LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 309, 5 November 1910, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

As previously intimated, the Bank of New Zealand intends opening a daily branch at Ohura, and Mr G. H. Hutton from Auckland, and until recently, accountant in the Hunterville branch of the Bank, has been appointed Manager. Mr Hutton is now in Ohura completing arrangements for opening the branch early next week. Mails for Australia only will close at Te Kuiti post office on Monday, 7tb November, at 10.15 a.m.

A basket social will be held at Matiere on Friday, 18th November, in aid of the school funds. As the object of the social is a most laudable one, no doubt it will receive the large support it deserves from all who are interested in the welfare of the school. The New Plymouth Employers' Association has passed a resolution trusting that a Bill will! be passed through Parliament at an early date making a Saturday half-holiday compulsory and universal. The Minister for Railways says that it is not intended to make any reduction in the running time of the Main Trunk expresses between Auckland and Wellington. The traffic in the holiday season, is exceptionally heavy, and the trains require the full present schedule time to ensure punctuality. Mr A. M. Myers, M.P., has expressed the opinion that as the Government had not seen its way to deal with the question of town planning this session, municipal authorities might do certain preliminary work without waiting. For instance, small committees of experts might be set up in every town to draw up plans for future develooment, making adequate provision for roads, parks, artisans, dwellings, schools, churches, and other public requirements. The Minister for Railways has informed Mr Jennings, in reply to a question, that searching investigation was made into every case in which goods go missing while in the hands of the department, or where carelessness was alleged in dealing with them, and in every instance in which a member of the railway service was proved to be at fault, suitable action was taken. It had to be recognised that in a large commercial concern, dealing with five million and a-half tons of goods annually, cases of loss and miscarriage inevitably occur, notwithstanding the efforts of the department to ensure accuracy and carefulness in daaling with the goods. Generally speaking, however, the losses were infinitesimal compared with the quantity of goods carritd.

The Health Inspector has been inspecting the various whares on the Esplanade East., Te Kuiti, and finds that the sanitary conditions are unsatisfactory from the numerous offensive deposits found there, and on the banks of the stream. This latter i 3 an offence tinder the "Police Offences Act," as well as the "Public Health Act," and will become so under the Borough by-laws. The offensive conditions should be removed without delay, and the Esplanade on both sides of the river used for its proper purpose; as a promenade and recreation ground. It is to be hoped this matter will receive prompt attention from those concerned.

The shop 3 in Te Kuiti will close all day on Wednesday next, being the late King's birthday, and be open all day on Thursday, which, being sale dav will be more convenient for the general public. Mr C. Stevens has an advertisement in "this issue notifying the settlers of Pio Pio and surrounding districts that he will be in attendance at his Pio Pio store every Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Messrs Markswick and O'Regan's tender for the erection of the Union Bank's premises at the corner of King and Rora streets has been accepted and the building will be started forthwith.