TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 153, 24 March 1939, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY

Items Of Interest From The Provinces LARGER hospitals? More Patients Expected Under Security Act Dominion Special Service. “The general impression is that, with the coming into force of the Social Security Act there will bo au increase iu the number of hospital patients in the Dominion,” said the chairman of the Vv aipawa Hospital Board, Mr. W.. H. Rat)iboue, when the board’s new building programme was under discussion. The secre-tary-manager, Mr. P. R. Sinyrk, said the Department of Health, before allowing the work to proceed, required a sketch block plan of the hospital, showing possible future alignments of buildings, the department was apparently looking ahead to the time when hospitals might be much larger than they were at present, and was endeavouring to prevent haphazard building.. The board approved the immediate preparation of the plan required, which would be forwarded to the Direc-. tor-General of Health as soon as possible. If necessary the board’s medical superintendent, the managing secretary and the architect will again visit Wellington in an effort to reach finality. Faded Number-plates.

Motor-ear registration plates on which the numerals have become illegible through wear or fading of the white paint will be replaced by the authorities free of cost, said the chief postmaster in Napier Mr. H. A. Munn. The decision regarding illegibility would rest with the police or traffic inspectors. The fading of the numerals was confined to motorcar plates, he said ; other classes of plates were not affected. Donation to Art Gallery.

The Levin Borough Council at this month's meeting agreed to donate £25 to the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. The usual grant of to the Horowhenua Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Club was also made. Palmerston North’s New Park. “This is the first effort we have made to interest people in this park,” said Mr. J. A. Nash at the opening of a gala organized by the Terrace End Development and Progressive Association at Fitzroy Park last night. Thd residents, he said, owed a great deal to the mayor and'councillors for what they had done to date and for the improvement made in what had been for many years an eyesore at that end of the city. The association’s effort to raise funds for the beautification of the park was very worthy, and he hoped the gala would prove the financial success it deserved to be. The attraction included a parade of children’s dogs, organized by the Manawatu Kennel Club, a display of national dancing and a gymnastic exhibition by Y.M.O.A. members. The Garrison and the Manawatu Pipe Bands played selections during the evening.

Dorset Horn Sheep. The increasing popularity of Dorset Horn sheep, a breed which produces early maturing lambs, is reflected in the importation to Hawke’s Bay of a further consignment of stud animals. The consignment consisted of 20 two-tooth ewes inlamb to an imported ram and was imported by Mr. J. Williams, Hatuma. It. is understood that Mr. Williams is also.importing a ram. Mr. C. L. Crooks, Waipukurau, who has a well-established Dorset Horn stud, will, it is understood, shortly import six high quality ewes.

School Baths Wanted. The need for swimming baths at Palmerston North. Technical (School was stressed at a meeting of the Palmerston North High Schools’ Board of Governors by Mr. J. A. Nash, who suggested that at the next meeting of the board some consideration be given to the proposal. There was £3OO iu the gymnasium fund, he said, and possibly it could be used as a nucleus of a fund for the provision of baths, which could be supplemented by a money-raising effort and a Government subsidy.