LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 March 1926, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

“'Good fences make good neighbours, ’ said the magistrate yesterday in a ease of a dispute in regard to a. boundary fence, “and bad fences make bad friends.” The Hawera County Electric Company has withdrawn the notice regarding current being cut off during certain hours of the night, and current will now be supplied'continuously. That the prospects of an early opening otf the Hawera dental clinic were not bright was evident from a tetter .from the Director of Health received '‘by the Taranaki Education Board yes.terday. The letter stated that through the non-arrival of certain necessary apparatus, the clinic would not 'be available for some time.

A Wellington Press Association telegrant states that yesterday 2.45 inches of rain, in the* 24 hours ended 9 a.m. The weather was fine but cold and windy yesterday morning. The wind changed from north to south between midnight and 1 a.m., and' in that hour 80 points of rain fell. The extent of the souvenir grabbing that took place after the aeroplane fatality at Papanui may be' gathered from the statement made by one of the aerodrome mechanics on Friday (states the Christohurch Star): “They left, us only the engine.” Besides the portions of the wrecked fuselage that were taken away immediately after the crash, it is stated that a man backed a motor lorry as near to the scene of the fatalitv as he could and in the late hours of the night took away a large part of the machine.

In all probability the Sunday train service to v New Plymouth will be discontinued at an'early date. Questioned by a Stratford Post reporter on the subject, the Railway Business Agent, Mr A. W. Wellstead, said that although a great number of Sundays on which they had run were wet, the patronage accorded it was considered satisfactory and there was every likelihood that the service would, be resumed next summer.

The chairman of the Board waited on the secretary of the Wanganui-Rangrtikei Electric Power Board (Mr. P. H. Smith) on Tuesday and inquired as to the' terms on which a supply of electricity could be obtained for Waver ley, says'the nui Chronicle. As Waverley and Waitotara. are included in the outer area of the South Taranaki Electric Power Board’s district, it is necessary to ascertain ‘ what the prospects are of a supply being obtained-from that board. The matter is being inquired into by Mr. Smith. ;

By a majority of five to one, the ratepayers of the Poverty Bay Power Board’s district, comprising the Gisborne Borough, and the Oook and "Wiaikohu Counties, have sanctioned the raising of a Toan of £280.000 for the eleotirfication of the district from, the Government station at Waikareraoana. The voting yesterday, was: For 1206, against 242. The Power Board can now sign an ■agreement .with the Government, which, provides that Waikareraoana current will ■be available within three years. The hoard will also assume control of the borough council’s electricity plant, probably from March 31. - 1

When dealing with a dispute between two suburban neighbours over a fence yesterday, Mr Barton, S.M., said that ’the Act regarding boundary fences badly required overhauling. He said disputes were constantly coming up for decision, dnd the conditions set out in the schedule, to, the fAct would suit only the times of Captain Cook or soon after. The question was continually being raised between suburban neighbours, and no allowance was made in the Act for any discretion being used by the Court. He had no power to order anything but a bush post and wire fence as defined in the schedule do the Act. The whole position was most unsatisfactory. *

Though the Marlborough district will be the only one in New Zealand in which concrete poles will be used exclusively for electric transmission lines, it is anticipated that a good number of hardwood,-poles will be required at various times for light lines carrying current from the main lines into farmers’ properties, and looking well ahead with an eye to the requirements of the future, the Power Board has acquired at Benapai an area of upwards of 100 acres, on which it is proposed to plant hardwoods to supply poles for the coming generation. In addition the plantations are calculated greatly to beautify theaalready impressive features oi; the landscape at the site of the works, and it is anticipated that in a few years Benapai wall be one. of the district's most popular picnic resorts.,

Referring" to hospital matters brought before him by a deputation from the Dannevirke Hospital Board, the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of'-Health, said: "We have too many hospital boards already, and it is a great mistake, to divide them. We get more efficient serviep without division. We have 48 boards in the Dominion and I don’t think it is good to further increase the number.’’ The question in dispute was the division of revenue from portions of the Patcngata and Waipukurau counties between the Dannevirke and Waipawa boards. The Minister said he was not sure whether the agreement Could bo legalised, and he would look into the matter and consult the department.