PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1665, 27 January 1904, Page 25

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

At Friday’s meeting in connection with tho proposal! to deal with the overflow waters of the Mauawatu and Oroua rivers, Mr J. R. Stanscll accused tho papers of the town, its residents, and tho- memeber for the district, of being decidedly hostile to the undertaking. When spoken to on the matter, said Mr Stanscll. residents of tho town had indicated pretty pla n.ly thati hey did not want- to have anything to do with the scheme. In, fact they inferred land was so high and valuable here that nothing could be done to? improve its wu’ue. In consequence of this alleged! apathy and want of interest generally in the matter, Mr Stanscll move*! that all future meeting of the oomniittee bo held at Shannon, and the Board be recommended' to meet there instead of at Palmerston. The motion was carried by a small majority. Recently a gang of Corporation workmen wandered down to Victoria-street with a view of commencing to day drains, for which the residents paid their good money in October last. After they had been digging about for a bit somebody discovered that the levels hajd nob been taken, and the gang lifted up its gear and' stole silently away. Now the people in Victoria street are saying things. Mr Pickering has resigned his position of conductor of the Palmerston North Brass Band. MrMeyrick is acting as conductor until a permanent appointment is made. Mr Herd, of Wellington is spoken of as” likely to fill the position, but it is not yet definitely settled. A portion of the bands new instruments arrived from Messrs Boosey and' Co., London, last Tuesday. The band is practising assiduously in view of tho coming contest at Palmerston and good progress is being made. A conference of the Borough Council and the Racing Club took place on Tuesday with a view of trying to arrive? at some understanding in reference to matters in connection, with the club’s abandonment of its old course. The matter will come before tho Council at its meeting on Tuesday night. At the funeral of the late Mrs Murray, wife of Mr Murray, of Awahuri, in the Palmerston Cemetery, there was a large gathering of sympathising settlers and friends, from whom Mr Murray received many condolences. The Rev. 0. Murray, of Feilding, conducted the funeral service.

The Borough Inspector, Mr H. Knowles, has submitted a report on the local theatres, and the provision made therein for egress in oases of emergency. He considers the Lyceum Theatre is quite safe and efficiently equipped with fire extinguishing apparatus. The Theatre Royal is not regarded so favourably, and as an outcome of the report the .Mayor has requested the owners to immediately remedy several alleged defects. ; Rians for the proposed Opera House and Municipal Buildings are being prepared in Wellington. It is estimated the structure will cost £6860, and provide seating accommodation for 1250 persons. A deputation from the Manr.wafiu Racing Club, consisting of Messrs R. S. Abraham and J. H. Hankins, waited on the Borough Council in. reference to arriving at some agreement as to buildings on the old racecourse. The club at present holds a lease over the property which is part of the borough reserves, including one holding of seventy-six acres. The goodwill of the unexpired term of lease is valued at £250. The cliub offered to surrender the latter to the Council in consideration of its being allowed, to remove buildings. The subcommittee appointed by the Council to

go into tho f,Utter recommended, that the club surrender the lease of the course and reserves unconditionally arij'l ‘undertake to put the buddings up to pub.id auction. Tho deputation pointed out that their proposal was not designed to benefit a private concern, but that of tho sub-oomuiitee was distinctly unfair to the club. They declined to accept the offer, and put as an alternative that in consideration of the club surrendering the lease of the seventy-six acre reserve, the Cc*un.cil unconditionally put tho buildings up to public After several motions and counter resolutions had been moved, the Council accepted a proposition that in cons.deration of the aurronder of the lease of the property by the club it receive. 50 per cent, of tho total value tho buildings and fences pit tip to public auction realise. / A.-discussion on the Borough Inspector's report regarding the theatres of ttie -town led Councillor Johnston to move that the services of Superintendent Hugo, of Wellington, be obtained to make a report on the same. As an amendment Councillor Armstrong moved that a committee of the v.-hole Council, incl'jad.ng tho Borough Engineer, b 9 -appointed to inspect public buildings. Councillor . Johnston pointed out. that the engineer had his hands full with water and sewerage schemes, matters that were urgently required; in fact, he added, wo are without, water to-night. Councillor Armstrong’s motion was carried after a somewhat prolonged discussion. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, headed by tho president, Mr E. Hurley, asked tho Borough Council to make a contribution towards tho erection of the proposed bridge over Polmngina river at Raumai. It was pointed out that tho principal business of the residents in Pohangina Valley on both sides ot the river was done in Palmerston., and the erection of the bridge would materially benefit tho trade of tho town. The matter had not corno up for consideration when the Council adjourned.