PALMERSTON RIPPLES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9593, 3 February 1910, Page 2

PALMERSTON RIPPLES.

(By Hokioi.)

I am sorry to learn that Mr James Mowlem, brother of lato Captain Mowlem, is seriously ill, haviug recently undergone au operation at a private hospital. I understand that the Palmerstou flour mills aro having the machinery extended — a satisfactory sign of material progress. This mill was couverted from stone to roller process several years ago. by the firm of Zajouskowski, of Martou, who. I learn ou good authority, did thoir work most substantially. The additions to the machinery now being put in will euablo tho mill to considerably increase its output.

If the brici.-mal-iug industry is auy indication of progress, Palmerstou ia not; lagging behind. There are no fewer than three brickworks iv this town, aud not very far apart either. I am told that all are kept pretty fully employed.

Mr D. L. Smith, the erstwhile manager for the late Mr John Mansou, a large laud-holder in this district, was in Palmerstou to-day. I understand it was the late Mi John Mausou who offered the Government a pound au acre for tho Kairauga block when it was bush unci swamp. Mr Mansou knew what he was after. Th? Kairauga laud is worth, to-day, from -fi-10 an acre upwards, some of it up to nearly £100. Mr Mausou bought most of his bush laud in Manawatu at a maximum limit of £3 per acre. I suppose to-day it would average £45.

Rev. Father O'Bierue preached his farewell sormou at St. Patrick's Koman Catholic Church ou Sunday, haviug been transferred to New Plymouth. Ho is succeeded by Rev. Father Couolly, to whom, as an assistant, will shortly arrive Rev. Father Quealey. Father o'l.ierne's departure is much regretted, as he was vory popular in the parish.

Thoro passed away at Moutoa, near Foxtou, recently, Mr J. Nortou, who was one ot the pioneers ot the district. Ho cauio to Manawatu iv the early fifties, aud his death occurred at tlie ago of HI. He was chaiuman for Mr J. T. Stewart, now living at Wanganui, when ho had charge of the Manawatu Survey District. At oue time lie was engaged iv couvoymg stores up the Mauawatu river. He is .siid to have been iv the party wliich selected the site of the preseut towu of Palmerston. It was theu a bush-encircled clearing covered with scrub, tutu, flax, etc. Verily what, a transformation has been effected in the interval!

Mr Walter Rutherfurd jj,is retiring from the secretaryship of the Palmerston Hospital Board, with which body he has beeu connected for a number of years. He was a model secretary, combiuiug tho "suaviter iv modo" with (wheu necessary) the "fortiter in reo." He was tactful, conciliatory, but always firm aud businesslike. The luspector-Cfeneral, iv his receut report, paid a well-merited tribute to tho valuable services rendered to the Hospital by Mr Rutherfurd, whose partuer (Mr Couuell) is leaving shortly ou au extended trip to Europe, aud Mr Rutherfurd finds it necessary for him to retire from his somewhat exacting responsibilities as administrator ot the Hospital, which owes a great deal to his excellent business capacity. He iias earned, and retained, the esteem of the whole commuuity, for the faithful performance of his duties as secretary of the Palmerstou Hospital, which is ouly oue of the several official positions held by him.

Commissioner and Mrs Hay, of the Salvation Army, arrived from Wellington by Tuesday after'uoon's train, and were accorded a. civic reception at. the Rotunda in the Square. Staff-Captain and Mr Henry have left for Wellington, but will return later in the week, taking their fiual departure about the middle of next week. The farewell services to the Staff-Captain aud his wife on Sunday eveuiug were very largely attended, aud several enthusiastic tributes were paid to the excellent work done by both in connection with social aud other work, and the progress wliich the Palmerstou corps had made during the popular Stafl'-Ca*p-tain's residence in Palmerstou.

The weather is more like very late autumn thau what is generally experienced at this time of the year. Put there is none of the parched-up appearance of this time two years. The whole country is green, feed comiug ou wonderfully after the receut extreme heat aud subsequent heavy, soaking rainfall.