PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 66, 18 March 1936, Page 9

PATEA

OBITUARY ’ MB. C. A. LARCOMBE The death occurred on Monday after a lengthy illness, of Mr Charles Albert Larcombe, aged 75, a prominent citizen and business man of Patea for many years. Born at Bath, England, in 1861, Mr. Larcombe came to New Zealand with his parents in 1865, and landed at Lyttelton. They went to the goldfields on the West Coast. In 1890 he came to Patea and carried on his business as boot importer until the time of his death. For many years a councillor, and in 1913 elected Mayor, defeating Dr. W. T. Sijnmons, Mr. Larcombe held the position during the Great. War, until 1919 when he was succeeded by Mr. A. T. Christensen. During the war he and his wife did yeomen service in the interests of those who went from this district. He took a great interest in all local matters, particularly the Domain, and it is largely to his efforts and energy that Patea has the Domain, of which its people are justly proud. During Mr. Larcombe’s oilice as Mayor, the present high pressure water supply and drainage system were installed, and for this I’atea owes a great deal to Mr. Larcombe. Mr. Larcombe was for many years chairman of the local school committee and never tired in his efforts to obtain better accommodation for the children at the public school, the outcome of his energy being the present splendid school building. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and held grand lodge office for some time. Mr. Larcombe is survived by his wife and a grown-up family of six, Mr Herbert Larcombe (Leamington), Mrs. Montgomery (To Puke), Mrs. Shirley (Palmerston North), Mr. Harold Larcombe (Christchurch), Mrs. H. Back (Whenuakura ), and Mr. Charles Larcombo (Patea). The youngest daughter. Mrs McGuinness, predeceased him a short time ago. The flag at the Town Hall was halfmast yesterday in respect to his memory. Tho funeral takes place to-day at 2 p.m. from St. Mary’s Church. BOROUGH COUNCIL The Mayor, Mr. F. Rainsbottom, presided at tho monthly meeting of the Patea Borough Council on Monday Councillors Christensen, Roots, F. McKenna and Langslow were also present. Apologies were received from Crs. Haddow and Naismith. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mrs. Larcombe and family on the death of Air. C. A. Larcombe, who for many years sat at the council table. The Governor-General wrote expressing thanks for the council’s Royal I message of sympathy, stating that the text thereof" would be forwarded to her Majesty, Queen Alary. The Alinister of Internal Affairs wrote asking for the co-operation of the council in holding a fire prevention week from Alarcli 30 to April 4. — Decided to adopt the usual course. An expression of the Patea Women’s Institute’s gratification and congratulations at the success of the council’s delegates with the tuberculosis remit at the recent conference at Napier was received, also from the Plunket Society in the same connection. The Alayor said they appreciated the remarks, and commenting on the conference, said they had a deputation from some of the delegates to withdraw the remit, but with the support of other centres, it went through. He had been congratulated afterwards by a number of members on the way the remit had been placed before the conference. He and the town clerk had done their best for the council and everything put forward by them had

received support. A proposed award was received from the Industrial Union of Drivers and Related Trades. It was ‘left to the town clerk to find out other council’s views. The matter of an appreciation from the Patea Businessmen’s Association for better lighting of the main street was left to the electrical engineer. The association stated that its objects were to further benefit the town and it would appreciate assistance from the council in any way. Air. E. C. Gilbert wrote making an offer for the borough house and section next to the one he now owns.—The offer was accepted providing he erect a new building within three months. Cr. Roots, referring to the speed limit in the borough, said that the present warning notices were very poor. The town clerk stated the speed limit in the town was the uZxinium allowed in any borough in New Zealand. It was decided to ask the Automobile Association to erect improved signs at the approaches to the town. A plan for the new Presbyterian Church hall was passed, subject to the inclusion of another fire escape door. Owing to some of the firemen being away, the Fire Brigade report was incomplete and held over till such time as a ful report could be placed before the council. Approval was given to the transfer of the lease of the billiard saloon occupied by Air. E. Hamerton, to Airs. F. Locker. Officer’s Report. Air. F. Naismith, streets supervisor, reported for the month of February as follows: —Streets patched with pit metal: Lincoln Street (two yards), Aliddlesex Street (four yards), Leicester Street (six yards), Cornwall Street (six yards), Essex Street (two .yardsi and Norfolk Street (two yards). Bedford, Oxford and Doi set Streets

have been chipped and the spoil carted to shoulders of main road. V arious sumps have been cleared out after the storm and a culvert which was washed away near the bridge has been replaced. The culvert in Victoria Street has been inspected and was found to be in good order and was not blocked in any way, but there are twelve sumps running into the same drain from Victoria Street to Oxford Street and the main pipe is only 15 inches in diameter. been given in repairing fences at the Cemetery and rubbish, sumps and main streets were attended ’‘to. Work for present month: Main highway work, patching footpaths in Bedford Street and any work recommended by the council. The new work on Bedford Street footpaths should be sealed as soon as possible.