COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS

CENTRES

MANAWATI)

Mr.'and Mrs. Frank Stephen Canning, •at present staying with one of their sons-in-law, Mr. M. S. M'Nicol, of Palmerston North, celebrated'their diamond wedding ou Wednesday, having been married for sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Canning have had twelve children, eight daughters and four sons, and of these eleven are still living. Ten of the eleven are married with children, and oven grandchildren of their own. Tho net result 60 far is a total addition to tho population of 57—eleven children, 27 grandchildren, and 19 grear-giamlehildrcii. Mr. Canning was born at Bath, in Somerset (England), in 1841, and he went to Australia when eleven years of age. While still in Australia,' having just finished his apprenticeship to the joinery trade, he was married to Jessie M'Master (born at Fort William, Scotland, in 1842), the lady who has shared and still shares his joys and sorrows. The marriage took place oi) June 10, 1859, and a few months after their marriage they came to New Zealand. In New Zealand Mr. Canning was associated with several newspapers; eventually purchasing the Mafaura "Ensign" in 1879, which he subsequently sold. Later Mr. Canning removed to the North Island, where he has been engaged in storekeeping in Stratford, lvaponga, New Plymouth, Normanby, and Whakatane: Hβ is now living in retirement.

Mr. T. Piimmer, who has been a resident of Foxtail for some .considerable time past, leaves this week for Tauranga, where he will in future reside.

Good progress is being made with the work in connection with tho Fitzherbert West waterworks scheme, which is being carried out under the' auspices of the Kairauga County.Council.

A proposal to erect a roll of honour at Terrace End School was made by Mr. A. W. Sutton at the meeting "of the Terrace End School Committee this week. Mr. Sutton stated that the headmaster had a complete roll of nnrnes of past pupils who had gone to tlu> front. Mr. I'airbrotlicr (the headmaster) explained that he could not get an accurate roll, as. a number of past pupils had gone from Australia and other parts of New Zealand. Over thirty pupils had been killed on service. It was decided to hold tho matter over pending tho compilation of the roll of honour as far as could be accurately ascertained.

The staff of Messrs. Collinson and Cunningliame, Ltd., Palmerston North, extended a. hearty welcome social this week to five , of their number who have recently returned from tho war, namely, Lieutenant I?. Donald, Bombardiers C. Perry and F. M'Sweeney, and Privates C. A. P. Dixon and J. Blake. Speeches appropriate to the occasion were delivered by Mr. J. Cunningliame and Mr. L. H. Colliuson, on behalf of the firm, and it was mentioned that of the fifteen members of the staff enlisting for active service one—Gunner Arthur Gitf ingshad made the supremo sacrifice. During the evening, on behalf of Messrs., Collinson and Soil's etaff, Mr. A. D. Campbell welcomed Gunner A. M'Cullocli.

A hard-up dance was held at I'almerston North on Wednesday 'night, and it proved a very popular fixture. Tho judges of tho costumes made the following awards—Ladies: Mrs. English (hard up and far from home), 1; Mrs. Mathio (blind flower girl), 2; Miss Combs (rags and tatters), special. Gejitlemon: Mr. Mathie (sundowner), 1; Mr. Jones (Oliver Twist), 2; "Miss" Clark (distressed returned soldier), special. The music wiis under the direction of Mr. IT. Paul, while Mi , . AV. Liirkins played tho extras. A preliminary meeting was held at Palmerston North this week in connection with tho proposal to form in the town an institution similar to tho New Zealand Club in "Wellington. The meeting was presided over by Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., who said that in.othci parts of the Dominion clubsr of-this.- nature had been established for ths purpose of entertaining distinguished visitors who hanselled to yihss through (he town. Mr. I\i. If. Craw, who has taken an active interest in tho movement, explained that Palmerstou Norlh was very centrally situated, and on thie account many celobrities might bo prevailed upun to meet members of the club at lunch, for the functions would, as was the invariable rule elsewhere, be confined to the dinner hour. If there were not xnffieient persons of notu passing through the town they coulrl at least get prominent men from Wellington and (adjacent towns, whom they could entertain. Mr. Nash, in referring in members' subscriptions, considered that they .shnuld be fixed at not loss than ,£1 ts. i>er annum, which suggestion found general favour. While nothing definite was decided on the point, it was Rene rally 'agreed that it would be wiser lo make a fixed subscription to, cover all the expenses of the year, including the cost of the luncheons, in preference lo collecting from each member on the occasion of a. function. Ultimately the meeting; resolved to form itself into a committee, to ascertain the prospective membership, and to bring down a report lo a further meeting when thev hod something definite to go upon.

■ The deatli took place at Ota.ki this week of. Mr. Hiutli Taylor, ;i»ed G.i years. Mr. Taj-lor had no relatives in th'e Dominion. Deceased had lived in various parts of the district. Members of the Ob.ki Bulb Society have decided to hold meetings at frequent intervals for the purpose b fdisoussing horticulture.

A meeting was held at Levin recently for the purpose of reviving interest in tho Beautifying Society. There was a large attendance, and a great deal of interest shown, and it was decided to continue the good work started some time ago.

My. Wade, of Otaki, leaves shortly on a visit to Samoa.

The escapade of two venturesome boys who escaped from Hie Weraroa Training Farm, and who, it is alleged, burglariously entered the premises of Mrs. -Hammond (confectioner) at.Man-akaii, wag cut short by Constable Sat'aerley last week.. The. lads, after secretin;? themselves in a railway truck'at Levin, are snid to have alighted at Monnkau, raided Mrs. Hammond's premises, and then proceeded to Otaki. There they were gathered in by the police. The lads have been taken back to Weraroa.

Hockey is Ijeing revived at Levin, and a Y.M.C.A. 'team lias been formed, in addition to the Excelsior Club. Officebearers for the , former club have bepn elected as follow - :—President, Mr. J. B. Dean; vice-presidents, Messrs. F, E. Parker, T. Broome, and E. 1?.. Harris; committee, Messrs. W. Clark, S. J. Gilbert, and the other officers: secretary, Mr. K. H. Billfiis: mutch committee, the captain, vice-captain, and secretary. At the Inst meeting of the Levin branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, the following resolution was adopted on the motion of Mr. T. C. Vincent:— "That the Government bo approached through the member for the district and asked to cut up 100 acres at the southern ond of the Central Development Farm, for settlement by returned soldiers."

(Miss Hayes, who has joined the staff of the Levin High School, was entertained by the residents of Ohau prior to leaving there, and presented with a silver tea service.