WAIKOUAITI NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12603, 5 March 1903, Page 8

WAIKOUAITI NOTES.

(From Our Owx Correspokdext.) ■ ilnrch 5. A specinl meeting of the Borough Council was held on Friday last to consider a proposal to do away with subdivisions within the borough. The Mayor (Mr 'I'. Allcock) presided, and (here were present Crs E. Pell, Vf. Martin, T. Pickup, IV. Russell, 8)1(1 J. Valentine. Cr Heckler, the original mover in the matter, was prevented by illness from attending, and Crs Maxwell, Kendall, anil Ward abstained' from being present. Cr Pell proposed, and Cr Pickup seconded, a motion that the wards within the borough be abolished. Considerable discussion followed, Cr Russell strongly advocating taking the voice of the ratepayers "before the question was decided. As tlie Mayor rose to put the motion Cr Eusscll left the room, but the Mayor put- the motion, and it was carried unanimously. As, however, there was rot a quorum present after Cr Russell left, the matter was referred to the borough solicitor, who gave it as ins opinion that the motion was void, and it would bo necessary to commence proceedings afresh. As matters could not now be fixed up in timo before tho new council is elected, no further steps will/be taken at present in connection, with the proposed change. An application by a travelling company to give a lantern servico in the Public Hall on Sunday night was refused by the authorities Some former Sunday entertainments held here have been anything but "sacred," and so a feeling against such has been raised, A hastily-gotrup farewell social to the Rev. G. H. Mann (who is leaving for Timaru) was held m tho Primitive Methodist Church on Monday evening. . There was a good, attendance, and Sir Motson acted as chairman. Messrs Pearson, Fleming, and Ward, and Mrs Pearson, all spol:o expressing regret at Mr Mann 3 departure, «vs during' the six weeks he had been in charge he had worked verv energetically, and had been the means of exciting much interest in church work locally, besides being the means of starting services at Merton in connection with, tho denomination. Mr Mann, in response, expressed thanks for tlw kindness and help extended to him during his brief sojourn, and he also read out the balance sliest for the qunrter, which was very satisfactory. During a.n interval refreshments "were handed round, and some musical items wero rendered by the choir, solos being given by Miss "Williamson, Mr Fleming, and Mr Gibson, and a duet by Mi and Mrs Gibson.