Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 6

Town Talk

Tho Queen Alexandra’s Own Band will provide a concert at Castlecliff beach to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon, commencing at 3 o’clock. A Great Improvement. Tests are being carried out at the St. George’s Gate and GonviUc swimming baths with a preparation which will, it is claimed clear and sterilsc the water. Western Maori Seat The result of the recent poll to decide the Western Maori by-election has been officially gazetted as follows: Taite to Toino 3970, Haami Tokouru Katana 3150, Pci te Hurunui Jones 902. The total number of votes cast was 8044. The River Carnival. Preparations for this season’s river carnival are now in train, instead of being held on Anniversary Day, as before, it will be held on New Year’s Day. The change was made as it was felt that New Year’s Day was more of a universal holiday.

Weight Judging The correct weight of the cattle b. I -L used in the weight judging compelilion at the Wanganui Show was 551 Albs. Mi U. A. Major, Turakina, estimated the weight at 55.1 ii and won the prize. Messrs 11. A. Jones, Wangaehu and L. Higgle, No. 2 Line, with 5511b5, came second. The fat sheep scaled SVlbs and the prize winners were Messrs A. Crafar, Springvale, correct weight, Ist.; and F- 11. Renshaw, Fordcll and J Evans, Kuiranga ( x S6{lbsj 2nd.

Speed Limits. Speed of motor vehicles on three lengths of road in the Wanganui County was limited to 25 miles an hour at the Council meeting yesterday. A new bylaw Io this effect is to be adopted which will the No. 1 Line from Wikitoria Road, Putiki, to the city boundary, the, junction of the Parapara Road at Upokongaro to the Makirikiri Stream Bridge and from the junction of the Warrengate Line to the railway crossing at Fordell.

The Harbour Loan. On the motion of Cr. W. E. Broderick, the Wanganui County Council decided yesterday to ask the county representatives on the Wanganui Harbour Board (Messrs Donald Ross and W. S. Glenn) to address meetings of ratepayers in various centres of the county regarding the proposed harbour loan. Seconding the motion, the county chairman (Cr. D. Mackintosh) said that ratepayers were not as conversant with harbour matters as they should be. Cr. D. McGregor: We should give, the ratepayers a load to vote against; the loan until the district is extended.

Two Roads ‘‘There arc two roads in the Kai whaike Block, one partly Tor |-d and the other a ‘paper’ road,” stated a letter to the Wanganui County Council from Messrs Currie and Jack and read to yesterday’s meeting. The writers asked whether it was eventually intended to form both roads. If the Council decided not to form the “paper” route it was asked to favourably consider handing the land back to the nativesThe matter was left to the engineer (Mr K. R. Dawson) and Cr. W. E. Broderick to report on. Cr. Broderick said that he could sec no objection to handing the land to the Maoris but there was a question of access for ratepayers in the locality beyond the pa to bo considered. Drivers’ Licenses. Draft regulations governing the issue of licenses to drivers of motor vehicles have been circulated to local bodies. These indicate that there is to be a tightening up. It is intended that an applicant shall provide a certificate as to physical fitness to drive and the regulations provide that if an examining officer is not satisfied as to the eyesight of an applicant he shall apply certain reading tests. ‘‘An engineer, or a county clerk will require to be a qualified medical man before the thing ends,” a county councillor remarked yesterday. “He added that no mutter how strict driving tests became, the question of safety came back to one of the temperament of the man. The best of drivers were liable to lose their heads in an emergency. Railway Control.

“What is wanted is a Government with the courage of its convictions, not a Railway Board,” said Cr. D. McGregor at the Wanganui County Council meeting yesterday when a letter from the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural Association asked that the approval of the commission’s recommendation to removal of railway control from the world of politics to an independent Board. “I think it would be a wise move,” Cr. W. E. Broderick remarked. Cr. D. McGregor: I am not voting against the recommendation, but the board will still be political. There will always be a Minister of Railways. The trouble with this Government, any Government for that matter, is that they haven’t the courage to do the work properly and they keep on shelving things to commissions and boards. The chairman (Cr. D. Mackintosh) thought it would be wise to try a board. The council supported the Manawatu Agricultural Association’s motion approving of a board on trial.

Engineer in the Ditch. The average motorist whose ear gets stranded in a ditch by the roadside usually finds suitable adjectives to apply to County Councils, local bodies in general and engineers in particular. When a county engineer drives his vehicle into impassable spots by the wayside, however, it is apparently a customary thing for the rescuer, if one there be. to bill the local body concerned. /The Wanganui County Council had an experience of this sort yesterday when a mysterious envelope found its way to the table addressed to the chairman and marked “personal.” This is what it contained: “To towing the engineer’s car out of the ditch on the Kakatahi Road to ropes, broken and strained, to time lost (overtime paid), thereby allowing the valuable services of the engineer, plus those of some of the councillors, to continue—£2 10s.” “What are we going to do with this ” queried the riding member in sonic alarm. “The engineer stuck in his own ditch.” “There is quite an easy way of getting over it,” remarked the chairman. “Refer it to the engineer.” The Council approved of the suggestion and those members of the council who were in the ear at the lime wore appointed to act with the engineer.

Advertisers are requested io note that the following replies to advertisements arc awaiting collection at the branch office of the “Chronicle,” Victoria Avenue: 816. BIS, R 26. 829. 831, 833. Bl Ift. 8123, 8124. 8130, C 5, C 6, CIOS, Cl 13. Cl 14, Cll5.