The Examiner. Published MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 4.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3869, 4 May 1906, Page 2

The Examiner. Published MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 4.

At the County Council meeting yesterday, a letter the was received from GORGE the Railway DepartBOAD. raent asking if the Council intended to accept the £IOO offered towards erecting a concrete wall to protect the road at the entrance to the Gorge. The letter stated that the Department wonld accept no condition, and that the £IOO was to relieve the Department from any further liability. It will be remembered that when the Manawatu river commenced to eat into the road at various places at the entrance to the Gorge, the Railway Department was approached with a view to their protecting the road from further erosion. It was pointed out at the time, and proved beyond a doubt, that the railway bad encroached on the road, and pushed the latter out on to the very edge of the river. Now the Department offers £IOO to free them from all liability past and future, for any damage arising from the encroachment of the river. The Council naturally objects to a futurity stipulation. Their road has been taken for the railway, and it is rather odd if the Department is going to get out of all liability by payment of a paltry £IOO. As Cr Goldfinch aptly put it, the Council is now between the devil and the deep sea. They are determined, however, not to accept the £IOO unless the Railway Department will abandon the futurity stipulation.

The resignation of Mr W. Nicholson as County Clerk will the be sincerely regretted

county throughout the whole clerkship, county. That gentleman, by bis long association with local bodies and their affairs, had a particular capacity for conducting the business of the county, and it will be very hard indeed to find anyone capable of taking his place. He had the business of the whole county at his finger ends, and was always ready and able to give information and advice on any subject connected with its affairs. The most cordial relations have always existed between the members of the Council and their clerk, and we feel sure the expressions of regret felt at Mr Nicholson’s resignation are not empty ones. For ourselves, we have a long record of kindnesses received at the hands of Mr Nicholson. He has always been most courteous and ready to supply us with details of any matter upon which we consulted him. We shall miss him very much, but we are pleased indeed that the step has only been decided upon by Mt Nicholson because the opportunity had come to him of bettering himself. Wejhope that Mr Nicholson’s hopes will be fulfilled to the utmost, and that he will fill bis new office with as much credit to himself and bis employers as be has in discharging the duties of county clerk.

Cit Pattison made some potent remarks at the mottchaeitable ing of the County aid. Council yesterday regarding the increase in the levy for char itable aid purposes. He said that when the Old Age Pensions scheme was given effect to, it was thought that it would lessen the amount required for charitable aid, but it would seem that this was not so. It was rather the other way. The levy bad been steadily mounting up ever since. He considered that the system of election to tbe Board was wrong, and that the Council should have better representation. At present they appointed a representative, and that was all they ever heard of the matter. He thought the election should be similar to that held in connection with tbe licensing committee. As regards the heavy expenditure that had been authorised for an Old People’s Home at Napier, he considered that tbe money might be better utilised in another way. He thought that what the Government should do would be to erect small cottages for tbe aged poor. When a couple reached the age which entitled them to a pension they would be receiving £1 a week. This would keep them comfortably, and, besides, they would not be separated. This would be far better than providing a o ostly building.