TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9183, 6 April 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The Borough" Council came to a decision last evening in reThe gard to the Saleyards, Saloyards. which was in the best interests of the town. As the result of a stupid agitation a few months ago the Council had resolved that the new saleyards in Grey Street must be concreted. The auctioneers stated that if that decision were enforced they would remove their sales to an adjoining town. The "Standard," recognising the great loss Palmerston would suffer in consequence, took a hand in the affair. Interviews with business men were published in- our columns showing that there was a strong desire to encourage the auctioneers to remain hero, and this vievy was supported in a series of articles in our columns. As a result of the action taken the Council has rescinded its previous decision, and there is no doubt that its latest decision will be generally approved. The Health Department has stated that the- concreting of the yards was unnecessary, and there, was therefore justification for rescission of the previous resolution. A copy of The Municipal Handbook of New Zealand has been Some forwarded to us by the Statistics. Minister for Internal

Affairs. It is a moet interesting publication, giving details concerning the boroughs of the Dominion, and embodying a brief history of each municipality. Some information concerning .Palmorston may be quoted. The town's capital value approaches two million sterling, to be exact, it is £1,978,586. The unimproved value is £1,080,362, and the improvements are therefore valued at £898.224. There are 4595 acres of land in the Borough, which is traversed by 52 miles of "streets. The buildings number 3735, of which 2440 are dwellings. The population is given at 12,000, 1950 being ratepayers owning 3420 rateable properties. According to the handbook Palmorston is the largest borough outside Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. It was constituted a borough in July, 1877. Its streets are lighted by '226 incandescent burners, costing a little over £1000 per annum for the supply of gas, -maintenance, and lighting. In to-day's issue we publish a report by the Town Clerk which may be regarded as supplementary to the above details, and which will be read with interest Rβ showing the result of a year's financial operations.

Ratepayers will be pleased to know that the Opera The House last year Opera Bxmse. showed a net profit. That is, after paying interest and sinking fund and doing repairs and providing for maintenance, there remains an actual credit balance of £55 ISs. The sinking fund, which may also be regarded as a profit, has been augmented by £95, so that really the Opera House has returned £150 18s. It is of more than passing interest, however, to note that this healthy financial condition has been made possible by_ the Council's action in arranging with a picture company to use the Opera House on terms on nights when it is not engaged for other purposes. An income from this source of about £157 during four and a-half months made the difference between a debit and a credit balance. The Opera House Committee is to be congratulated on its management of the Opera House. It was roundly, almsed for its arrangement with the picture company, which is now being continued' with the present permanent occupants of the- Opera House. The attacks made upon it in this connection, however, have, strangely enough, suddenly ceased, and it must be admitted that in the face of the actual results little criticism could be passed. Next year ail even better return may be expected, which will still further show the absurdity of the attitude taken up by the few persons who believe the Borough Council can do nothing right.