Manawatu Daily Times Galatea

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6866, 24 May 1932, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times Galatea

Although the creation of the Coalition Government is supposed to have ended for the time being at least all party strife, the political press of the country does not lose any opportunity of making capital out of the misdemeanours real or imaginary of those members of. Cabinet who were in the opposing camp before the two leading factions united. A recent case in point, is the avidity with which certain Reform journals seized on the alleged failure of the Galatea estate purchase to come up to expectations. Because it was announced that certain work on this estate of 22,000 acres had been stopped charges of “tragic Waste” were hurled at the late Forbes Ministry in general and the Minister of Lands (Hon. E. A. Ransom) in particular. Mr. Ransom makes a calm and very effective reply to his critics. Giving a general denial to their charges, he points out that when Galatea was purchased in January, 1931, for delivery in March, 1932, it was confidently anticipated that a programme designed to effect the settlement of about 120 settlers early in 1933 could be carried out. An important feature in connection with the purchase was an arrangement with the vendor that certain preliminary work such as road construction, scrub cutting, and fencing could proceed immediately the transaction was completed. These works provided facilities for the employment of a large number of men at a critical time, and financial authority was made available to the Public Works Department to enable it to proceed with the work. The road work was now practically complete, essential scrub cutting had been carried out, and fencing had proceeded up to the point when any further erection would interfere with the proposed cultivation work and the handling of the station stock. These works all offered scope for employment to a fairly large number of manual labourers, who were steadily employed until completion, when, of course, they had to be dismissed. “The second phase of development work,” said Mr. Ransom, “is just about to begin. This will include the cultivation and grassing of land at present carrying indifferent pasture, and the top-dressing and reconditioning of the balance of the estate. It must be recognised that this part of the development activity dees not provide scope for a great deal of manual labour, but it is nevertheless essential in preparing the estate for successful settlement in small areas. It may be said, therefore, that the actual development work is only beginning. “It is not the intention of the Government to change its policy so far as the ultimate settlement of Galatea is concerned; but in the light of the present unfavourable economic conditions my Department has a serious responsibility in determining the form of procedure. It must be remembered that a material adverse change has taken place since Galatea was purchased, and this factor naturally affects the chances of success of the prospective settlers. The early stages of a new settlement are difficult under any conditions, but those difficulties are intensified when the land on being opened for settlement ri not sufficiently developed to ensure profitable occupation. “On account of the adverse conditions referred to it has been necessary to vary to some extent the original programme of development, but the finance for the current year’s expenditure is assured, and I hope that the financial position will so far improve in the coming year as to ensure a full development programme being put into effect. lam satisfied that the estate is being handled in the best interests of the State, the taxpayer, and the prospective settlers, and the public may have my assurance that the estate will be opened for selection as soon as practicable.”

“When was your house built?" an insurance inspector asked a Waitara man. “I don’t know," was the reply, ‘ ‘ but it was tho year Star Kose won tho New Zealand Cup." “Kow Gardens," illustrated by lantern slides, will be contributed by Dr. 11. H. Allen, to tho menu of the Citizens’ Lunch Club to-day. Mr. A. G. lloe is chairman. Electric wires and telephone connections were tangled by a kite along Church street on Sunday. This constitutes a danger to the small boy who flew the kite and the user of the ’phone. Four electric radiators have disappeared from the Palmerston North Baptist Church during the last six to eight weeks. The disappearance was not noticed until last Sunday when, with the approach of wintry conditions, if was proposed to put them into use. Tho police aro investigating tho matter. The Palmerston North City Council held a special meeting yesterday to pass a special order authorising the raisingof tho repayment loan of £152,750 to repay current loans maturing this year. The resolution was purely a formal matter to meet the requirements of the Local Bodies’ Loans Act and other Acts. In connection with the tree planted in tho Square recently by the International president, Botarian S. Pascal!, it was decided at yesterday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Botary Club to have a plate, suitably inscribed, attached to it to commemorate that important occasion in tho history of the club.

The State schools in 'Palmerston North rc-opcncd yesterday for the second term of the year. As usual a number of admissions to the institutions were granted, but six admissions for children under six years had to be refused under tho new rule enforced upon the schools under the control of the Wanganui Education Board. “This matter could be settled under the Bankruptcy Act," remarked His Honour in the Hawke’s Bay Adjustment Court at Napier one day last week, when an application was called. “I would like it settled under tho Earthquake Act," replied counsel. His Honour’s remark: “It will be cheaper," drew a ripple of laughter. “If it is right for a country to conscript men in time of war, it is right to conscript money in a time of economic strife," said a speaker at the annual meeting of the Palmerston North E.S.A. last evening, who advocated that tho banks should be compelled to advance the necessary money to tide tho Dominion over the present crisis. Botarian A. J. Philiipps and his committee were yesterday accorded thanks by the Y.W.C.A. for their assistance curing tho street day held in Palmerston North last Saturday. In thanking members on behalf of tho Y.W.C.A. at tho meeting of the Palmerston North Botary Club, the president (Botarian W. G. Black) announced that £IIS had been realised and added that Botarian P. Jackson, Botarians and the wives and daughters of Botarians assisting and the Press were to be thanked for help given.

An account of the recent Botary conference held at Dunedin formed tho subject of an address delivered to the Palmerston North Botary Club yesterday by tho local president (Botarian W. G. Black). The speaker outlined the business transacted and stated that it had been announced that the total membership of the 53rd district (New Zealand) now stood at 1026, there being a drop of only 70 in the past twelve months. A vote of thanks was accorded the speaker on the motion of Botarian J. Wallace. When a Wanganui bailiff seized a car for a firm of solicitors, a Maori woman and two children remained in the car and refused to alight. The car, which had been towed into the city, was eventually returned whence it had come. The Maori woman did not raise any objection to the taking of the car in the first place (says the Chronicle), but when the bailiff had made arrangements for the towing of tho car into the city he found that the woman and her children were in occupation. The car was t towed to the police station, but still the Maori woman refused to move. Bailiff and solicitors could not persuade the woman to leave the car and night came on. The car was towed back to Castlecliff with the occupants still in possession.

An unusual application, to declare Avondale golf links a sanctuary for game, came before the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society recently. Mr. A. A. Boon, who moved that tho application be granted, said that already the members of the club rigidly protected the quail and dotterel on the links; he had seen dotterel nests protected by sticks. Mr. G. Ebert remarked that if proclaimed a sanctuary no dogs would be allowed on the links. Beplying to the chairman (Mr. G. T. Eobortson) Mr. Boon said that no shooters were allowed on the links. He added that the members looked upon the quail and dotterel more as domestic fowls; in fact, they were not wild, but more like garden poultry. The application was granted. “I hear you stayod in a haunted house last night. What happened?" “About twelve o’clock a ghost came through tho wall just as if there was no wall there." “And what did you do?” “I went through the other wall the same way.”

READING WITH ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

Now the days are drawing in and the evenings getting longer more and more reading is being done with the aid of artificial light. This has a very harmful effect on many eyes, but will not harm ,in any way the eyes that are protected with glasses correctly prescribed- by Mr. N. H. Bailey, Consulting Optician for Mr. B. A. Noedl, Optician and Deaf Aid Specialist, Bangitikei Street. Bing ’Phone 7303 for apDointments.