COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 191, 8 May 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES MANAWATU The Ladies' Golf Club at Palmeivston North played their opening match of tho season on Tuesday afternoon. Tho following aro tho scores for tho president's medal:—A grade: Miss Moore, 93—13— 80; Mrs. R. Abraham, 9:1-10-83; Mrs. L. Seifcrt, 102—18—Si. B grade: Miss Collinson, 119-30-89; Miss Blackmore 112-21-91; Miss K. Ereeth, 135-35-100. Juniors: Mrs. Burnard, 100— i— 96; Miss Scanlon, 10-I—MOO, Miss E. Cook, 1014—loo. A unique score was put up by a school girl player, Miss Gladys Seilert, who was playing her first game. At the Bth (Mac's) she holed out in one.

Speed is not the predominant feature of tho Eoxtpn-Saudon tramway, and while this light railway performs very useful service in freighting produce and merchandise, tho Manawatu County Council (which body owns the line) recognises that in these days of modem transportation the settlers prefer to travel by other means. This was disclosed during tho course of a discussion at the council's meeting this week, when tho Bulls Town Board wrote asking the council to undertake the work of transporting children from the country to the town for the peaco celebrations per medium of tho tramway. The proposal was not entertained, extreme doubt being expressed by tho councillors whether the service would bo' availed of, even if passengers were specially catered for on that day. As one councillor remarked, they could not hope for more than a handful or so of passengers at the most. In this eomiection it is interesting to note that last month tho total fares collected on the line amounted to only £2 19s. 9d. ' During tho meeting, upon the reading of a circular from tho Public Works Department relaKvo to cortain new regulations affecting tramways in general, the chairman, in laying the communication aside —there being'no discussion on the matter—smilingly remarked: "We don't overcrowd on our line, gentlemen!"

At tho monthly meeting.of tho Palmerston North District Nursing Guild this week tho Plunket Nurse roported having under her supervision do babies, 9 being now cases this month, and she was visiting 39 homes. Preliminary arrangements were made for tho annual collection : which will bo taken up during; tho winter show week. . The death occurred at tho Palmorston North Hospital, on Tuesday, night of Mr. T. H. Harrison, a well-known local resident, who was seized with a paralytic stroke on Monday evening. The lato Mr. Harrison,, who was a brother-in-law of tho Rev. Mr. Roshor, lato .vicar of All Saints', was a member of the vestry and choir of All Saints', and also a layreader. For some years past ho had been connected with the firm of Barraud and Abraham, but later had gone farming at Aoknutoro, returning to Palmorston, however, a few months ago. Deceased was a widower, aged 47 years, and leaves two sons, tho elder, Hugh, nged 18, being resident in the Wairarapa. Palmerston North hockey enthusiasts tendered a public farewell social to Mr. and ' Mis. T. H. Hodgson on Tuesday night, and-made them tho recipients of several presentations. Those who contributed to the musical programme were Misses Birchley and Whalley, whilo accompaniments were played by Mrs. Birchley and Miss Whalley."' A deficit of was incurred in tho oporating of the Foxton-Sandon tramway for" last year. According to a statement tabled at a meeting of-the Manawatu- County Council on. Tuesday the receipts for the year word JM953, representing, a decreaso of ,£1212, while the expenditure was XGB9C. This big debit is explained by tho fact that included in the expenditure were certain nonrecurring items, comprising now sleepers. rails and fastenings .£621, locomotive (partial payment only) ,£572. For tho ousuing year the receipts are estimated by the council at .£SOOO and tho expenditure at'.£(sooo. The estimated expenditure includes, .£SOOO oil account of the final payment for tho locomotive, .£6OO for rails and fastenings, and-.£400 for sleepers.

At, a meeting of the Manawatu County Council tins week tho Foxton Chamber of G'ommerco wrote asking the council's support in bringing under tho notice of the Minister of Lands the necessity of taking steps to stop the sand-drift along tho coast, between ' Pnekakariki and Wanganui. Tho chairman (Sir James Wilson) remarked that this was a most sensible proposal, and he dwelt on tho benefit that would be derived if extensive tree-planting .were undertaken on these areas. The wliole.of the strip of coast-lino affected by tho. drift should be planted. Mr. Peuuy also coininendixl the idea, mentioning that the trees planted at' the Bangitikei Heads a number of years ago had grown splendidly. Sir James Wilson remarked that it was a great misfortuno that the tree-planting was over stopped in that locality, and members agreed with him. The council decided to endorse tho suggestion.

A petition praying the Wanganui Education Board to declare two members of; tho Hampbell Street School Committee, Palmerstou North, returned at. the householders' meeting last week, as ineligible for election, owing to their being resident in the West End School district, and riot, therefore, being householders within the school' district as required by,.the Act, has .been entered by certain householders in tho Campbell Street School district, and forwarded to tho chairman. Tho petitioners ask that the gentlemen objected to (Messrs. A. Clarke and A. W. Gallicahan) should be declared improperly elected, and that, tho candidates next in order on tho list of those Who unsuccessfully contested tho election (Messrs'. C. Taylor and C. Allman) should bo declared elected in their stead.

it is the intention of. the promoters of the swimming-pool at Shannon to endeavour to form a club, and n meeting will be.held at an early date to discuss matters. •

Mrs. J, T. Pickett is again an inmate of tho Palmci'ston- North Hospital, having. undergone another operation. She is making satisfactory progress.

