COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 197, 15 May 1919, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES MANAWATU A gathering of the Palmerston North legal profession was hold in the Supremo Court library on Tuesday, on the occasion of a presentation to Mr. B. J. Jacobs, on the eve of his marriage. In making the presentation, Mr. E. 0. Hurley, as senior member of the Bar, remarked that this was the first time in tho history of the local Bar that n member who was about to tako the stop in life contemplated by Mr. Jacobs had been similarly honoured. The members of the Palmerston North High School Board met on tho ground on Tuesday which had been set apart for tho new Girls' High School, in order to pick tho site for the building. It was decided that the school should bo erected well back from the road on tho northern side of the section, leaving room for a hostel on tho southern side. The architect, Mr. P. J. do Clere, was on the ground -with tho plans, and Mr. P. Black (curator of borough reserves) undertook to draw up a sketch plan for tho laying out of the grounds. The section adjoins the Recreation Ground. Tenders are nowbeing called for tho erection of tho school. At the annual meeting of tho Poxton Patriotic Society the Rev. W. Eaino was elected president, and Mr. A. J. Kellow secretary and treasurer. Mr. W. Hughes, of the clerical eiaff of the Shannon railway station, has received notice of his transfer to Cross Creek. The bowling season at Shannon has now been brought to a close. The championship singles were won by Mr. J. Eoach. It is reported that tho Shannon flaxmills -will resume operations early next month. ' Tho following matches wero played on Tuesdav at Palmerston North, under the auspices of tho Ladies' Golf Club:—Silver Medal: Miss Gladys Moore, 101—20— 81: Mrs.' L. Seifert, 100-18-82; Mrs. A. Seifert, 98-13-85. Bronzi Medal: Mrs. Pavitt, 101-27-71; Miss Blacknioro, 108 -21-87: Mrs. P. Sim, 112-21-91. Juniors (Miss Blaekmore's trophy): Mrs. Prost. 112-25-87; Miss B. Loughnan, 92 —1-88; Miss Baldwin, 93-4-89.. State control of the main arterial roads of tho Dominion did not find favour at a meeting of the Kairanga County Council at Palmerston North this week, when a circular was read from tho Palmerston Chamber of Commerce urging that that policy be adopted. According to Councillor Small, it was pointed out that main arterial roads should bo maintained out of the Consolidated Fund, and not from taxes raised from the counties. If tho Government took over the roads, in all probability they would tax tho counties through wh'ch these highways passed. He was certain that tho council would not like tho Government, to take over the roads and maintain them at the council's expense. Councillor Lancaster considered the council should say straight out that the Government should subsidise but not tako over the main arterial nroads, while Councillor Thomas feared that if tho Government took over tho roads there would be no subsidy at all. , After further discussion it was decided to inform the Chamber of Commerce that the council preferred an increased subsidy rather than having the control of the roads vested in the Government. Consideration was given at a meeting of the Palmerston North Returned Soi. djers' Association on Tuesday, night to a circular from the Auckland Association, advocating that the association amend its constitution with a view to forming a political party. There was almost a unanimity of opinion against the proposal, and Mr. Weeks moved that the delegates to the forthcoming conference bo instructed to strongly oppose any movo tending to drag the association into the political arena. The consensus of opinion, however, was that the subject .was too important to be disposed of by tho committee, and should be referred to a general meeting of the association. Ultimately an amendment by Mr. M'Ewen was adopted that "no pressure be brought to bear on the delegates with regard to the proposal. The following worn elected a club committee for the ensuing year:— Messrs B. J. Jacobs, 11. M. Haycock, E. V. (Spear, and W. Rntherfurd. Tho secretary reported that 48 new members had been enrolled. According to a statement mads by Councillor Prouse at the Kairanga County Council inei'ting on Tuesday, diphtheria has broken out rather severely at Longburn. At the monthly meeting of the StarrEowkett Building Society, at Palmerston North, this week, a ballot was held in No. 2 group. .Mr. W. E. Jones, holding two shares, wns declared entitled to J>2oo free of interest, and loans for .U7fl(l previously drawn were approved. Loans in No'. 3 group of .£SOO. and No. 4. group of MO were passed for payment It was resolved to hold ballots for free loans in croups 2, 11, ami 4. at the June meeting. No. 5 group was favourably opened, 490 shares applied ioi being allotted, leavin" a balance of only ten to complete the list. The Palnftrston Society lias now more groups working than any City !n the Dominion, except Auckland. A deputation of Aokautere settlers, headed bv Mr. P. T. Donvers. waited on the Kairanga County Council on Tuesdav asking for support in the matter of the erection of a bridge) over tho Jlanawatu.River. Tim council decided to reserve its decision until the Government engineer's definite estimate of the cost of tho bridge was received. I WAIRARAPA Tho president, of the Masterton Progressive Leagno has written the Indusfries Commission, requesting that a sitting be held in Masterton on a convenient date. , ,r i , n \ report furnished the Masterton County Council by the district health inspector shows that, the sanitary condition of laiisdoiviie, a popular suburb of Masterton is defective. The council has decided to ask the residents to take measures for their own protection. The income of the Masterton. I rust Lands Trust last year from rents of leaseholds and tenancies amounted to .£3513 3s. 7d. Tho Masterton County Council has objected to the proposal to light bonfires on the hilltops in the Wuirarapa tor peace celebrations, on the. ground that grass fires may thereby be occasioned. Canning operations are being vigorously prosecuted at the .Waingawa Freezing Works. The quantity of beef that is being put through is much larger than usual. , , , . . The Public Trustee Ims agreed to a loan of £4000 to the Masterton County Council for the erection of the new Waingawa bridge. . ~„ „. , X, The Wairarapa and Wellington Repatriation Committees have informed the Masterton Conntv Council Hint they have no names on their books of men suited to undertake road work. At -a meeting of directors of the Masterton Permanent Investment and Buildin" Society, Mr. AV. B. Chcnnells wns elected chairman of directors in succession to tho lato Mr. J. C. Boddington. Jlossrs. W. E. Chamberlain and J. L. Hughes were elected (o fill vacancies on the'dircctoruto. _ . A. communication from the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce relative to the proposal to hold n conference of local bodies to discuss road and railway matters has been "received" 'by the Masterton County Council. A sDPciul committee has been appointed by the Masterton County Council to bring down a comprehensive report, on the question of purchasing road-making machinery. An effort is to lie made to procure the services of a temporary secretory for the Y.M.C.A. in Masterton. The managers of the association intend formulating a scheme for making tho institution more attractive for soldiers and others. The Jlnstcrlon County Council has received replies from various local bodies favouring Ilio proposal to plant, trees along roads a.s memorial* to fallen solTho resignation of Councillor C, E. Cockbuni-Hood from the Jlasterton County Council has lK>en received with regret, and his services are to be placed upon record in the minules At a. special meeting of the Masterton Bowling Club it was decided to proceed with the additions to the pavilion when a further sum of «C'JO is available.