LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15971, 13 November 1919, Page 9

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A JNew xork cable states tnat pen in is unchanged. The District Valuer, Mr Varcoe, commenced on Monday the task of the revaluation of property in the ‘Castlecliff Town District. The work in connection with the new telephone exchange is progressing favourably, and a consideable amount of the apparatus has been installed, but there is a large number of cases of machinery which have not yet been unpacked, and it is impossible to say when the work will reach completion. Ross’ pontoon near the river bridge collapsed ■ and fell into the water on Tuesday morning. The damage was caused through too great a weight or goods being stacked x>n tbe end. tunately some sacks of seed which fell into the river were able to be recovered. The landing shed is now half submerged in the water. There has been a discussion between the Education Board and the Education Department over the width of a corridor in the new school for Queen’s Park. The Board proposed to build the passage-way 15ft wide, but the Department wanted it reduced to 10ft. The total cost of erecting tiie passage 15ft wide was, according to the Board’s estimate, .£33, whereas the Government estimate was .£250. Stimulating, production. This is how Mr Massey’s Government does it, according to Mr F. Pirani. At the meeting of the Education Board last night, tho chairman said that he had been reliably informed that there was a roofing slate made in the Dominion which the Railway Department was willing to carry on its railways, but at three times the freight on ordinary slates. “This is how the Government is encouraging local industry; stimulating production, as Mr Massey calls it,” said Mr Pirani. The sneak thief is abroad in Gonville, and at present is operating in dose proximity to the bowling green. Fowls, fowl food, chickens, and eggs are the chief operations of the marauders. A couple of nights ago a well-known resident lost a large batch of purebred white Leghorn chicks, while a few days before from the same place a number of eggs were stolen. A neighbour opposite lost a quantity cf wheat and wheat products a few nights previously, and a couple of weeks ago a midnight prowler was disturbed while in. the act of lifting a hen and chickens. Poultry-keepers would do well to keep a look-out for the unwelcome visitors, and at least two residents promise him a charge of buckshot shauld the opportunity occur. e Not a little sensation was caused in the Avenue yesterday afternoon when two men came tumbling downstairs from a billiard saloon, one excitedly accusing the other of having robbed him of .£75. which sum was contained in a. roll of notes which the owner vowed he had put in his pocket only a few moments previously. The irate accused vehemently protested his innocence before the pofiee and a crowd who had quickly gathered, and the accuser as forcibly demanded that the accused should be taken to the police station and searched. The latter suggested that tho operation should first be performed on his accuser, who thereupon again felt his pockets, and plunged one of his hands down a trouser leg, where, sure enough, the notes had been slipped in mistake for a pocket. Profuse apologies were forthcoming, the incident closed, and the crowd dispersed. Tbe overcrowding of the Wanganui East School was mentioned to the Education Board last night by the chairman of the committee, Mr Laws. The particular point stressed, by the speaker was the action of the Borough Council in giving notice for the Board to quit the Town Hall, which was being used as a temporary school. He criticised tlie Council for not providing the building with adequate sanitary accommodation, and afterwards for giving the Board notice to quit because improved conditions were asked for. Speaking on educational matters generally, he expressed the opinion that tho time had come when an indignation meeting should be held as a protest agaiilst the Council’s - attitude towards educational matters and offered to assist the Board in any steps it might take. The chairman, in his re lily, referred to the efforts the Board had ‘made to get the grant for the additions. He said that had the work been started two years ago, it would .not cost half tho estimated cost at the present time.