COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 212, 2 June 1919, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS

<3 it NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES . MANAWATU The death has occurred at l'alinerstpn North of ilr. Kobert. Uarduor ,ol' Terrace End, at the age of 77 years, lie was born at Greenock", Scotland, 'in 1812, end as a ycung man he went out to ljuecusland. lie was associated with tome of the earliest mining ventures in Australia, and was one oi the pioneers of the sugar planting industry in, Queensland. In 1876 ho cajno to New Zealand, and was in tho ironmongery business in Wellington, and was for many years on tlio directorate of tho Wellington Woollen Mills. In 1887 he embarkui m tho ilnxmilling industry, operating first at Foxton and later at Piaka, near Koputaroa. Deceased was also interested in farming pursuits. 'He eame to reside in Palmerston North first in 1885, and acted as Government Land Valuer from 1897 until ho "was superannuated in 1908. He is survived by his widow and a family of five sons and seven daughters. ■ The second annual moling in 'connection with the Horowhenua Patriotic Society was held at Levin last week. The chairman, Mr. C. Blenkhorn, in his annual report, stated that tho executive committee had, despito a certain amount of adverse criticism, still adhered to its policy of conserving its. funds. Tho amount granted during the past year to March 31 last, in the matter of relief was XICB, as compared with J!ll for tho ten months prior to March 31, I*JlB. Tho policy adopted by the executive with regard to loans was to make the/maximum advanco ,£loo. Interest had been charged at tho rate of ih per cent, per annum, but a diversity of opinion existed, some members claiming that no interest should be charged. The amount granted by way of loan during tho twelve months under review/'was .£250, an increase of ,£IOO on the previous year. During tho year the association had received, from various sources the sum of .£'2oll, including tho sum of £650 received frowr the Shannon Patriotic Society, representing all the accumulated funds of that body. Tho balance-sheet for the year showed that the total receipts were JESBG4. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. . In the course of a general discussion, Messrs. Hennessy and Murdock, of Shannon, contended that the association should relax nomewhat in the expenditure of its funds. There was a feeling prevalent that it was altogether too light-fisted, and on this account the public would not subscribe any further funds. Mr, Vincent,, of Levin, also remarked that tlio prevailing impression was that the association was not treating returned men very liberally. The chairman, in reply, pointed out that the, AVellington ai)d Jlaiutwatu Associations, with their huge funds, had turned down'advancing loans, altogether, and it was manifestly unfair to criticise the local association.

Another early settler has passed away in the persou of Mr. L. G. West, a former Mayor of I'almerston North. Deceased had lived in the Manawatu centro for nearly half a ceutury, and as an architect ho was responsible for designing <nany of the finest buildings in the town. Tho late Mr. West is survived by a ■grown-up family, including Mr./ Ernest West, nrcliitect, of Palmei-ston North. A special meeting of tho. Palnieraton North Peace Celebrations Committee was held at the week-end to further consider the question of the erection of arches, opinion being sharply divided on tho point. Mr, J. A. ivaoli, M.l'., who presided, stated that while lie did not like the idea of the committee going back on what it had originally decided, it was useless to proceed with the erection of temporary arches of the scheme were not going to' be a, success. The country people generally were opposed to arches, also a larsM number of town residents, so he thougfs? the best thing to do was to delete them altogether. Materials which had been purchased lor the erection of arches could be sold without, a loss th the committee. Thev could still do sometiling in connection with the erection of ft suitable permanent memorial, for which assistance would be given by tho Government. In answer to a question, Mr. Nash said that not more than .£SO had been collected for the arches, and the donors would not object to this money being diverted for the entertainment of the chlildren. Tho meeting acordingly resolved to abandon the idea of erecting the arches.

1 At tlio nnnual prize distribution for .1918 in conncction witli the Palmerstou North. High School, C. Barrnclough and It. Cuiuberworth tied for the dux medal. The dug girl was C., M'Haflie. Mr. James Gillerlene, of Otaki, who was recently admitted to the Otaki Hospital, is in a serious condition, he being injured about the head as well as internally. How he beenmo to be injured is n, mystery. Mr.-'A. It. Rudkin, formerly of the Otaki State School staff, has again tnken up his duties! Mr. Rudkin, who recently returned, after undergoing treatment a; Rotorua, is now much improved in health.

A number of Shannon families are removing to various' districts. Mr. A. Saunders is going. to Hastings, Mr. Mason is leaving to go farming, as is also Mr. Jim M'Lean. Mr. and Mrs. Logan and family aro moving up the Main Trunk line to engage in <lairy farming. "Mr. T. Field has sold bis farm at Ihakara to Mr. Moffatt, of Pahiatun, at XHO an acrc.

Mr. Elsdon Clark, son of Mr. W. M. Clark, of- levin, leaves this week for San Francisco, with the object of acquiring special training in the buft. goods business.

A conference has been arranged for today between representatives of the Now Zealand Faxmillers' Association and tho Manawatu Elaxmillers' Union, with tho object of endeavouring to arrive at an agreement with regard to the hours of employment and wages, tho previous agreement having been cancelled. Mostof the mills in the district are getting everything in readiness for an early resumption 'of the industry, and provided that an agreement which is acceptable to both sides is 'arrived at. the majority of the mills thromrhout the Manawatu will, it is understood, be in operation before the end of June.. The Rev. F. Griffiths, who has been iu charge of St. Peter's Parish, Terraco End, Palmerston North, for the past six months, was entertained at a social hjliis parishioners last week prior to his departure for New South Wales, and made the recipient of a presentation. Mr. Griffiths intends to take up work in ihe Newcastle diocese, in which he worked before ho came to the Dominion.