Notes of the Day

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3638, 26 September 1912, Page 4

Notes of the Day

THE RESULT OF THE RIVER BOARD ELECTION.

As was anticipated, a very considerable amount of interest was taken m yesterday’s poll in connection with the formation of the River Board. Tho result, in brief, was that Messrs. U. \\ inters aerenga-a-luka), H. 1). Do Lautour (H.extom, 11. G. Tucker (Makauri), D. Kirkpatrick (Patutahi), and Mr. A. Dewing (Taruheru) were the successful candidates. Perhaps the (greatest surprise of the election was the defeat of Captain Toinbleson, who took such a. prominent part with reference to tho formation of the river board district- As a tribute to tho interest which he has taken in the matter, it was thought that ho would receive a general .measure of- support. Tho fact remains, however, that Captain Torableson was returned only eighth on the list. As showing the great interest which lie had taken in The undertaking, it might be mentioned, inter alia, that lie, together with others, had even arranged for a report to be made in regard to the river in order that tilio new Board might hawsome additional data to go unon as soon ns possible after it entered upon its duties. The keynote of the election, it would seem, was caution. Mr Witters, for instance, believes “that the Board should be very wary before adopting any verv large -choino of flood prevention.” Then, again. Mr de Lautour holds that the Board “must avoid, hastily adopting any scheme.” For 'his part, Mr. Tucker has pledged himself “to oppose any extensive or costly work. ’ As to Air. Kirkpatrick, lie made it clear when addressing the public meeting at Patutahi that if elected his every endeavor would he to see that overyhndv afTected woii “a fair and square deal.” Mr.

Dewing, the other successful candidate, holds that “any necessary work to bo undertaken shall bo carried out efficiently and economically, and that no expenditure is incurred that is ■avoidable or likely to produce really practical results.” bar our own part, we indicated yesterday that we believed fairly large works may .bo recommended'to the Board. 'lnis much is clear from the general report winch was made by Mr- C. E. Armstrong (District Engineer), and Mr. Holmes, Engincer-in-v.h'ef foi the Dominion. On the best authority u hare it, too, that the Beard will iequire to have confirmed any detailed report which it may sec fit to have made, so difficult and so complex mo the problems which will nave to be ■•-Unmounted in order to achieve cromplert success. With such a solid Bmud to look after tlieir interests, the ratepayers, we think, have every reason to be pleased with the result ci yesterday s poll

A TRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.

It is verv pleasing to note the success which 'has again this year attended the efforts of scholars of wdiooJs in this district in connection with "hat is known as the “Egniont Pen'’ annual writing competitions. 4 hem valuable contests, it should be explained, are promoted by Messrs 14. I* Junes and Sons, of Wanganui, and the interest which they" create may be gauged by the f act that there note on this occasion close on 900 competitors, tho entries coining from schools in all parts of the North Island, Jho nevv departures, it seems, were made tins year, the competitions being arranged on the basis of age, instead of on the basis of standards as heretofore, whilst instead of having one judge for the whole of the competitions there was a .separate judge for each “The judges’ decisions,” says the “ Wanganui Herald” “show —as has also been the case in previous years—that the schools of the Gisborne district- continue to produce the best writing in these competitions. In every class Gisborne pupils stood out prominently and out of 14 prizes given (two in each class) seven were taken by the_ Gisborne district.” Out of 90 entries in the section for pupils under nine years Grace Kennedy, Mangapapa School, came first; Alexia Thomson, Gisborne School, second; and Dorothy McDiarinid, Gisborne School, fourth. There were 120 competitors m the section for pupils under 10 years, and the winner turned out to be Esma Wilkes, Gisborne .School, whilst Cora Bartlett, Mangapapa School, was second. Beryl Robertson, Gisborne School, third and Ina Harris, Gisborne School, fifth. In tho class i'or pupils under the age of 11 vears there were 140 entries. The highest place gained by a local scholar was. however, only fifth, which fell to L. Morrison, Gislvornc School. As regards the section for scholars tinder the ag? of 12 years, there were 146 entries. Ida Albrecht, Mangapapa School, gained third place; Robert Kenua. Gisborne School, filth, _ and Emily Saunders. Mangapapa School, sixth position. Most of the awards in tlie section for children tinder 13 years, which attracted IS7 entries, also went to local scholars. Alcata Smale, Gisborne School, gained second place, Olive Johnstone, Gisborne School, was fourth, and Vera C-alcott, Gisborne School, was fifth. Then, again, in the section under 14 years, for which there were IBS entries, Viva Ovenden. Gisborne School, took second award. Ina Park. Gisborne School, third, and Benito Morris. Mangapapa- School and Lawrence Atkinson, Gisborne School, were the only pupils whose work was also commended. For the special prizes for scholars between 14 and 16. including pupils attending technical schools, colleges, convents, etc.. Ereti Te Hau, Maraetahi School, Muriwai, gained second award. The results it will bo agreed, are very creditable, both-to the successful local entrants and their teachers alike.

THE COUNTIES ACT.

Various amendments in the Counties Act are proposed by a Bill introduced in the House- of Representatives yesterday. A novel provision is that the chairman of a County Council. while he remains in the position, shall be a Justice cf the Peace if he is not tlie holder cf a publican's or an aeomiimcdation license. A special --Vet is necessary to alter the boundaries of counties, but ibis is now to be dene by- the Governor .by proclamation under protective provisions similar to those in the principal Act. The rate to be levied, for drainage works may. under the- "resent law, bo as high as six farthings in the pound on the capital value, and it- is now proposed to make the maximum cue pc-nnv in the pound- The provisions regarding rating on a graduated scale are to be repealed and more explicit clauses substituted.