COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 148, 18 March 1919, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES ■ WAIRARAM ITEMS The MasteFton quota of the Main Body draft, who returned on Saturday night, were given an enthusiastic reception at the railway station and in town. Hundreds of people lined the streets and cheered the men. The receipts of the Mastcrton A. and P. Association in connection with the recent'show amounted to .E3SSG Bs. 'Jd., and the expenditure to «K)557.K)5. 7d. The Mastcrton junior Buy Scouts held their first annual sports on the Part Oval on Saturday. Nineteen new members' wer,e elected at a meeting of the committee of the Mnstertou A. and P. Association on Saturday. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of parishioners of St. Matthew's Church, Mastertoir. "That this meeting of parishioners of St. Matthew's Church, Mustertou, is of opinion that the completion of the parish church by the erection of the tower and chapel would be a. worthy and appropriate expression of our thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessing of a righteous peace, and a fitting memorial to the men from this parish who have given their lives in support of tho principle of the Christian religion; and pledges itself to use every effort to carry this proposal into effect." Mr. 11. M. Boddinglon, of Masterton, has been elected a member of the executive of the New Zealand Poultry Association. St. Patrick's Day was celebrated bv the Irish community of Masterton bv the holding of n big picnic, followed by a I concert in the Opera House. Mr. \V. H. Jackson has given notice to -move at the next meeting of tho Masterton Trust Lnnds Trust that a sum of £ldW be voted towards a secondary institution, to be spread over a period of ten years, provided such nu institution is orected by the Government before the end of 1920. Anniversary services in connection with the Kuripuni Methodist Church were held on Sunday. Members of tho Opaki Rifle Club brought home nearly JilOO in prize money from the Dominion Rifle Association meeting. Rain is badly wanted in the Wairarapa. Tho wholo country has u parched appearance, and water is becoming scarce. Log (ires have been raging in the Jliki Miki district. A letter of thanks and appreciation is being forwarded by the Mastcrton A. and P. Association to the railway officials for their careful handling of exhibits in connection with the recent show. Dr. A. E. Palmer, who for a lengthy period of years has been the principal medical practitioner in the Fcathcrston county, has disposed of his practico to Dr. Doctor, who recently returned from aetivo servico with 'the New Zealand Division. Ho will continue his professional career in Wellington. The staff of the Bank of New Zealand at Masterton met in the manager's room last week to say good-bye to Mr. 11. W. Baddeley, who "has been accountant at the- branch for the past nine and a half years, and who lias now retired on pension. The opportunity was taken -to mako him a present of a travelling rug, best wishes for Jlr. Baddoley's future happiness being expressed by the jnimnger, Mr. S. B. Henry, Mr. Heffer, and, on behalf of tho ladies of the staff, by Mrs. Field. Mr.. Baddeley suitably responded. Mr. D. H. Marshall, o l ' the Auckland branch of'tho Bank of New Zealand, hns .succeeded, Mr. IT. W. Baddeley as ac-countant'.-it Masterton. A short while back he was accountant at the Feilding branch.

