RANGITIKEI ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 88, 8 January 1926, Page 12

RANGITIKEI ITEMS

The Hon. A. D. McLeod has signified his intention of visiting the Oroua electorate this month. He will arrive at Fcilding by the Alain 1r11,,k train from Wellington on the 13th, and next day he will make a COl ’! P ’? hensivc tour of the cl< ' c , t .?. la \’ r ing off at Alangawcka. Ihe Minister will be accompanied by the district .. newly elected member, Air. Gordon W \ Ol considerable amount of sliecpworrving has been going on in the Marlon district during the pa st f ew d-ivs Several farmers report fairly heavy losses, and on many properties it ' has been found necessary to lay poison for dogs. . An employee of the V'anganuiRangitikei Electric Power Board named Ralph Evans, had the misfortune to fall from one of the transmission notes at Rata on Wednesday. He sustained a fractured ankle, and after receiving treatment from Di. Booth (Huntcrvillc) was sent to the Wanganui Hospital. 'Exceptionally V>eavv 'ltol.iday tialS lie was handled at the Marlon Junction railwav station this season. From December 16 to January 2 the total sum received for fares alone was £3020 a figure which constitutes a record for the period. During Christmas week eleven express trams passed through Alarton evciy da). , An old resident of the Ractilu district passed away at her residence in Ractihi on Sunday in the person of Airs. Isabella McDonald. Mis. McDonald was held in the highest esteem bv all who knew Iter.. Preliminary work in connection with the tar-sealing of the streets of Huntervillc was commenced on 1 hursdav. From present indications the work will take some time, but when completed it will be the means of bringing the town into line with other Rangitikei centres. Manv horticultural shows are belli in Alarton during the year, but for the first time in the town’s experience a gladiolii show is to take place. At the present time endeavours are being made to bring about the amalgamation of'the Raetihi Sports and Caledonian Club and the Raetiln Beautifying Societv. If negotiations are successful the profits of the animal sports meeting will be devoted towards beautifying the to The late Mr. W. B. V, Pearce whose death occurred at haugiotuonAlonduy, was a well-known figure in local bodv work in the Manawatu district. He took a prominent part in the formation of the Alanawatu-Oroua River Board, and was a member of the Manawatu River Drainage Board for manv years. He was a noted stock breeder and specialised in Border Leicester sheep. The heavv rain experience'll of late has done a great deal of good in the Taihane and Mangaweka districts. Rape and turnip crops, which showed signs of being backward, have come away exceptionally well, while dairy farmers state that cows have come on to their milk again. . . The following are the vital statistics for Alarton for the year just ended Marriages 38, compared with 54 in 1921; deaths, 2fi, a decrease of 12 when compared with 1924 figures; births, 118, being exactlv the same as 1924. Miss ATclrityre, of Ohingaiti, who has joined the nursing staff of the Wellington Hospital, was farewellcd at a large and representative gathering on Fridav Inst. She wis the recipient of a handsome token ot esteem. Two cricket matches were played at Alarton on Wednesdav, the home team meeting Marton Junction and the Broadwav team trving conclusions with the Porewa eleven. In the first-mentioned match Alarton emerged comfortable winners bv an innings and 5 runs, while in the other game— which was not concluded, Porewa had a lead of 24 runs. The first match this season for the Rangitikei Howling Shield will take place on Wednesdav next, when a team from Huntcrvillc (holders) plavs a team from Marton. A keen contest is anticipated.