Sixty Years Ago

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21558, 22 January 1940, Page 6

Sixty Years Ago

“ The Timaru Herald,” January 22, 1880 Tree Planting: Leading Article.—One of the most useful Acts passed last session is the “Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Acts Amendment Act.” introduced by Mr Wright. Member for Coleridge. In spite of its long title, this Measure is a very short one. and it is as simple as it is short. It consists of five clauses, and it empowers any local governing body to take advantage of the provisions of the Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Acts, in the same manner as a private person. It also makes it lawful for any local governing body to appropriate any portion of its funds for the purpose of planting forest trees. For each acre thus planted, provided the area be not less than twenty acres, the local body will be entitled to two acres of Crown land. The defect in the Act appears to us to be the absence of any provision authorising local bodies to purchase land for plantations. A Fine Porpoise: A fine porpoise was harpooned yesterday in the roadstead. It was an excellent specimen, weighing about 200 lb. It was on view yesterday in Mr Hurcombe’s shop. Fishery Company: A number of persons have of late expressed a desire to form a Fishery Company in Timaru. but no one individual seems inclined to take an active part in organising it. This beina the case we would suggest that our local caterers of fish should themselves move in the matter, as it would be just as much to their advantage as to the public at large. The Breakwater: Another monolith of the breakwater was completed yesterday, making the third laid down by the present contractors. This section has been in hand a considerable time, owing to an extra and troublesome preparation of he bottom being necessary, and also through a continuance of unfavourable weather. The Waterworks Loan; The ratepayers of Timaru will today be asked to record their opinion upon one of the most important, if not the most important questions that can ever be submitted for their decision They are invited to record their approval or disapproval, as the case may be. of the proposal to raise a sum of money by way of loan, which shall be sufficient to procure for the town a plentiful supply of water, and all its collateral advantages, and further than this, to release the town from the burden of a heavy debt for what is at present an entirely unproductive investment. It is unnecessary to repeat the arguments put forward bv those in favour of the scheme and their opponents. The proposal has been well ventilated at a public meeting held for the purpose, and through the columns of the Press, and no doubt each ratepayer has already fully decided which way he will vote.