COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 26, 25 October 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES (From Our Spccial Correspondents.) WAIRARAPA A highly successful concert was held on Thursday night in connection witli the Eeatherston public school, the pro.gramme reflecting special credit upon Misses Kilmnrtin and Kennedy, of Hie teaching staff. It is expected that, the funds of the school will bo augmented, to the extent of ,£25, and liabilities incidental to maintenance overcome. A considerable body of Eeatherston business peoplo have decided not to observe a half-holiday on Saturday, as is proposed by another section, and have notified Hie local public accordingly. At a meeting of the Masterton District Repatriation Committee held on Thursday afternoon the following expenditure was approved of:—Four business loans aggregating J!G(i5, two furniture loans totalling iS-1 ICs., mid one equipment loan of Two subsidies on wages were also granted. Tho movement to morse Lansdowno in the borough of Masterton was tho subject of a meeting of Lansdowno ratepayers on Thursday evening. Various speakers, including the Mayor of Masferton ('Mr.' W. 11. Jackson) urged the necessity for amalgamation, and adversely commented on the attitude of the County Council in regard to the upkeep of roads and bridges leading into the affected area. Eventually it was decided to forward a netition to the Governor-in-Counoil, so soon its tho requisite number of signatures had been obtained.. Throughout the war the Wairarapa district was noted' for its contributions to patriotic funds, and it seems that tho people's ardour Ims in 110 way abated, for oil every hand great enthusiasm is being displayed in tho musical picnic to be held in Masterton on Labour Day for the purpose of augmenting tho Wairarapa Fallen Soldiers' and . Cameron Memorial Park Fund. The Masterton Employers' Association has declared Monday to he a close holiday, tho Borough Council lias granted' the free' use for one night of the Municipal Hall ns a pvizo for tho bind winning the quickstep competition, and strong ladies' committees have been formed to superintend arrangements generally. These are only a few of the manifestations of public sympathy. The Wairarapa Caledonian Society, which is the principal promoter of the picnic, lias arranged for a comprehensive programme, which includes' band contests, athletic events for juveniles and adults, and Highland dancing. In tho evening a hardno ball is to be held' in'tlie Municipal Hall, and a concert in the Opera House, and it is anticipated that tho receipts from overy source will more llian justify tho arrangements luade.

The monthly meeting of tho Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday, there being present Messrs E. G. Eton (chairman), AY. Fisher, T. V. Moore, A. .T. Speedy, C. C. Jackson. E. B. Robertson, H. 0., Too™(iod, S. Bolton, ,T. C. Ewington, ]I. Morrison, ,T. F. Thompson, T. Hodgins, and.A. D. M'l.eod. In regard to the granting of pensions to widows, as suggested by,the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Bonjd. consideration was hold over until the' next meeting. . Tho Public Health Department sent a- circular asking for an oninion on tho advisableness of training the. nurses as annesthetisls. On the advice of a number of doctors throughout the Wairarapa' district, it-was derided that the duty was oile that should be nerformed only by qualified' medical men, but that in outlying districts nurses might be trained as anaesthetists. After some discussion' it was resolved that patients' fees in the hospitals under the board's control be Cs. per day, instead of !)s., as at present, the new rate to operate as from April 1, li) 20. It. was resolved to approach the Minister of Health asain in order to obtain a loan of .C4OOO for additions to the Solway Old People's Home.