PEEPS INTO THE PAST

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXXI, Issue 9755, 8 April 1942, Page 3

PEEPS INTO THE PAST

WAIHI BOROUGH COUNCIL’S DILEMMA ’ telephones disconnected 'OTHER INTERESTING JOTTINGS The following interesting paragraphs have been taken from old files of the “Waibi Daily Telegraph”:— Saturday, April 10, 1909.—0 n Thursday morning the Waihi Borough Council telephones -were disconnected on account of the non-pay-ment of fees due on April 1. It appears that the usual notice had been served, but though the cheque in payment had been made out, the I council meeting did not take place till Wednesday evening, when the accounts were passed in the usual manner, hence the cheques had to be signed next morning, and payment could not be made till this process had been completed. On being acquainted wifck the state of things the town clerk wired to the Secretary of the Post Office Department, Wellington, setting out the facts and protesting against the action. Later in the day the following reply was received: "Postmaster, Waihi, has been instructed to connect your telephone with exchange till Tuesday next. If account not then paid your telephone will be disconnected.” It is recognised that the postmaster at Waihi was acting according to his instructions in making the disconnection, but the apparent inconsistency of-tlie department in these matters calis for some comment. It is well known that the processes adopted by the ( Government in settling their-own ac- . counts- is hedged about by a great i mass of red tape and formality, and , we know of cases where, after services have been duly and properly j performed, the Government vouchers i ( were not forthcoming until three ■ months later in several of these , cases, and no less than six months in j another. We understand that the payment of certain fees to the borough by the Government occupies a considerable time in settlement, and also that the borough does not impose any hard and fast rule in such ( connection or made preremptory demands. It seems unfair that the Government should act in this manner when it violates its own principles. WESLEY CHURCH ANNIVERSARY 1 CONCERT 1

Tuesday, April 12, 1904.—The concert in connection with the Wesley Church anniversary, held in the Academy of Music last night, was attended with great success. The programme was opened with an instrumental duet by Miss Stanley and Mr A. H. Clark, the contribution being artistically given. Mr Abel Rowe, the talented Auckland tenor, ollowed with a capital rendering of Sullivan’s fine song, “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes.” During the process of this item the lights suddenly failed and the hall was plunged into harkness. Lamps were brought into requisition, but meanwhile Mr Rowe continued his song, and notwithstanding the disagreeable interruption, an outburst of enthusiastic applause greeted the singer at the conclusion of his item. As an encore he sang "My Toreador.” His ' second contribution, “The Carnival,” was equally well received, and in response to a hearty encore he gave a splendid rendering of “The Land Across the Sea.” Mrs Holmes, the popular local contralto, sang in her usual capable manner “The Toilers.” Mrs Abel Rowe and Miss Grace Wrigley gave a sweet rendition of J. L. Roecliel's “Golden Stars,” the two voices blending harmoniously. Master Stanley Williams, the boy soprano, brought down the house at the conclusion of "The Swallows.” Both items were excellently given, and as encores he added “The Beggermaid’s Song” and “The Milkmaid’s Song,” respectively. A recitation by Mrs W. W. Rowe was splendidly given, and every word was listened to with rapt attention. A quartette, “Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming,” by Mrs Holmes, Messrs R. Henderson, Evan Morgan and Master Stan. Williams was greeted with warm applause. The zither and mandolin duet, “May Blossom,” was a most artistic production and was warmly encored. Mr ®. Morgan gave a capital rendition of "King of the Deep.” Another good item was given by Mr W. W. Rowe, entitled “In Old Madrid.” Throughout the evening Miss Wrigley and Miss Morgan played the accompaniments to the satisfaction of the vocalists,