WAIROA NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18632, 16 February 1935, Page 12

WAIROA NEWS

(Herald Correspondent.) Discussing with a member of the nursing profession the admittedly poof physique of many of the children in the Wuikaromoann pas, the Herald’s representative learned that there is not a milch cow to be seen at Waimako or ,Te Kupa. The young children are largely fed on condensed milk, and those who know anything about infant feeding can readily understand what the result must be. Very few of the children get past the childhood stage, and as the Maoris have sufficient land, if it were grassed, surely some steps could be taken to see that the pas kept enough cows to save the lives of the babies. Out of all the Maori organisations in the East Coast district, surely there must be one willing to launch an aggressive campaign to prevent this continued “slaughter of the innocents.’’ Very little inquiry should satisfy the most, sceptical that a real need exists here.

For December the medical superintendent of the Wairoa Hospital reported that there were 29 patients in the institution at the beginning of the month; 51 were admitted, making a total of 83. The discharges were 63. Three patients died, and 17 remained at the end of the month.. The total days’ stay was 880, and the average occupied beds 28/1. Twelve operations were performed. .For January the figures wore:—lit hospital on .1 iinnary I. 17; admitted, 69; discharged, 51; died, -I; remaining on January 5.1, 31; total days’ stay, 771; average occupied beds, 2-1.9; operations, 22. Considerable interest is being taken in what is called a speed rally at the week-end. February 23-25, organised by the Wanganui A.A. During the lour drivers who exceed local speed limits, who turn- bad corners sit a dangerous pace, or whose machinery is not in gooil order, are to lose points. At. a meeting of the Wairoa thicket Association it was decided that a trophy should be secured for annual competition in order to increase (lie interest in the game. It was also decided to write to the Hastings Picnic Club to arrange a suitable dale for a match with a Wairoa representative team. in the Hopper Shield cricket competition Tuai defeated I lie dairy factory. Scores;---Tuai, first innings, 17-1 for live wickets, declared. • (Colby, not out, 72); dairy factory, first, innings, 118 (J\ Helena, 39), Several members of the Wairoa Boating Club left .on Friday with racing boats am!'gear for to-dnv’s regatta at Clive. The local crews left last n'ight. The Rev. Father M. Devoy, the popular parish priest of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Wairoa, was farcwelled at Osier’s Hull on Wednesday night. The rev. gentleman, who lias been in change here since March, 1931, has won golden opinions among all classes and creeds, and as a mark of that respect .over 400 people attended the farewell function. Dancing and cards filled the earlier part of the evening, and after supper, the Mayor, Mr. H. L. Harker, said that although their departing guest had asked that rlo presentation should be made, they could not let him leave the town without giving his parishioners and the .members of other denominations the opportunity of expressing both their esteem and regret. He knew that as a member of the Marist Order Father Devoy could' not accept anv money gift or own property, but the peoplo thought it: would be safe to give hvni something to write with, so a penny collection had enabled them to present him with a suitably inscribed goldmounted pencil. A speech of a congratulatory nature was made by the Von. Archdeacon Butterfield, and Father Devoy replied in terms of thankfulness of the kind' hospitality of all classes in Wairoa, at the same time regretting his coming departure which was not of his choosing. The Mayor thanked all who had assembled at the social and then presented the card prizes as follows:- —Ladies. —Mrs X. € rarer, 1; Mrs. 0. Hall, 2. Gentlemen.—Air. A. Rachongcr, 1; Mr. V. Ramlose, 2.

A number of members of the Wni-i-on Hospital Board, besides the chairman, Mr. P. .T. Brewster, have signified their intention of attending the Hospital Board’s conference in March, where several matters of great importance are to be dealt with.

The Wairoa Hospital matron, Miss E. Ilarvev, reported to- the board for December; “The health of the staff has been good. Sister Mallon has returned from annual leave. Staff Nurse King has resigned and will finish duty here about the middle of February. Iwo new hospital aids, Misses Ashly and Vallance, have commenced duty, taking the places recently vacated by Misses Nattras and Buttress. I wish to thank the following donors of gifts: Flowers, Mesdames McDonald, Powell, Frebblc, and Drcwitt; fruit, Mrs. 0. Sainsbury, Mr. Smytbe, Mr. McGrath, Mr. Raison, and Mr. Drcwitt; old linen and magazines, Airs. Perry; magazines, Airs. Young; ice, Mr. Bates; cake, Mrs. McDonald; produce, Church of England Maori Harvest thanksgiving, per Air. Alist. The secretary of the Racing Club and secretary of (In' Show sent tickets for the staff, these being much appreciated.”

The Waikaremoaim Regatta Club’s annual picnic was a great success, and very representative of the district, though the threatening weather somewhat reduced the attendance. However, tlie weather was on its best behavior, and there was not a ripple on tlie water. Besides the Government launch Ruapani, Messrs. Thomson and Hansen, Gisborne, had given the use of the Idalia,. and with the other launches no trouble was experienced, in getting the crowd to the picnic ground, the top end of Wairaumoana, opposite Te Pura. There were about 100 people present, and a good time was spent.

Welcome rain is still falling, making the position surer as regards stock, but it has quite, mined the stone fruit crop, already very poor, and does no good to the potato crops, which in many cases are not worth digging.

Mr. Frank Shaw, a former resident of Wairoa, visited the district as the guest of Mrs. G. Ilislop before returning to Wanganui.—The engagement of Miss Nelly Winiatn, Levin, is announced to Mr. John Gommell, the well-known Wairoa Rugby player.—Mrs. and Miss Dunne, Palmerston North, are visiting Wairoa. —Vlr. J. .Telfares, formerly of Wairoa hut now of Napier, paid a visit to this district on Thursday.—Mr. W, Irwine, Hastings, has arrived to take up a position on the clerical staff of Swifts (N.Z.), Limited. —Miss L. Burn, Te Karakn. and Mr. I. Tremor, Rluatoki, who have been staying with Mr. and Mrs. .). Ormond at Mnhin, have returned home.