PROVINCIAL NEWS. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS,)

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 265, 1 August 1908, Page 6

PROVINCIAL NEWS. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS,)

PALMERSTON. 'A Press Association telegram announces the death of Mr. J. M'Convillo, familiarly known as. "Melbourne," a noted whip in tho old coaching days. Ho drove Hastwell and Macara's coaches, was on the Wellington-Foxton route for many years, and subsequently drove on tho West Coast coaching route. Deceased was fifty-two years of age, and leaves a wife and family. Judging by the booking, the boxing , contest between Rollo and Tracy will be largely attended. The success of tho local Amateur Dramatic Society's performance is also assured, members having their parts well in hand. At the Chamber, of Commerce meeting yesterday afternoon it was decided to assist the Foxton Harbour Board in every possible way. The Manawatu Military . Tournament Committee' (says a' Press Association message) has decided to extend the King's Birthday Tournament to two days, November .7 and 9. Fifteen additional events have boon added to the programme, and tho prize monoy increased to £159. A largely attended complimentary social was held at Bunny thorpe last evening to celebrate the first anniversary of the Bunnythorpa Dairy Company. The affair -was a great success, settlers _ attending from all parts of surrounding districts. It is pleasing to note that the directors will be ablo to place-a satisfactory balance-sheet beforo the meeting of suppliers, which takes place next month. The Company's first year has been a distinctly satisfactory one. '' MASTERTON: OBITUARY. Mr. G. S. W. Dalrymple, a very old Masterton resident, died on Thursday afternoon' at his;private residence,', aged 80 years. '' Deqeased was descended from a very old Scottish family and was a near relative of ( the present Earl of.Stair. Mr. Dalrymple was born in Lorient, France, .in 1828, and received-, tho greater part of his education in that country and in Belgium, his parents aftorwaTds removing to Scotland. After holding positions ,of trust in Glasgow, and also in the counties of Sutherland, Caithness, and in Perth, ho inherited a competence, aind at the age of 34 years sailed for New Zealand in tho City of Dunedin, landing at Invercargill- in 18G3. ; Mr. Dalrirmplo put ■in thirteen years of strenuous, pioneer-life in-Ihvercargill, and subsequently on the West Coast of the South Island, and then he camo to Masterton where he built up a .very good business as a land and commission agent, until be retired some years ago. . The old gentleman was always one who took a largo amount of interest in. local happenings. He was the first captain of the Invercargill Fire Brigade, and ho occupied a similar "position- in Masterton in 1876. .• ■

He was a ,Past Grand Steward of the Grand . Lodge of New Zealand Freemasons, and two of the jewels presented by; him are now worn by the Grand Blaster- on-- official occasions. Ho was also Past, Grand Master of the Manchester' Unity 'Independent Order of. Oddfellows, and'i also a Past Arch Druid. a he,was a member of the Parihaka expedition.';' Blindness fell upon him in his later years, but he still, continued to interest himself m matters of public life, and one of his - last appearances, was on Empire Day, 1907, when he delivered a'short-address to the scholars of, the • Masterton School' on "Imperialism," and made them a presentation. It has been found .that thelatp Mr. palrymple possesses a most-interesting collection of family papers' and' relics. , Deceased leaves a grown-up family which comprises Mr. J. G. Dalrymplo of Wellington; Mrs. Hankins,-wife of Mr. Hankins, solicitor, of Palmerston North; and Mrs. Nicholls, wifo of Mr. A. R. , Nicliolls of Sydney.. There are - twelve grandchildren, and sovon great-grandchildren. 'At the annual social gathering of the Mastnrton Hockey, Club .on Thursday night, tho Major Cup was presented to the Carterton A team, -champions for tho season.' The remainder of the evening was spent-in harmony.';:;- " At the annual meeting of the Masterton Boii'ling Club oh Thursday night, the annual report advising the increaso of tho yearly subscriptions and _a levy of £1 Is. in ordor to wipe out. the- liability,--was adopted after some discussion. The'following officers were elected: President-, Mr. J. M.Coradino; vice- ' presidents,. Messrs; .F. Dupre arid E.' J. Rose; treasurer,' Mr. E. Richards; secretary, Mr. 0.-.D., King; management committee, Messrs. R.' Rigg, ,0. Pfagnell, J. Hunter, J..C. Ewington, and J; Scott; selection committee, Messrs. E. R. Cameron, J. Scott, 0. Pragnell; auditor, Mr. C. Perry; club representative on Northern Bowling Association, Mr. F. Grady,, of Wellington. , As the'result-of an; activo canvass amongst' tho subscribers ' the . '-Masterton ' telephone -exchange is to have a continuous servico, the -same as that in vogue in Palmerston North. . Masterton is forwarding a flag of wolcome to Auckland in, connection with the reception of the American' fleet at that city. LEYIIT. Mrs. Barbara Ann Gardener, mother of Mr. B. R. Gardener, Mayor of. Levin, died at hor son's residence on Thursday night at 10,. o'clock'. The lato , Mrs. Gardener had 1 reached tho ripe age of 82 years, and was tho widow of tho late Mr. Matthew Gardener, of Oldham, Hampshire, England. Born in .Aberdeen,:. Scotland, she come out to New Zealand in the early days, lining a great 'deal of her time in the Wairarapa. She •loaves a family of four sons and one daughter, as woll as . many grandchildren. Mr. J. G.'- Hankins left by the express train yesterday morning for Masterton to. attend the funeral of his grandfather, the 'late Mr. .G. S. W. Dalrymplo, which takes place to-day. What is perhaps a -record shipment of purebred poultry left Levin a few days ago,'whon' Mr. Henry Leger sent to Auckland 138 of his pure-bred white leghorns. - , ' OTAE3. Metera, an old-time, Maori prophet, died at Kutihiku on Tuesday, aged about 90 years. A large.,tangi,has been taking place. Two of Foxton's best representative footballers, Bird (three-quarter) and Meadows ■ (forward) have decided to join, the Levin team. .... • A representative Junior football match has been arranged between Foston and Horowhenua for August 22 at Foxton. Mr. G. Bowker, an ox-Otaki resident, has returned, having joined tho stall of tho Fresh Food and Ico Co. The local Orchestral Society intend to hold a concert, at an early date. Tho Waikanae Tennis Club will also hold a similar function. . Messrs. and. Mesdames Bright, who aro now on a tour "of the British Isles, intend to leave for New Zealand on September 17. . . , WOODVILLE., A special meeting of, the Borough Council was held on Thursday night, ajk which his Worship tho Mayor was, elected a representative to tho .Waipukurau District Hospital Board. Tho County Council are .to elect a member for tho same purposo . Tho Borough Inspector was granted a day's leave of absence. The annual meeting of subscribers to the night watchman's fund was held on Thursday. Mr. Watson, who has acted as secretary, resigned that position, and Mr. Lovell was appointed secretary; and treasurer. Messrs. Govenlock, Rosenberg, and Horno form the committee.