TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 247, 19 October 1936, Page 3

TAIHAPE

“GARDEN MURDER CASE.” Edmund Lowe as Philo Vance! The intriguing image conjured up by that phrase is no more engaging than the reality, which is on view at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow and Wednesday, where Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “The Garden Murder case” opens. As the super-scientilic detective, Lowe gives a performance that is utterly delightful. He drawls his way in and out of a series of thrilling adventures, more than once being in actual danger of sudden death. But not one of his thrills can be compared to his sudden falling in love! It is the first time in Philo's adventures that he has undergone this experience, and the way he reacts to romantic situations is at cnee humorous and entertaining. Virginia Bruce is the smart society girl who gives him palpitation of the heart, and to save her from police suspicion he risks not only his reputation but his life. BOXING An advertisement appears in this issue regarding the professional boxing match between Jack McMahon and Watty Robertson to be staged at the Town Hall, Taihape, next Thursday, October 22. A list of the six preliminary bouts will be published tomorrow. BOROUGH AFFAIRS At tne monthly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council on Friday evening Mr. A. Murray, consulting engineer, submitted the following report on the reconstruction of the main highway within the borough: Work on this contract has not proceeded as expected during the month and the contractor has now been advised that he will have to take adequate steps to expedite the job. Arrangements have been made to-day to obtain the full output of metal from the county plant at Utiku for top course metalling and this should result in more rapid working. Earthworks have oeen almost entirely completed, and base course metalling finished with the exception of 10 chains near the cemetery. The contractor from now on will require the services of the grader and roller driver practically full time and he has asked me to secure this service from the council for him. The arrangements in the past have been far from satisfactory but at this stage it is essential to have the roller on the work for the full working time. The council will have to arrange for a temporary employee for a period of, say, one month to replace the permanent roller driver. Advice has been given to-day that the lack of an efficient brake on the roller makes it dangerous'to operate. He had not yet been able to interview the driver in this matter but will endeavour to do so prior to the council meeting and will verbally report thereon. The question of sealing the newly completed work has been discussed by the Public Works Department engineers with Mr. Jordan they contending that the road should be maintained as a macadam road for a year before sealing is commenced. There are objections to this proposal, (a) Cost of maintaining the road, which will require special attention, without the use of special plant which is not available; (bl the loss of metal due to attrition under traffic; (c) the danger of the surface losing its shape; (d) the dust nuisance in the summer period. The advantages of leaving the sealing until a later date mainly resolve themselves into the one fact that all weakness should become apparent in the maintenance period and that, when the road is sealed, it will have become thoroughly consolidated. In his opinion, the immediate one coat ( sealing is the more economical proposition although it must be realised that portions of the work will break up prior to the final treatment. The cost of repairing these portions will, however, be small compared with the previously mentioned maintenance costs alone. He hoped to be in Wellington before the next council meeting and when there will discuss this matter fully with the engineer to the Main Highways Board, after which he would advise of the proposed line of | action. Camp Site. The following report on the camp • site was also submitted by Mr. Mur- ■ ray: The contractor for reading and ■ buildings on the above site is pro- ■ gressing steadily with the works ’ under both contracts. Under the first I mentioned the drainage is complete and one course metalling to the new ' roadways has been carried out. Top 1 course metalling has been commenced 1 and should be completed quickly after all material for the buildings has been delivered. The timber catle-stop at the gate entrance has collapsed under construction traffic and it has been suggested by the contractor, who is L responsible for the damage, that if the ’ council will find old railway rails he is 1 prepared to place concrete founda- ' tions to make a permanent job. The ’ point is one for decision by your 5 council. Foundations for the two = buildings have been laid in concrete. The framing and roof of the cookhouse has been completed and the concrete walls to the conveniences are being poured. Excavation to the septic tank is proceeding. The plumber has laid on water-supply temporarily and this will have to be permanently fixed on the back wall of the dam - when the water-level is such that no r water is falling over the spillway. The : date of the next meeting should see a both of these contracts completed.