PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 207, 26 May 1908, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(rnojl OUR SrECIAL . CORRESPONDENTS.)

PAHIATUA. - At a meetins of the Farmers' Union on Saturday, Mossrs. T. Quirk, president of. the local branch, J. C. Cooper, and T. Hodgins wero appointed delegates to - tho provincial conference, to bo held in Feilding to-mor-row. Steady rain sot in after an exceptionally, fine week early yesterday morning, continuing all day. * / Despite tho weather, a run by the Woodlands Hunt Club ,was held yesterday afternoon over Mr. P. J. Quirk's Ranfurly Estate, about twelve following the hounds. At the termination of the run, members were hospitably entertained by Mr. Sweeney. The Master of the Hounds, on behalf of members, presented Mr. Quirk with a solid silver teapot, suitably inscribed, on the occasion of his leaving the district.

' CARTERTON.

The Wosleyan Church was well filled on Sunday, when the Rev. Mr. Avery preached a sermon on " Patriotism," a fitting subject for Empire Day. At the conclusion the National Anthem was sung. Saturday's rain has played havoc with the streets in course of formation, but residents are taking matters philosophically. Morris-tube shooting is absorbing the time, and attention of the Carterton Rifle Volunteers. Competitions for trophies start tomorroiv.

GREYTOWN.

Sunday was quite a gaia day at Popawai on the occasion of tho visit of the English footballers. Tho Mayor, Mr. Loasby, gave an address of welcome, and Hoani Manihera followed suit. The Maori juvenile' poi dancers gave an exhibition of their skill. Tea was served and a good time spent. All tho Maori curios, etc., were trotted out and interested the visitors. Some 600 or 700 people gathered at the pa to do honour to the Englishmen. All Greytown visited Masterton on Saturday to see the match. The winter course of agriculture lessons to teachers was opened by Mr. A. W. Hogg, .M.P. and member of the Wellington Education Board. Mr. Hogg complimented the large number of teachers who have sacrificed their own -holiday to obtain information to impart to their pupils, and . said.'the Wellington district was looked up to on account of its educational'facilities." -The work Mr. Davies was doing as instructor was most important, and would prove of great value to the,; country;

. WOODVILLE.

After service at the "Wesleyan "Church on Sunday morning, . the congregation sang "God Save tho King." An impressive sermon was given by the Rev. Mr. Ginger on tho Empire.

■■■ OTAII. 'v

The Wellington golfers are at present enjoying a sojourn in this district; and yesterday wore Otakiitoam.'- All speak in highest' terms of tho links,' and Mr. Arthur Duncan, champion of the Dominion, interviewed, considers that tho links, with one or two minor improvements, would. be one of the best in New Zealand. He considers they aro everything a golfer needs, and regrets that train arrangements are, not better, .so as to. enable, city players to put in tlie week-ends .here. The mombers of the | team aro loud in- their . praise of .Otaki's treatment. _ The weather is fine but dull, but thero is little /fear, of rain..- ~ . Two footballers were en Saturday admitted, to the local hospital, one • from Levin, Fred Booth, with a broken leg, and tho: other, James Kelly, a Shannon' player; with a dislocated. shoulder. • " ' Tho death occurred -at the hospital on Sunday , of Mrs. Robinson, well. known;; in these parts. • Deceased leayes. a husband -and' several small: children. r'/'iV .' 'At the local Methodist Church on Sunday the scholars; presented Miss M'Clolland, who is to resign shortly from the. teaching staff, with a Bible. There are at present twenty-three patients in the local : sanatorium, which " institution was opened a year ago, on Sunday last (Empire Day). ■: ' ■ " - The Levin Amateurs' will- stage "Our Boys " here on June 10, in aid of tho recrea-i tion ground funds. ■ . !

'' ■ ' SHANNON. 1 .

' Mrs. Chappie and family are staying at the Makerua homestead. In order -to make 'the bowling green uniformly level, a coating of sana and soil is being added. Father Cognet held Mass and Benediction in tho Catholic Church last Sunday. '• - The hearing'. of the' action • brought by tho Mahawatu ..County -Council.'against jj rBox for crossing the Shanhon 7 Foxtoii bridge instead of using the ferry' is down for Juno 22 at Palmerston. . ; .

' . '.. eketahuna: . ; .

Mr. E.' F. Von Redon, an. old Eketahuna settler, who is now spending somo time in Germany, writes from Berlin to the effect that, with the exception of 'a little cold weather in. January,- the season has been very mild. There has been very little snow, not enough for sledging, and only ice for skating for a ;_very-short period. Though having a good time, Mr. Von Reden says lie often longs' to be back again in New Zealand. , In a hockey match between the Eketahuna and Pahiatua Ladies' Hockey Club's at Eketahuna, the latter won by threo goals to nil' • . : \ . ■' The fight between the Eketahuna Railway League-and the. Masterton Chamber of Commerce as to which of the two towns will bo the terminus of tho proposed loop line of railway to ( Waipukurau is likely to bo long and severe'. - ' Both organisations aro preparing for the battle. The. local League' has' already .'enrolled upwards of ; -500 membors, and' spontaneous donations are coming in freely to help along the cause. The County Council has granted the League the services of its overseer to go N over the suggested routes between Eketahuna and Alfredton, and report on the most practicable, in order that a qualified engineer may be engaged to- furnish tho necessary data. All the prominent settlers and' townspeople are interesting themselves in the matter, and when the time arrives for approaching the authorities every possiblo detail will be available for presentation. But for a- few frosts and the fact that the_ days are. fast drawing iri, there is no indication' that winter, is approaching. The Tararua ranges, are, devoid of their customary mantle of white, -and everj thing points to a short, and mild winter.

NIREAHA.

In the Public Hall on Thursday, Mr. A. Redpath, of Nireaha, said farewell, on' be- 1 half of the residents of tho surrounding districts, toi Mr. and Mrs. E. Robinson, who have resided hero for a number of years, and who leave for Hastings shortly, and to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Waterson, who intend removing to Carterton. The evening was spent in dancing, song, and music. Messrs.' Robinson and Waterson were presented with silver-mounted meerschaum pipes, and Mesdames Robinson and Waterson with afternoon tea-sets and occasional tables. Both the departing families were very highly respected. . Mr.. T. Moss, Chairman -of the •Ekotahuna County Council, and Mr. A. H. Horbort, Mayor of Ekotahuna, replied on bohalf of the recipients.