PATEA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1928, Page 6

PATEA NEWS

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Patea Borough Council was held on Monday, tho mayor, Mr. P. S. Finlayson, presiding. Councillors Christensen, Honeyfield, Pettigrew, Scott, Nasmith and Ramsbottom were also present. The mayor took the opportunity of welcoming back Cr. Ramobottom from his tour abroad. In reply Cr. Ramsbottom thanked the council for the welcome. His trip had indeed benefited him. Ho had visited the largest power plant in the world, at Niagara Falls, where he had been most courteously treated. He produced a booklet on the electrical works there. He said the gift wae restricted to members of the organisation, his case being the sole exception, and then only on the condition that is was kept private until out of America on account of strained business relations among electrical firms in America. The postmaster wrote granting the council permission to erect a traffic sign on the pole by the school drive. F. Beetham, Taurauga, wrote offering to sell to the council the property now occupied by Mr. Sriaith in Egmont Street. It was resolved that the offer be declined and that Mr. Bcetbam be given 14 days in which to pay. his arrears in rates. The report of the streets’ supervisor stated that w-ork had been done in Middlesex Street (footpath), Egmont and Bedford streets (water-tables cleared up), Dorset Street (footpath gravelled). The water trough had been moved to the opposite corner of the junction of Stratford and Dorset Streets to prevent shock jarring the street light on the adjacent pole. The electrical engineer (Mr. D. Fraser) reported that the hydro plant had run satisfactorily during the month, the running hours being considerably more than the previous month. Tho units generated were: hydro, 25,120; Diesel, 2847, total 28,967 units. The head of the water in both dams varied considerably owing to the heavy rain, but on no occasion overflowed the spillway. The reconditioning of the low tension and service lines was still progressing, butowing to the boisterous weather experienced work had been mostly confined to house-testing and shop work. HARBOUR BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Patea Harbour Board was held on Tuesday, Mr. A. T. Christensen presiding. Messrs. Watkins, Blake, Corrigan and A. Pearce were also present. The auditor general advised that the audit office would raise no objection to the board’s refunding the rates paid in error by certain Kapara settlers. Tho Mines Department asked if the board could give Mr. A. Copps, of San Francisco, who proposed spending £5OOO upon bringing to New Zealand a machine for working Taranaki ironsands, any assurance that the deposits would be leased exclusively 'to him or any syndicate or company he might form. The chairman referred to previous correspondence on the subject and considered the board should encourage the proposition. The matter was left in the hands of the local committee with a recommendation that the board grant Mr. Copps every facility, and that he be granted a 21 year lease of the board's deposits, with a. rental of £5O for the first fife years and a royalty fln the iron ,

during the following 21 years; the lease to be cancelled if deposits were not worked within the five years. The chairman reported that the board's financial year had ended with * credit of £3lB 3s 4d. The finances: Were in a good state, the overdraft having been reduced from £3500 to £2750 sd, The harbourmaster reported that, owing to heavy weather the bar had not been sounded during the month. There had been 14 days of westerly winds and heavy seas. The shipping had idnsequently suffered, six departures and seven arrivals being the total since the last report. The conditions during September had been the worst for 20 years, MAGISTRATES COURT. . > . -The • monthly sifting 6f the Pitts* / Magistrate’s Court was held bn Friday : before Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M. The inspector of factories proceeded against F. R. Palmer, store keeper ©f Alanutahi, for being an employer of two assistants and failing to keep a wages and overtime book between May 23 and August 23. Defendant, who pleaded guilty, was fined 30s with costs. T. C. Simpson claimed from Owen Murphy £lO4 15s for assault and alleged deformation. On the assault charge Murphy was fined 30s and costs, and judgment was given for plaintiff for £3 4s, with £1 17s costs. The allege!! slander I case failed. GOLF MATCHES. Following are the results of the matches in the second rounds of the senior and junior championships:—■ Senior.—Wills beat Rook; Hunger beat Findlay; G. Fraser beat Pettigrew; D. Fraser v. Torrens, to play. Juniors.—Aloore v. Anderson, to play; Meharry forfeited to Forster; Bradmore beat Mills; Besley beat L. Honeyfield; Nansett beat Dunn; Harris beat Glenny; Crawford forfeited to Martin. The Remuera Cup, which was played on handicap over four rounds, was won by Mr. E. Nansett with a nett score of 292. G, Fraser was runner-up with a score of 311. The winner is to be congratulated on his success, being only a first year player. PERSONAL. Mrs. J. Power has returned from Hastings. Mrs. J. Cronin has returned from a holiday' visit to Auckland. Airs. Lloyd Robinson and child have returned from Auckland. Air. W. AfcComisky is making good progress, but will be in hospital for a while yet. Mr. Anderson, of Wellington, is the guest of Mr. G. Pettigrew.