COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 234, 27 June 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES MANAWATU The Mayor of Palmerston has oommunicated with the Acting Prime Minister asking hiiii if he can arrange for a visit to Palmerston North to be included in the itinerary of Lord Jellicoe's tour through New Zealand. The work of erecting the new Sunday School in brick in connection with All Saints' Church, Palmerston North, is (progressing satisfactorily, and tho four walls are Hearing completion. Application has been made by the Mnnawatu County Council to the Minister of Lands for a grant towards the construction of tho lower portion of Campion's Line, 'for the benefit of coldier settlers. The council ih strongly cf the opinion that the Lands Department should make provision iov tho lionslruction of roads to give outlets to soldier settlements before the land is settled, and not leave it to the settlers to approach local bodies for outlets. 'iho 'council cannot do these works cut of rates,'and the annual report of the council points out that it seems unfair that settlers should have to raise loans for the purpose of providing funds. In 1917 the Manawatu County Council promoted a Local Bill to enable a lean of .£IB,OOO to be raised for completion of the tramway, a crushing plant, and roadmaking machinery. The cost of material, machinery and labour has risen so much the amoiinrto .£30,000. Th'js the counIcil is now asking Parliament to increase tho amount of .£30,000. This the LOimcM believes will enable tho rails of tho tramway to be rclaid with, heavier material, necessitated by the heavier traffic now going over the line, and increase the number of wagons, provide buildings.at Sanson, properly house the rolling stock, and give sufficient siding accommodation to work at the terminus. The council also aim. at installing a complete ltodern crushing and elevating plant, and provide such road material as will greatly economise in the work of the county on Tends. As soon as the Act is passed, extending the authority (o borrow the larger amount, the sanction of the ratepayers will be- asked for, although, if granted, the lime to enter on the' vork may be delayed pending the most favourable time to purchase the materia. At a public meeting held at Waikanae for the purpose' of further considering the district nurse proposal, the provisional committee reported a good response on the part of the residents in, Waikanae and Reikiorangi, a sum of nearly .£BO having already been promised by the district towards the salary and expenses of the proposed nurse. It is expected 'that .£IOO will be raised, which, with the addition of the Government subsidy, is expected to cover salary and all expenses. At the beginning of the district nurse movement the object was to provide funds for the combined districts ,of Paraparaumu, Waikanae, and Reikiorangi, but on account of the 'jenerons support it is now hoped to secure one riuree for Paraparaumu, and also one frr W<rftanae and Reikiorangi-.

It is not unlikely that the AYaikanao creamery will close down at the end of the hioiith, when it is proposed to give (he machinery a thorough overhaul, in preparation for next season's work. The Fo'xton-Samlon tramway receipts for tho last financial year was .£4953, a decrease of ,£1262, and the expenditure .£6300, an increase of .£1371. A debit balance of X 1943 was disclosed, hut .included in the expenditure were the following items:—New sleepers, .694-1; locomotive and freight, ,£572; rails and fastenings, JEC2I. The question of relaying the whole portion of the 281b. track vill, according to the annual report of tho iJlanawatii County Council, have to be faced as soon as tne rails are available at a reasonable figure.