WHO IS CORRECT?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17737, 10 December 1919, Page 8

WHO IS CORRECT?

(Published by arrangement.)

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING,

In Monday's issue there was a letter, inserted by arrangement, headed "Who is correct — Massey or Pearce?' The whole point is that Mr Powdrell is trying to read something into Mr Massey's telegrams that is not there. The telegram Mr Wilkinson went on was the one appointing him arbitrator, in which even Mr Powdrell has had it printed in large type, "Candidates to give evidence." Mr Grainger was informed by Mr Wilkinson at noon on the Saturday (in reply to his inquiry as to what form the arbitration would i take) that all that was required was for each candidate to state his case separately 'before Mm (Mr Wilkinson). At this time Mr Wilkinson informed Mr Grainger that he was in communication with Mr Powdrell and if possible would also like to see Mr Pearce, so that Mr Pearce saw Mr Wilkinson at the latter's request. Mr Wilkinson at this stage made it quite clear that he did not want any evidence such as the 86 men from the freezing works, as he considered it of no value. Mr Wilkinson rang Mr Grainger up about 5 p.m. on the Saturday afternoon and informed him that matters could not be settled that night, as both sides were requiring documentary evidence, and he could not give , the time, but asked Mr Grainger'to. come to Hawera to confer, as some way might be found to conclude mattei's. From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr Pearce's committee were of the opinion that all the arbitrator wanted was for each candidate personally to state his caso separately before him. If the evidence Mr Powdrell's committee had was on a par with the 86 names of freezing works employees, in any unbiassed man's mind it was worthless,. Hundreds oi names to lists could be got where those signing had no intention to support either candidate. It should be noted that Mr Pearce's committee had no wire such as is stated to have been received by Mr Buckeridge, and in this telegram, be it noted, "wide discretion will be, of course, extended to arbitrator," but it also noted that in the discretion of the arbitrator all he considered necessary was the attendance of the two candidates, as he advised Mr Grainger at noon on the day of the "proposed" conference. It certainly appears as if Mr Powdrell's committee wished to submit a lot of outside evidence which Mr Pearce was never asked to submit, and which was in direct contravention to the message received by Mr Pearce's committee. The only reliable evidence, the evidence of the candidates' meetings, goes to show that in the interests of the Reform Party Mr Pearce should have been .granted an uninterrupted run.

The fortnighly meeting of the Marton Borough Council was held on Monday evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr W. C. Kensington, 1.5.0.), and Crs. J. Harris, A. H. Bill, H. Sutcliffe, J. Wilson, F. Holder, F. J. Christensen.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Secretary of the Marton District High School wrote, asking permission for the use of the park on Wednesday, 10th December, for the school sports.

The necessary permission was granted, on the usual conditions, the High School being allowed the right to charge admission to the park for that day.

Mr Edward Fletcher wrote claiming £4 as damages for destruction of fruit trees and garden through horses in the pound breaking the fence.

The Mayor reported that the Works Committee had decided to recommend the Council to put the Pound in repair, and had arranged for the erection of a substantial fence between the Pound and Mr Fletcher's property.

On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Harris, it was decided to pay the £4 asked i:or by Mr Fletcher, and to erect a substantial fence at the cost of the Council.

A petition was received from Messrs J. Nicholas, L. Wheeler, G. J. Wilhelm, and G. P. Wright, asking that gas be installed in their residences in Mill Street.

The Mayor said that to grant the request of the petitioners would involve an expenditure of £235, and he did not think the Council could afford thai sum at present. The Council were right up to the hilt of their estimates.

It was decided to inform the applicants that the matter would be deferred until the beginning of the next financial year. t

An account for £2 2/ was received from the Hydro-Electric League, being subscription for year 1919-20.

The amount wa passed for payment.

A letter was received from Messrs Richardson, McCabe, and Co., offering a tar spraying plant for sale.

The Kairanga County Council wrote stating that they could not lend the Council a tar sprinkler, as they had had to hire one for themselves.

The Patea County Council wrote, regret-ing that it could not lend its tar sprinkler, as it would be using it constantly.

It was decided to quotations for a tar sprinkler from Messrs Richardson, McCabe and Co., an 4 Messrs Booth, Macdonald and Co. ■

Letters were received from the' Wanganui and Dannevirke Borough Councils, stating that they have no drop curtain for sale suitable for a town hall.

The Town Clerk was authorised to obtain quotations for a neV drop curtain. ,

The matter of obtaining prices for a new piano for the Town Hall was referred to the Town Hall Comliit-

A specification for alterations lat the Gas Works was received-from Mr Higgins, architect. '

It was decided to refer the speci-. fications back to the , architect,, and' to call for alternative tenders for the architect's fresh specifications , and a specification suggested hy Cr. Holder. •■■••'■■/■'

Mr Chas. Hunt was re-appointed dog-tax ( ollector to the Council.

FOREMAN'S REPORT.

Mr T. A. Wilson, Borough foreman, reported as follows:—"Re the small gas mains in Broadway, I would suggest on account of having electricity here in another few years, and we will have to cater more for heating and cooking, to lay a 6-inch main from the works to Cubbabballa Street and along Stewart Street, and feed our present main in Broadway from Morris Street, High Street, Follett Street, and Signal Street, and that would take the whole of the residential araa away from the Main Street, besides giving double the pressure we have at present and with reticulation give ample # pressure in the back streets.

"Re the petition to lay a gas main in Mill Street for a distance of 43 chains, I estimate to lay same with 1& inch pipe to connect Wellington Road witli Pukepapa Road would cost £237 7/, and would want to lay a 3-inch main from Station Road to Mill Street, as there is only 1 at present." FINANCES. Accounts amounting to £449 8/7 were passed for payment; also salaries, for £1039 9/5, and £62 18/ on the sewerage loan account. The Town Clerk submitted the following statement of accounts:-— Receipts to 6th December, 1919: Town Hall £87 8/10; general rates £18 2/1; library rates 16/10; old special rates £6 11/1; waterworks special £9 11/8; sewerage special £5 4/7; gas consumers £441 11/6; gas fittings £76 18/1; coke, tar, etc., £62 I 8/11; water fees £71 18/; library subs. £2 4/5; refunds (royalty, i metal, etc.) £30 10/6; cemetery fees £3; building and sewerage fees £1 10/; licenses £5 6/8; sundries £4 10/3;' total £828 12/7.

Gas Working Recepits for November. —Gas consumers £441 11/6; gas fittings £76 18/11; coke, tar. etc., £62 8/1; refunds street lighting £20; Town Hall £6; total £606 17/8.

Gas Working Expenditure.—Gas working, wages, £250 13/7; gas fitting £52 12/6; gas extensions £27 15/10; interest and sinking fund £38 10/; total £369 11/11.