6 o'clock closing

The grandeur of Otago's mountain scenery: a view of the celebrated Shotover River Gorge. - Otago...
The grandeur of Otago's mountain scenery: a view of the celebrated Shotover River Gorge. - Otago Witness, 23.5.1917.
At the meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council last night, the question of 6 o'clock closing was introduced by Cr. R. W. Hall, who moved that, with a view to sustaining general efficiency among the people of the dominion, both military and civil, such steps should be taken by the Government to amend the statute in such a way as to reduce the consumption of intoxicating liquors.

The general opinion of the council was in favour of the terms of the motion, but the argument was advanced that no matter what the opinion of the council might be nothing could affect the law as regards liquors at the present time, taking into consideration the present attitude of the Minister of Defence, who had already made a statement concerning the matter.

The meeting was of opinion that should the law enforce 6 o'clock closing it would no doubt bring about the desired principles of the motion. The motion was seconded by Cr Kilpatrick, and was carried. Cr H. W. Allen was the only member to hold a negative view of the matter, and recorded his vote accordingly. It was also decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the Minister of Defence.

Waimate ructions

The new Mayor of Waimate (Mr George Dash) has fallen foul of the council. At a meeting on the 8th inst. he ordered the town clerk to enter in the minutes the fact that he had ``censured'' Cr Inkster (one of the oldest councillors) for defying the chair by continuing to refer to the ``old estimates'' when told not to do so. Councillors protested at the time against the Mayor's order.

To-night the Mayor ruled out of order a motion to expunge that minute, and on councillors insisting the Mayor declared the meeting closed, and left the chamber. He ordered the town clerk to leave also. The councillors immediately appointed a deputy mayor, ordered the town clerk to remain, and continued the business.

A councillor moved that the motion of censure be expunged. It was pointed out that this could not be done, as it was a correct record, but an amendment was carried unanimously expressing disapproval of the Mayor's action in censuring Cr Inkster, who thanked the councillors for the fight put up for the rights of councillors generally.

Diphtheria outbreak

Another outbreak of diphtheria in Tuatapere is causing a certain amount of uneasiness, especially in the minds of those who have children attending school. It appears that when the epidemic first broke out the Education Board ordered the school to be closed, and the building was fumigated.

When the pupils reassembled there was a second outbreak, and the school was again closed, but no fumigation of any kind was done. Since resuming after the second vacation on account of the epidemic some scholars have been kept at home by their parents for fear of contagion.

Reclaimed land

About six or seven acres of the unused reclaimed land at the back of the Victoria wharf are at present being fenced in. The land has been leased by the Harbour Board to different persons for grazing purposes, and will bring in a substantial addition to the revenue of the board.- ODT, 23.5.1917.

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