FULL INQUIRY DEMANDED

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1934, Page 8

FULL INQUIRY DEMANDED

TIMBER CUTTING ON EGMONT PROTEST OF WAIMATE COUNCIL. DUTY OF THE CONTROLLING BODY. “Some very disturbing statements have been made in the last few days regarding the destruction of native timber in Egmont National Park,” said Mr. E. Long, chairman, in a statement to the Waimate West County Council yesterday. A meeting had been held at Stratford, but unfortunately for ratepayers and contributing local bodies the board saw fit to take the discussion in committee and to issue only a bare resolution to the Press. That resolution had shown very clearly that timber cutting had been going on in the area under the East Committee’s jurisdiction, Mr. Long continued. Statements made since by responsible persons indicated the existence of an alarming state of affairs. Timber cutting on a large scale had undoubtedly been going on with or without the knowledge of the East Committee over a considerable period; it was a mattter of vital concern to Taranaki generally and to contributing local bodies. The preservation of the forest meant everything to the province from a material point of view, said Mr. Long. Great care had been taken in the drawing up of legislation to protect the bush from destruction. The district committees, including the East Committee, and the board itself existed for the sole purple of ensuring that the intentions of the Act were observed. Heavy penalties could be invoked against any person committing acts of vandalism in the reserve and yet, from the evidence already before the council, there seemed to be no shadow of doubt that destruction of native timber had been going on. “I do not propose,” he added, “that we should judge the case and bring in a verdict against anybody at this juncture. But I do say we, in common with every other contributing local body and in common with all who value the preservation of the Egmont forests, should demand a full inquiry into the allegations now being made. It would be a scandalous thing if those responsible for the preservation of this reserve should be allowed to do the very things for which heavy penalties are provided when they are committed by a private citizen. It is not for this council to make charges at this stage, but it is our duty to ratepayers whose money we spend in contributions to the park to demand a full inquiry and full measures to ensure the future safety of this great national asset.”

MANAIA SCHOOL. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Manaia school committee was held on Wednesday evening. Those present were Messrs. 0.-T. Parry (chairman), P. Instone, G. Butler, H. Silby, V. Adlam, J. Crompton, B. Bloor, J. Laursen and Rev. R. Miller. The headmaster (Mr. J. Browning) reported that the rolls of the primary and secondary departments at the end of the quarter were respectively 229 and 43, the average attendances being for the quarter 208.6 and 45.5. In the primary department seven were admitted at the commencement of the third term and five were, withdrawn, making a present roll of 235. In the secondary department ■ four were withdrawn, leaving, a roll of 39. Miss I. McLean, who had been appointed dental nurse at the Manaia clinic centre, had commenced her duties. •' The nurse submitted a report to the committee pointing out that several improvements were necessary and asked the committee for assistance.

Messrs O. Parry and G. Butler were appointed , a committee to obtain an estimate for the erection of a porch and waiting room for the clinic and to report at the next meeting. It was resolved to procure two loads of gravel from the Manaia Town Board’s gravel pit for the erection of a cricket pitch. The chairman was authorised to purchase cricket material. The secretary was instructed to apply to the Taranaki Education Board for other requirements. Messrs Instone arjd Bloor, visiting committee for the month, reported that several repairs were necessary around the school grounds. Otherwise the grounds were in excellent condition. It was resolved to purchase seeds for the flower gardens. ’ Messrs Parry and Crompton were appointed a committee to interview the town clerk about a misunderstanding concerning rates on a certain school section.

Messrs G. Butler and O. Parry were appointed a visiting committee for the month. Messrs H. W. Insult, secretary of the Taranaki Education Board, J. C. Barclay, the district’s representative on the board, and D. Mackay, agriculture instructor, were also . resent at the meeting. Mr. Barclay congratulated the committee on the enthusiasm shown by all members of the committee. DISPOSAL OF ESTATE. MANUTAHI CASE ARGUED. The will of the late Ellen Balmforth, of Manutahi, widow, was again considered by the Supreme Court at. Wellington yesterday,' upon an application by the Public Trustee as executor and trustee under the will, to have determined the question as to who was entitled to the one-third of the income of the real" estate in respect of which the late Mrs. Balmforth had died intestate, by reason of the death of Thomas Charles Richards in her lifetime. Mr. Broad appeared for the Public Trustee, Mr. A. K. North, of Hawera, for Mr. C. E. Richards and Mrs. T. L. Taylor, and Mr. C. Weston, K.C., and with him Mr. Bishop, for the remaining defendants, the next of kin. Mr. Justice Ostler-was on the Bench. After hearing legal argument His Honour reserved his decision. OPERA HOUSE ATTRACTION. “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” SHOWING For the last time to-night “Red Wagon,” a 8.1. P. adaptation of Lady Eleanor Smith’s famous story of a circus, will be presented at the Hawera. Opera House. Charles Bickford, Greta Nissen and Racquel Torres head the splendid cast, while others in the production include Don Alvarado, Anthony Bushell, Paul Graetz, Amy Veness and Frank Pellingell. The picture, filmed at a cost of £BO,OOO, deals with the life' of Joe Prince, an orphan who struggles through life to become the owner of a famous circus.

To-morrow and on Monday “Alice in Wonderland,” a remarkably exact adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s famous book, will be shown. Charlotte Henry as Alice is true to the quaintly picturesque Alice of the book, and the cast includes most of the greatest actors and actresses of Hollywood. There will be three special sessions to-morrow —one at 10.36, one at 2-and one at &