WAIPAWA

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1678, 27 April 1904, Page 24

WAIPAWA

(Front} Our Own Correspondent.)

Mi- R. J. Pellaw, our esteemed townsman, lias acquired a motor bicycle, and is record making, or breaking. Quite recently, on a run be bad from Napier here, a .distance of forty miles, his journey lasted an bonfr and forty minutes—five minutes slower than -the express train. The short stay on the le Ante hill was inclpded in the time. The following Waipawa greyhounds have been entered 1 for coursing matches At Masterton (May 24 to 26), and Wellington (June 3 to 5) • Baker and AnnaiyPs Olements, Earl Roberts and Jewel Gian, McGreevy and Baker's Helensbrook, J. Annand’s Wallace, G. Hastie’s Dusky May and Hil)da Maxim. Clemente, Earl Roberts and Jewel Gun atre also engaged in the Oamaru G-rand Challenge Stakes (April 27 to 29), and Dunedin Waterloo Gap (May 3 to 6), and leave for the south next Monday. The Minister for Lands, Messrs C. Hall, M.H.R., Barron and Goldsmith arrived here last Saturday morning, and proceeded to inspect the western portion of the Mt. Vernon estate. Upon their return to the Empire Hotel, a deputation of settlers waited upon them. Mr M. Murray, county clerk, in the absence of*the chairman of the County Council, was present, with reference to the rates car the Argyle settlement. Mr Hall introduced .Mr Murray, who explained the position thus; The. Council is unable to place the names of setlblers on the valuation rolls, and so collect the rates, and unless the Government grant the rates due, the county will lose them altogether. The estate was shown to he in like case to Forest Gate and Hatuma, upon which estaiels * the Grown has paid the rates. The asked for amount to £255 6s Bd. Although the Council applied for the names last September, they have not yet been furnished. Further, Mr Murray referred to a proposed loan foir Maingapauka block. Ngapaetururu, with regard to which the Government had replied that they had not the money. It was very desirable that the work should be done before winter, so that metallipg;■ could be done next summer. Mi- Duncan promised to look into the matiteste upon;his return to Wellington. Hei was not antagonistic' to the Council, Mir Duncan raised the question of the Hatuma rate, and stated that the Council struck the maximum rate for the first

year of occupancy by the tenants, which was/unfair to them. Mr Murray pointed out that this was not so, as the Council dlid not strike the maximium rate, and as to the high valuation of the estate, the Council had no power in the mattein as the 'valuation was made by the Government, and supplied to the Council, and upon which they aotqd. The Minister promised to again look into the matter. Mr Hjucker asked that about 20 acres on the south side of the line, on the Yernon estate, be made a recreation reserve. He did not ask it as a gift, but that they should have it upon payment of rent. The Minister said that the request should he acceded to. The interview closed with a vote of thanks to Mr Duncan a.i:<ri Mr Hall for their visit.

The Choral Society held a first practice on Tuesday evening of the work undertaken, Gaul’s cantata “Ruit-h.” A good attendance wais present, and a number of the choruses wore taken, in a oreditble manner, and the lis/t- of membership is still open. A full-dress parade of the Waipawa Rifle volunteers was held last Tuesday evening, when 28 members were preteeint, under the command of Ca.pt. Collett. After inspection the company was exercised in different movements by the officers and sergeants. General Baibington will be present at the next parade, to inspect the company.

An increase of population, associated with close settlement, the larger supplies of goods to meet their temporal needs, and the many classes of merchandise involved in all commercial transactions, has proved the disability of our somewhat limited platform space* and office accommodation at the* railway station. The officials aa*e much inconvenienced in the discharge of cliuites, and the travelling and stay-at-home public are not so happily situate* as they might be. The member for the distr.ct, Mr C. Hall, M.H.R., has interviewed the General Manager of Railway's as to- the necessity for enlarging the railway station? and fill - Ronayiiio has promised to have a report made by one of his staff. Mr H. F. Norriss will, in the near future, join the society of motorists. He has placed an order for one of the latest make of motor cars from America.