GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6757, 9 November 1928, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS

Mr. R. L. C. Aitchison left yesterday on a short visit to Christchurch.

A grant of ten guineas has been made by the Palmerston North Hospital Board towards the Turakina Health camp for children. Mr. J. Murray, rector of the Palmerston North Boys ’ High School is to deliver the address at the Father and Son banquet at the Y.M.C.A. to-night. 1

The Palmerston North Hospital Board yesterday extended its sympathy to Mr and Mrs. J. W. Bramwell, of Feilding, in their recent bereavement.

New South Wales bush fires arc interrupting telegraphic communication with the country c/stricts, states a cable.

The steamer Mamari has been sold to the firm of Arnold Bernstein, of Hamburg, for £23,500. It will bo converted into a motor carrier, states a London cable. , ’

Mr. A. M. Ongley, of Palmcrstot North, has again been appointed sols selector for the Country eleven to plaj the Town at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on December 7. At the end of October there were 187 patients remaining in the Palmerston .North Hospital. During the month 222 were admitted, 214 discharged, while 14 had died. The average number of occupied beds was 186. Yesterday the number of patients was only 168, the lowest it has been for a long time.

The newly-elected chairman of the Sluggish River Drainage Board, Mr. P. J. Foster, at a meeting of that body yesterday, referred tp the loss the Board had sustained in the death of its late chairman, the late Mr. R Murphy. In moving that the appreciation of the board of lys services be placed on the minutes, his successor, Mr. F. J. Foster, referred to Mr Murphy’s .excellent record, extending over 20 years, for the larger part of which period he had been chairman of the board.

The Director-General of Health (Dr Valintine) notified the PalmerstoJ North Hospital Board yesterday that the Minister had approved of the Board increasing,fees for patients from 9s to 12s per day for adults and from 4s 6d to 6s per day for children under 12 years. <■ The Manawatu County Council wrote expressing approval of the Board's action but thought that some system should bo devised whereby those well able to afford it could be asked to pay the full cost.

Charitable aid in the district was about normal during October according to the Charitable Aid officer (Mr i l . Aisher). He assisted 27 families at a cost of £49 5s with 197 rations. There was a big decrease in the number of travelling on the rpads. He had assisted 13 out of 17 who called on him for help, at a cost of £3 Bs. In October 1927 he had assisted 22 out of 36 who had called on him. Charitable aid outside of Palmerston North was quite normal, but he expected an increase owing to the flaxmills not yet having started.

Pointing out that in the past some small exhibitors had “eaten” their fees in free meals, the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association decided that in future ordinary members and exhibitors whose fees totalled less than 10s would not receive free luncheon tickets. This action was taken as the result of a letter from the North Esland Agricultural and Pastoral Conference giving the decision of the Pcilding Association to issue free tickets to officials only.. It was .suggested at the meeting that the question should bo dealt with as a Dominion question at the next North Island Conference.

“I noticed a great change for the better in England, except in the coalmining districts, where the conditions are depressing. The people generally seemed happy and optimistic," said Mr. H. O. Nolan, on his return to Auckland after a nine months’ trip abroad, in contrasting his impressions to those formed on a previous visit ; threc years ago. “The summer was a record one in England," Mr, Nolan said. “There were good crops, and agriculturally the Old Country seems to be lifting up its head again. I was greatly impressed with the much better feeling existing compared with three years ago. Wo were astounded at the largo amount of building going on all over England, and this,' I think is always a sign of prosperity. New Zealand has a wonderful name at Home. Our credit on the London market is as g'ood as that of any other country in the world. Regarding prices for produce during the coming season, I think the prospects are as good as last year. There is talk Of a drop in wool, but from what I could gather I think prospects are good-"