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Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 15 July 1936, Page 8

The infant mortality rate in Now South Wales in the first half of this year was 39.97 per 1000 hirths, compared with 29.19 in January-June, 1935 It is likely that the Premiers’ Conference to he held in Adelaide next month will consider the proposal for a uniform gauge for the railways of | Australia. Should the scheme ho adoptI ed, the standard gauge will probably ! be that now used in New South Wales. First of the streets on the now season’s schedule to receive attention, To Awe Awe Street is now being tarsealed, from Fitzberbert Avenue to Victoria Avenue. Heretaunga Street, which is to ho sealed from Grey Street to Featherston Street, is next on the i list, to be followed by Wood Street ! and Church Street West (to Botanical ' Hoad). Support for a suggestion that penny bus fares should he charged children on all days and at all times was sought from the Terrace End Progressive Association last evening, in a letter from the Takaro Association. It was stated that the Takaro Association had approached the City Council on the matter, but with little success. The Terrace End Association decided to take no action, considering that the present fares were on quite a reasonable basis. At the meeting of the Kairanga County Council, yesterday, Cr. J. Smith referred to the distressing i fatality at the Bunny throne railway crossing, last week, when two highlyrespected citizens lost their lives. He said the crossing should be submitted to the Minister of Railways (Hon. 1). G. Sullivan) as most dangerous and requiring attention when the Government commences its scheme for improving dangerous crossings. A motion to this effect was carried. A very gratifying response has been made throughout the Dominion to the appeal for funds for a memorial to the late Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, who lost his life in an accident at the Rongolai aerodrome, and the Wellington committee in charge of the fund now has £5103 in hand. In reporting on the position, the secretary of the fund states that there is just one more return to come in and then the fund will be closed. “The response has been most generous,” he says, “and we have been able to exceed the total set as our goal.” It was reported to the meeting of the Terrace End Progressive Association last evening that under date of May 27, a letter had been received from the district engineer’s office of the Railway Department, stating that a desifjp for a new building for. the Terrace End station was being prepared, and it was not thought there would he any cause for complaint concerning the type of building to he erected. Comment was made at the meeting that- the main question now was when would the new station come into being, nearly two months having elapsed in the meantime. Woods’ Great Peypurunnt Cure, for in ttuenza colds. —Advt.

Plans are now being drawn for the new pavilion at the Sportsground, also for the new ladies’ rest-room to be erected in the Square. Since July 1 three inquests have been held at Palmerston North, and four others are now pending. Six of the fatalities which have occurred are the outcome of motor accidents. After his wrestling bout with Bob Kruse at the Wellington Town Hall, Ear! McCready entered’ hospital to have his tonsils removed. The operation was performed yesterday morning. The records at the Palmerston North Boys’ High School showed today that the frost experienced overnight reached an intensity of eight degrees. That temperature has been equalled only once in this winter. Eoxton borough will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 1938. At last night's Borougli Council meeting the Mayor (Mr M. E. Pcrreau) intimated that already he was planning a fitting celebration. —Eoxton correspondent An acute shortage of domestics exists in Wellington, according to the representative ot one largo registry oiuce in commenting on the suggestion made in Dunedin that schools tor domestics should be established in New Zealand.

A lucky escape from serious injury was experienced by several members of a Temuka family who were sitting by the fireside at their home a few days ago when, caused by a detonator, a violent explosion in the grate blew pieces of coal out into the room with considerable force.

Building figures, based only on definite contract prices, as reported to the Wellington City Council, totalled nearly half a million sterling in value for the six months ended June 30. This is an increase of £198,000 for the six months as compared with the corresponding period of last year. A survey of Lake Wairarapa was made from the air yesterday b.v Plying Officer J. M. Buckeridge, who had with him as observer Mr U. Haddock, of the ground staff of the Wellington Aero Club, in a search for the bodies of two men who were drowned in the lake recently. No sign of the bodies was seen.

Maintaining that it was led to believe that the Fiji women’s hockey team was a team of Fijians, whereas most of the players arc either whites or half-castes, the South Canterbury Hockey Association has declined to proceed with the match between the Eiji team and South Canterbury, scheduled for to-day. Construction has been commenced on the brick fence, which, with an iron rail, is to form the Fitzherbcrt Avenue frontage to the Spprtsground. Behind this fence, along its entire length, will be a strip ot lawn 25 feet wide, ornamented at intervals with Jow shrubs. There will then be a border plantation of lawsouiana trees, with a 6ft board fence.

“I recently purchased a farm and have to recondition it,” remarked Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P. lor Patea, when speaking at Pordell. An interjector: “Speculation.” “I found that I still had a keen desire for farm life,” said Mr Dickie. A voice: “It shows that you must have faith in the Government.” Mr Dickie : “Faith in the land and not in the Government.”

The suggestion was made, at the meeting of the Terrace End Progressive Association last evening, that it would be desirable to hold quarterly meetings of delegates from each progressive association in Palmerston North, with the object of reviewing civic facilities generally, and discussing any avenues of improvement where required. The impossibility of continuing to sell tlie necessaries ot life at cost prices as was being (lone at present was stressed by retail grocers at a meeting of the Wellington Master Grocers’ .Association last night. The meeting discussed tlie retail prices of sugar, flour, and butter, and a deputation was set up to wait upon the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan).

Among the messages received by Mr John Kilmister, ot 'Wellington, who celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday, were greetings from King Edivard, the Governor-General, and the Prime Minister, A number of messages wore received from descendants of old settlers who were passengers with Mr Kilmister in the Lady Nugent when the ship arrived at ■Wellington in March, 1841. “What is the object of travelling at 50 and 00 miles an hour? In former days, with a horse and trap, we thought wo were doiug well at ten miles an hour and we got through life just the same,” remarked Cr. "W. E. Pearce at the monthly meeting of the Manawa’tu County Council yesterday, when motor speeds were being discussed. “We are in another age now,” remarked Cr. R. Wilson

One of the latest acquisitions by the Dominion Museum is a witch-doctor’s outfit presented by Mr and Mrs G. Day, of Kilbimie. Its origin is Nyassaland and it is said to be better titan any such exhibit in any South African museum or, lor that matter, in the world. The outfit includes a garment made of hundreds of monkey tails. Included are the tails ot tlie sacred black and white monkey of South Africa. It is anticipated that when materials como to hand, in a fortnight’s time, it will be possible to make an immediate start with the laying of the 21iii concrete-lined main to replace the existing water supply pipes between College Street and the ifitzherbert bridge, and over the two-milo section from the Fitzherbcrt bridge to the Fitzherbcrt West Road. The work is expected to occupy four months.

At tho monthly meeting of the Akitio County Council a. letter was received from Mr D. Campbell, manager of the Pongaroa branch ot the Bank of New Zealand, stating that owing to the falling-off of tlie bank’s business in the district it had been decided, to close the branch on July 23 a-nd to transfer customers’ accounts to either the Pal)ia.tua branch or the Dannevirke branch, whichever place would be the more convenient. Several councillors expressed regret at the decision of the bank to close the branch. The council did not make a decision as to which branch would be used in the future.

Disappointment that the City Council had not included more streets in Terrace End in the current year’s tarsealing schedule was expressed at the meeting of the Terrace End Progressive Association last evening. Several months ago, it was mentioned, the association had made representations on the subject and submitted suggestions. It was considered that Terrace End had not received its quota under the new season’s programme. Attention was also drawn | to the fact that only half the width of the Napier Hoad railway crossing had been tar-sealed, and it was decided to request that this be completed, as well as to convey to the . council the association’s disappointment concerning the small tar-sealing | programme of streets in Terrace End. j