LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20115, 30 June 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Otumaima block of native land has been disposed of through the Aotea Land Board, under part 18 of the Native Land Act. The purchase money amounts to about £4,000.

The Otago Harbour Board has completed arrangements through a local broker for the sale of £50,000 of its 4½ per cent debentures at a satisfactory price (telegraphs a Dunedin correspondent).

Mr. J. Carwardine, veterinary surgeon, Carbine Stables, has very generously donated a solid silver cup, valued at £7 7s., for the most points in Hereford classes obtained at the next Agricultural Show held in November, also a solid gold bracelet for the best lady driver.

A subscriber writes asking whether a distress warrant can be legally executed by any person other than the person named in the warrant. The answer is that only the person named in a warrant is authorised to execute it, and that he has no authority in law to delegate the work of executing the warrant to any other person.

Messrs. Wesley Spragg (President), and J. Dawson (secretary), of the N.Z. Alliance, with Mrs. Lee Cowie, L. M. Isitt, M.P., R. French, and L. Wilson, having just attended the annual Convention in Wellington, are now busy in the upper end of the Waimarino Electorate, organising and addressing meetings in the many inland centres.

The action of the Auditor-General in refusing to pass accounts for £200 in excess of the unauthorised expenditure allowed by law was discussed by the Auckland Council. The principal items were connected with the farewell of one Governor and the reception of another and the opening of the Town Hall. The councillors who voted for spending the money are liable to the refund of £15 4s 3d each. Councillor Nerheny said that he would defy the Auditor, and willingly go to gaol rather than pay. The Council resolved to ask Parliament to legalise the expenditure of the amount disbursed.

Weary the feet when cold is in the head and you have not used "NAZOL." This sterling remedy for coughs, colds, catarrh, and sore throat acts quickly and leaves no evil after-effects.

The cost per cent. of collecting the Customs duties at the principal ports in. 1913-14 was as follows :— Auckland, £1 7s. 5d.; Wellington, £1 8s. 7d. ; Lyttelton and Christchurch £1 14s.; Dunedin and Port Chalmers, £1 11s. 8d.; Napier, £1 11s. ; Invercargill and Bluff, £2 3s.; Timaru, £1 13s. 9d.; New Plymouth, £1 19s. ; Greymouth, £2 6s. 8d.; Wanganui. £1 18s. 4d.; Poverty Bay, £1 10s. 5d.; Westport, £3 15s. 3d.

The Government has decided to issue free passes over the State railways to the wives of members of the Legislature, to be available until one month after the close of the session. Arrangements have also been made for the issue of return tickets at single rates, or of single tickets at half-single rates, to the unmarried daughters and sons of members, for the purpose of enabling them to visit Wellington during the time Parliament is in session. The return tickets so issued will be available for return on any day up to a month after the end of the session.

On the 19th inst., Messrs. O’Reilly Bros., of Waverley, proceeded against Mr. Job Hartwell, of Waitotara, in the local S.M. Court, claiming two bullocks valued at £12 10s., and £10 damages. Evidence was given for the plaintiffs that the bullocks escaped from their paddock into a paddock of a neighbour’s adjoining the defendant’s paddock at Naitumaru, and were subsequently removed by the defendant along with other cattle belonging to the defendant to the latter’s property at Waitotara; and that the defendant thereupon ear-mark-ed the bullocks with his own earmark, defacing the earmarks already on the bullocks. The day was taken up in hearing evidence for the plaintiffs, and further hearing of the case was then adjourned to the 25th inst. On resuming on the 25th, inst., the solicitor for the defendants announced to the Court that he had decided to accept a nonsuit. A non suit was therefore entered up, and £15 9s. costs allowed the defendant. At the hearing Mr. Brodie appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Fleming for the defendant.

The following amounts have been handed over, to the various branches by the Beautifying Society: St. Johns’ Hill £190, Wanganui East £190, Dune Hill £75, Gonville £95, Aramoho £25; making £50 with the unexpended amount from last year. The Orphanage for planting, £10; and Castlecliff, £25. Already the branches have done good work this winter in planting and cleaning up old work. Both St. John’s Hill and Wanganui East esplanade have permanent men giving all their time to keeping the plantations in order. The esplanade is a popular walk on Sundays and holidays now that people are able to cross the new bridge. A strong working bee will be engaged on the pergola and rose trellis near Hatrick’s slip on Saturday afternoon. Both these works will have a magnificent show of roses this summer. The Gonville branch commence planting 500 pohutukawas today along the tramline. Durie Hill branch have already planted four hundred trees along the Putiki bank of the river. The Aramoho Branch have done splendid work with their Saturday working bee and this should prove one of the most attractive plantations in Wanganui, especially from the river and the railway line. St. John’s Hill branch have been hard at work on laying out a new road from the entrance gates, and planting. The many works of the Beautifying Society are certainly making the town more attractive for visitors and residents.