General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 111, 14 May 1941, Page 4

General News

First For Ten Years The election of councillors for the Marton Borough Council on Saturday is the first to be held for ten years.

Building Permits. The total number of permits issued by the Waitotara County Council for the past year numbered 36, and the value of the work carried out amounted to £8832, as against 26 permits granted for the value of £7667, for the previous year.

Staff Appreciated. Appreciation of the work of the engineer, Mr. T. Dix, and the clerk, Mr. W. Broadhead, the office staff, county foreman, Mr. G. Barnes, and outside staff was expressed by the chairman of the Waitotara County Council, Mr. W. Morrisin, in his annual report to the council meeting yesterday.

Marton Borough Council. The final meeting of the Marton Borough Council before the municipal elections was held last night when the Mayor, Mr. F. Purnell, thanked councillors for their co-operation and support during the past three years. In thanking the Mayor for his remarks councillors congratulated Mr. Purnell on being returned unopposed as Mayor of Marton.

Road Services. “For many years I have advocated the necessity of scaling roads where it is justified by the traffic; I am more and more convinced of „the necessity of having better road surfaces,” stated Mr. W. Morrison (chairman) in his annual report to the Waitotara County Council yesterday. “Time may not be opportune to raise loans for such works,” he added. “By gradually reconditioning the roads by means of a small extra general rate, it would soon be possible to hard surface most of the much travelled roads.” New Army Headquarters.

Area Headquarters and Army Records, Wanganui, moved from the Drill Hall to new quarters in the Accountants' Chambers, Maria Place, yesterday. Meanwhile the Drill Hall is being painted indoors, and the Army Stores quarters are being reorganised. Tn the course of alterations many old prints and newspapers pasted on the walls in the

’seventies, when the Drill Hail was a theatre, have heen uncovered, but they cannot, he removed intact.

Mouton Anniversary. To-day is the anniversary of the Battle of Moutoa, which took place on an island tip the Wanganui River on May 14, 1864. Warning of the impending raid upon the Wanganui settlers by the fanatical Hau Haus was given by a French priest, of the Society of Mary. Rev. Father Lampilla. Loyal Maoris rallied to the support of the small band of pakehas, and the Hau Haus were beaten in a decisive battle. In memory of those who fell in defence of taw and order a monument is erected in Moutoa Gardens. Butter Industry Important.

“Don't be lulled into a state of acquiescence that the beef industry is one of New Zealand's major industries.” said Mrs. J. A. Harris, at the ouarterly meeting of the Wellington Central Provincial of the W.D.F.U., held in Marton yesterday. Mrs. Harris made this remark in reply to an accusation that she was interfering with the beef industry in her public criticism of the use of margarine. The butter industry was by far of greater importance, Mrs. Harris said. There were four margarine factories in New Zealand. Ragwort Control. Expenditure on ragwort control in Waitotara County during the year ended March 31, 1941. was £6BO, compared with £705 for the previous yer" and £ll2O expended four years ago. stated Mr. W. Morrison (chairman) in his annual report to the Waitotara County Council yesterday. He said splendid work had been done under the scheme, and the weed was becoming more under control. The success of the scheme was attributed to the council appointing one of its own staff as foreman in control of the work. His wages were paid out of county funds. Last year it was possible to purchase sufficient chemicals for ragwort control but it was late when the chemicals came to hand for disposal to ratepayers. The council had a stock of 15cwt. of chemicals and it I was doubtful whether more would be available in the coming season.