TOPICS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9133, Issue 9133, 4 February 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY

The announcement that the report of the Government EnHokowhitu gineer upon necessary Protection, protection works at

Hokowhitu may be expected from the Minister at the end of the present week will be received with gratification by all those interested in the proposed work, or likely to be affected by the overflow waters of the Manawatu. Even if the report does not contain anything of a directly practical nature from the Council's point of view, its receipt will, at least, put an end to the period of inactivity that has been necessary pending the arrival of the report. As is no doubt, generally known, the river is at {'resent threatening the existence of a long line of protective work by getting in behind it—a work that has withstood the effects of .several floods, and it would be a thousand pities if by neglect of the present opportune season this protection, with its network of willows, should be lost. The question of river protection concerns the whole town, and thoitgh it is a most costly undertaking, it is one that miust be faced till success is achieved, as was the case in Blenheim, where the annual inundations of the river are now unknown. Locally the means suggested for dealing with the present position at Hokowhitu entail inexpensive work, but it remains to be seen what are the proposals of the Government experts upon the subject.

The retirement of Mr J. K. Warburton, who for fourteen The years filled the responAuditor- sible office of AuditorGeneral. General, is a fitting

occasion for some reference to that gentleman's long and faithful service to the Dominion. The Auditor-General occupies a peculiar position in the public service, being responsible not to Ministers but directly to Parliament for his actions. His duties are to keep a watchful eye upon the expenditure of public money both by the Government and local bodies, and to instantly challenge any item that appears to be illegal under | the statute. It can be imagined that the office may easily be what the occupant makes it. Ho may be a complaisant individual who would pass without comment expenditure that is of doubtful legality rather than bring himself into conflict with Ministerial authority. In that case the way is opened for wide abuse and even corruption. Mr Warburton, however, took up no such attitude. With a high standard of duty ever before him, he never hesitated to express his opinion or to record his protest when payments appeared to be illegal, even though it involved disagreement with Ministers and public bodies. The long controversy between the retiring Auditor-General and the late Mr Seddon as to the propriety of certain of the Government's financial transactions will be remembered as one of the notable incidents of Mr Warburton's career, and he will always be commended for the determined stand he took on that occasion. He now goes into retirement earned by long and faithful service, but he leaves to his successor a high ideal to follow, and the best wish that can be expressed for the new guardian of the public purse, is that he will attain to the standard of his predecessor.

On ,iage 2: Cables, telegrams. On page 3: Australian items, telegrams. On page 6: Frank Morton's notes, report of Farmers' union meeting. On page .7 : J3oxing, sporting. The Rev. Bates wired to-day:—A storm area appears to be approaching from the westward ; . expect low pressure after 48 hours; westerly winds, moderate to strong; winds freshening; expect unsettled and cloudy weather; rain probable; glass fall after 16 hours. The Gas Company is making a big improvement in its Ferguson street service, and the residents of Summerhays street will be interested to learn that the reason for the non-lighting of their street is that the company has been awaiting the arrival of a shipment of 4in pipes from Glasgow. These pipes are now at Foxton, and will be here at the beginning of next week, when the Ferguson street 4in main will be extended another 1500 yards. The Nursing Division of the St. John Ambulance Association has decided to assist at the ALT Nations Fair. Donations tor the Fair stiil continue to come in freely. Yesterdaj' the Mayoress received two cheques totalling £7 10s from Messrs Dalgety and Co., being the proceeds from the sale of two sheep given by Messrs Birchley Bros, and Mrs McDonald, of Raumai. The firm also donated their charges. A Berlin firm (Messrs Wolff and Son) have sent a consignment of soap and perfumery. Loyal Manawatu Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., held its usual meeting last night, N.G. Bro. F. Nevill presiding. I The deputies reported upon the business | transacted at the recent district meeting | held at Ohakune. A vote of thanks was passed for the report. Votes of condolence were passed to P.G. Bro. F. Mowlem and Bro. Frank Mowlem in connection with their recent bereavement. One new member was initiated. It was decided that a Purple Degree lecture «be held at an early date, and that all officers requiring degrees hand their names into next lodge meeting. At the conclusion of the business a new card tournament was commenced. The ordinary meeting of the College Street School Committee was held last night. There were present—Messrs Hodder (chairman), Carville, Whitehead, Sanson, Stubbs, Gerrand, and Jewell.. .Tfc was decided to grant a half-holiday at the school on the 16th inst., All Nations' Fete day. Messrs Carville and Whitehead were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing quarter. The headmaster reported that the present roil number was 382, but that a number of children had not returned from the summer vacation. It was decided to join the Wanganui and West Coast School Committees' Association, which has for its object the furtherance of education, and facilitating the duties and business of school committees.

