COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 224, 16 June 1919, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES

I MANAWATU

A Shannon theft case was brought on in the Magistrate's-Court at l'almerston last' week when William Gill was charged with the theft of throe rugs, valued at; 7s. Gd., the property ot San Kafana, of Shannon. According to the police, the accused was staying in a hut with a Maori, who afterwards missed the rugs. They were subsequently found in accused's possession. Accused, who was an old offender, pleaded guilty, and was ?eiit to gaol for a month. The question ot installing rame system of hsating at the Old People's Home at Awapuni was referred to by Mrs. Gill at the last mctmg of tho. Palraei'ston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Mrs. Gill urged that it was tune the work was undertaken, as the eld people in the institution felt the cold veiv much during the winter months. According to Mr. Bramweli, the best system of heating for the building was by means of electric radiators, and pending the coming of hydro-electric-itv-it would be unwise to go in for any extensive scheme. The chairman (Sir Jamos Wilson) undertook to make inquiries as to the best system that could be adopted to meet the present requirements. .There are at present thirty inmates at' tho institution—27 -males and three females.

On May 1 there were 76 patients in the Palmerston Nortn Hospital. During the month 128 patients were, admitted and 125 discharged from the institution. Mr. Philip, of Taita School, lias been appointed head teacher at the Tokomaru School and will take up his duties at the end of Mr. Hall's relieving term. At a meeting of the Tokomaru School Committee last week tho Education Board notified that the cost of sinking an artesian well at the school and installing ,a septic tank would approximate i 195. The board offered to iind half I his sum if the other half were provided by the committee. Tho chairman (Mr. Guy) said that very little trouble would be experienced in raising iho necessary money, and the committee accordingly accepted the board's offer. Dr. W. 11. Will has been appointed to the position of temporary anaesthetist at the Palmerston Hospital till the eud of the year.

At its next meeting the Palmerston North Hospital Board will consider the following not ice .of motion by Councillor Smart, of Pohangina"That owing to the increased cost of living the charge fcr patients at the hospital be increased to Gs. per day." ' At present the charge is to.

The Waipa.wa Hospital Board considered tenders at its last meeting for the erection of an infectious ward in brick at Waipukurau. The tender of Mr. >T. L. Scott was accepted, providing the board can make suitable arrangements fo: raising an additional J32OW towards the project. ' _ . The installation of vertical retorts at the Palmerston North gas works which the Borough Council recently decided to defer indefinitely was again discussed at a special meeting of the council • last week, when Councillor C'rabb moved that (lie previous resolution shelving the question be rescinded. The motion was carried, and Councillor Crabb then moved that tlio council immediately enter into an agreement With Messrs. West for the purchase of the vertical retorts in question. The mover pointed out that it would be at least two years before electricity could come ' into competition with' the gas, and during that time the consumption would be increased at the present phenomenal rate by at least 20 to 25 pef cent. In Wellington, as the result of six years' competition with electricity the output of gas had risen from 382,000.000 cubic feet to 115,000,000 cui.ic foet, while in Christdiureh the figures had climbed from 320,000,000 to 351,000,(10(1 since the advent of the electricity. This was largely due to the development of gas for heating and cooking' uses, for which electricity was unsuitable. Touching on the phenomenal increase in the consumption of gas at the local works the Mayor, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., pointed out that- in two months ended May SI last 10,368,000 cubic feet were manufactured, an increase ever the 6ame period of last year of 1,289,000 cubic feet. The motion was carried unanimously.

At a well-attended meoting of the congregation of St. Andrew's Church at Palmerston North last week consideration was Riven to tho question of erecting a two-storey brick building which would fill the requirements of a Sunday school mid a room for the girls' Bible class. Inferring to the matter, the Rev. A. Doull said it was necessary to find accommodation Sor- a girls' social room and club, not only for meetings and social gatherings, but it would also furnish lonj-felt want in providing a place where many girls who were in business in town could have their luncheons, facilities for which would be provided in the kitchen, which it was proposed to include in the new structure. Mr. if, Balsillie suggested that tho building should be erected as a memorial to fallen soldiei-s connected with the church, and a tablet 6hould be included in the erection. If that were done he would donate JIOO towards tho cost. The meeting decided to accent the plans as drawn Deacon's Couri, subject to any alteration in detail found necessary, at an authorised cost of ,£3OOO. The erection of tho building was authorisaJ, providing that no' tenders were called until tho sum of JCISOO had been promised 111 donations, of which sfilOOO must be due o"r on hand within twelvo months. The balance of thb money will be raised by means of a mortgage 011 the Church property.

The i'eilding Chamber of Commerce has decided to invite Mr. R. M'Villy, General Manager of Railways, to visit I'Vilding and meet the liiamber regarding required railway improvements. At. tho last meeting of the Feilding Repatriation Board the Minister's reply to the deputation 6f Kopane settlers was discussed, and considered thoroughly satisfactory. The . Depar/.ment has not made a rebate of three months' rent, as asked for. but will credit tho settlers' respective rent accounts with tho losses tliev sustained through the Department's delay in delivering material, etc. This amounts in practically the same thing. A 'movement is 011 foot in tho Glen Oroua district for the erection of au up-to-date sugar-of-milk plant. Sir. A. T. Box, of Glen Oroua, has sold his' farm to Mr. T. Ellery, at ,£lO5 an aors, a record for the district. Messi'6. 11. Mud ford and W. Lucas have also disposed of their farms. x Mr. Mooilio has been transferred from headmaster of the Filzherbert School, and Mr. M'Lean, who lias been away to the war, has resumed his eld position in that capacity.