MANAWATU NOTES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 178, 23 April 1920, Page 7

MANAWATU NOTES

.. 4 In spite of the fact that several very large grants have been given t>y the Government for school buildings and for additional playgrounds at several of the local schools, not much interest was taken in the annual meetings of'householders which wore held last evening, the attendances iu most cases boing small. At the meeting of householders at West End a request from tho Ministers' Association to be allowed to impart religious instruction during sohool hours was refused. The question of the appointment of central committees for educational purposes in tho main centre.? was discussed at several of the meetings of householders, and a motion was carried calling upon' tho Government to make alterations >in tho education system in regard to the extension of the school age, Tcdnc-' .tion in the size of classes, payment of higher salaries to obtain higher-trained teachers, and the establishment of a local education committee. _ It was also decided to convene a meeting of school committees to consider the question oftho formation of a town school? district. At a meeting of the Palmerston North High School Board it was reported by the rector that a large number of tho moving pictures now being shown worn iniurious to the young, and interfered With their studies. Upon tho recommendation of tlie icctor and tho instructor tho board decided to'extend the two vears' course in agriculture at the school for three vears. and it was decided to apply to the Borough Council for tho Wo of an acre of lnml in the northern resn-vc as a new field for operations. The question as to arrangements for the rcceptionof tlw Prince of-Wains hn» caused quite a stir in Palmerston North. The special committee set up to drawup a programme decided that the reception should take place in the Square, and now a certain section of the puWic is endeavouring to upset the arrangements, and wants the reception to toko piaca on the Show Grounds, but it is unlikely that they will got their way. It had originally been intended to entertain the Prince at afternoon ten on the Esnlannde. but the arrangements have now been altered, and His Boyal niglwess will now be the guest of the Returned Soldiers' Association at tho gathering which will take placo m their, fine club Viremisos. At the meeting of the Palmorston North Borough Council it was announced that the coal shortage was very acute, find that at the municipal gasworks there were only 70 tons o£ coal in stock, diul as 22 tons were used per day, there was grave danger of the 6upply of gas failing altogether within a few 1 days unless supnlics could bo secured. It was eventually decided that tho Mayor should place the position before the Primo Min- , ister and seo if ho could do anything in the I'inttov. Although there has been a very keen 1 demand for fat sheep, this has now [ eased off considerably, as tho works throughout the district are practically 1 full, and several .of them are likely to ( close down shortly. This is particularly unfortunate, as. owing to the excellent feed during the past season and exceptionally large number have bean fattened, and as tho prospects of getting the works cleared by exnort ari anything but pood, it is evident that numbers of prime sheen will be held over. The position with regard to beef is not so acute, as several of'the works ] have space reserved for beef. ?