THE FANCY FAIR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IV, Issue 403, 25 January 1883, Page 2

THE FANCY FAIR.

Despite the wet weather, there was a large attendance at the fair last night. The May-pole dance went off well, iv fact better than on the previous evening, and at the conclusion flowers were thrown into the ring to the children by some of the enthusiastic onlookers. A few unfortunate individuals found themselves in the stocks. Some paid the fine immediately, others preferring to sit awhile to be viewed and laughed at. One young man was put in, and it was expected that a heavy fine would be soon paid, but the " ruuners-in " were slightly in error. He calmly took put his pipe and enjoyed his stnoke; but his enjoyment was shortlived. The stern policeman soon made him give up the pipe, and after a short time this young Jack Shephard and a confederate or two managed to wrench tho bar up, and the captive was free. Quit 9 a burst of laughter followed this, and the face of the beadle was a study. The goods exposed last evening were of a valuable and useful description. At the first shop in the hall is a boautiful collection of ferns in a glass case, the work of Mr. Dawson, telegraphist — they look very nice ; and in the same stall is a fly-catcher, mado with moss and paper : this is the work of a Nornianby lady; •mhiio " Mwir handsome articles — such as concertinas, inkstands witn cut g.«~~ bottles, &c— were ranged roand on the shelves. In the next " shoppe " were a valuable weather glass, statuettes, teacosies, picture frames, &c. ; while between this and the next stall was a handsome foot fonder, locally made, and Gipsey tables and other nice and valuable articles were noticeable on every side. In shop 4 were some handsome dolls, children's clothes, and pictures ; and so one might go the round and find useful and ornamental articles in profu- i sion at each "shoppe." The Richardson Show was well attended, and the performers carried out their parts much better than on the previous occasion. The piece that seemed to particularly take the fancy of the public was " Villikin and his Dinah," in which Mdlle. De Glorian, Messrs. Power, A. H. Parkinson, and S. Dixon figured. The show was crowded on each occasion. The Chelsea Bnnhouse seemed to do a roaring trade. Mr. Power diverted the younger people during the evening by various devices, including the exhibition of a figure worked by wires and dressed as a negro boy. A portion of the band played at iutervals during the evening, and Miss Smith gave selections on the piano. The evening's amusement was brought to a close at a late hour. The gross takings during the evening reached a trifle over £45.

Bates, the cricketer, intends to settle in Sydney when his engagement with the Hon. Tyo Bligh's team is fulfilled. He will be a valuable accession to the New South Welshmen.

HAWEEA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The council met last evening. Present — Councillors Furlong, Adamson, Winks, McLdowie, Thomson, Kiug, Syme, and Partridge. In the absence of the Mayor, Councillor Winks was voted to the chair.

CORRESPONDENCE was read from J. D. Harris, regretting that the traffic did not warrant the runniug of an extra train from Hawera to Stratford.

A. H. Duff wrote, stating that he would not give up the recreation reserve until Councillor King's motion in reference to planting and vesting in cricketers were withdrawn or negatived.

In answer to Councillor King, The clerk said the £35 compensation money was offered to Mr. Duff the day after last meeting of the council, and before Councillor King's notice of motion was given, and he refused to take the money, because, as he said, it had been arranged that a proportion of the rent should be paid to him. Councillor King characterised Mr. Duff's action as petty, dirty spite, because it was evident that he had refused to carry out what he (Duff) had told the council he would do, for other reasons than those given in the letter. The threat did not frighten him. Held over until Councillor King's notice of motion had been dealt with.

Dr. Smith's notice, claiming damages for trespass, was read. Councillor Thomson pointed out that no action had been taken to acquire the right to carry the drain through Dr. Smith's property, as resolved at last meeting of the council. All that had been done was to enter the land.

Several councillors pointed out the drain had been in existence the last eleven years. Councillor Thomson doubted whether that was sufficient.

Councillor King thought that the Mayor should have taken steps to carry out the the wishes of the Council.

After further discussion it was resolved to hand the notice to the Borough solcitor for his opiuion.

C. M. Crocker stating that his first attempt to sink an artesian well had been interrupted by accident, and asking for an extension of time, say two or three weeks, as he believed that under new conditions he could carry out the experiment successfully.

Matter deferred.

