PALMERSTON NORTH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9103, 1 June 1908, Page 6

PALMERSTON NORTH.

NOTES AND COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK. (Special Correspondent). So far as Palrnerston North itself is concerned, things have been very quiet during the past week, nothing of consequence having occurred to disturb the equanimity of residents. Even the police complain that if things go on as they are their occupation will be gone. In the way of accidents nothing more serious has happened t tan a man falling through the plate-ttlass window of hia own shop, the result being that the window was smashed to atoms, and the owntr somewhat cut about. In addition to the injuries he will have a pretty stiff bill to meet to replace the win low. Oh! then there was a bolt—a horse got away with a milk oart, and there was a rare "scratteration" of the lactic fluid, milk cans and bits of milk cart. But these little things will happen, where there ia a congestion of population, but I ajn afraid us poor reporters are about the only people who really appreciate these mishaps. Our lot would be exceeCingly hard but for the misfortunes of others in this direction.

In distinct contrast to Palrnerston North's dulness this week, tne sister town of Peilding has been particularly lively, due to a gathering of delegates to the annut.l conference of the various branches of the Farmers' Union in the Wellington Provincial District. The assemblage was supposed to include all the best, men of brains in , the respective district—l mean farming districts, of course. I wouldn't for a moment like to insinuate that the farmer has more brains than other people, because there are those who would dispute the statement, and I don't wish to bring trouble upon your head, Mr Editor. But anyhow, there was a representative gathering, and there were undoubtedly some brains there. They put in about a day and a-half doing—nothing but talk—talk —and then in the last few hours of the second day they settled down to solid business, winding up the conference with the inevitable banquet, at which the farmers living handy to the town were conspicuous by their absence. The socialistic bogey is giving the oIJ farmer a very bad fright, and he is at last beginning to realise that he must do something to protect himself, and it is gradually being drummed into him that it is only by combination that he can «ffectually take of his interests. A great number of subjects were handled at the conference; more, I fancy, than they realise until the whole business is put into concrete form for report to the various branches by the respective branches. I think the late fall in wool has done more than anything to waken up the farmer to his danger, and if it has done this the actual monetary loss to the Dominion will not have been an unmixed evil. Writing of the Farmers' Union conference at Feilding, reminds me that there is a great disturbance in the political dovecot of that township. The determination of Mr F. Y. Lethbridge to retire from politics came as a thunderclap to Feildingities, and now there is a great rush to occupy the place so ably filled by Mr Lethbridge. There is likely to be about a dozen candidates—in fact, a speaker at the farmers' dinner estimated that Feilding was divided into two equal parts, those_ who were candidates, and those who were not. Among the L'beral aspirants is Mr R. E. Hornblow, for many years well and favourably known in Wairarapa, and the eenial Robert reckons he has a very good chance. It will be remembered he stood at the last election, and put up a very good fight for a first effort. There is already considerable life being manifested in the Palrnerston North electorate, which has been considerably reduced in area by the Electoral Boundary Commission, brought about by the large increase of area in the town. The Prohibition Party are particularly active and have a paid canvasser puttirg names on the roll. The licensed victuallers are taking things pretty easy, but will probably rally their friends later. A3 to likely candidates to oppose the sitting member, Mr W. T. Wood, there is complete mys-

tery. The names of the late Mayor of Palmeraton (Mr R. Essex), the present Mayor (Mr J. A. Nash), Mr J. Navin, a small farmer residing at Awapuni, near Palmerston North, and Mr M. Cohen, who has held the position of Mayor on several occasions, besides other responsible posts, have been freely mentioned, but none of them, although all are ambitious this way, will admit as yet to the soft impeachment. However, there is plenty of time yet and whoever comes along may expect a pretty rough fight. In my last letter I mentioned the election of a borough councillor to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Councillor Nash to the position of Mayor. Whilst this election was in progress I heard a very peculiar reason given for voting against One of the candidates. This voter declined to have anything to do with this particular candidate because he desired to take the rates off the showgrounds. When it was pointed that he had nothing to do with the

A. and P. Association, the astounding reply came—"Well, he is a friend of Mr , who is a member of the A. and P. Society, and he wants the rates off 1 " Mr P. E. Daniell, a well-known Palmerston Worth farmer, has purchased a property comprising nine thousand arces at Tauranga, where ho proposes to proceed very shortly to take up his residence. Gutskie of Palmerston North—and even a good many people in the town- very few know the good work being carried on at All Saint's Cnildrau'sEbme. This institution was inaugurated only a ( year or two ago, and id making wonderful progress. Although tne management is in the hands of the Church of England it is not conn ned to that church, but is open to t-ie children of any denomination. Ac the present time there a'e sixteen inmates, but when additions which are in course of erection are couip eted, there will be accommodation for twenty-five. The good work is carried on by voluntary contributions of ooth money and kind. The Palmerston Leidertafel, which has twenty-six singing members, and

nearly one hundred subscribing members, gave a smoke concert on Thursday evening, when nearly iwo hundred membecs and friends met and a pleasant time was spent. Mr A. W. Cave, of Masterton, passed through Palrnerston North a few days ago, on his wa.y to Raglan. Mr Cave told me he was anxious to travel the Main Trunk Line, so as to have a good look at the land. He had 1 heard a good deal about it from others, but much preferred to form his own opinion. < Great interest is being taken by stock breeders here on the light being carried on between the two P. and A. Associations in your district. I think betting is rather in favour of Mascerton winning in the end. Mr T. G. Mason, another Mastertnnian, was here on Friday. Mr Mason told me he had bought a house at Karaka Bay (Wellington), where ho and his family will live during the next three months.