NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 34, 8 August 1925, Page 9

NELSON NEWS

(FROM OCR OWM CORRESPONDINT.)

NELSON, 6th Augnsfc.

The secretary of the Progress League, Mr. E. R. Neale, has received a letter from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, stating, in reply to a letter from the league, that unless unforeseen circumstances arose he hoped to be in a position to hand over the Glen-hope-Kawatiri section of the railway to the Railways Department about the end of November. He also stated that arrangements would be made for the Public Works Department to carry goods from about the end of next month.

The Waimea County Council at ita meeting to-day dealt with an application from the Nelson Provincial Progress League, asking for a renewal of the annual subscription, which last year on the basis of Is for every £1000 of capital value amounted to £150. After considerable discussion, in which nearly every councillor took part, it was finally resolved, on the motion of Councillor Hewetson, seconded by Councillor Tunnicliff, that the amount of the council's donation should be £75.

A meeting of the Progress League and contributors to the Dunedin Exhibition Fund is to be held to-morrow night to decide what action shall be taken in regard to a Nelson provincial exhibit. The Rev. Tom Dent, a missionary from the Solomon Islands, and Mrs. Dent, arrived in Nelson yesterday on a visit, and are staying with Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Scantlebury. The residents of Rai Valley distriot are making an earnest attempt to have the work of extending the Ronga road over to the Oroixelles pushed forward to completion. Four miles of road will require to be formed. It will give a much shorter road to deep water, where the district's produce can be loaded on to ocean-going boats, and also give a seaside resort within reasonable distance. " 7th August.

At the Hospital Board meeting this afternoon Mrs. Watson, reporting on jthe visit of the Governor-General and TJady Alice Fergusson to the Alexandra Home last week, Btated that Her Excellency had expressed a desire to donate an easy chair for the inmates. In a letter received later, Lady Alice Fergusson asked Mrs. Watson to choose two chairs, one from the GovernorGeneral and one from herself, to v be placed in the women's sitting-room. The kindly thought which promoted the gifts was appreciated by the board, and a vote of thanks was passed to. His Excellency and Lady Alice Fergusson. The Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby representatives passed through Nelson on Thursday evening on their way to Blenheim, where they will meet the Marlborough team on Saturday in a contest for the Seddon Shield.

A great gathering of members of the Ancient Order of Foresters and residents of the district took place at the Foresters' Hall, Wakapuaka, on Saturday laat, to do honour to a highly respected official of the local Court Pride of the Forest, Bro. D. Barnett, ■who had completed 50 years' continuous service as secretary. Members of Court Robin Hood, Nelson, and the district officers were present. Bro. W. H. Alborough, P.D.C.R., presided. The evening was interspersed with various vocal and instrumental items, recitations ', etc. Bro. H. • Braithwaite, P.D.C.R., spoke of the excellent service of Bro. Barnett as secretary of Court Pride of the Forest and his. sterling qualities as, a Forester and citizen, and then' presented him with a divan chair from the brethren of the Court. Bro. Barnett was then installed in the chair, by the chairman, amid cheers and musical honours. Bros. J. Corder and J, Easdale spoke appreciatively of the- work of Bro. Barnett. Bro. Barnett appropriately replied. -A- • . presentation of an enlarged photo of Mr., and Mrs. Barnett was presented Mrs. Barnett by Bro. R. C. Withers on behalf of the brethren. Refreshments were liberally supplied by the ladies.

NELSON, 7th August. ; The monthly meeting of the Nelson Harbour Board was held on Wednesday. Present: Messrs. H. R- Duncan • (chairman), A. Gould, A.- Drummond, G. Macmahon, H. Kelly, A. Gilbert, F. Greenskde, and Captain Moncrieff. Mr. Gilbert, recently appointed Government nominee, took his seat, and wae welcomed by the chairman and other members of the board. .

The Secretary to the Marine Department intimated that the board's resolution urging that the appointment of Government nominees should be restricted to one nominee to every eight members appointed by the ratepayers also that Government nominees should not be allowed to vote on questions of local finance, would have the Minister's careful consideration.

The Nelson Progress League aeked for a renewal of the contribution, also that the board nominate its representative on the ludgue. £50 was granted, and the chairman.was appointed representative.

. The Nelson Chamber of Commerce suggested that it might be possible for a bond charge of Is per ton to be made instead of the present consolidated charges on goods not taken delivery of within eight working hours. The matter was referred to the committee.

Messrs. R. W. Holmes and Sonquoted a daily fee of five guineas per man, plus travelling expenses, for inspecting wharves. The offer was accepted. Regarding the Harbours Amendment Bill, it was resolved to strongly object to the principle set up of appointing a tribunal to adjudicate in cases of dispute between employees and boards. The Harbourmaster, Captain Collins, reported:—The trade of the port for the period ended 31st July shows a • substantial increase in tonnage- compared with the corresponding month last year. During the month 97 vessels, including one overseas steamer, entered and left the port, having a-total register of 23,501 tons, against 14,625 tons for July laat year. The work of installing the electricity in all leading beacons on ■ the Boulder Bank and Wakefield quay has been.completed, tested, and found to be satisfactory. . . . The Minister's authority is now being asked for to have the new arrangement of beacons and lights permanently .established, also to discontinue usins the present beacons and lights at Tahunanui, and for the removal of the Fairway buo.y. .The report also recommended the purchase of four more trailers to be used in connection with the removal of cargo on the wharves. The report was adopted. The chairman reported on the conference held with representatives of other local bodies concerning the board's pro-' posed action in approaching the Government to vest a part of the harbour foreshore in the board, and stated that a combined deputation would wait on the Pi'inio Minister on 13th inst.

Mr. Milner was appointed acting-secre-tai'y during the.absence of the secretary (Mr. Sherwood) owing to illness.