COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 194, 12 May 1919, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS

CENTRES

MANAWATU

At a special meeting of tho Palmerston North ChiiDiber o£ Commerce last week, ove.r which Mr. L. H. Colliuson presided, consideration was given to a circular from the AVellington Central Chamber of Commerce stating that, now the war was over, the.chamber intended to resume the practice of each year calling together in conference representatives of the local bodies and the chambers of commerce in the Wellington province for the purpose of discussing important matters of common interest. The hope was expressed that the Palmerston Chamber would send representatives to the conference, which it was proposed to hold towards the end of July, at Wellington. Mr. CollinEon explained that the meeting was called to consider whether they would eend delegates to the AVellington conference, or endeavour to have the venue/ of the gathorinc Changed to Palmerston North. Iho order paper disclosed that there was a danger of the conference being wo parochial so far as AVellington was concorned. It mteht bo worth while to hold a meeting at Palmereton in conjunction with the conference relative to hydroelectricity. A discursive discussion followed, in the course of which' Mr. Crabb pointed qut that there was nothing 6ot down for discussion at all as to the needs of the Palmerston district. Palmerston was the natural centre for the proposed conference, which might with advantage bo arranged to be representative of the Hawke'e Bay province, a portion of which was tributary to Palmerston North. F,ventually it was agreed to be represented at the conference in AVellington, and to forward a remit suggesting that future conferences be held at Palmereton North, taking in representatives from Hawke's Bay as well ae from the Wellington province. The following were appointed the delegates :—The president (Mr. Collineon), and Messrs. E. H. Crabb, A. R. Hodder, and A. Seifert, with power to add to their, number. -

The estimate for the current year for the Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board provided for a revenue of ,£23,720. The receipts include a credit balance of £221 on account of last year's operations, payments by patients (estimated) £2250, pensions and payments fxom the inmates of the Old People's Home (estimated) £750, refund by Goierninent on account of epidemic expenditure and pensions £2309, contributions from local £8926, subsidy on same £6940, contributions from the Hornwhonua district £500, subsidy on eanio £500. The estimated expenditure comprises £16,930 on account of the hospital, Old People's Home £2300, charitable aid £2360. The following levies have been made on local bodies comprising the hos pital district for the current year:—Kiwitea County Council £861, ■ Polangina County Council £517. Kairanga County Council £12&t, Oroua County Counoil £1277, Manawatu County Council £1545, Palmerston North Borough Council £1272, Fei'ding Borough Council £352, Foxton Borough Council £107, Eongotea Town Board £16, Horowhenua County Council £1441, Levin Borough Council £124, Shannon Borough Council £51, Otaki Town Board £82.

Mr. J. A. Hodges, of the Palmeraton North High School, has recoived advice from the of Defence that his brother. Sergeant A. J. Hodges, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre for gallan\ry on -the field of action. Sergeant B."dgi;e is a senior mechanician of the Post and Telegraph Department, and left New Zealand with the Twelfth Beinforcemonts, attached to the Divisional Signallers.

At the monthly meeting of the committee of. the Pal'-erston North branch of the T.W.C.A. last week, over which Mrs. L. A. Abraham presided, it was reported that during the past month there had been Sβ permanent boarders and 36 casuals.

. At a meeting of the Otaki Maori Eaeinp; Club last week, Mr. J. Cameron (Marton) was appointed judge in place of the late Mr. Hartgill. Mr. C. P. Catley has sold hie farm at T« Hto to Mrs. Corby, of Pahiatua. Mr. Evans has 'purchased Mr. Eli Allen's property'.

It is the intention of the Palmerston North Operatic Society to produce the opera, "The Country Girl." Rehearsals will commence early in June. The ladies are taking the matter up very enthusiasticnlly, but there are still vacancios for male singers.

The annual reunion of the Palmerston branch of the Poet and Telegraph staff took place nt tho week-end, ana passed off very successfully.- Mr. H. Tremewan presided over a large attendance, representative of all branches of tlw service. A programme of vocal and musical Heme was contributed to by the following:— Misses Seel,' Nicholls, and Mr. Bierre. Mies Bayly played the accompaniments. Advantage was tnkijn of the occasion to make ft presentation to Mr. Tremewan, who had been connected with the local staff for the past thirteen years, ana who has beijn transferred on promotion to the head office at Wellington, The presentation, which took' the form of a silver tea service, was made by Mr. Gowinp. Mr. Tremewan takijs up his new duties in Wellington this week.

At a meeting of the Palmerston North Peace Celebrations Committee last week, the chairman (Mr. J. A. Nash. M.P.), on behalf of the committee, wished Mr. B. J. Jacobs (president of the Returned •Soldiers' Association) all possible health and happiness on the occasion of his approaching marriage, and eulogised his services to the community. Mr. Jacobs returned thanks on behalf of himself and hie future wife, Miss Bett. . While Mr. Ernest Wahron, of the Post and Telegraph staff, Palmerston North, was'attending to overhead wires in Alexander Street on Friday afternoon, in the courco of which work Jie had occasion to step from one ladder to another, the kdder slipped: Although after much effort lie was able to regain his former position, he Buffered serious internal strain in doing so, He was attended to by a doctor, find on the latter s advice wjs removed to the general hospital. The Pence Celebrations Committee mof at Palmerston North at the week-end, and comploted arrangements. A letter was received from Mr. T. P. Honderson, secretary of the combined choirs, stating that it was the choir's intention to give a serviue of praise in the Opera House on the Wednesday evening followinyvthe peace celebrations. The programme will include choruses from tho "Messiah" and "Crention." The choir will al6o take part in the Sunday evening service. Lieutenant Slipper reported that the military sports committee had arranged a comprehensive programme of events. The A. and P. Society wrote granting the use of thoir buildings and showgrounds for the celebrations, Captain l'rceco reported that.he had lnndo satisfactory arrangements with the Natives in the vicinity to tnke part. Mr. 1\ Fnirbrothei, reported that a comprehensive programme of school sports had been drawn up, The training of tho singers was well in hand. Hb had made arrangements with the Pigeon Fanciers' Association for the flight of 500 pigeons from the showgrounds. Mr. B. J. Jacobs, president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, strongly deprecated the suggestion to ask relatives of fallen soldiors to take part in the procession. It was, ho said, an atrocious proposal, and he could not countenance it. Ho could not conceive that any sane body could suggest it.