COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 265, 5 August 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS

CENTRES

MANAWATU It is evident llmt somo of the lightfingered gentry who of lato have been so active in various parts of the Dominion are turning their attention to Paliuerston North. as during Sunday night four of tho boarders at the Club Hotel were relieved of money aggregating about .£SO. Ono person lost .£ls, one £i 3, and t-,vo others £9 apiece. As none, of the outside looks or window catdies showed signs of having been tampered with it is evident tlwt tho thief or thieves must have been in the hotel when tho premises were locked itp on Sunday night. Tho3e boardors who had locked their doors wero not disturbed in any way, and it was oiily those who neglected this precaution who wore victimised. As only money was taken the work of identifying tho thieves will bo a difficult task. In tho Magistrate's Court, Palmerston yesterday decision was given in a easo in which tho l)efenco Department proceeded against Vernon Edward Halsey on 'a chargo of failing to register under tho Defence Act when lie attained the ago of fourteen years. The defenco in this case was that tho defendant had enrolled when lis was attending St. Albans School, and it was contended that he had therefore fulfilled his obligations, and complied with the spirit of the Act. The case \vas adjourned to allow of the defendant obtaining a birth certificate. At yesterday morning's sitting of tho Court a birth certificate was produced, and in giving his decision His Worship said the obligation to register did not arise till the defendant was fourteen years of age, and he must therefore be held guilty ol' an offeneo. Ho had made no attempt to fulfil his obligations, and should liavo applied for registration. He would be lined £2 and 'cos.ts. liain fell at Palmerston North on eighteen days in .Inly, and aggregated 3.0-1 inches, compared with seventeen days' rain for 4.11 inches' in tho correspoi'ding month of last year. A pleasant little ceremony took placo at tho Foxton School last week in connection with tho erection of a fine brick building for ft now school. Mr. Funic, the headmaster, got tho architect to leave a hole in the wall into which could bo built certain mementos to remind future generations of tho present personnel of the school, and especially of tho proclamation of pence. The articles consisted of a memorardum signed by the 'teachers and all tire children, and also of personal kieepsakes, from any of tho scholars who wished to bo especially remembered. Mr. Furrio intends that each child shall lay a brick of tho now building. Mrs. "Whittiugton, of Palmerston North, has received a cable message from her son, Sergeant-Major C. E. "Whittington. from London, to the; effect that he Avas about to embark on tho Ayrshire, leaving about July IG. Beforo tho evacuation *of tho Riflo Brigade camp at Brockton Lieutonaiit-Coli)nel Shepherd, D.5.0., presented Sergeant-Major Whittiugton with a Military Servico Medal, with oilier officers who had received similar distinctions. Sergeant-Major Whittiugton was on board tho troopship which met with the epidemic, nnd did .splendid _ work amongst those stricken with tho disease, and for his efforts he was rewarded with the M.S.M. Prior to enlisting ho was a teller in the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand, and also took a very active part in the Sunday School and tho general, work of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Broad Street.

Private 12. S. M'Bean, of the Thirteenth Itfllnforcemcnt, son of Mrs. S. M. M'Bean, 39 AJbert Street, Palmerston North, is returning to Now Zealand by the Cordova, aiming 011 August 30.-

WAIRARAPA Tho weekly meeting of the Claims Board of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association was held at Alasterton yesterday. Eight applications for loans vero received, of which six wero granted, involving: an expenditure of .£1212 IDs. Four of these were to be used for tho stocking of farms and. two to make up tho difference between'the Government grant and tho vendor's prico for the purchase of a dwelling. Olio application for a loan was referred to a kindred society to deal with, and one applicant was referred to the Repatriation Department. Fifteen claims for temporary assistance were dealt with. A letter was. received from tho matron of the Aotea Home, Egypt, acknowledging receipt of a consignment of parccls. A pleasant function was held at tho Returned Soldiers' Club, Alasterton, yesterday, when about 130 boys and girls from the high schools at Masterton, Carterton, Gre.vtown and Eketahunn, were entertained by tho returned soldiers. Speeches were delivered by UrigndierGeneral Hart, Mr. G. 11. Sykes, ALP., Air. J. T. AI. Hornsby, AI.P., Air. AY. H. Jackson (Mayor ot Alasterton), ami Air. A. P. Whatman Dancing and games wero indulged in, after which tho guests were shown through the elub, so that they might have an opportunity, to sec what was done for the soldiers of Mastorton refreshments were provided by a committee of ladies and heartily appreciated by all. Owing to the encroachment of the river it has beon found necessary either to find a fresh site or drive fresh piles for tho erection of a bridge connecting Afasterton Park with tho public hospital grounds. It is probable that tho work will not now bo started until ivell into the summer months.

At a meeting of tho Wairarapa Aiitomobilo Association last iveok it was icported that signposts were now ready for dispatch to tho Kaiparoro and Masterton districts.' It is prolwblo that tho Masterton Poultry Society will approach tho A. and P. Association with the objcct of conducting a chicken 6ho\v at) Solway in February next. . The increased traffic and tho prolonged spell of wet weather have t.onibined . to cause very bad conditions on tho Wairarapa roads. Motorists have great difficulty in negotiating them and in preventing skidding, and to mako matters verse duiring the last week slips have come down in many parts. At tho Masterton Police uourt yesterday, Frederick Haitana was charged with having stolen an overcoat, a cap, and a scarf, tho property of a, soldier Stephen Gougli. Accused was lined .£lO, in default six weeks' imprisonment, tho sentenco to bo added to a sentence of three months which accused had to undergo in connection with a ely-grog charge at Ohakune. For a farm in tho Masterton district JCSO per aero was paid recently. Tho secretary of tho Wairarapa, Patriotic Association acknowledges the reccipt of o- cheque fov cCS6I 375. lid. from the Wairarapn Countess of Liverpool Committee, being tlie balance ol tho funds of that organisation given to tho Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The amount is mado up of collections, as follow* Martinborough, -£.301 7s. Gd.; Masterton, X 249 ISs. 5d.; Grey town, £,1 125.. At the monthly meeting on oatnrday of the stewards of the Ilasterton Racing Club a letter was received from tiio Minister of luternat Affairs stating that tho club's request l'or one extra day s racing could not be granted. Tho Empire Hotel, Masterton, was tho scone of a sensational incident aoout 3 o'clock on Saturday morning. Air. Robert Wostfiel'd, a commercial traveller, ol Wellington, was awakened by the aoiuiil ot someone moving in his room. Before he could riso from his bed ho was struck on tho head. Though dazed lie managed to raiso an nlarm and follow in .pursuit of tho intruder, who had left tho room and made in tho direction of a hrcescapo at tho back ot tho building, 'whence he disappeared in the darkness. Tho only feasible motive for the unwelcome visit was robbery, as Mr. Wesriield had in his possession a roll ot l otes, and on the table was-a watch. Apart from a slight abrasion on Iho head Air. Westfield suffered no injury. _ Tho fact has been made plain by Mr. ■V c. Holms, Deputy-Mayor of Fentlierston, that he has no desire to place personal ambition before, the national call for a united front in the interests of constructive, democratic progress, and will not contest tho Maslerton seat unless a candidate is lacking lo oppose Mnsseyism. Warilism, and Bolshevism. Tie would specially favour an accredited soldier candidate or a citizen with a public record such as that enioyed by Mr. h. Al. Ooradine, an ex-Mayor of Masterton.