NEWS of the DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22820, 15 December 1948, Page 8

NEWS of the DAY

Band Music on Xmas Eve Permission to play in the town area on Christmas Eve and to take up a collection was granted the Gisborne Highland Pipe Band, at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council Concert Pianist Remaining in Gisborne Mrs. J. H. Aitchison, Canada, nee Oriole Faram, concert pianist and a former Gisbornian, who is visiting her home-town, has been successful in renting a house within a week of her arrival in Gisborne. This means that she will now be staying in Gisborne for several months. Regional Council Member The P.B. Catchment Board yesterday appointed Mr. R. C. Murphy as its official representative on the GisborneEast Coast Regional Council, with Mr. E. M. Monckton as his deputy. The previous representative, Mr. H. M. White, indicated that ho was not available for re-appointment for a further term. New Public Telephones Approval of the proposed sites for new public telephones in the borough was given at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council. The new telephones are to be situated on the corner of Childers and Lytton road; in Grey street in the vicinity of Gladstone road (two instruments); and in Peel street in the vicinity of Gladstone road (two instruments). Willow Rc-Growlh Control The use of a hormone poisoning chemical in efforts to control regeneration of willow growth in the Waihora stream, near To Karaka, was reported by the engineer, Mr. A. D. Todd, at yesterday’s meeting of the P.B. Catchment Board. Mr. Todd added that the willow-cutting programme in the stream-bed would be resumed this week, satisfactory local labour supplies being available. Harris’ Bend Retaining Wall Work on a retaining wall to protect properties on the Whataupoko bank of the Waimata River at Harris’ bend was commenced recently, according to a report received by the P.B. Catchment Boa'-d yest.erdav frera the engineer, Mr. A. D. Todd. The work is financed by the property-owners interested, with a substantial subsidy from Soil Conservation Council funds. Sawn timber and piles for the work were not available from merchants' stocks, Mr. Todd stated, and the necessary material had to be secured from eucalyptus plantations.

Gisborne National Savings Of the £2342 invested in National Savings in the Gisborne postal district last week, £1993 was deposited at the chief post office, Gisborne. At Te Karaka £2lO was invested, while £4l was invested at Waimana and £25 at Tokomaru Bay. All of the 11 main post offices in the district obtained their weekly quota of savings.

“Colmatagc” Makes its Bow Members of the P.B. Catchment Board yesterday made acquaintance with an unfamiliar word—"Colmatage.” It is a term covering the process of ponding silt-laden flood-waters on lowlying river-bank lands, and occurred in a letter from the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council on a programme of such work contemplated by the Poverty Bay Catchment authority in the Whatatutu area. The council approved the board’s colmatage proposals for this locality, and advised that a subsidy of £3 for £1 would be available for experimental work, with a further £2 for £1 if the experiments proved satisfactory.

Felling on Steep Slopes When the P.B. Catchment Board at yesterday's meeting heard trom the engineer, Mr A D. Todd, that steps were being taken to dissuade a Crown tenant from felling bush on a steep slope in the Waikohu County, it was disclosed that the denudation of this slope might imneril the recent improvements to the Ngatapa stream. It was felt that too many farmers are unaware of the provisions of the board’s bylaws, which required that all bush felling in areas affecting conservation was subject to approval by the board The board decided to advertise the bylaw for general information. Compliments of Season ‘ During the past year we have had a very pleasant association on the council, and I extend my thanks to you for the consideration you have shown for the work which came before us,” said the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, in extending the compliments of the season to councillors at last night's meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council. The council had not been able to do everything which had been asked, but he was sure everything had been considered on its merits. Mr. Bull also extended greetings to all members of the stafl of the council and thanked them for their work during the past 12 months. On behalf of councillors, Mr. F Tolerton reciprocated the Mayor’s greetings and thanked the Mayor for his work during the year. Mr. W. M. Jenkins, the town clerk, replied on behalf of the council start.