Palmerston Doings.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 972, 13 March 1919, Page 25

Palmerston Doings.

Dear Christabel, — WE have been surfeited with entertainments during last week. The Chautauqua and the comic opera season opened on the same night. The opera had two crowded houses for its frothy, frilly confection now called comic opera. The Chautauqua season suffered somewhat by such strong opposition, but nevertheless had a fair attendance. It has now transferred to the Opera House, where the balance of the season will be played out. •x- * # « Since the parishioners of St. Patrick's parish decided last week to immediately proceed with the erection' of a m\ieh-needed new church on a new site in Fitehett Street (off Grey Street) donations have freshened up. Mrs H. N. Watson has sent in a cheque for £500. ■* * * * Lieutenant and Mrs Cousins were in town last week. They were riding through southward on horseback. * * * •» Mrs and Miss Innes have returned from Rotoi'ua. * * * * Mrs A. A. Martin and Miss Nellie Barber have gone to Rotorua. * *. * * Miss Nellie Johnston, who has been away on a protracted holiday, returned home last week. -X- * * * Captain and Mrs Oram, and Mrs Oram's brother, Major W. Johnston, motored up from Wellington for the week-end. Captain Oram, who has been in charge of Base Records, is shedding khaki and returning to Pal-

merston, where he will resume Ms leg-al practice. They have just completed tie purchase of a charming home here. *■* . # * Mi* and Mrs Coyne are at present here on holiday. Mr Coyne was at one time on the staff of the local Onion Bank. They now reside in the Bay of Plenty. *** ■ * . Constable Jones was presented with the Hoyal Humane Society's certificate for bravery, at last meeting of the Borough Council. Constable Jones made a particularly gallant rescue of a boy who had got into difficulties in the ivianawatu Hiver. a ■» ■» * The primary schools held tneir annual swimming sports in the Municipal .baths last week. It was ideal weather for splashing, and the youngsters enjoyed it hugely. Tiie winners 01 the ±<reeth Cup were again Jjampbeii (Street. * ■» * * The High School boys also held their swimming carnival, and proud parents watcned the aquatic achievements of their sona in the High School Baths, vv e are really getting quite a clean people —three baths to our credit now and more in course of discussion. vr ir *3e* More returned soldiers welcomed on Saturday. The band turned out and people crowded the station, and the sun shone a brilliant welcome. * * * * Major Nash, M.P., has gone to Wellington. To be Mayor and member at the same time is to carry an extra load. The municipal elections are drawing near, but the public. appears quite apathetic. There are a lot 61 loyal citizens who prefer to sit at home with their feet on the mantelpiece and curse the Council for its misdeeds, but who won't waste their own precious time attending to the needs of the town and giving it a push forward. * * * Mr Maurice Cohen is again laid up with a recrudescence of an injury to his leg. * * •* * Cable advice has been received of the death of Arnaud Porritt, eldest son of Mr and Mrs O. H. Porritt. Young Porritt, who was only 19, left in December on a hospital ship, his uncle, Dr. Porritt, of Wanganui, also being on board. He died at the Wal-ton-on-Thames Hospital from pneumo-nic-influenza. ■s •* * *• Dr. and Mrs Pope have just returned from a three weeks' motor tour, visiting Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Rotorua. ■35- * * ■» The Manawatu Croquet Club visited Hastings last week to compete iii the tournament. Dr. Whitaker won the singles, and Mrs F. S. Mcßae and Dr. Whitaker the doubles. Awapuni.