PALMERSTON NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVX, Issue 3129, 15 May 1897, Page 4

PALMERSTON NOTES.

Special to the New Zealand Times, May 11.

Several changes have been made in the Hospital nursing staff. Nurse Heath has resigned, to the regret of the Board, who granted her a certificate as to the proper carrying out of her duties when on the staff; and Nurse Carr has been allowed six weeks* leave of absence. Miss C. M. Edwards has joined thenursing staff, and the matron and Mr Kavenhill have been authorised to obtain temporary help, should such be found necessary during the time Nurse Carr is away on leave. An order has been sent Home for surgical instruments to a considerable amount.

I was speaking to-day to a visitor from Hawera, who told me that when ho left the northern township there was not a solitary inmate in the local Hospital. The friends of Mr J. D. Batohelar will be sorry to learn that his condition is not so satisfactory as it was. I heard to-day that ho had again been obliged to take to his bod on account of the state of Ida knee trouble.

The hat belonging to young Richardson, who was drowned at Lancaster’s ford, in the Manawatu river, was found near the cliffs on the bank, and also a leather matchbox belonging to a young man named Little, one of the two survivors. The latter lost a valuable gun which he was carrying. The deceased, Richardson, also carried one when he 'met his untimely fate. The two who managed to. save their lives were riding on the same pony, and Richardson was mounted on a taller horse. The flag at the Fire Brigade Station has been flying at half-mast as a token of mourning for his death.

The man Knapp, who was seriously injured at the Foxton race meeting, and whose recovery was at one time despaired of, has pulled through wonderfully, and is how but little the worse for the misadventure which so nearly terminated his existence.

The Rev W. Earee’s song “ How Could We Know,” with accompaniment by Mr Gunter, >s proving very popular, and both words and music meet with general appreciation.

As indicating the removal of the forest, it may bn stated that firewood is being brought into Palmerston all the way from Buunythorpe by dray, and as high as 2s a cord royalty is paid in some cases. I remember when it was being delivered at for 8s to 10s a cord, which is much cheaper than the prices now asked. Many of the settlers’ houses across the river are now visible from town, owing to the rapid clearing of the intervening forest, a few years ago so dense. Towards Mount Stewart and Bunnythorpe , the alteration in the landscape is also noticeably apparent. A football accident has temporarily laid aside the popular Harry Palmer, who is such an enthusiastic devotee of the national game.

Next w,eek the United Farmers’ Cooperative Association intend having an exliibition of the newest models of the Coluijibia, Victor and Hartford bicycles. Mr Yerex is coming through specially to bo present, so that he may personally superintend the display of machines, and furnish any information required ill regard to them.