LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15788, 9 April 1919, Page 11

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Building permits to the number of 22 were issued from the Borough Engineer’s office during March.' The value of the buildings was 416104. The New Zealand Alliance warns all electors who intend to vote for Prohibition that, if they strike out the words “with Compensation,” their votes will be rendered informal, and will not be counted. A London Press cable received today states that the dredge Kaione has sailed for Wanganui. No sailing date is given, but the news is evidently much belated, as private information received about a fortnight ago’ 1 stated that the Kaione was at Colombo, or half way out. With reference to the misunderstanding about the arrival of the Maori Pioneer Contingent in Wanganui on Monday, the Mayor received the following telegram on Sunday night from Captain Blythe, the transport officer: “Auckland.—Troop train arrives Wanganui about 10.45 a.m.” The first - annual -report of the librarian of the Library under control of the municipality was presented to the Council last night. Mis-s Blackett reported that there had been a big increase in the volume of business transacted, the number of subscribers during the year increasing from 220 to 688. The number of books circulated increased from 21,000 odd to 32,993,

The natives at present assembled at Putiki were delighted, with the programme given by the Garrison Band at the pah last evening. One item of especial interest was the chant, “Moi-One-lona,” kindly arranged and presented to the Band by Mr T. Gray. This number was given for the first time in Wanganui by the Band, and as it is well known to the native race, proved a source of pleasure to all present. Among the officers of the Westmoreland, which brought the Pioneer Battalion home is Mr R. McNish, who was Chief Officer of the New 7 Zealand Shipping Co.’s steamer Otaki when she was sunk by the raider Moewe on March 10th, 1917. Mr McNish tells a thrilling story of the fight, and says the Otaki’s gunners put up some good shooting but had no chance with the heavily-armed German vessel. Mr McNish, together with the carpenter and the captain, were the last on the Otaki, and the captain went down with his ship. Mr McNish and carpenter took to the water. “Three quarters of an hour afterwards,” he said,

■ ‘v.’c were picked up by the Moewe. Me found her to be in a pretty bad condition. She had been hit by seven shells and was badly on fire. It took 38 hours to extinguish the flames. Me were given shocking accommodation while wo were on the way to Kiel, and after arrival at that port 1 spent my term of captivity at six defferent camps, being released in December of last year.” The purchase of a piano for the Gonville School is an assured fact, as is also substantial improvement to thcscliool grounds. The sale of work held yesterday for fhe purpose of raising funds for the above-mentioned objects was a pronounced success, the sum of TS4 being netted. This will carry a Government subsidy of pound for pound, so that a substantial amount is available for the piano and for school grounds improvement, which latter is expected to run into A2OO. The chairman of the committee (Mr C. J. Sharpe) took occasion last evening to return thanks to all who had assisted to make the function so eminently successful, particular mention being made of Mrs O’Hara (who had arranged a really excellent programme for the evening's entertainment), Mr Gordon Duncan (who had manufactured a large quantity of sweets'), and Mr T. .Anderson (the Hall caretaker). Mr Sharpe added that the balance of the goods unsold would be disposed of at the gathering to be held at the new school towards the end of the month, when the official opening of the rectangle would take place.