It is _ probable that few people in Palmerston realise the great work that is being done by the District Nurse who is now thoroughly established here under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Society. The nurse has to work hard, and of necessity her duties take her to many homes at a distance from each other. It is evident that she can do far more with a pony and trap. Kind friends have provided a trap - and harness, and it will be seen by advt. in the wanted known column that the Society arc now seeking to purchase a reliable pony. Surely there will be found someone who will eagerly embrace this opportunity to give a suitable pony for the very worthy cause for which it is required, or-at anv rate offer a pony at a price that will be within the means of the Society.

Raetihi has decided to hold an agricultural and pastoral show this month. The latest addition to the telephone exchange is No. 555,, Nurse Rockstrow, Cuba street.

A garden fete at. Foxton on Wednesday, held by All Saints' Ladies' Guild, proved very successful, the takings amounting to £39. Tho annual report and balance-sheet in connection with the Working Men's Club was adopted at a general meeting, of members held last night. Tho College Street School Committee last night passed a vote of thanks to the Ven. Archdeacon Harper for judging, the essays for tho Cohen "Shield. Last year a well-known Bulls farmer sent Home a largo quantity of frozen mutton. On this he states he lost £8C0 r but he is looking forward with confidence this year to higher prices, and hopes to recover his previous loss. The Kiwitea County Councillors are going on tour on Monday. Starting from Ivimbolton at 7 a.m., they intend going, first to the new bridge over the Oroua at London's Ford, and from thence on to Rangiwahia, whore tho residents are entertaining them in the evening. - At a public meeting held at Ohakune it was decided to urge the Minister of Railways to establish a morning train, running north and returning the same, day. It was pointed out that the first train leaving Ohakune for the north was at 4.10 p.m. Mrs W. Naylor had an exciting experience on Wednesday afternoon. Whilst riding the hurdlo racer Atanuifrom Hamua to Pahiatua the horse took fright and bolted for several miles, stopping only when turning the corner of Kin®- and Arthur streets, where Mrs Naylor was unseated, fortunately without sustaining any serious injuries. Messrs Keillor Bros, intend cutting up 7000 acres of their property, five miles from Bulls, for closer settlement. Messrs E. J. Armstrong and G. L. R. Scott, of Palmorston, are at present engaged on survey and roading work, and it is expected the land will be placed on tho market about April. It is sure to be eagerly sought for and its settlement shoui'd greatly increase the progress of the district. The Post says tho banks are now about to lower their rutes of interest on fixed deposits. This course has been taken— and will be given effect to in a few days —in view of the abundance of money seeking profitable investment at the present time. It will be recalled that the building companies on 13th January reduced their rate of interest from per cent to 4 per ccnt per annum. There is a lot of activity in military circles at the present time. All the volunteer corps here, mounted and infantry, are busy class-firing and are also holding weekly parades in order to capitate. From present appearances it is likely the Hunterville Mounted Rii'es will parade 60 strong for the Kitchener camp, Feilding M.R. 40 and the Manawatu M.R. 40. A lot depends upon the train arrangements made. In the Palmorston Supreme Court on 10th February, a case of considerable interest to Eketahuna and Pahiatua residents will be heard, wherein Mr Walsh, (f Pahiatua, is the plaintiff and Mr F. C. Turnor is defendant, a claim for damages £501 for alleged libel arising out of a card tournament at the Pahiatua Club. Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C., Wellington, is for plaintifE, and Mr C. A. Pownall, of Masterton, and Mr Page, of Eketahuna, arc for defendant.

In connection with the numerous changes that have taken place and are yet likely to eventuate in the staff of the College Street School the committee last night decided, 'on the motion of Mr Stubbs, " That this committee protests against the school having so many relieving teachers appointed. ■ Teachers should be permanently appointed, and it was not in the best interests of the school that there should be so many changes." This resolution will be duly forwarded to .the Education Board.

