COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 156, 27 March 1919, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES UANAWATI) NOTES There was a liiruo attendance at a meeting held at Shannon to arrange suitable peace celebrations. As tho Government will provide railway fares for children from rural districts to the nearest eily or town it was decided Io invite iho ilakeniii School to take part in the celebrations, also the Tokomaru School, if no other arrangements are made by them. Tho programme decided on was as follows:—Sunday morning, special services at all churches; afternoon, united service on the Recreation (■round, with special provision for the children. Monday (full holiday), 3.30 a.m., salute of guns; 10 a.m., procession assembling at school and marching to Ju'crealion Ground, where speeches will take place, followed bv'luncheon; afternoon, physical drill, Maori hakas, adult sports; evening, open-air concert in front of post office. Tuesday, children's day Ihe children are to be specially trained in Ringing in preparation for'the celebrations.

At n meeting of returned soldiers at bliannon this week matters were 'discussed in connection with tho annual social to be held next month. It wae' resolved that any surplus from tho dance go towards the inauguration of u returned soldiers' association for tho district. Ihe Doherty family, who are Jraviii" Shannon, were tendered a public farewell on the evo of their departure, and eacn member of tho family made the recipient of n presentation. Tho Buiinythorpe Bide Club's competition for the trophy donated by Mr J Hcnsen has been won by .Rifleman. It.' btewart.

At a meeting of Otaki residents interested in the improvement of tho track over tho Tararuas to Greytown, the fol™"K wre elected a committee t Messrs H. Jompsitt (chairman), 11. Nicholson (secretary), M. Ay re (treasurer), W. H Field, M.P., I\ Penn.'E. Macdonald. AV' Jiiisshng, A. JCnox, 11. 1,. Beauchamn. it was decided to do the necessary workas soon as possible. Councillor E. 'li. Bennett, of Palmerston Aorth, who has been in a private hospital on account of serious eye tronWe, hns so far recovered that'he has been able to return to his homo. .The Palmerston North Orchestral Society intend to resmnc- practices at «n early date. Tho eoeiety has, until the last two years, occupied an important part in tho community, and it was only wheu practically all its members were taken for military duties that it was found advisable. to m> into recess. A meeting will be held next week to discuss the prospects. The society possesses numerous musical instruments and a library of over 500 complete works, tho *l assets being worth from X4OO to

•The Palmerston North Returned Soldiers Association met on Tuesday night, tho president, Mr. B. J. Jacobs, being in the chair. A communication was read from the Hon. G. W. Russell drawing attention to the fact that the National War Funds Council had advertised fifty war bursarie3 of iaO each, available to matriculated returned soldiers, and askin,; tho association to co-operate in bringing tlie scheme before its members. It was decided to give the project their immediato attention. Tho resignation of Mr. C. W. Harlowe, secretary of tho aseouation, was accopted, and Mr. Rutherfurd was appointed to carry on tho secretarial duties. It was resolved to hold the annual meeting on April 8. At a meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Young Women's Christian Temperance Union in St. Andrew's Hall a commoneonieut was made by Mr. Wiseman in hie courso of instruction in first nid. The lecture proved both interesting and instructive, and it will'bo followed up by others of a similar nature. At tho ndjourned meeting of the Terrace End School Committee on Tuesday night, over which Mr. M. O'Reilly presided, the Education Board wroto notifying (hat Miss Bon-den had been appointed junior pupil teacher as from March 10. The board also stated that it could not supply mats for Montessori work, and it suggested that tho committee should purchase them. The erection of, a memorial board at the school was considered] and it was suggested that a brass tablet would bo tho most satisfactory form of record. The matter'was held over for further consideration at the next meeting. The headmaster reported that tho number on the roll was 610, with an average attendance of COd. v The Grey Scholar, ship had been won by Ernest Buddeii, of Tenaco End. In.the Balfour essay iompetition tho following obtained prizes:— A. Robbie, second; S. Ross, fifth; T. Attwood, sixth; E. Budden, eighth. Girls: L. Torstonsen, fourth; M. Bennett, sixth. In the fruitgrowers' essay competition, Hazel Allen won the second prize. At a sitting of the Juvenile Court at Palmeretou three boys who had escaped from the Weraroa Training Farm were charged with breaking and entering and theft at Shannon on Monday. The premiecs alleged to have been burbled wore those of Mr. E. Hook, tobacconist. Tho lads wero remanded to appear on Monday next.

