WAIPAWA

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1636, 8 July 1903, Page 22

WAIPAWA

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

An increase of our population was very evident during last week, when the applicants for sections in the Argyll settlement were staying for a few days. The drawing took place last Friday, in the presence of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the local Land Board (Messrs R. Groom and T. Hyde) and officials. As detailed in another column forty-one sections were drawn, including the homestead section. This carried twenty applicants, four only of whom were permitted to go to the ballot. The allocation of this much-desired property has caused divergence of opinion, and the unsuccessful prospective tenant's speak of taking extreme measures to establish their claim. A church parade of the Volunteer Rifles was held last Sunday morning, at St; Peter’s church. The corps paraded at full strength under the command of Captain 11. C. Collett. The sermon was preached by the chaplain and vicar, the Rev. H. P. Corox, M.A., based upon the words, “Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. A very numerous congregation wa present.

In the evening of the ame. day, a recital of sacred music was held in StPat rick’s (R.C.) Church, a an overflowing congregation being present. A very excellent programme was submitted, which included numbers from Mozart’s Twelfth Mass, the “Eyrie and Gloria,” the “Gloria” of Farmar’s Mass. These, with the hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee” were rendered by the choir. Daudate” tenor solo and choius, with Mr F. J. Shanly as soloist; “Dreams of Paradise,” baritone solo by Mr J. A. Cosgrove; “Man of Sorrows,” mezzosoprano solo. Miss Dalziell; ‘ Savicau of All,” alto solo, Miss Boyle; “Charity, soprano solo. Miss Ourreetn ; Galilee, tenor solo, Mr F. J. Shanly; “Tantuin Ergo,” soprano and baritone duet, Miss Curreen and Mr J. A. Cosgrove. These vocalists possess gift of voice, and sus-tain-ed on tliis occasion tlio pi Gaisin g tgnutation etablished on previous oecaions. The choir gave evidence of careful training, especially in the concerted pieces which were sung throughout with harmony and balance of volume, and their conductor, My J- Agrove may be congratulated. An efficient ’string orchest assisted the organists the Misses M. Moroney and Eccleton’ It is understood that the authorities of St. aPtrick’s Church have purchased a six-stop pipe organ from Mi Hobday, a Wellington organ builder. It will be erected in the church at an early date. The Waipawa. Rifle. Volunteers paraded last Tuesday evening for inspection by Mai or Kettle, commanding the -bast Coast Battalion, of which the Rifles are a company. They were forty-two in number, under Captain H. C. Collett Lieutenants Ansties and Games. Being drawn up in a line on the parade ground, they received the -Ma jor, who was accompanied by Adjutant Hi si op. The men were put through several movements, and marched through the main streets, going through sectional movements on the way to the Oddfellows'* Hall. Major Kettle complimented Captain Collett on the sol-dier-like appearance of the corps, and said that he would like to get the whole battalion together shortly for a parade. Further, he deplored the lack of a drillshed.

A concert, organised 1 by the Sisters of the St. Columbia Convent School, was held on Wednesday evening. The programme was especially interesting andi varied. It wa-s contributed by pupils of the school, and. included pianoforte playing. vocal music and dances, which enlivened the whole. Overtures and selections were given by the Misses L. Shanly, W. Dwyer, I. Hunt, 3>. Jull, M. Corshie, and M. Cosgrove; sailor’s hornpipe, Misses Shanly and Dwyer; Highland fling. Misses M. Shanly and P. Li niblick. The infant department sang action songg and performed some marches. The Misses Curree-n. Boyle and Dalziell, lady voea-lists, and Messrs Shanly and) Jull rendered songs, and Mr Reid gave a charming whistling fantasia; the encore was a two-whistle duet, “Life’s dream is o’er,” played! simultaneously; recall, Irish jig; concluding item, Indian, club exercises by senior pxipils, each club being illuminated. This item was a brilliant finale. A large and thoroughly enthusiastic audience was present, and a dance followed the concert. Mr J. A. G. Cosgrove acted as chairman. A meeting of the Town Board was held on Thursday afternoon; Mr H. M. Rathbone, chairman. A quantity of circular correspondence was read and received. The club announced a credit balance of £45 11s lid, and the pay sheet, amounting to £9B 19s 1 4d, was passed for payment. A letter was reads from Dr Todd which was a reply to one sent to him by the Board, in which they asked for £5 payment per annum for his use of the river reserve. The reply offered!

Is per annum. The Board declined th* offer, and made a further offer of its use to Dr Todd for £1 per annum. In reply to a memo, from the Valuer-General, ins which he asked for further information, its was resolved: “That the Board apply to the ValueivGeneral to have the present roll returned to them, that the present owners of property be inserted on the roll in lieu of those deceased.” The Treasury Department paid into account 19s, Court fees collected. It was resolved! to adopt the w.s. tariff; days of col lections to be Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A defaulter in arrear of drainage dues to receive notice that the amount must be paid in fourteen days. The Land Board had leased four acres of the riverside frontage, and it was resolved to write to them and ask that a road one chain wide be left on block 46, between the Empire Hotel property and the river bed. for the convenience of the travelling public. A resolution was carried, moved and seconded by Messrs Limbrick and Hanbea*: “That all acquired land for widening streets and the other properties of the Board be conveyed to them.” Mr Limbrick mentioned that Mr W. Ratlibone had received notice to discontinue filling in his three sections in Great North road, and had disregarded it. and moved: “That the Board’s solicitor servo notice on Mr Rathbone to cease filling in sections 83, 84 and 85, until provision is made for the surface water to run away.” Seconded by Mr Patti son and carried. On the motion of Messrs Pattison and Harber. the services of an expert are to be obtained to determine if the pi-esent provision made by Mr Rathbone is sufficient for the outlet of the surface water. Some metal patching in Church street was> authorised, and the overseer's report on routine duties performed read and received. It was resolved to levy a general rate of l|d in the pound upon the unimproved value of ail rateable properties within the Town Board districts, such- rate to be for the period ‘commencing Ist April, 1903, ending on 31st March, 1904.