COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 283, 26 August 1919, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES Prom Our Special Correspondents. mkmw Two Indies' teams from PciMing visited Palmerston on Saturday and played hockey matches against "A" and "ii" representative Alanawatu teaifis. In the "A" match the homo team won by 8 to nil. The "B" match rcsulred in a draw, one goal each. That spring lias set in early in tho Manawatu district is evidenced by tho fact that willow trees are already grcua anil spring liowers aro out in abundance. Grass id now coming atvny we 11, and there is every sign of plenty of fftfcd. The result is., that cows are now coming in fast, enabling tho dairy lactones to resumo operations on a seme scarcely expected a few weeks ago, and all fears as to a shortage of butter in this district have been dispelled. With improved feed prospects Uio siock mai'ket ii showing more life. Bales held last week wero well attended and both sheep and cattle met a-ieen demand. Lafge entries have been received for tho Manawatu golf open championship to be played to-morrow and the following days.' The clubs_ represented are Wangauui, 7 players; New Plymouth, f>; Auckland. 5; Wairarapa, 4; l'eilding, 1; Hawke'q Bay, 3; Miramar, 3; Stratford, 2; Hutt. Otaki, Taihnpe, Scotland, and Woodvilio 1 each. The Auckland players W. E. Colbeck, li. George, M'Cormaok. and Lush cannot reach Palmerston until Wednesday, and will not be ablo to play in the handicap games. There aro 76 players in the championship and 81 in tho handicap matches. Tho Wellington Club is not represented. Mr. J. M'Kay, of the Palmerston brauph of the Bank of Australasia, has been transferred to Featherston to replace the manager, Mr. A. H. ICnowles, who is retiring on superannuation. ■ Thero are now over 9000 names on the Palmerston North electoral roll, while the Pirangitikei roll contains 7482. In a hockey match at Dannevirke tho home team brat Woodville easily. A herd of twenty-fivo cow? sold by auction at 'Pe Eehunga averaged over £2Z apiece.

DANNEVIRSE A second large meeting of returned sol- | diets was held at Dannevirke Inst week, tind was addressed by Mr. B. J. Jacobs (president of the Palmerston North Returned Soldiers' Association) and Colonel Mitchell (organiser). About 350 returned soldiers liavo entered for the ballot for tho Tiratu Block, near Dannevirke, which takes place today. So many men have arrived to bo present that they find difficulty in obtaining accommodation. The dinner of tho Dannevirke A. and P. Association was attended by over two hundred, and was a most successful gathering. In proposing the toast of the Farmers' Union Mr. E. A. Ransom urged the need of the fullest production from the land. Many settlers were not using tjieir land to the best advantage, and even with loca.l settlers thero was room for improvement. Farmers were not understood, and cmne in for a good deal of abuse. Any luxuries they now enjoyed were the result of their own labour 'and thrift, rather tliaii luck. Mr. Kansom advocated a State settling association, experimental stations for seedtesting. etc., also the placing of soldiers on first-class land, which would be better for both soldiers and tho State. He spoke favourably of the prospects of the Tiratu Block now being offered to soldiers.