PALMERSTON RIPPLES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9596, 7 February 1910, Page 6

PALMERSTON RIPPLES.

(By Hokioi.)

A master builder told mo to-day that business iv liis line is very slack If a job "comos our," it is tendered for at very low rates, which leaves but little margin. The tender for the new Fire Brigade Station was a case in point. The All Nations Fair, iv aid oi the Oousnraptive Annexe at the Palmerstou Hospital, promise? to be a successful carnival. There will be fifteen stalls, and special features of the Fair will 'be the floral fefce ami athletic sports. Displays of fancy dancing, and live chess and draughts matches will be among the promised attractions. The St. John Ambulance Association will assist at the Fair. I mot an old West Coaster, to-day, who was personally acquainted with the late Mr W. li. lugraui, of Hokitika. His passing away reminded my friend of some of th 6 stirring days of the Coast, iv which Mr Ingram toot a leading part. He told me that the festivities iv conuectiou with Mr Seddou's first return to Parliament lasted continually for a week. "Those were the times," he reminisced. "Why, we thought nothing of munoy in those days. And what chances we all had ! But my word, I have seen a good many of the wealthy ones in those days stone-broke later on. Not a few died in hospitals aud homes, after all the money that passed through their hands. I am afraid New Zealand will never see such days again. Poor old Dick Seddon! And we scarcely ever hear his name mentioned/ he concluded mournfully. Country residents assure me that all the districts surrounding Pahnerston are looking remarkably well—a wonderful aud most gratifying contrast with this time two years ago. I was shown an old map of the Borough, in which many of the town sections were laid off in blocks of nine and a-ualf acres each. Many of these blocks have since been subdivided iv eighths of an acre. I was iv an agent's office a day or two ago, when the question of hosv many perches go to the acre came under 'discussion. I feel a little bit ashamed to say that, for the moment, the problem was a poser to '"c. Turning to one of the junior elprks. I said to him : "(Jonie, now, you have been to school long since I was. I liave forgotten my tables. Plow many perches to the acre?" "Well, really. I don't know." was the reply. "If I

was taught tables at school I have forgotten them. Here, Jim," turning to another younger clerk, "you're not a year from school yet. You can't have forgotten your tables. How many perches to the acre?" The lad thought a while, and replied, "Forty, I think, but I am not quite sure."' Finally we had .to look it up, and found there are oue hundred aud sixty perches to the acre. I was not so much surprised at myself having forgotten laud measurement, but when I was the'r age I could have repeated every set of tables in Johnston's Arithmetic, which was a standard school hook in those days, and I don't know if I have seen a better one since. With it and Lindley Murray's English Grammar aud Mayor's Spelling Book, aud the grouuding they got in those days, a school boy half a century ago was often better up in general useful knowledge than many a youth who has passed all the standards of the present-day system. For sound, thorough, useful, everyday knowledge, few scholars were better equipped for entering life's battle with a fair prospect of success than those taught in the Irish National Schools. Of course, they knew nothing of ambulaucc or first aid, or bacteriology, but they seemed to get on all right minus those modem brandies of erudition. There i≤ a promising Young People's Baud in Palmerstou, which already is a credit to th? instructor aud founder, Mr' A. J. Cobh. who is a builder and contractor. Their ages range from S to 14, aud there are twelve in the Baud. They made their first public appearance "on the occasion ot the civic welcome to Commissioner and Mrs Hay, of the Salvation Army, last week. "They are being thoroughly taught in theory, as well as how to play the various instruments. They acquitted themselves creditably, and were first takeu for the Youug People's Band iv convection with the Boys' Training School at Wereroa. With the exception of. the last mentioned, I believe the Palmerstou Young People's Baud is the only organisation of that character in the North Island. Mr Cobb is taking great pains with his young pupils, and they are making very satisfactory progress as musicians. The heat on Saturday forenoon was very trying, many peojile remarking that it was the hottest day they had experienced. But, on the whole, the weather during the present season cannot reasonably be found fault with. The College-street School Committee has decided to join the Waugauui and West Coast School Committees' Association, the aims aud objects of which organisation are to further the cause of education, aud to facilitate the duties of school committees. There is considerable speculation as to who will be Mr Walter Kutherfurd's successor as secretary of the Hospital Board. The Chairman, Mr J. G. Wilson, is somewhat apprehensive that it will be difficult to find a capable man to fill Mr Rutherfurd's shoes. I am inclined to think so. too. Iv a short chat with Mr i&utlierfurd, he tells me that his connection with the Hospital will cease on 551sfc March next. He has had a very responsible post to fill, and the public are more than satisfied with the conscientious manner in which he has discharged his onerous and often difficult and sometimes most trying duties. The worst word I heard of him was, "Oh, he's a bit too strict!" Well, I think that's .a very satisfactory tribute. He ha=? his hands very fall of other business matters at present, now that his partner has gone for a trip to the East and Europe, which will mean his absence from New Zealand for several months. The College-street School Committee

has passed a resolution, which will be forwarded to the Education Board, protesting against the school having so many relieving teachers appointed, and pointing out that teachers should be permanently appointed, and that it was not m the best interests ot the [that there should be so many changes. Tho Boy Scout movement continues to make headway, a patrol having been formed at Kelvin Grove. The College-street School Oommltteo ara of opiuiou that the duty or gathering iv the waifs and strays who do not attend school should devolve upon tho police. Iv my 'opinion, the polico have quite enough to do iv this town without having to act as truaut inspectors. Iv my occasional walks at road I rarely meet a coustable, which leads me to the belief that the force is uouo too strong for the size of the towu. Occasionally there is a "man in blue" visible on the railway platrorm. Ido not anticipate that the suggestion quoted will be given effect to. I have .lust heard of the death of Mr Edward Groves, an old resident of Palmerston, who passed away at the age of 73. It is not many weeks since he underwent an operation for au internal complaint. The death is also auuouuced of Mrs Captain Gardner, wife of Captain Gardner, who was a resident of Fitzherbert East for mauy years. With her husband,the deceased lady had not loug returned from au extended trip to Europe, and had been recently living in Wellington. The death is also auuouuoed of-the father of the Messrs Benuetb, of this town. Tho deceased gentleman was one of the earliest settlers iv the Thames, haviug been there at the time of the gold discoveries. A widow aud four sous survive.