Tho'death of Mr. William Pragnell, an old and highly inspected resident of Mastorton, occurred at Nurso AYhite's private hospital last week. The late Mr. Pragnell was horn in the county of Hampshire, England, in ISdO, and arrived in New Zealand in 1881. Shortly after his arrival ho went to Masterton and embarked in the timber trndo, which he successfully carried .on for many years, and from which ho retired about fifteen years ago. Up till a few .years ago he took a very active part in jiiiDlic affairs. He occupied a seat on the. Borough Council for six years, and prior to that was a 'member of the Masterton School Conmiitteo for 6omo'ten years. Ho took a keen interest in. 'the No-Li-censo movement and in bowling. Tho total amount put through the totalisator at last week's meeting of the Wairarapa Tianing Clnb showed a decrease of over ,£20,(100 as compared with last year's autumn .meeting. At tho meeting in 1918 the soldiers from FeaIhcrston Camp played aii important part in the totalisator receipts. Tho pupils attending St. Bride's school at Masterton won all the prizes (with two exceptions only) for (ho writing tesls held in connection with the .recent Pahiatua Horticultural and Industrial Show. f As Mr, Spencer, of the Lower Valley, accompanied by his wife, was coming down Bidwill's Cutting last week, his car door opened, and 'ii turning to close it he ran the car off the road and went over the bank, striking the fonco below and breaking off one of the front wheels. Tho,wire of the fence brought (ho car to a standstill, and only for this the advonture must have had a more serious outcome. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer we.ro fortunately able (o alight without injury. Tho car was extricated aud taken into Martjnb'oraugh for repairs. MANAWATU Mr. J. S. Nash, M.P who lias for eleven years occupied the position of Mayor of Palmorston, yesterday afternoon, in response to numerous requests, said ijint he would again be a candidate for the office. This wa? only on the distinct' understanding that ho would not bo asked to fill tho office again. He said that tho principal reasons which had led to his decision were his anxiety to see tho fruition of tho endeavours being made to secure a tram service for Palmerston. Thero was also the matter of finishing up the war work, in which he had taken a leading part for the last four years. As there were considerable sums of money to be denlt with, as well as the question of repatriation, he felt ho would not. be doing his duty to tho citizens if he retired at. present. It had been suggested that now ho was a member of Parliament ho would not bo able to give the necessary attention to his municipal duties. He pointed out, however, that Palmerston was but a very short distance from Wellington, and he felt, confident that he could do justice to both.

Nearly tho whole of the borough councillors linve decided to seek re-election, while there are several new aspirants, nnd Labour is likely to bo represented in tho contest.

The much-vexed question of tramways tor PaTnicrston is at present agitating the public mind. A minority are in favour of motor buses, and lose no opportunity of airing their views. During an official visit of the Wanganui Council to the source of Palmcrstoii's water supjily to-(iny if was announced that Wniiganni, with Gonrillo Extension, now possessed 1-1J miles of Iramwnys, with n sinking fund of ,£13,0(1(1. There was at present i'2ooo to the credit of tho funds, tiiitl the ratepayers hnd uol been'culled v.pon to contribute one penny beyond their fares. A AVnngiiniii councillor' announced that at (he. outset he had been a strong opponent to the introduction of trams, but he was now so satisfied wiffi thorn that when ho wn«s naked In assist iir opposing an extension he had told (hem that he hart been converted and worked in favour, of Hie innovalion.

1 Private Vernon Ilnydon, of Hip Medical Corps, was in (lie Wallon-on-Tliamcs Ilospilul when (he lust mail lel'l snll'ering from (he effects of being gassed in France last year. He had iusl completed a fortnight's (our of England and Scotland, when lie v-ns ordered into hospital. I'alnierston North breeders were very successful nt (he Wnngantii Kennel Club's recent show. Jn I lie cocker spaniel class Sir. C. Ailchison secured lour firsts, special for best oilier lliau black dog, spaniel championship and silver cup for the best cocker spaniel in I lie >hm. In addition, Mr- Aitchisoii's cocker spaniel "Papanui Swell," won (lie ladies' bracelet out of 3ft "iitries and the cup for tliel>est dog of any breed, llicr; being 12 entries in (his clnss. Mr. ,1. Prentice won six firsts, two specials,

fnnr seconds, and one third with his smooth-coated terriers. In (he Pomeranian classes. Mrs. H. IVenlieu secured lour firsts and one second, and Mrs. J. 13. Ryan nine firsts, seven seconds, and n secon'Tnn breeders' nuppy class. Mr. T. CniTini), jiinr.. won two thirds with his rough-coaled collies. The "innlron »l' Hie Tnlinerslon North Public Hospital, Miss M'biggnn, has just completed hvpnlv ypars' conlunions service in thai institution. At Tliursdnv's meeting of the Hospital Board a iioarly vote of congratulation to Miss M'l.aggan was proposed by Mr. .1. A. Nn«h'. M.P., ami curried by acclamaliou.