PALMERSTON DAY BY DAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 565, 21 July 1909, Page 9

PALMERSTON DAY BY DAY.

(By TeleEranb.— Special Correspondent) -■'•''■.' '■'/.'/'' :■■'''■■'■. Palmerston; July, 20. . There is" indication from latest quotations on/' the ' London , market that New ■- Zealand hemp prices'will improve. . This fact, at any rate,'. :nakcs the /industry look more hopeful; it having undoubtedly languished in this, vicinity (luring tho kst year or two. There is no- district. hi '.the Dominion .that ■ is affected more than Manawatu by the rise and fall.in the prices of hemp, seeing that the Manawatu ' district produces a. third of the wliole output of New Zealand. It is now understood that a very strong syndicate from Hawkc's Bay has purchased tne'ifreohold of Half-producing land; adjacent to,,iToxton with'.the.object',of ..turning: ;out hemp under a process which, it is said, will lessen.tlie cost. . Bleaching in the paddock is to be done away with, and it is expected that the fibre will thus show, a better colour. Machinery; which has been specially made in 'London, has just been shipped, -'. and shortly we shall have an' opportunity of wit: nessiug the result of the new installation!, ■ Arbor Day will be suitably .celebrated. at College '' Street School to-morrow - "at :12 o'clock, when addresses will bo given by Mr. Bennett (member of the Wanganui Education Board) and members of the School Committee. Trees are also to be planted at the Campbell Street and Torraco laid Schools.' The singing and elocutionary competitions to be held under the auspices of the Technical School this year promise to bo a great success. A two-nights' , competition . programme has been arranged for; the first evening's proceedings to cover the elocutionary part, comprising'' orations, impromptu speeches, recitation, and debates. The second/evening will bo devoted to music.' Foui local choirs'have entered'for a' choral competition, and tho balance of the programme will be made up'of sacred; and secular quartets, open to all amateurs. The dates fixed for tho competitions are September 23 and.24. . "■ '■'. " '