C. Rennell, trustee in bankruptcy, asking that the section leased by Thomas Marnes be transferred to G. V. Bate.

Councillor King moved, that as the rent had not been paid, the land and building be retained and used for fire engine shed by the borough. The rent due in October was not paid till January, and then by the clerk. The clerk had neglected his duty in not bringing the matter under the notice of the' Council, so that action might have been taken. — The motion -was not seconded, and

Councillor Furlong moved, that request be granted. The rent had been accepted, and if had not been, it scarcely became the Council to quash a property because rent was a few days behind. — Councillor King said the rent had been behind for several months. He denied that there was any grasping, and charged the Mayor and the Clerk with collusion in the matter. The Mayor was under a cloud, and the subject should be held over till next meeting, when the Mayor would be present, and might explain the matter. — The Clerk said the fact was that he had been asked by the trustee to sell the lease, and had sold it to Mr. Bate. — In answer to the chairman, the Clerk said he had not given Marnes or the trustee notice that the rent was overdue, and he had accepted the rent and given a receipt. — Councillor Furlong said these transfers were always allowed. — The Chairman remarked that doubtless this transfer would have been allowed without a word if an outsider had made the application, but it was well that the dealings of the mayor and the clerk should be above suspicion, and he thought the matter should stand over. He would move in that direction. — Councillor Furlong pointed out that he had replied, and that no amendment could now be proposed. — The Chairman ruled that the amendment could be put, and moved that the matter stand over until the Council is satisfied that all conditions of the lease have been complied with. — Councillor King seconded, — On a division the amendment was carried by six to three — Ayes, Thomson, Adamson, King, Syme, Prichard Winks ; noes, Partridge, Furlong, and McLdowie.

Mr. Nesbitt wrote stating that he had taken out a bottling license, for which he had to pay *£20. As there were six months of the year to run, he asked the Council to refund illO. Councillor King moved, that Mr. Nesbitt be credited with towards next year's license fee. Agreed to.

FIRE BRIGADE.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs. Robbins, Suiter, and Davies, waited upon the council to bring under notice the question of purchasing a fire engine and the acquirement of a water supply. Mr. Robbins acted as spokesman, and strongly urged the acceptance of the Dunedin engine — a bran new article, with all apparatus and extras — in preference to the second-hand thing offered by the New Plymouth borough, which might break down just when it was wanted. In reference to the water supply, that was very important, and he urged that a temporary supply should be secured. He had seen in larger towns in this, in Canada, public wells at street-corners utilised for fire prevention, so that there was ample precedent for the action the brigade asked the council to take.

In answer to Councillor Furlong,

Mr. Robbins said that at one time the insuranco companies did assist the brigades in Wellington, but they had latterly withdrawn their support.

Councillor Thomson said the companies would only subscribe as any other private nrm.

Councillor Furlong thought the insurance companies were reaping a large harvest, and they should subscribe pretty freely. Mr. Davies said it was well-known that the comapnies did not care to assist the brigades ; they preferred assisting salvage corps.

Iv answer to Councillor King, Mr. Robbius said an engine would be useful so long as there was any water in the wells, but the supply was apparently small, and he thought a larger supply should be secured. The Star had been advocating one plan, and other people other plans. The brigade thought the Council should enquire which was the best.

Mr. Thomson said Mr. Robbing might make his mind easy. They had resolved to employ an engineer, and did not want the advice of the Star or other people, who had probably no enineering knowledge.

Mr. Robbins had not said the advocates of these schemes had engineering knowledge, but, nevertheless, the scheme should be enquired into.

Councillor King moved that the Dunedin engine be purchased, conditionally on the general public contributing Councillor Thomson moved, as an amendment, that the Dunedin engine be purchased for £120, and that the brigade be requested to supplement the amount required for the purchase. Amendment lost, and motion agreed

engineer's beport. This report -was brought up dealing

with a number of routine matters. It seemed that there was dispute between May and Humphries and the Engineer as to work done in High-street. He had completed work left undone, for which they were to be charged. About £200 was owing to them, and the work done at their cost (aiter due notice on their declining to do it) would amount to £50 or £60.

Report adopted. ACCOUNTS.

Railway, £1 11s; Jones, stationery, £4; Kirkpatrick, £188 ; Stanley, cartage £2 3s. Passed for payment.

GRAVELLING FOOTPATHS.

Councillor Prichard moved that the footpaths in High-street, from Wilsonstreet to the cricket ground be formed, and that tenders be called for the work ; and that they be gravelled as soon as possible. Agreed to,

ENGINEER FOR WATERWORKS.

Councillor Thomson mentioned that he had seen Major Atkinson, and asked him for the services of a Government engineer to advise the Council on the waterworks. Major Atkinson had promised to look into the matter when he got to Wellington, and to let him know.

Councillor Kiug urged that if a reply was not received in a few days, Major Atkinson should be telegraphed to.

THE CLERKSHIP.

Councillor King moved the suspension of by-law 57, relating to the hours to be kept by the clerk, and providing that they shall be bank hours.

The chairman seconded.

Councillor Thomson moved that the whole matter be held over until the return of the Mayor. Councillor Partridge seconded.

Amendment agreed to

Councillor King's notice of motion ye reserve was held over, and ,the council then adjourned.