COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 190, 7 May 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES MANAWATU it a meeting of tho Manawatu Rugby Union on Monday discussion arose as to whether teams outsido Palmerston ahould be allowed to play on their own grounds. As a result it was decided to ask the Jackeytown and Huia (liongotoa) clubs if it were" their wish to playgames on their own grounds, and if so, had they suitable grounds." The following l clubs wrote eutering teams for the forthcoming 'competitions:—First .grade: Pirates (two teams),' Western United, i'eilding Old Boys, Huia, High School, Awapuni. Second grade: Western' United, Feilding Old Boys, Hui.i, Jackeytown, Ashlnirst, Kiatoa, Awahuri. The third ' grade nominations were left over for two weeks. • The annual meeting of the Palmerston North Young Men's Club was held on Monday night. Tho Rev. H. G. Blackkurno wis in tho chair. The annual report showed that the finances were ill a satisfactory position. The gross takings ahowed an .. increase over tho. last year of nearly 'J:9O, and although Jioli was spent in -improvements to the building, tliore was a credit, balance of. Jci. .It was liopod'that, with donations already promised, some more cliairs would bo placed in the readiug-room, and it might also 'bo possible to purehaso another billiard-table. It was hoped to arrange a series of interesting papers for the winter months, and also a social in welcome to members Teturnod from the war.. Tho following ollioers were eteoted: •Patron, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., president, Rev. 11. G. Blackburue; vice-presidents, Messrs. Crabb, Kensington, Robinson, Pallnnt, Usniar, and Williams; secretary, Mr. T. H- Hanson; treasurer, Mr. Liddell; committee;' Meters. Dawbei\ Priest, Goldfinch, L. Kerr, West,, and Wood. The fact thnt a gymnasium is badly required for footballers in Palmerston North was emphasised by Mr. C. W. White at a meeting of tho Manawatu Rugby Union this week. Such an institution was, he pointed out, necessary in order to improve the standard of football in Palmerston North and surrounding 'districts. At - present nono of tho local clubs had & decent placo to train in. He thought tho committee might arrange with tho A. and I'. Association for a she'd, and nights could be allocated to each club for practice. Some scheme would have to bo devised to equip tin gymnasium and rules would have to bo drawif up as regards the maintenance of the same. Mr. 11. E. Bennett had told him that he (Mr. Bennett) could raise ,£SO towards the project. Th» chairman of the union (Mr. J. Manning) said that the matter had been brougnt up before, and 'there were considerable difficulties to be faced. The A. and P. Association had charged 10s. per night for the shed, which amounted to .£2 per week. After' further discussion it was decided to hold the matter over till Mr. Bennett submitted lijs scheme. Mr. C. Aitcbeson, of Palmerston North, and Mr. J. S. T'ingey, of Feilding, left yesterday for Wellington, whoro they will represent tho Manawatu Division of tlie New Zealand Pharmaceutical Society at the Dominion Conference of Chemists; The Palmorston North Railway Social Club held their first dnnco of the season in the Railway Hall last night. Everything passed off successfully, and tho function was largely attended. Tho orchestra comprised Messrs. 11. Baul, J. Muirhcad, P. Clapham, T. Worthington, and J. do Rosa,-while Mr. S. Riggs was M.C. The social club intends running a series of the invitation socials overy Monday night throughout tho winter. It is reported that Captain W. H. Hawkins, an ex-member for Pahiatua, intends to contest the Wellington South scat at the next geTuftal election. Tho football season at Palmerston ■North will 'bo officially opened on Saturday next, when the following games will bo played :—Senior: Feilding v. Pirates A, at Feilding; Western United V. Huia fß<uigiotu), at Palmerston. Showgrounds No. 1; Pirates B v, Awahuri, at Showgrounds No. 2. Junior: Feilding v. Western United, at Feilding; Jackeytown v. Huia, at No. 3 Showgroundst; Ifaitoa v. .Awahuri, at High School ground; Ashhurst, a bye. Some Rongoten boys who havo lately got out of hand were before the Juvenile Court at Palmorston this week. One boy was convicted of throwing stones and breaking a window, the property of Mr. C. Grubner, and tho parents of another lad, who was also concerned in the affair, wore ordered to make good tho damage done. Another -lad, U years of age, was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, for tho theft of J2l x l2s., tho property of Mr, J. W. Peacock. An order was also made for -tho restitution of the monoy. Criminal, divorce, and civil cases aro sot doint for hearing before Mr. Justice Edwards at the Supremo Court at Palmerston. North, which opens on Monday next; Just after the conclusion of tho meeting of tho Palmerston North Young .Men's Club on Monday evening, Mr. T., H. Harrison, the secretary, was seized with a paralytic stroke. Ho was removed to tho hospital, and up to yesterday morning ho had not regained consciousness. A round of competitions for a trophy presented by -Mr. W. L. Fitzherbcrt has just been completed by members of the Linton ltifle Club at the miniature range at Palmerston North. The conditions were that tho best ten competitions out of twelve were to count. The following arc tho final results:—W. Munro (handicap 6), total 335; G. Newth (scr.), 331; O.H. Markland (15), 330; J. Griffiths (scr.), 329; 11. Barlow (-1), 327; T. Edwards (scr.), 32G; W. Ball (scr.), 3i>s; L. Craw (la), 321; C. Page (18), 316; W. Randal (6cr.), 310; D. Monrad (23), 307. Another competition will be commenced Monday evening, and continued during tho winter months. A petition has been forwarded to tho Board of Education by 85 householders of Foxton asking that the Tocont election of ,i school committee bo declared hull and void on the following grounds:— (1; That tho meeting was started before the statutory umo; (!i) that the chair-, man (Mr. F. Pirani) was not a householder within tho meaning of the Act; (if) that votes were recorded by ineligible persons; (4)' that tho ballot was not carried out in accordance with section G, schedule 3, of the Act. Evidenco in support of these allegations will be presented to the board by a deputation of Foxton householders. Miss Hays, of Olmu, has been appointed assistant at the Levin High School, wliile Jlr. J. J. Rodgers is to be headteacher at Waikanae.