TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 277, 23 November 1936, Page 3

TAIHAPE

THE MAJESTIC ‘■SPEED" The picture goes behind the scenes of the vast interesting and intricate automobile industry, bringing to the 'sc.jen for the first time the actual miracles that are being performed in one of the world’s greatest automobile plants. It takes the audience to ringside seals al lhe famed Indianapolis speedway with its crashes and thrills waged In the campaign to make automobiles safer to mankind, and to the noted testing ground oi Muroc Lake, where Sir Malcolm Campbell broke lhe world's automobile speed record and where the audience virtually rides over the course at lightning speed in the seat with the intrepid test driver. Among these are James Steward, whose rise in screen popularity in the past few months has proven phenomenal; Wendy Barrie, lovely British actress who made her screen debut as Jane Seymour in “Henry VIII.” and who in little more than a year in America has been featured in eight pictures; Weldon Heyburn, popular New York stage actor,

“Speed” is the thrilling, breathtaking story of that small gceup of daring men who risk their own lives to save scores, possibly hundreds, of other lives—the autotmobile test drivers. The new picture opens to-morrow at the Majestic. BOROUGH AFFAIRS The monthly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council was held on Friday evening when His Worship the Mayor (Mr. L. B. H. de Lautour) presided over an attendance consisting of Crs. Loader, Wilshei, Bowater, Ryan, Robinson, Kearins, Mac Diarmid, the town clerk (Mr. E. J. Price), the borough foreman (Mr. J. M. Scott), the electrical engineer (Mr. S. Ewart)’, ti.e consulting engineer (Mr. A. Murray*, and the borough caretaker (Mr. E.'a’ Abbott) were also in attendance. Ihe Rangitikei A. and P. Association wrote asking for the use of the Domain on the occasion of s.heir annual show in February. The application was granted. A letter was received from the Pa<me’Tton North City Council urging that British bunting, and not that of foreign manufacture, should be purchased for the coronation celebrations. It ua, resolved to support the i\J-n-frsion North City Council in th* matter. T.ie Main Highways Board wrote regarding the reclassification of main highways. A communication was received from the Rangitikei County Council agreeing to allow its noxious weeds inspector to act for the Taihape Borough Council as well. The town clerk was instructed to write and thank the County Council for its co-operation ir the matter. Ihe Regent Theatre was grantee permission to screen a programme on Christmas Day. It was decided to instal a new motor for the water pumping plant al Mrs. Kearins’ property, Mrs. Kearins to pay the difference between the cost of a second-hand and a new motor. The meeting resolved to purchase a new truck for the use of the electrical engineer and his staff. The electrical engineer submitted the following report on the stree lighting: 29 lamps have been renewed during the month. As instructed two extra lights were erected at the Main South Road, and four additiona lights were erected at the main shopping area; these are not completed as it is intended to increase the size ol lamps at the three intersections. J wished in the first place to avoid this as it means changing the lampholders to a different type, and there is difficulty in procuring these, so for the /first trial I used the largest (which is the same size as the existing lights). The ideal scheme would cost an additional £5 10s. I suggest that when the intersections are completer the committee should inspect some evening to decide whether the others should be converted or not. Having in stock a time switch, cable, etc.. J recommend that the four new lights be switched off each evening at midnight in order to keep lamp renewal costs down, also for the purchasing of power during dry seasons. Insulators to the value of £1 would be required to do the job. On the suggestion of the .Mayor it was decided to instal a blue light neai Dr. Hay’s surgery in Weka Street and so completed Ihe chain of lights Cr. Ryan: What do the public think of the blue street lights? The Mayor: I have heard a lot ol favourable comments. Cr. Ryan: Somebody said that they were not much good. The electrical engineer: The present lights are only temporary. We are going to instal much more powerful lights shortly. Cr. Wilsher: Other towns, especially Whangarei, are brilliantly lighted and our lights don't appear to be powerful enough or high enough. The electrical engineer: The fittings for lights like those in Whangarei cost £25 each. The lights are mercury sodium lights and are veryexpensive. Our lights will be satisfactory when we get the bulbs which we intend to use permanently. In answer to a question from Cr. Ryan, the electrical engineer said that the new community lighting scheme providing for lights in the shop windows would be slightly more expensive than the present system. Camp Site The consulting engineer submitted the following report on the motor camp site: The contractor for work in this camp site lias made good progress with work under both contracts. That for reading and draining has been completed except for final rolling as soon as this machine is available. The cattle-stop at the entrance will have to be located at Ihe spot where it is to be placed so that it can be constructed at an early date. The buildings are completed to specifications with the exception of the plumbing work and sewer drainage. The work has been well done and the result is pleasing and effective. Several small points have been brought to my notice during this visit, details which will tend to give more security to the property in protection from vandalism. The effects of this latter in the borough are, I believe, very serious and apparently warrant Special precautions. It is suggested that shutters be fixed on the outside of all windows; that the sink wastes and traps under the benches should be boarded in; that the outside water taps be brazed on to the pipes and that the rods in the fireplaces be grouted into place. Normally these details would not be required but it is apparently essential that something of this sort will have to be carried out to prevent the wanton destruction so prevalent in the borough. The inspecting officers of the Auckland Automobile Association visited the camp site today and have expressed themselves as being delighted with the layout and buildings. They have, in fact, taken sketches of the planning of the conveniences for future reference. This park should gain excellent publicity as the result of this inspection. GENERAL NEU’S The drama festival evening will be held in the Town Hall, Taihape, on Wednesday, November 25, when a number of plays will be presented, under the auspices of the Ruapehu Federation of Women s Institutes. The first play will be presented at 7.45 p.m. Particulars are advertised. TE KITH TO BULLS MAIN HIGHWAY NO. 23 RECONSTRUCTION AND SEALING “The contractor has made good progress with the metalling of the ern section of this work during yie month. The surface has been completely metalled up to McHardy’s

corner and is generally standing to shape very well,” reported the consulting engineer. Several weak spots have, however, shown up but these will be excavated and remedied prior to the completion of the work. The northern section is in poor con dition in places mainly owing to neglecting the grading of the surface. This will be put into shape as soon as the roller is finished the work at the cemetery end, which will probably be within a fortnight if metal is available. The whole of this contract should be completed and ready for final inspection prior to your next council meeting. Advice has been received from the Main Highways Board's representative that the position in connection with first coat sealing will have to be clarified. To this end I have been asked to forward an official communication to him asking for a decision of the board on the question of whether the whole cost of this work will be borne by the board or whether your council will have to bear its share of Die cost. I am doing this immediately un the hope that at your next council meeting approval can be given for the calling of tenders for this work to close in January.