PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4880, 4 February 1903, Page 5

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(By Our Special Reporter). Tuesday

The Borough Council to-night received a letter from the Government stating that the Council’s borrowing power under tho Public Health Act was limited to .£20,000, It was resolved to make a fresh application to the Colonial Secretary for a loan for sewerage purposes for chat amount. . Tho question of obtaining telephonic communication between Rongotea and Palmerston late at nigbt has agitated the settlors of the former district and the members of the local Chamber of Commerce for a long time; and the secretary of tho latter body lias been in communication with the authorities in Wellington on the subject. The principal argument in favour of the request is that in cases of accident or sudden illness the services of a doctor might bo more speedily obtained, and possibly life saved. The department ba s now practically conceded all that was asked, for to-day the speretarv to the Chamber of Commerce, Mr G. Hirsch, received a letter from the Superintendent of Electric Lines, stating that arrangements had been made for the Rongotea-Awahuri telephone line to bo switched through at Feilding to the Palmerston trm-u wire a-t 8 , p.m. daily, when the Feilding Telephone Exchange is closed. This couces-sion will he greatly appreciated, especially by the settlers in the country districts. Once more summer weather prevails, and it is sincerely to be hoped that it will continue, as a few fine days must mean a difference of thousands of pounds to this district.

’ At a meeting of the Acclimatisation Society yesterday, Mr E. Laroomb was appointed to represent the branch at the conference to be held at Wellington tomorrow night. Williamson's Musical Comedy Company has just concluded a successful season here, and left to-day for Wanganui. The visit of the company has emphasised the need in this town of an opera house. The musical ranks of Palmerston have just been strengthened by the advent of Mr Coombes. formerly of Christchurch, who is about to commence business here. Mr Coombes is one of the best trombone players in the colony, and will be*a decided acquisition to the local band. The demands upon the hospital accommodation in Palmerston during the past year has compelled the board to take steps to enlarge the buildings, by adding a new ward. This addition, which has just been commenced, will provide a room 30ft bv 20ft 6in. in which seven additional beds will be placed, thus relieving to a considerable extent the pressure on the other parts of the hospital. The new ward has been designed by Mr E. G. West, and will cost slightly over .£330, exclusive of the furnishing. An appeal is being made bv Mrs Seddon to the local bodies of this district for funds to assist in planting and caring for the graves of the New Zealanders who fell in the South African war.