PALMERSTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1034, 25 January 1911, Page 4

PALMERSTON NOTES.

(From Oitr Special Correspondent.! ' • Palmerston, January 24. A meeting of the Palmerston Holiday Association waiHield to-day, when it was decided'to close at noon on Wednesday, i February B—"People's Day" at the Fielding Show. ' It was also decided to close at one o'clock on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 1-1 aud 15, on account of tho. North Island band contest. Beautiful weather prevailed for the holiday. In fact, it was one of the hottest days which Palmerston has experienced this summer. The principal attraction appeared to be the race meeting at Foxton, and the special trains from Palmerston were well patronised. A number of visitors also found their way to the Hokowhitu Rifle Range, where the Manai vatu Rifle Association's annual gathering was in progress. The Kelvin Grove sports attracted others, while the cricket match between Manawatu and Rangitikei for the Lord Hawke Cup enabled many more to pass the day pleasantly. Numerous semipublic and private picnics also took place .all over the.district. Victoria Esplanade has become,a.favourite snot for small picnic parties, the beautiful native bush being a refreshing retreat-in the heat of tho day. , Children and teachers of the Presbyterian Spday. School and their friends held then* annual oicnic in a beautiful spot on the property of Mr; J. Balsillie, at Jvairanga, and the outing' was very largely attended. The Ashhurst Domain wa i the scene of a similar function, held Ijv the adherents o£ tho Methodist Chur<;li, nrid-tlio assemblage was tho largest of tho kind which members of this Church has ! , .i . Congregational Church people h «4', in the Manawatu Gorge, 1 m S - Baptist Church folk journeyed m , , and 1101(1 their picnic on Mr: I. ' Jvusby s property. Needless to say,' under tho extremely favourable conditions, the day. proved enjoyable in each ease.

J]"? .party organised by the Jfanawatu ( if 0 i S, Society to make an ascent of Mount Wharite yesterday, in search of botanical specimens, was not a very large one,-,qnly. nine (including two ladies) responding to the invitation of the society. Ino party, which was iu charge of Mr.'l). Huiolair, left for Woodvillo bv the 7 a,ui. train, and from there to the bottom of the mountain they continued their journey, by drag. The summit was reachoil in good time, and a fine view was obtained, though, in several directions it Was obscured by smoke from bush fires. A number of beautiful botanical specimens were found in the bush, and' the little party.thoroughly enjoyed the trip.' ;lt is hoped to' organise more of these excursions in the future.

The Tnihape tennis players, of- wticnn there was a team of men and six ladies, arrived at Palmerston. by the first, train on Monday, and before starting plavwere entertained at lunch at the Royal Hotel. !>omo Rood form was shown on the courts! these being in fine order. Palmerston proved too good for the visitors, and-won tho match by, 210 games to 148.