Mr. Taylor, for somo time on the Shannon Post Office staff, lias been transferred to Duuedin.

Mr. Firth,_ manager for the Whitnmii Flaxmilling Co., ha"s severed his connection with tho firm to take up farming in tho Poverty Bay district;

At a meeting of the Shannon Peace Celebration Committee this week Mr. M'Millan promised the use of his hall for a patriotic entertainment on peace night, and offered to screen a programme of pictures if required. His offer was accepted jvith.'. thanks. The secretary imported that no deiinita word bad been received from, Tokomnru or Makerua Schools "regarding joining with Shannon in tho celebrations.

Of late numerous circulars have been .going the rounds of local bodies urging tliat' tho Government' asaunio control of the main arterial roads of New Zealand. Ono of those was to hand at the meeting of tho Manawatu County Council on Tuesday. In tho course of a brief discussion the chairman. Sir James Wilson, said that earlier in'the year lio had discussed ' tho matter in conversation with M. Corbiore, of the French Mission. If. Corbiere had. informed . him that tlio roads in Prance were the most perfect in tlio world. There tlio Government constructed tho roads and recovered the cost thereof by means of levies on tho local bodies. New Zealand's experience of Government construction of roads had not, remarked Sir James Wilson, beon a very happy ono, and ho questioned the efficacy of tho French system as applied to tho Dominion. To his mind tho great and controversial point to bo decided in tlio event of any mensuro of State control would bo, What was a main road? Members woro inclined to agree with Sir .Tallies Wilson, Councillor Boyco remarking: "All would bo main roads then!" (Laughter.) Owing to tho continuous dry weather and tlio shortage of feed, the supply of millr at the llttnnythorpo factories' is much-below what it was this time last year, and tho Glaxo factory is closing down for drying purposes at an early date. At a mooting held at Tnkoniaru, permanent arrangements were made for the purpose of welcoming returned soldiers as thoy arrivo back from tho front. Mr B. Stewart was appointed chairman and Mr. H. Eliott seorotary. It is intended to

hove a 'social' and danco at the latter end of May, also lo present a medal to cacii soldier who has been on active service. It is intended to have an honours board for tho district, and a subscription list is to be opened for tho purpose of purchasing medals and an honours board. Tho following were appointed an Executive Committee: Misses M. Breo and B. Kelly and Messrs. J. S. Webb, E. Perry, L. Cluphain, 11. W. Guy, J. P. Ella, B. Russell, R, Stewart, and 11. Eliolt. Mr. E. Perry was appointed M.C. The annual meeting of tlio parishioners of St. Aiden's Church, Tokomaru, was held this week, the Rev..Mr. Walkopresiding. Mr. .T. R. Whyte was re-elected secretary and treasurer; Mr. W." 11. Parr was re-elected people's warden for the 'sixteenth time in succession. Messrs. J. T. Whyte, W. Whyte, and A. Boote were appointed on tho committee of the vestry. Mention was mado during tlio evening of the possibility of erecting a ttiTret for tho bell during the year and of making an extension to tho porch. Bombardier P. D. Anderson, of Olaki, has been successfully operated on in Wellington for an internal trouble. At a public meeting held at Manakau to discuss peace celebrations ■ it was decided to adhere to the original intention to hold the celebrations locally and not combine- with Otaki. The Manakau peoplo are arranging to hold a big picnic and sports gathering for tho occasion on Mr. Inge's property. Dinner and tea will be served in the hall, and a picture show and danco will bo held in the. ovening. If wet weather is experienced during the day Mr. Childs will put on a picture show in tho hall in the afternoon.

lIANNEVIRKE AND WOODVILLE A representative deputation will interview tho Minister of Lands when ho visits Dannevirke on Monday in connection with the soldiers' settlements at Pin Piri and Takapau. That tho headquarters of tho Pahialua electorate should be changed from Pahiatua to Dannevirke will be one of the requests to tho Minister, nnd his attention will also be drawn to land aggregation in the district. Mr. Campbell Thomson has resigned the position as secretary to tho Dannevirke High School Board- of Governors. The Excelsior Football Club at Dannevirke is being revived. Both senior and junior teams aro to bo entered for the competition. Messrs. ,T. Metford, N. Mackinnon, and S. Bott have been elected to attend the meeting of the Rugby Union. It is expected that 2000 children will attend the Dannevirke peaco celebrations, and arrangements are well in hand for Children's Day. Miss Hopper has agreed •to act as superintendent for tho occasion. Tho district repatriation officer at Wellington is recommending to tho district board that the Dannevirke committco should have paid secretarial assistance. Plans and particulars of the proposed alterations and additions to the residence* at tho Dannevirke High School havo been forwaTded to tho Minister for his approval ; tho necessity of increased accommodation for tho boarders having becomo very urgent. Mr. S. M. Quigloy has beon appointed first assistant at the Waipukurau School. The Pongaroa Football, Club has been revived, and will open its season on Saturday with a match against Pukehinau.