CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 29

CLYDE.

March 5. — Our weather for some time past has been of a mixed sample, heat, rain, wind and hail alternating with a perplexing regularity, -whilst the usual sand storms are now and " again in evidence throughout the district.

A Warning. — At the last sitting of the"Magistrate's Court, Clyde, the S.M. had occasion to deal with applications for renewal of pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act. When dealing with the matter, Mr M'Carthy, 5.M.., took occasion to refer the manner in which some few of the pensioners were squandering the money given them by the State. "It had," said he, ''been reported to him that a few pensioners were in the habit of spending much of their pension on the purchase of alcoholic liquors. He would now intimate th\t should further reports reach him to the effect that this state of things was continued by those in receipt of State pensions, he would take the necessary steps towards inducing the department to appoint an officer whose duty it would be to report upon the manner in which recipients spent their pensions." This warning, it is hoped, will act as a detenent to offenders, who must have the good sense to perceive that it is the magistrate's bounden duty to prevent, so far as posible, an unnecessary waste of public funds. In connection with the foregoing, I cannot help sßying thab Mr M'Carthy's remarks wera seasonable. Possibly lie might have gone the length of exposing another objectionable abuse o f the pension by adding that it is frequently devoted to the payment of. long-standing accounts, whilst the supposed recipients exist upon half rations as a consequence. The act is not yet perfect, however, nor ever will be so long as another . than the person to wnom the pension is given is empowered, to make demand for - payment. Itmight be also made an offence against the act to devote any portion of the pension to the payment of debts contracted prior to the act coming into force. Until some such means are devised by law wherewith State pensions may be protected, the money will be fitting prey for unscrupulous business people. Water and Dirt.— Our "Water Trust" is> moving in the direction of getting the present water supply conducted in pipes through tLo town. When the Hon. Mr Hall-3 ones passed through here recently he was spoken to as to probable assistance in the matter from the Government, and he generously promised assistance to the extent of £500. This munificent offer should now be taken advantage of, and an effort made to lay down the necessary piping. No doubt the Vincent County Council will help in providing the funds required to enable the tiust to claim the amount promised by the Hon: Hall -Jones. Another question of importance to the town cpeople is that of dealing with the disposal ol nightsoil, no satisfactory arrangements being in vogue at present, with the consequence that uncleanly deposits are made within the town boundary. Beyond question the township stands in need of a. nightman, and it is not at all to the credit of those having the sanitary condition of the town under their management that the present state of things has existed during such a lengthened period. Now that new blood has "been introduced into the Town Trust, there are hopes for a change to a better condition of things.