COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 167, 9 April 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

fr NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES MANAWATD Messrs. Patterson and Harry Saues, residents of Koputaroa, wero admitted to Otaki Hospital this week, the firstmentioned suffering from a broken collarbone, and tho latter from a broken leg. The two young men were riding bicycles near Ihakara Hall, Koputaroa, when a head-on collision occurred, both riders being injured and the machines damaged. A well-known resident of Bunnythorpe, Mr. Charles John Cridland, died suddenly this week. Deceased, who was 61 years of age, was a man of independent means, and lived by himself in a small cottage about three-quarters of a mile fioni Bunnythorpe township. He was last seen alive by a neighbour on Sunday afternoon, and was then in his usual health and spirits. A nephew visited the . house on Monday morning, and found deceased lying dead on his bed. He was fully dressed, and'it is> surmised that he rose at the usual time, but being iulisposed lay down on his bed, and died soon afterwards. Deceased has- a brother residing in Bunnythorpe. Mr. A. G. Moore, of Bunnythorpe, has sold his farm, and is leaving for the Taranaki district at the end of the month The Brethren are building a new Gospel Hall in, concrete, which will be quite an improvement to Bunnythorpe. Mrs. W. Sutherland, of Bunnythorpe, lias received advice that her son, Rifleman E. AV. Sutherland, is arriving on April 15. Rifleman Sutherland left with the Tenth Reinforcements, and has seen active service in Egypt and France. Before' enlisting he was connected with the Postal Department. Mr. and Mrs. Tierney, of Bunnythorpe, have received news!that their son, Private M. M. Tierney, is returning, and is expected to arrive on April 15. Private Tierney has been on active service some three years. , At the last meeting of the Bunnythorpe Patriotic Committee it was decided to tender a welcome home on April 24 to some seven soldiers who are ex-nc-cted to arrive shortly. At-the annual meeting of the Palnier'ston "North Orchestral Society, Mr. A. J. Graham referred to the great loss sustained by the society in the death of Mr H. K. Swallow, who had been secretary and also an active member for fifteen years. His work as secretary had always called forth the highest enconiums. whilst in other directions he had rendered great assistance to the society and to the musical community in general. Mr. Graham also suggested that a memorial to the late Mr.. Swallow bo erected, and the matter was referred to a committee for consideration. The question of extending the district near Bunnythorupe under ihe jurisdiction of the. Manawatu Drainage Board cropped up during discussion at the board's meeting, llie chairman said that the only way the board could extend its district was for the board to ask the people to come m, or for the people to petition the board for inclusion. There was no hope for extension, for the people objected to paying any more rates. Mr. Small said ho thought the Drainage Act should bo amended to allow tho board to bring these settlers in, wind that the board should move in the matter before Parliament opened. Under tho present Act the board would have to prove that tho niajrrity of the s.ettlcrs were in'favour of inclusion. The secretary said the board could ask for- an Order-in-Coumcil to amend the Act, provided they had the assent of a majority of ratepayers.. The opinion was expressed- that this could not be done as* the ratepayers would refuse to incur: the expense of more rates. The discussion then dropped. The annual meeting of the Pahnerston North Orchestral Society was held last night. There was a good attendance of members, Mr. A. Skerman, president, being in the chair. Owing to tho society having been in recess for the past two years there was no annual report preseiited, but the finances were reported to be in a' most healthy state, the credit balance being ,£9O. The chairman said that owing to the war the society had found it necessary to go into recess, but now that the war was over it was.; hoped that they would soon bo as active as heretofore. Ho extended a hearty welcome to all members, and hoped that the society would soon again take a le-.iding part in the musical life of tho community. The following office:-?: were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. A. Skerman (re-elected): vice-presi-dents, -Rev. H. Jacobs, Messrs. J. Mitchell and W. Cullcn; conductor, Mr. A. J. Graham; secretary, Mr.- C. G. Swallow; leader, Mr. P.'Larcomb; pianiste, Miss K. Gaustad; ■accompanist, Mrs'. J. K. Pnton; property manager, Mr. P. Hill; auditor, Mr. J. Mitchell; committee, Mrs. A. A.' Martin. Messrs. P. Edge, J. Jospersonf .P. Litchfield, and Andrews;»librarians. Messrs. J. Blako and E. Jcsperson. The prospects for the coming'season were reported-to be very bright as the society will be able, to start practice with 30 active members, it'was decided to recommend the incoming committee to consider the holding of a social at an early date. On the motion of Mr. Graham, Mr. J. Jones was elected a life honorary member. The Manawatu Drainage Board has decided to get a. legal opinion as to whether the board was responsible for clearing gorse which was 'on private property and overgrowing the board drains. ■ The Shannon Public "Library has received ,£l3 17s. Id. subsidy from tho Tren-nirv. The condition of the subsidy is that "tho whole of tho grant shall be expended without unnecessary delay in the purchase of books for tho library.

WAIRARAPA ITEMS

The .Minister of Education (Hon. J. | A. Hunan) left Masterton for Eketahuma j on Tuesday afternoon. He returned to j Wellington with Mr., 'Forsyth, diairman of the Wellington Education Board yesterday evening. Speaking at a public function in Masterton on Monday evening,' the Minister of Education stated that while his visit was primarily in the interests of education, ho was also greatly interested in the land settlement and land cultivation of the district, as they were indirectly associated with child welfare. Large areas of undeveloped lands in any district retarded in a measure tho development of tho children. Land was the M-.urce of wealth, and if unduly distributed meant an undue distribution of wealth. Town-planning, he said, was very good, but the desire should bo to make Now Zealand a country of small holdings, ami to teach tho youth of the land to ho skilled and scientific agriculturists, so that tho holdings could be' developed to increase the resources of tho country. Mr. I'reethy, of the Tourist Department, has been visiting Mount lloldsworth during the last few days, to ascertain whether it .affords attractions to tourists. On his return lie stated that it rested with the residents of Masterton to determine whether the resort wus developed sufficiently to warrant its being placed on the tourist time-table. The matter will probably be discussed by the Progressive League in the near future. Mr. T. Forsyth, chairman of the Wellington Education Board, speaking at a public function in Masterton, urged the Progressive League to extend its operations and link up with the citizens of other towns in the Wairarapn in an endeavour to eliminate tho bar to the district's progress—the Himutaka railway. A motor-car belonging to 'Messrs. Pinliey Bros., of. Masterton, went ovet an embankment on tho Bie.eford Tioad on Monday night. Tno driver had a very narrow escape.