The Palme'rston, North Hospital Board is inviting applications from women of not less than nineteen years of age to enter a class at the Palmeralori Hospital to learn the elements of bedside nursing. It is' proposed that they sho.uld go into tho hospital for a fortnight's training. The schemo is being adopted ■with a view to forming a volunteer nursing brigade for uso in connection with any future epidemic.

Tho tenth annual gathering of the Mai.-gatamoka Sports Club will be held at Easter. A pre-war programme, consisting of running (cash and amateur) events, field competitions, and piping for adults and children, has been drawn rip. The amateur events will comprise . 100 yards, WO yards, and one mile run, and a 220 yards hurdles.

The annual prize-giving in connection with the Kelvin Grove School '(Palmerston district) took'place on Tuesday, ind was largely attended. Tho headmaster's report showed that the committee had been very zealous in its endeavour to promote the health and comfort of tho scholars. The sum- , of c£7o had been raised locally and expended in the purchase of filters and improvements to tho school gardens and grounds. The prizes were awarded ts-follow:. Dux of ttio school, Constance Buchanan; gardening, .Tames Gray and Gladys Gawith; general progress, Enid Wilson; sports, James Gray and Ivy Smith; needlework—senior scholars, .Taiie Prentice; junior scholars, Jlcna Crelinn. Proficiency certificates were gained by Claude -Allerby, Constance Buchanan, and Jane Prentice. Class prizes wero also presented. The annual meeting of (ho old boys of Central and Campbell Street Schools, Palmerston North, will take place next week The old Central School stood on the fiito of the Empire Hotel, and many of Palmerston's leading business men received their primary education there, and it is to these old pupils that the association owes ils existence. After the business of the meeting the annual social reunion will be held.

Advice was received, by Hie Patriotic Society yestimliiy that. another ciuotti of PaWrston North returned soldiers, ex Hip Ajana, was due to reach l'f.lmeistoii at 1.30 a.m. to-day, per special train from Auckland, which has on board TOO men for southern destinations. The local men comprise: Sergeant N. "W. IT. Munu, Private R. Lynch. Corporal J. R. .leromson. Privates K. F. Palenski, I' , . Stevens, Moore, and Millmore.

A largely-attended ineci.inT of the Palliierston Nordi Peace Ceiobrntion Couimitteo and 'the cauiftins of the various "armies" in tlic recpnt final bntllc cumTinißii was hold on Tuesday nislit. The Mayor (Slr.,.T. A. Na?'>, M.V.). who pmsided. intimated that at ". meeting of the eIM-jjy Win I: al'li'rnoon nrransieitHiiits had lippn' madi> for Divine services nn the SniuMy. Willi re?,ird to the nrclien. which'he coniulo.i'i'd the inns': iinpnrlsiiit item of nil. Mr. Thnmi)wn had written n letter siijjse.sl.intr I hat (li n y should be eointipt.iiivn. nml if ('he. pliin wito adoofed ii" w.in'il relieve tli" comniillce of a eoii'ider.'ible pmoimt nf i<xpe-"so. The ainnuiit avnilnl'le would h" nl<ou( ,Pi. r ifl, i"d tli.'il- would not gn rory far. Jtr. Tlioi""son also supWßtcl Ihnt pn]pis should bo eroded :>t. wrfjiin distanes alon? the main streets imd '."nnected by floral festoons. It was a pood idto mid should l>o favon.rahly rrmsiVlerod. i\[r. Nflsli added that tlio inili(a.rj T ruthorities

were going to lend the committee every assistance in tiheir power. It was decided to cut Hie town into quarters divided )>y the lines of linngilikei and Main Streets, nml committees were appointed to canvass each area for subscriptions towards erecting <ho competitive arches, and to similarly divide the country dis-ti-icts. It was decided to hold another meeting on .April 3 to receive reports from tlit* canvassing coinihittccfi.

