TAIHAPE NEWS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17534, 29 March 1919, Page 3

TAIHAPE NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.). / TAITJAPE, March 28. The result of the poll on Wednesday last must be viewed with satisfaction. Any other result would have been a distinct mark of retrogression. The voting showed that only 50.18 of the ratepayers on the roll thought it worth while to record their votes. The loan proposal was carried by a majority of 88, and rating on unimproved value was endorsed by a majority of 120. ' As was generally expected the scheme for having grass plots down the main street was voted out decisively. At 7.30 precisely the Town Clerk announced the result of the poll from the steps of the Town Hall to an interested crowd of five adults and two boys. The Mayor after a glance round the spectators, with a shrug of his shoulders and a 100 kmore eloquent than words, turned away without making any remarks about the result the Town. Clerk had just announced.

The Act provides that should the result of the rating on unimproved value poll be gazetted before the 81st March, the rates can be struck on this basis, and the Town Clerk at once took steps to have this formality complied with. A trio of well-known sports left Taihape on Thursday morning in a motor-car for the Rangitikei races. However, on reaching Mangaweka, the car developed engine troubles, and in spite of the efforts of the amateur mechanics, could not be made to go. The disappointed sportsmen returned to Taihape by train,, leaving the car behind.. What is particularly galling to the sports is that three or four of the horses picked on the card as probable winners, did win, paying decent dividends. The only satisfaction to our sports is; to discuss what with better luck, "might" have been." One of the largest stock sales held in Taihape for some considerable time, took place at the local; yards on Wednesday last. There was an entry of upwards of 13,000 sheep, comprising ewes and wethers of various ages and a large percentage of lambs. There was only a moderate entry of cattle. A good demand was experienced for wether lambs and sound ewes, but inferior ewes were quite neglected. Small lantbs brought 7/- to 9/-, medium i lambs 11/5 to 12/6, good lambs to 14/11, small 2-tooth ewes 16/- to 18/-, medium i2-tooth ewes 18/6 to 21/-, mixed age ewes in low condition 8/6 to 12/6, fair 2-tooth ewes 22/6, 4 to 5-year ewes 20/2 to 20/4, 2-tooth wethers 26/-, 4-topth wethers 28/6. Cattle:*'Weaner steers 25/- to £2, 15^months' steers £5 2s i 6d, 2-year heifers £5 10s. The weather has changed decidedly to wintry temperature, during the last three days. On Wednesday,;following a slight drizzle, there was a slight/fall of snow on the, Ridge Road, about three miles from Taihape. There have since been two successively heavy frosts, which Is the usual premonition of winter, which apparently is to set, in earlier this year than usual. ,

The various committees in connection with Peace Day celebrations, !with one exception, got quickly to work, and a good deal of the pre-

liminai-y work has been done. The exception refers to those having charge of the thanksgiving and combined religious services on the Sunclay. Apparently nothing has beeta done to bring the various choirs and local vocalists together, and if it is intended to sing Jackson's "Te Deum Landamus," which would be most appropriate to the occasion, -it will be found the time is all too short in which to prepare for a possible rendition of this famous piece. The Allied Supreme Council will hardly postpone the signing of the Peace treaty until the Taihap© organisers of the thanksgiving services have "got a move on."

The canvassers for funds for the fireworks display got rather a mixed reception from the tradespeople. While the response generally was favourable, a number voiced an objection to their money going up in smoke. The sum of £500 has been fixed as. the amount desirable to be raised, and this, with the Government'subsidy, is expected to see the Peace celebrations through with credit to the town and district. ' Circulars have been sent out to various people asking, for subscriptions. A movement is afoot by certain members of the School Committee ta make arrangements so that children who, during the winer months, have tc bring their lunch to school, may be provided with a hot drink of tea or cocoa *at midday. There is some talk of having a children's concert or some such function to provide the necessary appliances to enable this to be done in a satisfactory and expeditious manner. This is unquestionably a step in the right direction, and is an innovation that will be thoroughly appreciated by the scholars at the schools. The sum raised to date for the Fire Brigade' reel fund has now reached a total of £66 14s 4d. The proprietor of the King's Picture Theatre has generously placed his theatre at the disposal of the Brigade on night early in April as a benefit for the fund.