COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 149, 19 March 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS

CENTRES

WAIRARAPA ITEMS

It is understood that n large estate in the Pongaroa district has been offered the Government for soldier sottlomeut.

The AVairarapa Patriotic Association has been: advised that there are sufficient gift', and Red Cross parcels in hunil in England and Egypt to meet all requirements.

The Claims Board of the AVairarapa Patriotic Association is advancing loans to AVairarapa soldiers to'enable them to start in business in outside districts,

A public meeting is to be held in Alas lerton on Thursday evening to make ar rangementa for the peace celebrations.

A. youth mimed "Jack" Stewart, who was employed on Mr. J. L. Murray's estate, struck a detonator, and sustained such injuries to his head and face that he had to come to Masterton for medical treatment.

For tho nine seats on the Masterton Borough Council the following fifteen can didates have already announced themselves: Messrs. R. li. Bnrridge, R. J. King, J. H. Naylor, AV. T. Grundy, James Atkinson, James Henderson, Hugh Perry, R. J. Southgate, T. F. AVatson, H. O'Lcary, AV. Candy, A. M'Lood, S. Sinclair, H. Brader, and B. Chapman. The six last-named aro the official candidates of the Labour Party. Only four members of the retiring council intend offering themselves for re-eloction. A poll is to be takon by the Ekctahuna County Council on a proposal to raise a loan of MM for tho purchase of road machinery. The Ekctahuna Council has also decided to endeavour to arrange a conference of representatives of tho whole of the local authorities in the AVairarapa with a view to devising a seliemo for the maintenance of main arterial roads.

Mr. T. C. P- Free,. S.M., has been appointed Commissioner in cpnnoction with apportioning tho cost Df the Tanherenikau bridge, and a sitting will bo held on March 31 to determine tho matter.

A garden party was held in Air AV. Howard Booth's grounds at Oarterton on Saturday list in aid of the Navy League funds. There was a large attendance, and tho party was most successful. Musical items, were rendered by the Central Band of Masterton.

In winning the swimming championship at tho Nelson College, Master Eric Holmes, of Featherston, competed in threo events with the following results: —50 yards, tied for first place; 150 yds., first; with a margin of 20yds.; 140 yds., first by dflyda. in the 50 yards he finished first, but missed the rope, and had to turn. round. and reach for it again, which ho did just in time to mate a tie. Mr. J. P. Williams, of the Katwaiwai School, leaves at tho end of the present month to assume the head teachership of the Clnreville School.

On Sunday morning, at Featherston, Mr. Allan Donald's youngest daughter, Flora, a child of six years, had the misfortune to break her leg under peculiar circumstances. She, with some .other children, ran out to meet her father, and in sonic unaccountable way tripped and fell, and her right with a loud snap. There are at. present thirty-three patients in the Masterton Hospital, including three in the isolation ward—one diphtheria and two cerebrospinal meningitis,

A very heavy dpwnpour of _ Tain occurred in the Afasterton district at an early hour on Suudny morning. Unfortunately, however, it was followed by a fine, windy dav, which robbed the district of the benefits which otherwise would have been received. Settlers are complaining in many parts of a shortage of water.