WAIRARAPA ITEMS

Tho annual meeting of the Mnslerton I'oultr.v Society was held on Tuesday evening, fifteen members being present. The following officers wero elected:— Patron. Mr. W. IC. Kembnll; president, Mr. J. H. V. Sutherland; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. 11. M. Jtoddington, A. Cole, ,1. Toomath, A. Hemlerßon, .1. Casclberir, A. Jfaidry; committee, Messrs. ll'. Caklwell, li. P. Clayson,' Wadham, Stephenson, Heaven Gciirlny, Hubbaril, Lα Koche, and Milk; secretin- mill treasurer, Mr. It. G. Vile; assistant scoretary, Mr. G- Toomath. A committee was .set up to , arrange n liionthly. judging competition among members.

The Wairanipa Patriotic Association has at present a credit balance of J!(il.2G6. ' ' .

In the Supreme Court at Mivsterton probate was grunted in the following estates of deceased persons:—Annie M. Anderson, John Mortemwn, Jihn Ir-wen-son. ]31iMbetli Duffy, William Pragnell, Ceoil K. Hyland, John W. Heuderson, William A. Oliver. Letter of administration were granted in tho following es-tates-.-Philip D. Wallis, Henrietta Pcd-, erseu.

Tho final of the handicap doubles , in connection with tho Musterton Lawn Tennis Club was won by B. Welch and Miss Atkinson.

Several nenerous subscriptions have lean made towards tho fund for the pence celebrations in Masterton. An elaborate programme has been prepared, which will bo worthy, of the district. Messrs. W. JI. Jackson and Pierce Cotter are likely to bo the only candidates for the Mayoralty of Masterton. In response to u letter from tho Trenfhaui Dominion Art Union Fund, the Wairarapa Patriotic Association line decided to render whatever assistance is possible in tho sale of tickets.

At n meeting, of the Jlasterton Progressive League on Tuesday,' Mr. J. C. Cooper' ffuve un .interesting address on the subject of hydro-electricity, for which lie wan accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A chiunpion of champion singles 'competition in connection with the Wairarapa bowling centre is being played at Mflsterton to-day.

Mr. It. J. King, of Masterton, who recently won the Dominion Rifle Championship, was-tho gaesfc of the. Masterton Progressive League at a luncheon on Tuesday. Tho president referred in words 'of praiso to .Mr. King's accomplishment and to the fact that only <i steady, reliable, and diligent man conld havo attained such an honour. He pointed out that Mr. King was competing for municipal honours next month, and he hoped, as at the rifle meeting, that he would come out on top. Mr. King euit : ably acknowledged the kindly sentiments expressed. Tho Wairarapa supplementary electoral roll- was issued on Monday, and- contains 2098 names. This is the largest supplementary roll ever issued for-the district, and electors on eatno wore enrolled in just two months-'-an average of 1000 per monl'i. The supplementary .roll for the election in 1914 contained 1230 names. Including the main and supplementary rolls, the total now aggregate* 761)2, a.i against 7001) in 1014. Tour hundred and thirty-five electors hare already been removed from the main roll owing to transfers to other districts, deaths, otc. In regard to the removals from Urn Waimrapa electoral district, it should I>p noted •Hint it is four years and a. half since a roil was issued.

The'drought that has been experienced in the Masterton district during the last few weeks is causing serious apprehension to settlers. One settler stated nn Saturday that tho ground on tho East Coast is parched to a givotcr extent than it was in 1914, when stock had to be shifted to tho Forty Mile Bush, The streams and springs, however, are holding out better than they did in'tho last drought. Settlers in thn Lower Valley 6tnte that tho position is everr day becoming more serious, particularly as the farms and stations are heavily stocked. Twenty-four hours''rain would do an immense amount of good.