THE WEATHER

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1945, Page 2

THE WEATHER

Depressions are centred west of Taranaki and over the Southern Tasman Sea. Forecast to 5 p.m. on Thursday: Moderate to fresh north-westeriy winds, backing westerly tomorrow. Weather dull ami mild, with occasional vain, but some fair periods tomorrow'. Further outlook: Only isolated showers

Re-erection of Chapel Seeking the permission of the Whangarei Borough Council last night to have the Oruaiti Octagonal MethodistChapel re-erected on the parsonage section in Kamo Road, the Whangarei Methodist Church stated that the chapel was of historic interest, having been erected over 80 years ago in the Oruaiti Valley, Mangonui County, as a private .chapel by English pioneers who had arrived -at Doubtless Bay in March, 1859. Permission was granted. * «• * 9 Dance Hall License' On behalf of the United Ancient Order of Druids, Whangarei, a deputation waited on the ' Whangarei Borough Council last night. Mr. M. H. West asked whether there was likely to be difficulty in obtaining a dance hall license for the proposed new hall costing £6OOO, owing to the Potter Memorial Home being in close proximity. It was decided that consent would not be withheld.

Still Critical, But Improved A further slight improvement is reported in the condition of Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, 62, following on the-small improvement registered yesterday, after a week during which her. condition remained stationary. Her condition is still regarded as critical. Mrs. Harris was admitted to the Whangarei hospital on Tuesday of last week suffering from severe head injuries received when she had been assaulted in her own home. # V * « Minimum Residential Areas No change was made by the Whangarei Borough Council last night in the minimum area of residential section sites. The town planning committee reported that it had studied the direction by the council to report on the question of increasing the minimum area provided for in the council’s building by-laws in respect to area and frontage.. The committee’s recommendation that no alteration to the present by-law fixing the minimum area for residential sites at 20 perches was adopted.

Interest in Rugby With winter fast approaching, attention is being paid by the Whangarei Rugby Union to its activities for the forthcoming season. Hopes have been expressed that seven senior teams will take the field, but information concerning the number of players available, both in the town and country, is meagre. In addition to clubs existent last year, other clfibs, mainly in the town, are to be resuscitated and intending players should communicate with officials so that definite plans for the season can be made.

Street WideningDiscussions having taken place between the Whangarei Borough Council and the North Auckland Farmers' Coop., Ltd., concerning acquisition by the council of a section of land at the corner of Walton Street and Station Road for street widening purposes, the firm wrote fixing the price at £BOO cash. The works committee advised the council last ' night that £461, which did not include the value of the fencing on the land nor the cost of fencing the new boundary, was a fair valuation of the land. Its recommendation that the council should offer £461 was adopted.

Savings for WaxNational war savings in the Auckland postal district, (which at present includes Northland) last week were £17,334. This is the highest weekly total since the closing bf the Victory Loan campaign in October of last year. The total for the financial year so far is £858,239, which is £84,335 in excess of the proportionate amount of the annual total. Fifteen of the sub-centres have exceeded their objectives for the year, the latest to achieve this success being Kaikohe, Matakana, Maungaturoto and Pukekohe. The Auckland metropolitan area receipts last week were £11,646 and for the financial year to date, £668,889.

Waikiekie Limeworks Fire Several directors of the- Waikiekie Lime Co. together with insurance adjustors, visited the site of the fire which yesterday totally destroyed the works of the company at Waikiekie. Twenty-five to 30 employees are engaged at the works at present. The secretary' of the company (Mr. C. P. Butler) said that none of the machinery could be replaced for many months, due to war transport difficulties and it would be at least'six months before there was any further production from the works. The fire jvas a catastrophe for the farming community in the north, as it would mean that a shortage of lime would be experienced throughout- the Whangarei district.

Record Rate Collection Rate collection to March 2 was £37,829, representing 97.55 per cent, of the amount struck, the town clerk (Mr. L. O. Hall) reported to the Whangarei Borough Council ‘last night. For the corresponding period in 1944, the collection was 94.9 per cent, but this figure climbed to 97.8 per cent, by March 31. While it was hoped that the present figure was capable elf climbing to 98 per cent, before the close of the year, a review of the amounts outstanding was not encouraging, although a memorandum had been despatched to all who had not paid their rates. Collection rate arrears for previous years represented 50.51 per cent, which must be regarded as a record. Congratulating the ratepayers, the Mayor (Mr. W. Jones) said that the figures were not understood by many ratepayers. Intelligent ratepayers had asked him how £37,000 tfad been spent, but it hatj. to be realised that £14,000 went *in. interest, £IO,OOO in table .mortgages, £SOOO to the hospital board and £6OO to the fire board.