FOXTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 234, 31 August 1935, Page 12

FOXTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Aug. 30. Miss Margaret Barron lias entered the Palmerston North Hospital to undergo an operation for appendicitis.

The Manawatu River service boat narrowly escaped damage when returning from Berry’s bank with two fully laden punts of flax on Thursday afternoon. When negotiating Long Reach in the teeth of the howling westerly gale, which had whipped up a considerable “sea” in this stretch of .water, tho boat started to slacken down and then sheer off. A quick investigation by Mr J. Ross disclosed the fact that a bundle of flax had been blown over the stern of one of the punts and had fouled tiio propeller of the steam boat. The boat and punts lost steerage within a few minutes and drifted into the bank. Fortunately, however, the locality was favourable and after three-quarters of an hour’s work the propeller was cleared and the journey was resumed.

With reference to tho Foxton .Chamber of Commerce’s request to the Stock Department for close supervision of dairies supplying milk for local consumption, a letter from tho district superintendent (Mr D. A. Gill, M.R.C.V.S.) was read at Thursday’s night’s meeting of the chamber. The writer stated inter alia:—“For various reasons the inspection of registered dairy herds has been carried cn with considerable difficulty for some time past, but it is anticipated that wo can overcome that in the very near future. Regarding the sale of milk from unregistered premises, that is a matter in which thk department can take action by prosecuting the persons concerned, hut we aro not in a position to know that is going oil unless it is brought to our notice, and in my view some responsibility rests with the local authority to report such unlicensed suppliers as they may bo aware cf. With regard to the danger of tuberculosis, I can assure you that the department will take, and is taking, all precautions in its power to safeguard the public from this disease.” FOXTON, Aug. 31. There passed away unexpectedly at his homo at Hiniatangi shortly beforo 11 a.m. yesterday George Takarua, a well-known Maori. He was 56 years of ago and leaves a wife and grown-up family resident in the district. A tangi is in progress at Motuiti. The anxiety of local relief workers to mako a good job of the conversion of Victoria Park into a playing area was shown last week when difficulty was experienced in obtaining tram wheels for tho carting of soil for the formation of the oval. Some of tho Maori members of the gang located some wheels about eight miles hack from Rangiotu and on the other side of the river. Permission for their use having been obtained the men constructed wooden rafts on the river bank for the purpose of transporting tho heavy iron wheels across the river. Unfortunately, however, one set was lost owing to a mishap to the raft. The men were somewhat disappointed, but they returned to the scene of the loss later, when one with disregard for tho weather conditions, or tile siwtfnees of tho river, dived in and after some time locnlcil I the sunken wheels and made a rope fast to them. The wheels wore got on shore on the opposite bank and a further attempt made to raft them over, blit again with disastrous results, and once more the cargo went to the bottom of the river. The foreman in the meantime learned of what was going on and forebade any further attempts at salvage. At tho monthly meeting of flic Chamber of Commerce Mr F. C. Raikcs (president) presided. It was decided to support the Manawatu Employers’ Association in ail endeavour to have a national half-holiday and petitions were circulated for signature. A letter from the Manawatu Traders’ Welfare Association asking for support in having an amendment of the Commercial Trusts Act enacted was received. Support was accorded an endeavour to have Palmerston North included in tho AuoklandDunedin trunk air service. Mr E. Field was welcomed ns a new member. The president was appointed the delegate to represent the chamber on the Safety First Committee. Mail matters concerning Marotiri were dealt with, tho Postmaster explaining that it would bo impossible for Marotiri to have a post box as it would luivo to be cleared by a departmental officer. He suggested a rural delivery. Tho matter will bo further taken up by the settlors themselves.