MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13168, 26 July 1911, Page 1

MOTUEKA.

At -< special meeting of the Borough Council held last week the question of fire^ prevention was discussed. The Citizens' Committee, consisting of Messrs C. H. Barber, W. Ryder, A. I. Manoy, J. A. Wallace, H. Buckeridge, and 0. C. Wilkinson, were present, .and a conference'took place as to the best means of fire prevention in the borough. The Mayor gave a detailed description of his visit to Messrs Merryweathers' works in England, arid -submitted particulars of an engine that would cost close on £400. With the gang system of pipes in the •main streets tho totnl cost would be about £700. The Council, he considered, should find a portion of the money, but as the area to be benefited prould.be mostly-, .confined to High street and the vicinity, he considered that those who were most interested Bbould provide the major portion of

tho total cost. The Citizens' Com. mittee expressed the opinion that after the Council had contributed, then the High street people and thoso living adjacent should guarantee the interest on the overdraft for the remaining liability. Eventually a subcommittee of three councillors was ?p----pointed to confer with a like numbnr of the Citizens' Committee, and to report to a future meeting of tho Council. On Thursday evening the Young Men's Club held a debate with the Lower Moutore Debating Society, in the Anglican schoolroom. There was a good attendance of the nublic, cud the President of the club (Mr. L. Manoy) occupied the chair. The Chairman welcomed the Lower Aioutere representatives (Messrs. J. 6. Price, Sanders, F. Cresswell, and H Smith). Messrs. Griffen, Mefn-ajs, Jaques, and Canavan represented the club, and Mr. H. Everett judg-d tho debate on points. Tho question discussed was, "that tho attemots to reach tho Poles nre justified.'' At the finish of an interesting debate'Mr Everett adjudged the Motueka -ihib to have had the hotter of the a-"U-ment by a few points. The visitors were entertained by refreshments, md a pleasant evening was brought fo a close by votes of thanks to Air. Everett and the chairman. The Druids' annual ball was 1 eld en Wednesday evening, and was a ,'irst enjoyable function. Mesrs. Dodd j.i'd Jackson efficiently acted.as M. 'J.s, and the music supplied by Mr. l!.i.< Id Williams was a very high order indeed. Refreshments were provided on a liberal scale, and dancing was enthusiastically carried on until the early hours of the morning.