THIRTY YEARS AGO.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 25 May 1934, Page 2

THIRTY YEARS AGO.

EXTRACTS FROM “STANDARD,”

MAY 25, 1904

A clean sweep was to be made of a number of buildings in parts of the town which the Health Department had condemned following an examination. Very severe weather had crossed the colony and in both the North and South Islands heavy . flooding had been experienced. In Palmerston North the streets were almost ankle-deop in liquid mud. Truancy was a frequent offence in Palmerston North and at a Court sitting a large number of cases were handled. Palmerston North gas consumers had been given a reduction in price, the new rates being Bjd per 100 cubic feet for cooking and motive power, and 10£d for lighting purposes.

The servant problem was at the time proving very difficult; Christchurch residents in particular ' were experiencing trouble in securing helpers. The Bank of New Zealand had experienced, it was stated, a phenomenal year, and a profit of £200,000 was expected to be disclosed.

Taranaki stockmen regarded with satisfaction the importation of Dexter-Kerry cattle by the Government. The breed was especially adapted for rough country. Besides Canada, 22 other colonies and dependencies, including five out of the six self-governing Dominions, had celebrated Empire Day.

A conclusion had been reached in Paris of the contract for the sale to America by the Panama Canal Company of all 'its franchises and property on the isthmus, the operations involving the payment of 40,000,000 dollars in' instalments so as not to disturb the money market.