First prize in the essay competition promoted by the College-st. School Committee for the best essay on the recent cricket match between the College and Campbell street School Committees has been won by Verne Jewell. The essays were judged by .members of the committee, "Excelsior" being placed first, "Half a etc." second, and "A stitch in time" third.. The first prize in the competition will be presented by Mr Hodder, chairman of the Committee, and second and third prizes by Messrs GPterrand and Whitehead respectively.

Several burglaries have been attempted in Foxton lately. At o,ne residence, where there wore good prospcts of a big haul, the burglar was surprised in the act of forcing a window open at 1.30 yesterday morning, but he managed to get away. At the Family Hotel on Wednesday night a. suit of clothes and where there wtsre good prospects ,of a boarder, were stolen from a bedroom. The thief left an old coat and vest and a pair of boots in exchange. Needless to say the "exchange" was not appreciated by the boarder. The servants' room was also entered and a sovereign and three shilling taken.

The College Street School Committee, a-fc its meeting last night, received intimation from the Education Board that an assistant teacher had been appointed to the -school owing to the increased attendance necessitating same. Testimonials as to the' teachers' qualifications were forwarded by the Board for perusal by the committee/ The correspondence on the. subject was received, and it was decided that the copies of the testimonials sent be returned to the Board with the thanks of the committee, and" with the intimation that this committee is of opinion that it is quite useless to 6end testimonials when appointments have already been made.

The Mirarnar Borough Council continues to make a loss on its tramway system. From April Ist to September 30, 1909, the running loss for the h&lfyear was £522 13s lid. From October 1, 1909, to January 19, 1910, the loss on the Miramar North line was £3 4s lOd and the gam on the Seatoun • line £5 14s 4d giving a small gain, for the latter period of £2 9s 6d. The total loss from April 1 to January 19 was £520 4s sd, and an extra penny was charged on special cars on the Miramar North line, which increased the revenue during the K? £266 66 10d. The Mayor states the loss made is within tho at £800' the year was placed

Archdeacon C. C. Harper was unsuccessful with his Bill at the Synod to amend Title A, Canon 11, Section 1, relating to the appointment of a clergy-' man to a vacant parish. At present the selection is made by nominators chosen by the Diocesan Synod and the parish vestry, the number of nominators being determined by the Diocesan Synod. Archdeacon Harper's Bill provided that there should be in every case nine nominators. four of them to be appointed by the Diocesan Synod, and four by the parish vestry, the Bishop of' -the diocese to act as chairman. In support, of this proposal. Archdeacon Harper said that the present system was faulty, in that the one person (the bishop) * who bes i« understood the interests of; the parish * and knew the clergymen available for the appointment, was not allowed' a voice in me matter He believed this wasr the only Church where such was the case.

A meeting of the Opera House Committee was held this afternoon to consider the questions of ventilation and electric lighting in the Opera House. The Reserves Committee also met.

The Boy Scout movement is growing in this district. Kelvin Grove has now a patrol, and Mr Norman Fox, the schoolmaster, has taken charge. To-mor-row week they arc to hold a field day.

At the meeting of the College Street. School Committee last night the retirement of Mr Easther, truant inspector, cropped up, and in view of the appointment of another official the committee passed a resolution in favour of a local official with the object of gathering in the waifs and strays who do not at present attend any school. It was suggested that the duty could bo most efficiently carried out by the police, and it was decided to suggest to the Education Board that the Justices Department be approached through the Minister for Justice with the idea of having the police entrusted with the duty. The Committee thought the collection of children who do not attend any school was more in the spirit of the Act than to harass parents whose children attend school.

The Sports Ground to-day presented a gay and lively spectacle, and the Terrace End School Committee's experiment in holding the annual school picnic there soems to have met with substantial success. At an oarly hour this morning the drags and carts laden with expectant juveniles went through the Square en route to the grounds, and long before lunch time between two and tjirec hundred youngsters were scattered over the broad Oval engaged in various games. Lunch was served at midday, and the afternoon was spent in running races, roaming about the reserves, ai\l playing various games. A big stock of buns and ginger-beer diminished rapidly as the day wore on, and by five o'clock the children had spent a happy day. The members of the committee and their wives, and the school teachers and friends, all assisted in the day's outing.