TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY

Items Of Interest From The Provinces MEDICAL BENEFITS Only One Form Taken Out In Masterton Since the introduction o£ the medical benefits scheme this month one application for the required form has been made at the Masterton Post Olfice. Masterton doctors, in accordance with the B.M.A. decision, have refused co-operation m the scheme.

Shortage of Fruit-pickers. Difficulty is being experienced by Hawke’s Bay fruitgrowers in obtaining adequate labour for picking operations. With the apple crop now coming into consideration many growers declare that they are at their wits’ end to know where they are to obtain sufficient labour. In some cases growers have found it necessary to accept offers from friends to help with the work, but the great need is for full-time labour on the job.

Transport Unit Camp. Wanganui racecourse camp us to oe occupied for three months as from April 1 by the recently-formed Transport Reserve unit, which has a strength of oal. Captain E. 11. L. Bernau and Corporal O. Allen, Wanganui, were recently posted to this unit. .

Napier Women’s Cricket Team. The following will represent the -Napier Women’s Cricket Club in a return match with the United club, Palmerston North, in Napier during the weekend I D. Brien (captain), T. Josephs, N. Nelson A. Hurcombe, C. Thompson, (J. Christie, N. Colwill, M. Kelly, P. Chapman, R. Tanner, M. Smith, G. Algie, M. Grainger and J. Harvey.

Bov Breaks Both Arms. Gordon, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. McPherson, Heretaunga Street, Palmerston North, received severe fractures to both arms when he fell from a tree this week. Emergency Staffs for Hospitals. The question of an emergency domestic staff at the public hospitals was discussed at a meeting of the Haivkes Bay Hospital Board, and it was decided to compile a list of women who are prepared to undertake kitchen and ward work should the necessity arise from an emergency. Volunteers for this .service are asked to send their names to the matron of Napier Hospital or Sister Russell at Hastings Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, so that a roll can be prepared. The women will be notified should the arise for requisitioning their services. Should their services be availed of they will be paid the usual award rates. Orona Siiorts Meeting. The Oroua Downs Sports Club twenty-sixth annual meeting will be held next Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. The programme includes horse, running, cycling and Highland dancing events. A dance will be held at night.

Southern Hawke’s Bay Cricket. Because of general weekend leave no Army cricket teams will be playing in Dannevirke iu the Southern Hawkes Bay cricket fixtures today. The draw is: Phoenix v. Dannevirke, Domain No. 2; High School v. Old Boys. Domain No I; Mnngatera v. High School B at School; High School C v. High School D nt High School.

Women Rifle Chib Officers. Five offices in the Castlecliff Miniature Rifle Club are held by women as a result of the annual meeting of the club. Mrs. R. Sinclair is treasurer and handicapper. Miss M. McKenzie secretary, and Mrs. M. McKee a member of the committee. Bowling Club’s Tame Seagulls. For several years two seagulls have been pets at the Palmerston North Bowling Club’s green, the birds being very tame and eating grabs and other such life aliout the green besides obtaining their usual "rations.” Recently, hojvever, one of the gulls was found dead, a suspicion 'being held that it was shot, as an air rifle pellet was found on the green. The two birds were caught on the Foxton beach when very young and became quite settled at the green, never making any effort to wander on to the street. Though the remaining seagull harried the other about unmercifully on occasions, it. is now beginning to mope, evidently being lonely. Lcarn-to-Swim Campaign. Very satisfactory progress has been made in recent weeks in the. “learn-to-swini” campaign in Wanganui. At one of the municipal baths more than 100 children have qualified for their first certificates by swimming across the baths, and many have gone on to secure certificates for swimming 25, 50 and even 101) yards. It has been remarked that many of the learners have come from other centres, having taken advantage of holidays in Wanganui to learn to swim.