LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2379, 14 January 1922, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dr. Helen Bakcwell has resigned her position as house surgeon to the Palmerston North Hospital.

About £l2 was netted as a result of the Shop Day at the seaside yesterday, in aid of the local Blanket Nurse fund.

Cabinet has decided that no application will be accepted from discharged soldiers for assistance under the Repatriation Act after June 30th next.

A petition is being largely signed in. Maslerton, praying that Parlia-ment-will bringdown legislation to provide that the fixing of the weekly half-holiday shall be left entirely to Ihe .retailers themselves.

The Borough Council invite tender.- for the lease of the Town Hall for a period of two years from March Ist, 1922. Tenders close with the Town Clerk ..at 4 p.m. on Uebruary (fill.

In times gone by the triangle reserve at the north end of Main Street possessed garden plots with bright flowering plants and wellcut lawn. To-day it presents a very neglected appearance. Milk is now being retailed in Napier at 3d per quart. Butter (farmers’ home-made) is being sold in some of the shops at lOd per lb. Beef and mutton are being sold at 3d and 4d per lb., and lamb at 7d per lb. States the Greytown Standard: — We regret to hear that there is almost a certainty that some of our young farmers who turned their attention to farming in the later days in the South Wairarapa are likely to "go out” shortly.

Local grape-growers inform us that grapes are fruiting well this season.

The weather yesterday was ideal at the seaside. During the evening numbers watched trawling operations on the river foreshore.

So far no trace has been found of the burglars who entered the refreshment rooms at Paekakariki on Saturday night, and took away the safe and a large amount of cash, despite the fact that the detective force is verv active.

Mr Peter Robinson, who runs a motor service to the seaside, presents a novel appearance in his stove-pipe hat. 'When the car pulls up he throws out on the roadside a small anchor, in true nautical fashion, and heaves it in again when ready to start the lnndship Elizabeth. Mr Charles Sutiie, well-known in Manawatu in connection with the flax industry, the patent Suttic’s (lux-washing machine, and other invent inns, died near Dargavilla oil Thursday. Dei-cased was interested in the gum industry in the Dargavilie district, and had invented a patent plant for gum-washing, which was running successfully at one of the biggest gum-washing mills in the district, from which big results were expected.

December was a fairly busy month for tin* light railway operated by the Manawatu County Conned, and a e rod it balance of £72 9s 4d wtts disclosed on the month’s working! The chief items of Ira flicwere: Merchandise 10(i tons, minerals 139 tons, cheese and butter 2351 tons, stock 57 trucks, metal (>OO cubic yards, limber 41,290 feet; fares amounted lo\C2 18s 9d. Sir James Wilson became a member of the Manawatu County Couneij in 1893, and ha- been chairman of that body since IS9S. It may bo worthy of note that Sir James holds the record for length of service on the Hospital Board, having been n member continuously for 24 years, anil Chairman for'llie" greater portion of 'that period. .It is hoped that Sir James will lie long spared to continue bis useful and ltonour--ervicc to the public.

In the House on. Wednesday, rcplving to Mr W. IT. Field, Mr Massey said lie did not think there would he any difficulty in finding sufficient cold storage for the meat which came into the pool ,either at this end or in London. He wished to make it clear that there was no proposal to store meat for the purpose of raising the price to the British consumer, Iml it might lT necessary to do so at limes to regulate the market.

The Town Hall Committee of the Borough Council made an inspection of the Hall and equipment yesterday, and complimented the lessees (Messrs Reid and Son) on the way tlie hall had been kept during their l enanc v.

Two cases-of noil-poisonous weed destroyer have been procured by the Manawat-u County Council, and an experiment will be made next week as to its suitability to destroy the grass along the Foxton-Sanson tramway line. This year, owing to the phenomenally heavy growth throughout the district, the grass on the roadside is causing the council no little concern.

After 25 years’ continuous service as roadman to the Sandon riding, Mr George Lett! has tendered his resignation to the Manawatu County Council. Failing health has compelled Mr Lent to relinquish his position. At Wednesday’s meeting of the council IHo resignation was accepted with regret, and several councillors spoke appreciatively of Mr Lent’s long years of faithful and efficient service, which it was decided to place on record.

"The Manawatu river near the Shannon Bridge is still encroaching towards the stophnnk, and the river," staled the engineer in reporting to Wednesday's meeting of the .Manawatu County Council. "The liver i- now only L> or Hi feet from the centre of the hank, and the next Hood without a doubt will carry atvay tlie slop-bank. It is quite obvious that a deviation of the road must he made without delay, as there is every possibility of the road being i-articd away.”

While lialhinng in the Waipoiia river on Monday, some distance nImve the bridge, Mrs Donovan and Miss King, daughters of Mr R. J. King, had a narrow escape from drowning. The water generally at the spot was only about three feet deep, but wit bout noticing il they stepped over a ledge into a pool al>«>111 12 feet deep, evidently caused by scour round an old log. Their cries were fortunately heard by Constable Devine, who hastened, to the spot and assisted the ladies out. One of them was on the point of drowning.

The Rev. W. Lea, of Taihape, who is to conduct the service to-morrow evening at the Methodist Church, is a minister of considerable ability. When he took over his present charge lie discovered a mere handful of at tenders at the services. As a result of his eloquent and earnest preaching, backed by it spiritual life and strenuous work as a pastor, he speedily had his church crowded to the doors. For over two years Mr Lea has continued to fill his church, and now has schemes for the enlargement of the building to accommodate the growing congregation. Foxton churchgoers will have tin opportunity of hearing this gifted and earnest speaker at the Methodist Church to-morrow evening. All are cordially invited. The seats are free, with stewards in attendance.