TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 125, 20 February 1941, Page 10

TOWN AND COUNTRY

Items Of Interest From The Provinces CAR HIT BY CRICKET BALL Just Missed Windscreen Dominion Special Service. A mishap which might have been serious occurred when a motorist was passing Palmerston North Boys'. High hehool mt 'Puesdav evening. As his car was passing a piti-h on which a cricket eleven was practising close to the fence hue a Strongly-played ball struck the door ol the car with sullieient force to cause a dent missing the windscreen by about six inches. The driver, who is recovering from a serious illness received a considerable shock. Emergency Fire Corps.

Enthusiasm i« being shown by Hast-iim-s residents for the Emergency Fire Service Corps which has been lormed, the enrolments having risen from SO a month ago to 112 now. Twenty new members were present at tlie mst parade of the corps.

I'rcparing for Election. The Palmerston North branch of the National Party is losing no time in makjn,r preparations lor the forthcoming general election, and in an interview the cha'irman of the branch, Mr. H. G. Mills, said the annual meeting would elect a general committee which would, no doubt, call for nominations of candidates. Interest in party matters had been grcatij' stimulated by the recent visit to Palmeiston North of Mr. Holland.

Wanganui Council Candidates. At least five, probably six, of the present Wanganui city councillors who represent the citizens’ ticket on the present council will not stand nt the next election Those who are definitely not standing are Lieutenant D. W. Earle, who is with the New Zealand Dental Corps, Messrs. J. Siddells, O. Hales, R. E. Cuuibertson, and J. F. Broad. Mr. G. E. Bennett, if he adheres to his present intention, will not stand either, but he has been approached in several (juarters with requests to continue in office. So tar as is known at present all the Labour, representatives intend s-tandi.ng again— Crs. ,L -L Scott (deputy-mayor), S. J. Harris, G. P. Hawkins. W. Searle and A. \V Scotillar 'Die independent councillor, Mr. A. Bulloi-k. is also likely to be a candidate. Drainage of Marewa Block.

Proposals for an improvement of the drainage in the Marewa Block for the removal of effluent from septic tanks by which sewerage is dealt with, are discussed in a report which has been submitted to the Napier Harbour Board by Mr. F. W. Furkert, former engineer-in-chief to the Public Works Department. Mr Furkert says it would be possible by the expenditure of £6OO in open drains, generally along the back boundaries ot the sections, to keep the ground in a receptive condition, and with advantage being taken of the further lowered outfall when the drainage scheme in the county area was completed the Marewa area would be drained to an extent that would silence criticism, provided residents exercised average intelligence and energy. The Napier Harbour Board has. decided to forward the report to rhe Napier Borough Council, which lias been advised that the board is willing to discuss the question.

Inquest on Child. . An inquest into the death ol .Marion Wightman, aged one year and eight months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. I‘. Wightman. Bulls, was concluded in 1 almerslon North yesterday. , She was ■ run over by a motor-lorry in If oxton on February 7 and died in Palmerston North Hospital later. The finding of the Coroner. Mr. A. J. Graham, was in accordance with evidence by Dr. J. Maour, house surgeon at the hospital, that, death was caused by shock combined with internal haemorrhage and severe internal injuries.

State Housing Scheme. The I’almcrston North Chamber of Commerce, having received a letter on State housing from the Associated Chambers. decided to express its official view that, the State housing projects should be moderated and used, after the war, for the rehabilitation of soldiers. The letter from the Associated Chambers stated that, the Government was considering the early inauguration of a large housing scheme in Tamaki (six or seven miles from Auckland) which would involve heavy capital expenditure in loading. transport facilities, drainage reticulation and the like, though there were 10,00(1 vacant sections in the city. The chamber expressed the view that no unsuitable areas had been used in Palmerston North.

Big-game Fishing. Big-game fishing was enjoyed by some Hastings men who made up a party of 10 which visited Alayor Island for a fishing holiday. Those making the trip were Messrs. 11. E. Connop, T. AV. Nais'bitt, AV. J. Anderson, C. Cook, G. A . Barclay. F. Nutter, and R. Forster, Hastings, A. Snell. Palmerston North, F. H. Alilcs, Wellington, and AV. AVatts, Johannesburg. Their catch comprised 16 striped marlin and one mako shark. The heaviest was a niarlip of 351 ih., which up to then was near the record for the season.

Woman Replaces Alan. For many years an organization which has been s.ifined to men. the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce at its mooting this week hud a young woman as acting-secretary. .Military duties have drawn on the available secretarial staff.

Improved Rate Payments. A record payment of rates had been made in Hastings at the close of the period before which the 10 per cent, penalty was imposed, there being only £927/0/10 outstanding. 'Tim liorough council levied £46.922, of whicli £45,995 or more than 97.9 per cent, was paid. The collection last year was 96.0 per cent., with over £l7OO outstanding'. This year is the first occasion on which the amount still to be paid on lhe date of the imposition of the penalty has been less than £lOOO. In Havelock North there was also a good collection. £4447 of the £-1-190 levied being paid, which represents a payment of 98.08 per cent. Members on Parade.

A wartime circumstance was referred to at a meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce this week when the City South Battalion of the Home Guard was marching past the meeting place to tlie strains of a band. "Unfortunately, there are four or live of our members absent this evening.” remarked the president. Mr. K. A. Henderson, “because they are on parade outside.” .Later in the meeting tin’ chamber changed the day of tlie week on which meetings will he held.