IN THE COUNTRY

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 92, 19 April 1921, Page 8

IN THE COUNTRY

MANAWATU

(BT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL 10 THB POST.)

PALMERSTON N., 18th April.

At the annual meeting of tho Manawatu Referees' Association, officers were elected as follow:—President, Mr. C. W. White; vice-president, Mr. Aitken; appointment committee, Messrs. W. Boon and C. W. White; delegate to Manawatu Rugby Union, Mr. A. W. Thomp-

A slight earth tremor was felt in Palrnerston North at a-quarter to nine o'olock on Saturday morning.

At a meeting of the Manawatu Farmera' Union sub-provincial executive, = a letter was received from Mr. W. J. Polson, provincial president, stating that he was asking all branches of importance in the province to be represented at a special meeting of tho provincial executive at Feilding to discuss the question of the rates of wages for crutchers and shearers and all farm labourers.

During the last race at the Manawatu Trotting Club's Meeting at Awapuni, Nelson Derby, owned and driven by Mr. G. Craw and Warlock, owned by Mr. H. J. Woodfield and driven by H. Barraolough, collided and fell. Mr. Craw sustained a fracture of tho right leg, and was removed to a private hospital, but Barraclough escaped without injury. In reporting to the annual meeting of the Manawatu Sub-provincial Farmers' Union, the president (Mr. F. W. Hubbard) referred to the apathy of members in tho union's work and the poor attendance at tho meetings. He said that it was evident that some other plan than tho present one \ ould have to be adopted if the union is to be kept together, and he suggested-that the .secretaries of the various branches be given a commission on the 'members' subscriptions colleoted. The apathy, he said, was much to be regretted, more especially at the present time, when things are in a most,unsatisfactory position bo far as farmers are concerned. If they did not stiqk together to conserve their interests, the exploitation which had been going on would be further aggravated and may end disastrously.

In the final of the Palmerston North Bowling Club's pairs championship, Wilton and Needham (skip) defeated Vautier and J. A. Nash (skip) by 19 points to 18. On the Terrace find green a rink from Feilding (skipped by Bartholomew) defeated the Terrace End holders of the Manson and Barr Cup (Paton skip) by 23 points to 21.

The Manawatu Golf Club held its official opening on Saturday afternoon. Some good cards were handed in after the mixed foursomes over the 14-hole course, the best being that of W. String and Miss Johnston, with a score of 76-16-60. The beet actual score was that of Mr and Mrs. H. Collinson, who completed the course in 68.

Harvest thanksgiving services were held at St. Peter's Church at Terrace End on Sunday, when the Rev. J. Hobbs preached morning and evening to large congregations.

Anniversary services were held in connection with the Methodißt Churches at Rongotoa and Bunnythorpe on Sunday. The Rongotea services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Withers, while at Bunnythorpe the Rev. A. Doull was the preacher in the morning and the Rev. A. Ashcroft in the evening. The final of the ladies' championship of the Palmerston North Lawn Tennis Club was won by Miss Hodder, who beat Miss D. Haggitfc by 6-3, 6-1. • At the annual meeting of the P»lnierston North Orpheus Society Mr. J. RogeTs was elected president and Mr. S. S. Carson "honorary secretary.