PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 999, 24 April 1891, Page 18

PALMERSTON NORTH.

Palmerston North, April 17The adjourned annual general meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council Chambers last evening. Present —Messrs G. F. Hiking (who was voted to the chair), It. Edwards, W. Welch, J. Eliot Warburton, W. Park, E. G. Colville, F. Bryant, N. Valentine, M. Cohen, G. Howe, J. Walkley, R. S. Abraham, R. Leary, Plranl, H. S. Fitzherbert, -J. P. Leary, D. Bniok, land J. C. Mowbray (Secretary). The correspondence between the Chamber and the Hon the Minister for Lands was read, and the following gentlemen were appointed to wait upon the honouiable gentleman, when he visits Palmerston (as he is expected to do next week), namely, Messrs R. J. Abraham, D. Bnick, Jos. Beale, H. S. Fitzherbert, and the Secretary. Messrs J. H. Hawkins, and W. Beck were elected members of the Chamber. Ihe Secretary read the financial statement, which showed that the Society is in a sound position, having a respectable balance at its credit. The election ot officers then took place, Mr R« Leary being

1 elected President, Mr G. F. Hawkins, Vi je President, Mr J. P. Leary. Treasurer, and Mr J. C. Mowbray (re-elected), Secretary. Messrs R. B. Smith, manager of Bank of Australasia, and Mr J. F. Clapperton, manager Union Bank of Australia, were reelected auditors. It was resolved to increase the honorarium of the Secret&iy, whose labours, owing to the growing importance of the town and district and the greatly increased interest taken in the affairs of the Chamber, now oocnpy considerably more time and attention than heretofore. Mr Abraham strongly urged the necessity of the Chamber using all possible efforts to eeenre the early completion of the Palmerston - Pahiatna road, and the Committee appointed to wait upon the Minister for Lands were instructed to put the matter before that gentleman as forcibly as possible in all its bearings. A meeting, convened by Lieutenant Hall, was held lass evening at the Drillshed with a view to the formation of a cadet corps. About 60 names were enrolled. It was resolved to ask Mr Watson, headmaster of the Central School, to accept the captaincy, and I understand that in the event of that gentleman declining the position it will be offered to Sergeant-Major Castles. This is a movement worthy of all snpport. A bugey accident occurred yesterday at the junotion of the Ashnrst and Bnnnythorpe roads, which, although of a serious nature, was fortunately unattended by any consequences worse than a great fright and some rather bad bruises sustained by the four young ladies who ocoupied the conveyance, At the place abovenamed, where there has been a considerable amount of filling in to carry the road over a sort of gully, the horse declined to negociate a rather stiff hill, and the trap, running back, was precipitated over the embankment, and turning completely over, all four ladies were thrown to the bottom of the slope, the wheel of the buggy resting on the face of one of the party. Fortunately assistance was at hand, and the ladies were Bpeedily conveyed to their home in a con veyance nrocured from Ashnrst.

Palmerton North, April 21. Since I last wrote there have been two moro alarms of fire, and a boy named Bridge, about 12 years of age is in custody, charged with an attempt at incendiarism in Cuba street, the same youth being strongly suspected of haviug attempted to set fire to other premises in the neighbourhood. An accident occurred yesterday to tho train arriving here at midday, which fortunately resulted in nothing more serious than a certain amount of alarm to the passengers and some little damage to the engine. I am informed that there were two locomotives attached to the train, and that shortly after passing Bnnnythorpe station a piece of timber fell from a truck immediately in front of the aftermost engine, and was driven along the line for a considerable distance, but fortunately without running against any of the sleepers, or the consequences would probably have been serious to life and property. The train was however quickly brought to a stand, and no greater damage resulted than the smashing of tho “cow-catcher. A proposal of Councillor Edwards to have the footpaths in the square laid down with asphalt is worthy of tho consideration of the Council, aud I hope to see it promptly carried out, as also the the formation pf proper crossings. In wet wiater weather footpaths and crossings are alike almost impassable, foot-passen-gers being frequently almost over the boot tops in mud, a state of things which should hardly exist in this advanced stage of our busy towD. The following were yesterday nominated for seats on the School Committee ; —Mr G. M. Snelson (the present Chairman), A. Drew, T. R. Walton, J. C. Mowbray, G. Woodroofe, G-. F. Hawkins, J. G. Rush, and F. Bryant. The day fixed by the Act for holding the election i 3 Monday the 27th instant. A meeting of gentlemen appointed to cbnsider the various clauses in the new Land Regulations which is considered necessary to bring before the Minister of Lands on his approaching visit to Palmerston, with a view to their alteration or amendment, was held at Mr Valentine’s Club Hotel last evening, when representatives of the Palmerston North and Oroua Special Settlement' Associations, the Chamber of Commerce, and others interested in this important question were present. A letter from representatives of the Ashnrst Association regretting inability to be present _ was read, and appeared to coincide entirely with the resolutions afterward pissed by the meeting. The following motions were carried, viz. : —“ That the meeting consider that the light of purchase should be conceded to members of Special Settlements taking up land perpetual lease, as provided in section 150 of Land Act, 1885.” t “ That clause No. 4 be amended in the direction of allowing the members of the Association to have the option of employing their own surveyor.” «That the Minister be requested to re-instato the old clause relating to town and suburban sections, and that clause 5 in new regulations be amended in that direction.” “That ‘one-half’ be substituted for * one-third ’ in clause 8, and * ten years 3 for ‘ fifteen years ’ in same clause.” “That the Minister be asked what intepretation he puts upon clause 10 (in regulation respecting residence) as regards the words ‘ within two years, ’ and whether he, the hon gentleman, would accept double improvements for a term of six years in lieu of residence within that PS The above resolution were all carried unanimously.