RICCARTON WHISPERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11685, 29 April 1916, Page 11

RICCARTON WHISPERS.

[Faoii Oca Cosbmposdbwc.) The Saleyards Company is making considerable- improvements at the yards. especially l»y erecting new calf pens away from the main entrance, the old pen;,- being too elo-e to the main road and offices. At tli? recent school committee election in the TVhareiuii School there was a record attendance, the large room being packed. Mr F. G. Coombs was elector! chairman. The election result 2d in the old committee being returned. There were eighteen nominations, for nine seats. A good deal ot lvuit is being sem< fiom the Upper Riccarton district. to Wellington for the Patriotic Exhibition, which is to lie h?ld early next month. There is a possibility of Blair's Corner being altered, so as to make it less dangerous. The council has been very much concerned about this very dangerous part of Clarence Jloa(T. Two of Mr George Witty's sons, having enlisted and passed the medical exam inaiion. go into camp next month. There was a large attendance at the Upper Riccarton Library en the occasion of a presentation of a case of pipe? to Mr Fred. Smith, who is leaving with the Twelfth Reinforcements. MiGeorge Witty, M.P.. in making the presentation, spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Smith, whom he had had the pleasure of knowing for a number of years. lie was proud to say that two of liis own sous would shortly be in

camp. Mr. Charlie Taylor al«o aml compared the treatment under the 1 British flag with that of tlio Germany the first was for liberty and iucdom of* speech, and the other was for militarism.

The attention, of those in th'iige -oiy the Riccarton Church should be drawn to the fact that the gates 01 the? churchyard are seldom, if. evei. "10-od, and are open to wand?ring cattle, winch. , stray among the graves. •". The residents of Upper Ricc.uto<i ar« .still wondering when they are going, toy, get the electric light on the loadv 31' was promised prior to the poll being" taken for the loan. Is "it that the Waimairi Council'is indifferent, or it doesn't mind breaking itr> word to the ratepayers after ba^""bpen j carried. The winter and dai k lvjrlrrs"* are fast approaching: and tin lighting ol these roads should receive the iinme*v diato attention of the 'count il. s;~ An objectionable custom na,< rome mta~„ practice during the last year oi two of,' selling bulls privately-in the Hallway stock yards at Addingfon. T1i j m oulis are turned loose among the t. utile";: which come from the metropolitan m.ticket. The bulls arc not on! 1 a sauce, but a source'of grave danger trv~ the public. It is hoped the Department will put a.- stop to practice. J The Riccarton Borough Count." 1 is't&A be congratulated'on its action 111 bring-""* iiig its employees' wages more into line with other councils, it having the wages of those receiving less Than*.' X' 3 a week by 10 per cent, a:.d hllow ing a forty-eight hour week, iour homs v being counted as overtime. ( ~c