PALMERSTON NEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6315, 16 September 1907, Page 8

PALMERSTON NEWS

CFrom Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON, September 15. The Fire Brigade last night tested the new water supply and found that, using a one-inch nozzle, a powerful stream of water could be thrown fully twenty feel over the top of a throe-story hotel. An examination of the river bank has disclosed th* fact that comparatively little damage has been done by the partial flood at Hokowhitu, the greatest erosion having taken place at an Education Board reserve a little higher up. The damage was done to the protective works just below the teut of Fitzroy street. . It was found that the river had out in to some extent at the bank hearer to the racecourse. At one place where the water had got in behind the protective works, men were immediately put on to repair the breach. The Mayor states that it is intended to lose no time over beginning the new works decided on at Hokowhitu. The Mayor has received a telegram from the Premier asking him to proclaim a'full holiday in Palmerston on the 26th inst., the day when New Zealand's title will be officially changed from colony to dominion. He thinks that advantage might bo taken of the occasion to appeal to the public foi funds to aid the Defence League movement or that a special effort might be made to raise money in aid of the proposed hospital for incurable consumptives. .In order to organise an experienced body of auxiliary stewards, from when) to draw whenever necessary, the Manawatu A. and P. Association Is enlisting the support of a number of young farmers in the district. ■ The Association’s idea is to train the young

men in the work of managing the various departments of the shows so that when the older and more experienced stewards drop out there will be others ready to take their places. An interesting letter has just been received by the president of the New Zealand Flax Millers* Association (Mr A Seifert) iron- Mr C. Fulton, the Government flax expert, who was recently sent to St. Helena to give a 'tart to th#- flax nulling industry there. Mr Fulton considers that there about 2000 tons of flax loaf fit for milling, but says that it is very difficult to giro a true estimate of the quantity as practically the whole* of it is grown in the form of shelter hedges. The job of starting a mill was about the most difficult he had ever had to tackle, as the only place suitable for its erection was far away from the loaf. IT© does not think that New Zealand ‘millers need have yry fear regarding possible competition in the hemp market from the island.