COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 195, 13 May 1919, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES MANAWATU There was a big following at the Manawatu Hunt Club's meet on Saturday afternoon, which took place at Awahuri, Onlookers were also present in strong force, and the afternoon was a distinct success. The country hunted over wao ideal, being over the Sandon hills, which aro mostly divided by gorso hedges. Almost all the riders got through the afternoon without mishap. Refreshments were liberally provided by -Mr. and Mrs Flynn, who were thanked by the deputymaster, Mr. Norman Short, for their hospitality. A vote of thanks was also accorded tho property owners for granting permission to cross their farms. Tho following were among those riding :~ Master, Mr. Norman Short (Meter) i huntsman, Mr. J. Sexton (Papa); lion, whip, Mr. J. Shaw (Silverstream); Miss Meades (El Arisli),' Misa sßecker (Wildbird), Miss Sexton (Chautauqua), C. Conquest (Countess), V. Rait I'Beautv), W. Taylor (Charbon),- Milton Wood (Vernon), W. Buick (Doctor Jim). J Crook (Sail Home), E. Watson (Green Stripe), M. Desmond (Ta Ta), H. Futcher (Sam), W. Kitchens (Nedlog), R. Oliver (Bare Doctor). M. M'Cool (Mystery), <H. Matter (Mister Flynn), W. Scott (Coker's Chestnut), Roy Scott ((Joker's Prince), H. Waller (Avondale), V. Waller (Barney), G. Dunn (Imski), L. Little (Walker's Ridge), D. Desmond (Hesitating Raida), D. Fraaer (Parawerewero), H. Cole (Martinella), Master Stewart (Nancy), Master K. Farmer (Toby)-, E. Conquest (Phyllis). The next meeting will take place at Mr. Reid's, Feilding, on Saturday next. : The Mnnawatu Rugby Union opened its season on Saturday. The various matches were played on the showgrounds, Palmer, ston North, with the exception of Pirates A v. Feildiiig A, Western United (junior) v. Feilding, and Kia Ton. v. Awahuri, tho two former bein? played at Feilding and the latter on the High School grounds,' Palmerston. The majority of the games were' of an interesting nature, particularly the Huia v. Western United fixture. In this match Huia (Rangiotu) put t-ome old Te Ante College boys in the field, who gave promise of developing brilliancy later on in the season. Something phenomenal in the way of scores was put npj by Kia Toa, who defeated Awahuri by 101 points to nil.-'The detailed scores were as follow:—Senior: Pirates A '1G beat Feilding 0; Huia 9 boat Western United 5; Pirates B 11 beat Awahuri 5. Junior: Western United 13 beat Feilding 3; Kia Toa 101 beat Awahuri 0; Jacfceytown 9 beat Huia 3. Tho trustees of St. Paul's Methodist Church, Palmerston North, have endorsed the recommendation of the special committee set up\for the purpose that a pipo organ should be purchased for the church. A contract has been signed by Messrs. Norman and Beard, the wellknown organ. builders, to proceed . with ■ the work of erection at a cost of JJ73O, the contract to bo completed within eighteen months. Private advice has been received in Palmerston from Auckland of tho sudden death of Mr. Southey Baker in the northern city last week. Mr. Baiter was a resident Sf Palmerston for many years, where, in partnership with Mr. Cook, he carried on a legal business. He was prominent in sporting circles, and was a member of the first Manawatu polo team, which went on tour to Australia. Mr. Baker owned land at Awapuni, and carried on farming on the old racecourse and vicinity. He was one pf the first to establish a purebred Jersey herd in New Zealand. After removing from Palmerston, Mr. Baker was farming for a time at Whitecliffs, Tara:naki, subsequently resuming the practice of law at Auckland. The insanitary housing conditions among the Native population was referred to by Councillor. J. Morrison at the meeting of the Oroiia County Council on Saturday. Ho related an incident in (his connection concerning a Maori house at Onepnki, which he had visited on one occasion. He had gone into a small room in which there we're twelve Natives and not one -window was open. Ho had smashed the windows to make sure that some air would come in, and he had to leave another room because he' •could not breathe there. Councillor Morrison referred to the scourge of consumption among the Maori race, and said that something should be done to improve the insanitary conditions that existed in their communities.

