TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 12

TOWN AND COUNTRY

Items Of Interest From The Provinces

GENERAL ELECTION

Mr. Hodgens To Recontest

Palmerston Seat

Dominion Special Service.

The Palmerston North branch of the Labour Party has nominated Mr. Hodgmis, M.P., to recontest the Palmerston North seat at the genera] election in November.

Native Pigeons Leave Bush. Evidently having been blown from the bush country by the recent gales, native pigeons have been seen about the Napier hill areas, and so far they have not returned to their natural feeding grounds. These birds are protected. Supreme Court Staff. Mr. J. S. McDonald, a member of the Supreme -Court staff in Napier, has left on transfer to Hamilton. He was met by other members of the courthouse staff before his departure, and on their behalf a presentation was made by Mr. Miller, S.M.

.Marbles Championship. The Wairarapa marbles championship was decided on Wednesday night, the winner of the cup being S. Gerrand. The winner of A seetiou, G. T. O'Hara Smith, was beaten by Gerrand, winner of the B section, in a Homeric final. This liotlycontested bout drew a large gallery of spectators.

Patriotic Gold and Silver Drive. The successful gold and silver drive which was conducted in Hastings some time ago for patriotic funds is to be followed in Napier. The manager _ of the Napier branch of the Bank of New South Wales, Mr. E. B. Waddington, has been appointed to act as receiver. Pahiatua Patriotic Show.

Splendid entries have been received for the Pahiatua patriotic show, to be held tomorrow. The jumping contests and hack classes have filled remarkably well, and the display of Jersey cattle will be one of the features of the show, the entries for which are well ahead of last gear's total. More than 70 entries have been received for the jumping competitions and 54 entries in the axemen’s events. An outstanding attraction of the show is Carnival Park, a beautiful belt of dense native bush, 15 acres in extent, adjoining the showgrounds. It is an ideal spot for picnic parties. Boiling water will be available free of charge throughout the day. There are tables and seating accommodation for picnic parties. Wanganui Wool. Wool disposed of at the third Wanganui appraisal of the current season has been paid for. A total of £531,504 was distributed among growers, representing the proceeds of 29,749 bales. The total value of the woo] sold was £559,541, and of this sum live per cent, was retained by the Government in reserve for contingencies. A further appraisal will be held in Wanganui next month.

Mounted Kilk’s Camp. More than 430 members, of the Wel-lington-East Coast Mounted Rifles have left Hawke’s Bay and East Coast districts to enter camp at Foxton for three months’ intensive training. The men travelled by a special troop train of nine carriages. Probation for Thefts.

Charged with theft ou four counts, Graeme Robert McLaughlin appeared before Mr. Lawry, S.AL, in the .Magistrates’ Court, Masterton, yesterday. Ono of the charges related to the theft of £6 10/- in money, and the others to thefts of clothing. McLaughlin was admitted to probation for two years, ordered to return the property, and to take up employment approved by the probation officer and the child welfare officer. Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett said the money was taken from a boarding-house and tlie theft of clothes from swimming baths’.

Power Board Employee's Death. A fatal accident to an employee, the first since the Iward started operations 18 years ago. was reported on by the chairman, Mr. F. Purnell, at yesterday's meeting of the Wangmiui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board. Mr. Purnell’s reference was (o the death in Kakariki of Mr. R. Rivers, whom lie described as a good employee and a first-class citizen. The funeral was attended by the secretary, Mr. G. A. Amniundsen, and the engineer, Air. IL Webb. A wreath was sent by tlie board, and Air. Rivers fellow workers were given time off to go to tlie funeral. A motion of sympathy with (he relatives was carried.