LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, 17 March 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Borough Council last evening decided to lay the water pipes to the Masterton Beautifying Society's rose garden, at a cost not exceeding £2O. The Masterton Library issued 4,625 novels during February, while books of other descriptions numbered 23. Twenty-three new novels were added to the library. Subscribers at the end of February numbered 677.

Interviewed at Auckland yesterday, the German Consul-General, Herr Buching, said: “Some people in Australia arc friendly to us; some are not. It needs some time to overcome sentiment. ’ ’

The Sanitary Inspector reported to the Borough Council last evening that the deferred drainage system in Masterton South is well in hand. When it is completed the night soil service in that area could be discontinued.

The Town Clerk (Mr T. T. Denbee) has been appointed officer to issue motor drivers licenses, under the Motor Vehicles Act, in the Borough of Masterton.

Collins (Wellington) is unable to take part in the first Test owing to injury. Messrs F. Burton (Wanganui) and L. T. Cobcroft (Wellington) have been appointed umpires. The Mayor informed the Borough Council last evening that it was intended to push on with the water and drainage reticulation in the ‘North Ward so that it would be finished in 12 months.

The following tenders have been accepted by the Masterton Borough Council for hawkers stands for the year: Stand No. 1 P.O. corner, £25 5/, R. H. Anker; Stand No. 2 £l2 12/6, B. Roberts.

On production of a balance sheet showing a debit balance of £l5, exclusive of £lO due by the Masterton Athletic Club to the Council for the hire of the park for a sports meeting, the Borough Council last evening decided to write off the debt.

In view of rhe recent increase in the price of bread in New Zealand it is interesting to note that England also has her trials in this direction. For all that the price of brea din London is still 3d. per 41b. loaf cheaper than in New Zealand. On January 30, London master-bakers decided to advance the price to lid. for the 41b loaf.

The Park Committee recommended to the Council last'night that a motor mdwqy be purchased for the Masterton Park, and that a recommendation to this effect be placed before the incoming council so that provision can be made fer the machine in the new estimates.

The Borough Council last evening adopted the recommendation of the Gas Committee that gas discount allowed on gas engines consuming 30,000 feet per month, shall apply to all consumers of gas using 30,000 feet or over per month, such reduction to take effect from April 1. The following stock was slaughtered at the Masterton Borough abattoirs during February: 55 bullocks, 46 heifers, 84 cows, 31 calves, 227 wethers, 198 ewes, 92 lambs and 87 pigs, The number of sheep and lambs shows a considerable drop due to some of the butchers obtaining part of their requirements from the freering works, A conference of local body officers was held at Stratfora yesterday to consider tire provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. It was decided to urge the Government to revert to tke form of number-plate laid down in the 1908 Act and subdivide the numbers in highway district and to indicate the payment of fees by an attached tag, changed annually, instead of by an annual change of plates.

From April 29, the New Plymouth and Napier mail trains will be speeded up by about 1J hours by non-stop runs between Wellington and Palmerston North on the up journey and on the downward trip the New Plymouth train will not stop and the stops for the Napier mail will be reduced from 12 to 6. A new passenger train is to be run to serve stations between Wellington and Palmerston North.

Eleven cases of infectious diseases were reported in the Masterton Borough during February. These comprised two cases of scarlet fever in Pine street tnd Hogg Crescent, a case of tuberculosis in the Masterton Hospital, a case of erysipelas in Bannister Street, and the remainder cases of infantile paralysis in Wrigley, Chapel and McKenna Streets, Opaki Road an dthree in Lincoln Road, two of these being in the same family.

At the Tararua Power Board Mr. S. Bolton said that a great deal of time was lost in the gangs having to lop trees where they interfered with the lines. The board could not compel owners to cut back the trees, but local bodies could, and he suggested that their aid be invoked. Mr. R. Judd said the local bodies could only enforce cutting back to the fence line, but Mr. J. B. Carruthers said they could go further than that if the trees were shading the road. It was decided that the local bodies be asked to do so. Speaking "at Eketahuna, Mr. A. T. Markman, secretary of P. and T. Department, said it seemed that there had been an error of judgment in changing the service from Pahiatua to save £3O a year. The Department had no complaints regarding the Pahiatua service, and so it must have been satisfactory. It really did not make much difference where the mail left. A suggestion that if the southbound mail was missed (and this carried very little mail) a start from Eketahuna might be made at 1.45 p.m. and the route altered to leave by the main road, seemed to impress Mr Markman, says the “Express,” who stated that the time might not be far distant when a subsidiary rural mail delivery might be made at Hamua and Konini. The alphabet of the Tartars contins 202 letters.

Gas manufactured at the Masterton Gasworks during February shows a decrease of 7.8 per cent, and gas sold per meter (January) a decrease of 3.33 per cent compared with the corresponding months of last year. The average rate of decrease for the Current year is 11.5 per cent. About 250 officers, to attend the Salvation Army Congress in Wellington, visited the new orphanage in Ngaiunutawa road yesterday, the train stopping at Renall street. The Mayor of Masterton (Mr O. N. C. Pragnell), Mr A. P. Whatman and other prominent citizens accompanied the visitors over the institution.

At a public meeting in Christchurch regarding the proposed compulsory control of dairy produce a motion, moved by the Hon. G. W. Russell, was carried unanimously strongly urging the Government that the compulsory clause in the Dairy Control Act should not be brought into force.

Cr. F. C. Evans stated at the Borough Council meeting last evening that citizens had been fined for riding on the road in Michael street. A track, 15 feet from the fence, the only means of passport, and all manner of traffic passed over it, yet some cyclists had been fined for using it as it was defined by the police as a footpath. The Mayor promised to look into the matter.

At the Eketahuna branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr J. Watson, Provincial Secretary addressed the meeting in respect to the disposal of cull cows, and outlined the scheme of a drive of culls to a freezing works for killing. A resolution in favour of the scheme was adopted with the hope that farmers in the district will give it their united support. A committee consisting of Messrs J. P. Petersen (Nireaha), C. Cooper (Newman) and B. Morriss (Rongokokakol was appointed to make arrangements. It was decided that particulars of the scheme be supplied to dairy factories and that the chairman of each be requested to bring particulars under the notice of suppliers.

Cart horse for sale. Lady-help wanted. Ford car for sale. Gent’s bike for sale. Partly furnished room to let. Position wanted by competent ca# driver.

Messrs Henderson and Noyes announce that to-morrow morning they will commence a big sale of £l5OO worth of footwear in Robt. Russell’s old premises, Jackson street. Parents and guardians are requested to note that the principal of St. Matthew’s Collegiate School for Girls will be attending at the school daily this week, and will be pleased to meet them between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. for the enrolment of pupils, and discuss matters in connection with their schooling.