At a meeting of the Pohangina County Council on Saturday Mr. David Watson, of Pohangina, was appointed county engineer, as successor to Mr. H. Sinclair, who has resigned. Thirteen applications were received. At a meeting of the Ilorowhciuia County Council on Saturday the sum of .£236 15s. arrears of rates woi'e written off. A committee, consisting of Councillors Harkuess and Law was set up to meet Mr. G. K. Douglas in connection with the Koputaroa Creek contract, with power to act. The tender of A. Boos was accepted to widen a portion of the Main Ihakara Road. Reserve. I The Oroua County Council held its monthly meeting on Saturday. The Rangftikei County Council wrote, stating that the contract for. building Onepuhi Bridge had been let, and the estimated amount required from the council was £1000 It was decided to take immediate steps to raise this sum by way of loan. Tho Palmerstou North Hospital Board wrote, stating that the council's liability for maintenance and charitable aid expenditure was £1190, aud for capital expenditure ,£BO. Some discussion took place relative to the increase in the levy sinco last year.- _ The chairman considered tho board should alter its policy in the direction of charging full expenses at the hospital "to everyone who was in a position .to pay. Councillor Morrison endorsed the chairman's remarks. ; \

The Palmerstorc North Chamber of Commerce wrote to last week's meeting of the Oroua County Council, urging Government control of main arterial roads, and asking support of its remit. According to the chairman of the council, it was a waste of time to discuss the matter. The public bodies would be losing power now in their hands, and incurring the expense of possible .heavy taxation by the Government in event of the State taking over the roads, if they agreed to support the proposal. Councillor Morrison supported the chairman, and advocated the. use of toll gates as a means of .raising money for maintenance.' He pointed out that this was being carried out with great success in TaranaM. It was decided to take no action, the letter being merely received. Mr. S. Jickell was in Poxton. at tho week-end conferring with the chairman and the Poxton members of tho Harbout Board in reference to the preparation of a general plan' of the board's foreshore at the wharf with the object of laying out sites for merchants for the erection of distributing. warehouses, and a site for the board's goods sheds. After going over the ground Mr. Jickell was instructed to proceed at once with the prconrnlion of apian. The Harbour Board will meet at Poxton on Wednesday and giv« further consideration to the scheme. WAIRARAPA The drought at present being experienced in tho Masterton district is occasioning considerable anxiety to farmers. The shortage of water is laving a bad effect upon 6tock. At a meeting of the National Prohibition Party in Masterton delegates were appointed to a convention of tho NewZealand Alliance to.be held in Wellington this week. At tho annual meeting of the Wairarapa Miniature Rifle Association it was decided to endeavour to arrango home-and-home matches between Wellington kind Wairarapa. At a meeting of the General Committee of tho Masterton A. and P. Association on Saturday last some plain speaking took place on the lack of enthusiasm that had recently been, displayed by members of the association. It was pointed out that numerous improvements were required op the ground, but the attendances at the committee meetings (lid not warrant any new enterprise being undertaken. It was decided that the question of improvements be considered at the next meeting, and that tho secretary, in somling out notices, intimate the important nature of tho business. Mi. D. Casclbcrg also cave notice of a motion drawing the attention of mem-

bers'of'tfco General Committee-to tiS irregularity of their attendances. The Hev. G. T. Brown, M.A., pastor of Knox Church, who has been on active service for two or three years, returns by the Arawa this week. The Rev. E. Inglis, M.A., who has been acting as supply in bis absence, has been invited to take over the Carterton charge in tho meantime. It is understood that the Government has practically decided to acquire Mr. Fred, Moore's property at Makuri for soldier settlement. Tho estate is being applied for by returned soldiers of Slasterton under section 31 of the DischarW Soldiers' Settlement Act, and a ballot will not be necessary. *• The Masterton Miniature Rifle Association opened its season on Monday evening. Messrs. C. F. Vnllance, E. Harper, and D. Smith have been appointed delegates of. the Masterton. A. and P. Association to the Agricultural Conference to be held "in Wellington. A committee was set up by the association on Saturday to prepare remit* fov the conference. Councillors Q. Donald and T. 0. Haycock have been appointed by the Featherston County Council to attend- the conference, to be held under the auspices of the Wellington, Central Chamber of Commerce. The funeral of the late Mr. W.. Wiggins took place at Greytown on Sunday afternoon and was largely attended.