COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 208, 28 May 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES MANAWATU Touching on tho operations of the Ityciro-l'Jlcctnc League, at a meeting of tho Palmerston North Chamber or Commerce on .Monday night, the president, Mr. E. 11. Crabb, slated in answer lo a query by .Mr. Pieetli, that ho proposed bringing under the nulice uf luem'ucis of the league the necessity of giving thought to the mutter of reticulation, it was of the utmost importance Hint local bodies' and all concerned should be ready with the reticulation, which work would take nl least two years, so that they would have everything in readiness to receive the electrical power once it was available. It was quite time that local bodies took steps to form electrical boards and in other ways prepare for tlio coining of the power. Deferring to the work in hand at Mangahao, Mr. Crabb said that he did not think the Department was doing as much as it could do, but at the same time I hoy were doing mora than it was expected ihey would do. According to Mr. Preeth, the Deportment would only go as far as they were pushed. Somebody more on the spot than at Palmerston should bo deputed to keep in. touch with the work and report progress to the chamber from time to time, Members agreed that something should be done in Hie direction suggested 'by Mr. Freeth, and Mr. Crabb undertook that tlio league would seo to the matter nud furnish the chamber with monthly reports. ■ > . The Manawntu Rugby Union met at Palmerston North this week, and made arrangements for various special fixtures. It was decided to communicate with the Maori Pioneer team, now on tour, asking them to play a match against a Manawatu representative team on Juue 7, a 65 per cent, gate (net) to bo allowed them. • A suggestion which met with a very favourable reception was made that a representative match should be played against Wellington in the capital city on August 23, an<! a return match on September 20 at Palmerston North. The matter will be further considered. Permission was given for the staging of a costume match, Pirates v. Western United, during the neaco celebrations. The Uev. E, V. B. Griffiths, who has been in chnTgc of St. Peter's Church, Terrace End, for some months past, has decided to return to New South Wales, having been offered the charge of an important church in the Newcastle diocese. The delays cnused to business men in communicating on the long-distanco telephone wires was mentioned at a meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce this week. It was pointed out that while Palmerston citizens could communicate os for-as Gis'borno on tho day lines, they could not get into touch with clients on • the other sido of Wangnnui, whereas the Wellington merchants were catered for in every direction. Messrs. H.odder and Bliott wero deputed to interview the local postmaster with regard to l?ie matter. The chamber also decided to try and arrange u conference of local bodies between Palincrstor, and Masterton, with ft view to renewing the agitation for tho resumption of inter-district train services between tho towns mentioned. Tho General Manager of tho railways notified that tho rearrangement of the Palmerston railway station and yards was contingent on the closing of Cook Street, and until that point was definitely settled, the plans for rearrangement could not be taken in hand. The chamber resolved to write to tho Borough Council asking that body to expedite the completion of negotiations with the Government with regard to the closing of Cook Street, and to forward a copy of the letter to the Department At a meeting of tho executive of the Manawatu Hockey Association on Monday night, at Palmerston, tho following clubs wero entered for tlio season's competitions:—Ladies—Technical School (two teams), High School Old Girls, and Bosco. Men's—Marfan, Technical School, Palmerston and Old, Boys. Tho Fcilding Association wrote stating that the gamo was being, revived in'that town, and applied fo.r affiliation as a sub-associa-tion of the Manawatu Hockey Association. It was anticipated that there would' be four or five men's teams and four Indies' teams competing there. Owing to tho inability to secure sufficient grounds on June 3 it was decided to abandon the contemplated five-n-side tourney, and tn nsk Palmerston teams lo support the Fcilding seven-a-sude tourney ' •

Mr. Edmund Goodbohere, of Feilding, left yesterday for Wellington, en route to England, per the lonic. Rifleman C. C. Keeble, of the.firm 1 of Bagnall and Kee'blo, of Palmerston North, has returned from -the war.

An early settler of Pnhnorston North in the person of Mrs. Thomas Tory, died in Blenheim last week. Mrs. Tory, with her late husband, came to New Zealand from London in 1875, and Settled in Palniorston North in 1888, where she resided until three months ago. The deceased lady, who was in her eighty-fourth yetir, is survived by threo daughters, one of whom is Mrs. William Park, of Palmerslon North. Mrs: Georgo Chandler of Newbury is a sister of the deceased lady A unique gathering took place at Otaki a day or two ago, when a local firm of Chinese entertained a number of their friends in celebration of the coming baptism of Mr. Hai Yen, also his confirmation, and that of Mr. James Wong, who was recently baptised. Mt. Byron Brown, chairman of the Olaki Town Board, presided, and Chinese games and Oriental musical items were indulged in. Mr. Law, Chinese missionary, returned thanks to the Europeans of Otaki for their many kindnesses. Response was also made by Mr. T. A. King, who as the oldest Chinese resicleut of Otaki, congratulated Mr. Hai Yen on his conversion to Christianity. Mr. Matthew Shnin, secretary of the Chinese Association,' was in attendance at. the function. The Olaki Hockey Association will commence its championship fixtures on Juno 11.