'tha cow. fay the coats of the prosecution." Another's troubles were caused by a cat. He informed the Bench that one of his family had turned the hose on to the cat just at the moment that the water inspector cams along. "I think the cat will get the best of the joke in the end," remarked the Magistrate, in inflicting the fine. The case was one ot turning on the hose out of legal hours. ' In a prosecution, of a resident on the highest level in Waimea- street, the dsfendant asked how he was to get water, as he could not obtain it in the hours set down. Another said lie could get no water between 7 and 9 in the evening— not even enough to'fill a cistern. Last year the co|ncil permited him to use the .hose between 5 and 7 in the evening, but permission had been refused thii year. He had just left the hose oh a' fork while he went iinside to see tht time. The Magistrate said he sympathised with him to a certain extent, and would deal lightly with him. "It is to be understood, of course," went on His Worship, "that I am not taking the responsibility of condoning a breach ot the" 'bylaw on* your account .any more than on account of anyone else." In another case defendant said ther« was very little water at 7 p.m., and. it was gone at 8.- Counsel, said this defendant was on the low levels, but was at the end of the main. . From these cases it will be seen that the water question is acute just now, and it is remarkable that it should be so, as it has always been considered that Nelson has an excellent supply of water, the reservoirs being estimated to hold sufficient for a much larger population than the city has. It is admitted that the dam ceased overflowing for a short period, and care had to be exercised, but before this occurred complaints were made Mn various parts of /the town that water was unobtainable during- the' hosing hours, 1 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. New mains have, been laid to provide for the high levels, and are now in process of being laid to benefit low levels. It would appear that the quantity required for gardening purposes/ is unduly interfering with the domestic supply. At the Education Board's meeting yesterday _ great satisfaction was expressed regarding the improvements now being effected at the Hampden street school. The chairman, Mr. F. W. O. Smith, said that at this time last year the Department had turned down the board's application for £400, but since that time the i board had received £1000, including a sum towards additional grounds. The recent grant was for an infants'; room, and this would enable all the infants to be admitted. The Hampden street school was now the one school in the city that was really, up-to-date. Mr. Scwitlebury said the best thanks were due to the chairman, secretary, and1 architect for their efforts. Voluminous correspondence had gone on in securing the grant. The architect, Mr. Le&per, had done a good deal of work in the preparation of the plans. Referring to the grounds Mr. Scantlebury.. said a visitor to Nelson had stated that the Hampden street school and grounds were the second best in the Dominion, and he had inspected most-of the. schools throughout the Dominion. ■ A new school on a new site containing rather more than 2£ acres of level land is to be erected at Upper Moutere in Ihe near future. The .present school is one of the oldest schools in the district, and altogether out of date,' and dilapidated. The new site is eminently suitable, and within two or three hundred yards of the present one. At Ngatimoti a new school is to be opened very shortly. The new building is described as being very fine and up to date. The Education Board accepted an offer x>f £65 for the old building. The Ngatimoti School Committee found £75 in cash towards the new site, and has levelled and fenced the play ground., A great deal of work has been involved in this, considering it was hillside land. The chairman (Mr. Smith) said the committee was to be congratulated on the success that had attended their efforts. They had been most energetic, and had shown a fine spirt, and had battled a 1 long time for a new school. " The Upper Moutere Committee asked j the board's permission to alter the school | hours to from 8 to 12 during hop-pick-ing. It was stated that hop-picking would not be of long duration. The re-.i quest was granted. -The chairman said! this conformed with the requirements of the Act, and last year the board 'decided that where teachers and committee were in agreement, this could be allowed. Further applications on tHeSe conditions could be granted by. the secretary. The Regimental Band is leaving for the Christchurch Band; Contest on 15th February, and from Thursday to Saturday evening are taking over Coney Park and putting on good programmes of amusement. Assistance is being given by the Fire Brigade in the effort to increase the | band's funds. The band will also' give I a Sunday evening concert at the Emipre ! Theatre. ' . l The three Nekon rinks returned on Sunday morning, having spent a very happy,week with the Wellington clubs. No picked players were chosen, but they put up a few games'that they may well be proud of. ' The Friday and Saturday conditions were in keeping with Nelson , weather, and the games played at Thorn- ■ don, Wellington Club, and Hataitai saw , some fine play. The pairs game on i Saturday, morning was a.strenuous game, i played against some of the best-known : bowlers, and although A. Dee and W. ■ Dee put up a big fight against Innes I and Fountain, they were just down at the finish. A. Stewart and Wilkinson played Thompson and Porteous, and to • finish 13 all on the 21st head. Stewart only started bowls last season, and great 1 credit is due to him. The tour was concluded on Saturday afternoon at Hataitai, when all three rinks proved successful, with two wins and one draw, Nelson -winning by 9 on total. Every man speaks highlyof the great welcome, good_ fellowship, and kindness shown, and it is to be hoped that this can be made an annual event.' Great credit is given to Mr. R. W." Shallcrass for tha arrangements made, and for his kindness.