MANAWATU NOTES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 193, 11 May 1920, Page 7

MANAWATU NOTES

The weather was most suitable on Saturday for tlio Kugby matches at Palmerston North. Pirates defeated Kia Toa by 18 points to 8, and Western United accounted for Feildinff by 12 points to 8. The Manawatu Hunt had a very good run on Saturday at Whakaronga. At the conclusion of tho meet the president, Mr.. S. B. Lancaster, announced that it was hoped to raise sufficient fund? to give a gold cup with the stake-for the Manawatu Steeplechase this year, and that so far tho support was very encouraging. The returned soldiers in the Pohangina district were accorded a welcome home ball, by the settlers of the surrounding districts, when about forty men who had seen service were present. Miss Neilsen, .V.A.D., who had done four years' nurs-, ing. service in Egypt, was presented with a gold bangle, and each of the returned men received a gold medal suitably inscribed. At the annual meeting of the Manawatu A. and P. Association Mr. J. M. Johnston, treasurer of that body, mado the following remarks on land values:— "The cutting up of .large estates into small areas immediately around Palmereton North and district must make for the nSvancement of tho association, and it is to be hopedm the purchasers will do well at the liigh prices given. Thern is no better land in Jfew' Zealand than that surrounding Palmerston North and district suitable ' for close settlement. I often wonder what tho Land Purchaso Board thinks now, seeing a, few years ago they refused at from «£Gfl to per acre, land since sold by public auction for ovor ,£l3O per acre. I think caution is necessary in purchasing at these high figures ruling, though it has to be admitted that most of those giving these figures are good practical men who have beon many years dairying, and aro quite sanguine they can do well."