The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1894. HARBOUR BOARDS.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 10, 3 August 1894, Page 2

The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1894. HARBOUR BOARDS.

+. We notice with pleasure that there is every probability of an amendment being made in the Harbours Act, by which harbour districts may be divided into ridings for the purpose of representation. The matter has been brought under the notice of the Government by Mr E.M. Smith, M.H.R., at the instance of the New Plymouth Harbour Board. The present system is not desirable, as in the event of an extraordinaiy election tbe cost is great, Laving to appoint polling booths and returning officers all over the district. If it were divided into ridings, then in the event of a vacancy only the one riding would need to be polled. Another consideration is that tbe present system places too much power in the hands of tbe large centres of population, who can, if they choose, return the whole of tbe elected members. We understand that there is every probability that the harbour rate will be reduced to a halfpenny in two years' time, as the increased valuation is producing so much larger revenue that with the land fund and harbour dues this amount cf rate will be sufficient to meet the interest charge. It has been a great injustice in the past to find that, no matter what the increase in valuation has been, the rate per pound was still the same. The main thing to be guarded against in the future is that an undue share of the •revenue is not diverted towards construction or so-called improvements, as should the revenue from the work itself be so diverted, it will mean that the full amount of rate leviable by Jaw will still be claimed. It is therefore desirable that country ratepayers in this district, who in the past have taken no further iuterest in harbour matters than to pay their rates and—say their prayers, should wake up to the fact that it is to their benefit, as long as fie injustice of having to piy the rate at all is imposed on them, to bestir thein-selvi-s and see that they return men to look after their interests in this respect. We trust that the amendment may be carried through the House successfully.

Report of farewell social to Mr J. Morrison, Oaonui, ia unavoidably held over. We give ft reminder of Mr Scott's Awatuna gale, which t ikes place on Monday next.. < Captain Edwin wired at 1.4p.m. to-day:— *' Glass rise and much colder weather." ',,., Messrs Nolan, Tonks and Co notify entries for their Opunake sale on Tuesday next. Footpaths in tho town are receiving a much needed coat of gravel. A Concert and dance is to take place at Itahotu shortly in aid of the funds of the Rihotu Rifle Clnb. • The Times (London) approves of the proposals of New Zealand Colonial Treasurer ofj lending money to settlers at cheap rates. Mr A. Douglas Gray, dentist, has an advertisement in this issue to which we call the attention of our readers. A meeting of the Opunake School Commissioners will be held in the schoolroom this evening. Sir Robert Stout informed the House that he had passed his examination at Horn? as a surveyor, and now held his certificate. Mr W. C. Hodgson, for many years Inspector of Schools in the Nelson district, is dead. Mrs Orchard has purchased a piano, which is to be located in the Foresters' Hall for the use of assemblies and other such social meetings. The s.s. Kanieri arrived in port yesterdayfrm Manakau via Waitara. After discharging her inward cargo she sailed for Wellington. It is the intention fo the Government to provide cool storage at the four principal ports of the colony, and the department is at present making inquiries as to the best method to adopt. A correspondent asks : " Can you inform me what the new Patea Bridge cost ?" We are informed that the contract price was £SIOO, but that it cost £SOO or £6OO more for extras. We have been informed that there is a "probability of the milk suppliers taking over the Pungarehu factory from Mr George and working it on the co-operative principle. The West Coast Resesves Trustee Mr Rennel is to be at Rahotu on Monday next, and at Otakeho on Tuesday paying rents to the Natives. Mr J. Stranchdn, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Mr" Robinson, Road and Bridge Inspector, were in Opunake yesterday, completing their examination of the damage to to the jetty. It is rumoured that there is a considerable difference of opinion between the milk suppliers at OaonuiandjMr J. C. George over the price of milk for the ensuing season. In the event of terms not being agreed to soon another factory is likely to be built. Twenty-two sections in the township of Makaka are to be submitted to auction on Wednesday next, at the Lands Office, New Plymouth. The township is situated on the Opunake-Stratford Road, and is the centre of a large district. Plans have been submitted for the new steamer about to be built for the CanadianAustralian service, and a model of the new ship was on view at the recent Ottawa Conference. She is to be a 5000 ton vessel, with engines to drive her 18 knots, and having passenger accommodation for 150 saloon, 150 in the second cabin, and 100 in the steerage. She will be insulated for the frozen meat trade. It is understood, says the Herald, that Mr Murray, the Inspector of Schools, will not resign his position till the end of the year, in order that he can complete the examination work. Mr Murrry will probably take up his residence in Auckland when he resigns his position in this district, Mr J- Morrison left our district yesterday for his new home near Hawera. He has leased 253 acres of the Lucena estate between the Waingongoro and Norman by. He is a settler of the sterling kind and his neighbors whilst regretting his departure from here wish him every success in his new home. At the Christehurch Magistrates' Court on Tuesday R. C. Warnes, fishmonger, was charged with having in his possession 337 cigars on which duty had not been paid. Accused admitted the offence and was fined £SO, with £4 costs. John Ashton, publican, of Lyttelton, was similarly chnrged, and was fined £25 and costs, £3 103. Tho cigars in both cases were forfeited. Hone Heke, the Maori member for the Northern seat, in speaking on the Bill to grant seats to women in Parliament, said: " I do not wish to express any opinion in favor of the measure. But, so far as the Maori women are concerned, I believe they have every right to a seat in this House—that is, as far as rights are concerned—although, before going any further I should like to see the measure put to the country."