TAIHIPE NEWS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17654, 2 September 1919, Page 7

TAIHIPE NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) TAIHAPE. August 29.

The provision .of dwellings for; workers Tinder the' Act is moving on j a pace. Some time ago six cottages were allotted by" the Department to Taihape- then the local officer was ; instructed tb investigate suitable; sites. This was done, and now we have had Mr. Templeton, of the Workers' Dwellings Department up here on' Wednesday, to report on the work of the local officer, who by the way, was1 at Wanganui when Mr. Templeton arrived and after looking about for someone who knows something of the matter, the latter gentleman was referred to Mr. iS: Dunbar, who is very much interested in the question, and with Mr. Menzies, the Town Clerk, they set off to inspect, the sections offered. , The sites on the vicinity of the Otaincpe stream received first attention, and Mr Templeton was much impressed with ; their suitability for the purpose. There is natural drainage and plenty [of water. It is understood the Borough Council contemplates putting in a septic tank for its own dwellings, and this could be utilised by the owners of the other cottages, which are contiguous. There is a fine running stream, and the tanks could be kept full by a hydraulic ram. : The sections now used as market gardens on Birch Road were also inspected. Though nice, level sections, there is a certain difficulty in getting drainage, water, and electric light connections, which will' militate against their acquirement for a time at least.

Taihape has been passing through a mild form of excitement in the shape of a controversy as to the relative merits of asphalt and concrete slabs as a material for the footpaths which are to be constructed .out of the £17,000 loan. The Mayor has furthered an indeavour to nave asphalt substituted for the concrete specified in the loan proposals, holding that it is cheaper and superior. The money saved he proposed to utilise in extending the footpaths to the suburbs. ' To prove his contention that asphalt was superior to concrete, he laid under contribution tha opinions of Mr. Staveley, of Wanganui, and Mr. Mair, the Hangetikei County Engineer. To make the change it was found necessary to have a clause inserted in.the "Washing Up' Bill." To get the opinion of ratepayers the Mayor called a public meeting in the Town Hall.on Wednesday evening, which drew an attendance of about 50 persons, who were more curious than interested. The "Mayor addressed the meeting at length. A fitting sequel to the whole business was the result of the referandum on the issue taken yesterday, when the polling was: For Concrete 20, Asphalt 40 — a total of 60 votes out of about 600 ratepayers on the roll. It is understood the Mayor is going to proceed with the ma'tterj but If fall reports are true he may as wel! drop it, as the opponents of the charge intend to block the clause in the "Washing Up Bill" when the latter measure is before the House. '■•

The firebell rang out an alarm last night, but as we had about twenty false alarms from, our 'present system, it was not taken: seriously.

This time there was a %^j but in the opposite direction indicated by the dial in the brigade station. An outbreak occurred in a room of a hpuse QW^ed- by Mr. J.^Murray,- on the Tefface^ but owing to it being discov-' ered in time and the early assistance of neighbours it was confined to the one room. A considerable quantity of household linen'and a* sewing machine were destroyed) as'well as the paper and furnishing of the room, the (jam&ge totalling about £50, which is covered by insurance. . -',

There is some telk of forming a Racing Club in Taihape, and of applying for the one permit in the possession of the Racing Conference. There is no doubt/ if established, .the Club would be a huge \ success, fas the sporting element in this district is a powerful one

It is rumoured that the Ngarukehu station, the property: of the late Mr M. Redward,: is to be placed in the market at an early date. This property consists of 3500 acres, and is admirably adapted for sub-division; The secretary of the local R.S.A., has brought the matter before the Minister of Lands as an opportunity of securing land for a soldiers' settlement in this district —the desirability of which was pointed out to the Minister some time ja,go. Efforts are being made it is reported by an adjoining' owner to purchase tho station, but public opinion on land aggregation is too sensitive to allow such a thing to pass without a most vigorous protest.

The Rangetikei County, Council has acquired the corner section on Hautapu street, leading to Carver St. It is intended to build offices and sheds, the latter to be used as a depot for the housing of the Council's machinery, and plant used in the northern ; portion of the County. An assistant engineer is to be stationed at Taihape. It is understood building operations are to be commenced at an early date.