DISTRICT NEWS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1906, 14 November 1913, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents.) PALMERSTON. Tho St. John Ambulance Guild, at its annual meeting on Wednesday, received, a very satisfactory report of tho work done during the year. The following officers were elected:—Patroness, Mrs. J. A. Nash; chairman, Mr. J. A. Nash; treasurer, Mr. J. A. M'Leavey; secretary, Mrs. Aitchison: committee, Mesdanies Abraham and Hewitt and Mr. F. J. Nathan.

Tho Hospital Board yesterday had before it tho question of-the need for a resident doctor at tho Hospital. The question was raised by a resolution from the Women's Christian Tomperance Union, to tho effect that there'is urgent need of a resident surgeon. The chairman (Mr. J. G. Wilson) said that the time maist arrive when a resident surgeon would bo needed, but, at present, the board had'too many things on hand. It was decided to reply that the board would keep the matter in view. The board approved of tho suggestion of the Buller Board favouring the formation of a Hospital Boards' Association. The question, of compensation for the death of a hospital nurse, from illness contracted while nursing, was involved in a letter'from the father of the late Nurse Hardier. He inquired whether there was an insurance fund to meet such eases. The board decided to allow £10 to cover expenses.

The characteristic liberality of the Chinese in " respect of hospital -treatment was evidenced by the annual donation from local Chinese, numbering 45. The amount was £28 10s. A stim of £11;, tho proceeds of a concert at Feilding, was also received. Tho funeral of the late Mr. F. W. Bunting took place yesterday afternoon, anc] was very lafgelv attended by representative townspeople. _ All Saints' now Anglican brick church is Hearing completion. The tower has passed beyond the belfry, and the corner turrets are now coming' into existence. Parishioners will hold a special meeting this week to consider the best means of raising the balance of the money necessary. Tho latest proposal bv the St. John Ambulance Guild is to build a District Nurses' Home. The district nurse paid 1245, visits to patients last year, and her duties are fast increasing. The proposed homo is for her residence, and also for accommodation to teach home nursing and first aid. The committee is considering the best way to carry out this proposal. OTAKI. Mrs. James Bills,-one of the district's pioneer residents, died on Wednesday evening. Deceased, who was always of a retiring disposition, was very popular, her many kindnesses—always done in a quiet manner —creating for her many firm friends. Sho had been in indifferent health for. some- time, and her death was not unexpected. Her husband, one of Otaki's sturdiest pioneers, passed away some time ago. Tho late Mrs. Bills leaves a large grown-up family, some of whom are in business in Otaki, while others reside in Wellington. '

A fire broke out at the Otaki Dairy Factory on Wednesday evening and demolished the men's sleeping apartments, a valuable lot of machinery, and the stables. The origin of the outbreak is a, mystery, and by the time the firo was Jdjscovered tho flames had secured a firm hold—in fact, it was impossible to save any of the contents. The men lost everything, including £18 in notes, the property of a recent arrival. Tho building was valued at £350 and the machinery, etc., at £500, while tho insurances on the whole only total £500. It was with difficulty that tho main building was saved by the efforts of a bucket brigade. The building was badly scorched, and • windows wero broken, while at one time the eaves' wero ablaze'.

Messrs. Frank Penn and P. AV. Goldsmith, who have, been representing this district at tho Methodist Synod, havo returned home. ' MASTERTON. The members of the Opaki Rifle Club wero very successful at the Rangitikei Rifle Association's meeting this week. Riflemen King and Hyde- each-won a medal, and the team of tho club won the Teams' Match-. A relief contingent of ' special constables is being sent to Wellington from the AVairarapa this week. Although farmers arc suffering a temporary inconvenience, they aro determined to see the thiug through. . So far as trades in Masterton are concerned, there' 1 has been absolutely no response to tho'"call" of tho Strike Committee for a general strike. Tho fact is that tho bulk of tho workers hero are opposed to tho strike, and are of opinion that tho dispute could have been settled without resort to extremes. Tho only body of workers in tho district who aro associated with the Federation of Labour aro tho shearers, and these have shown no disposition to cease work. A levy of £1 per week, has been made on each shearer, but it is freely stated that a number will refuso to pay' the levy. A canvass is being made for subscriptions in aid of the wives and families of the strikers, but this is not meeting with a ready response, the opinion, being expressed that the women should induce their husbands to go to work; instead of encouraging them to remain idle. NAPjER. Great interest was shown yesterday in the election of a Borough Councillor to fill tho vacancy caused by tho retirement of Mr. AV. A. Smith. Thero wero tour candidates, namely: Messrs P Ashcroft F. AV. Triggs, C. M'Kenzie, and Arthur M'Carthy. The polling resulted in Mr. Ashcroft being returned by a majority of nearly 300. The Labour candidate, Mr. M'Kenzie, was at the bottom of the poll. Mr. Ashcroft, who is manager for Messrs. Robjohns, Hindmarshy and Co., though hitherto taking no active interest in public affairs, is a lovel-headed business man.

A return compiled by the secretary of the Napier Chamber of Commerce shows that tho total value of exports from Napier for tho quarter ended September 31 was £214,257, as compared with £132,201 for the corresponding three months last year, and £61,005 for tho corresponding threo months of the year before. The value of wool exported was £70,717, as compared with £45,551 for the corresponding period last year. A value of £101,951 worth of frozen meat was exported, as compared with £68,078 previously. Other items of interest are as follow, tho amount for tho corresponding period last year being given in parentheses:—Tallow, £13 362 (£4116); pelts, £14,240 (£8515); sausago skins, £2057 (£1821); sheepskins, £1439 (£161)4); hides, JC3R33 (£443)'• flax, £.3161 (£318); cheese, £673 (£336). At the annual synchronous examinations conducted under tho direction of tho Hawko's Bay Education Board, which take place on December 12, thero will be 895 candidates from 103 schools sitting in 47 centres, as against 706 candidates from 96 schools last year. This is an aveiago of 6.5 of tho children of tho district, as against 5.97 last

At to-night's meeting, the Napier Borough Council Tramways Committeewill recommend the extension of the tram line down Hastings Street South at an estimated cost of £1.7,00 p. This sum includes three extra cars, 1 costing £3550. _ .