PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 13

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

intOM ODIt SPECIAL COIUIESrONDENTS.) t PALM HUSTON. At the Philosophical Society on Thursday night Professor kirk, of Victoria College, assisted by Mr. Stuckey, a student, delivered an interesting lecture, suitably illustrated, upon "Nerve and Muscle." At the conclusion of the lecturo Professor Kirk ivas accorded a cordial vote of thanks. Owing to the wet weather prevailing yesterday it was decided to postpone tho opening of tho polo tournament till to-day at 11 a.m. ■The umpires will b6 Messrs. R. A. Russell and S. Williamson. On Monday tbiyo matches will probably bo played with the idea of making up for tho timo lost yesterday. A largo attendanco is expected at Hokowhitu during tho week, tho tournament having attracted very general interest. Tho chairman of tho High School Board of Governors has received a letter of thanks from tho Inspector-General of Schools for a copy of Messrs. Levin and Company's report on the wool classed by tho students of the Palmorston North Technical School. The report in question, it was stated, reflected a great deal of credit on the work of the class, and the hope was expressed that the success of the experiment would lead to further efforts in the same direction. Yesterday a cheque for £112 13s. lOd. was sent to tho Treasury Department from tho "Standard" office, this sum representing tho total subscriptions received by the "Standard" in aid of the' bread fund. The Government has undortakeii to forward the money to England free of cost. It is understood that, owing to the low prices of hemp, Mr. W. G. C. Smith, of Oroua Bridge, is also contemplating the closing down of his mill, notwithstanding the fact that his royalties have been reduced, and' that he has a plentiful supply of raw material. Tho committee of tho Manawatu Horticultural Society held a meeting on Thursday night. It was decided to hold tho chrysanthemum show on Wednesday and Thursday, April 28 and 29, in the A. and P. Association's Agricultural Hall, and that the cottage garden competition be held over till the spring' show. The_ society is to be represented at the Otaki show and at tho Levin show by Mr. Mason,, while Mr. J. H. G. Murdoch was appointed to represent the society in the Hawke's Bay district. It was decided to inform people living at a distance, and unable to attend, that flowers sent by rail or otherwise would be set up on the show, benches by experts. • . . 1 A feature at the society's rose show, to bo held in December next, will be a trophy presented, by. Mr. A. C. Bradfceld for tho best six vasc3 of sweet-pea blooms, ten spikes each, grown from seed supplied by tho society.

MASTERTON

The council of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon, when there wore present Mr. G. C. Summerell (chairman), Messrs. E. E. Chamberlain, M. Caselberg,'A. Henderson, J. D. Cruickshank, J. B. Moodie. E. H. Waddineton, C. Graham. The Eltetahuna and Paniatua Chambers of Commerce wrote expressing hearty in the matter, of connecting Wairarapa with the Main Trunk service in .tho manner proposed by the Masterton Chamber. ' The Attorney-General wrote stating that in view of contemplated amendments to the Bankruptcy Act, ho would bo pleased to receive suggestions regarding suitable amendments .which the chamber or members .might desire to submit. On the motion of Mr..Moodie the matter was left in the hands of tho delegates to tho conference. Messrs. Cruickshanks and Caselberg were appointed delegates to the conference at Wellington on April 13. Mr. Caselberg intimated that, ho would prepare a paper for the conference on "Tho Social, Economic and Commercial Effect of the Carrying of No-License on tho Trade of tho Dominion." However, he would like to know whether such a paper would be in order. It was decided to make inquiries from the 'Wellington Chamber, which .is promoting the'conference, whether such a paper would bo in order. ■ 1 •

It was resolved to inquire of the PalmcTSton North' Chamber whether it proposed-to call a conference of chamber delegates from districts interested in the better linking up of tho East and West Coast railway services, and, if so, to notify the Masterton Chamber of the date. .

GRISYTOW

A fire occurred on Thursday morning at the Foresters' Arms Hotel, Greytown. It seems that the aih receptacle that stands alongside .the house ignited, and tho building took fire. But for tho promptitude of a resident, ,Mr. Stevens, the outbreak might have proved serious. He gave the alarm, anß then, assisted by another person,' got to work with buckets, and had the flames .extinguished before tho brigade turned up. SHANNON. On St. Patrick's Night a concert in*aid of tho funds of Mother Mary Aubert's Home of Compassion was held in the Town Hall. Tho house was packcd, and the items on tho programme wero well received. The wcalists were Mesdames D'Ath, May, tho Misses Paton and Tremewan, and Messrs. Speak, Caton, Charlesworth, Stansell, and Master M'Leavey. Miss R. Stansell contributed a piano solo and Mr. J. Curran danced an Irish jig. Mrs. D'Ath ! s rendering of "Barney O'Shea" was very much appreciated, and a special mead of praise is duo Master M'Leavey for his singing. Mr. Kersley, of Levin, acted as accompanist. FEATHERSTON.Very few Featherston volunteers attended the shooting on Thursday. It is necessary that all tho shooting for the present match should be finished by March 31. The scores made on Thursday wero as follow: — A Class. 200 300 500 yds. yds. yds. H'p. T'l. Sergt. Walker ... 28 25 22 10 85 B Class. Sergt. Roydhouse 23 23 26 5 77 Ptc. Crawley ... 21 21 21 12 75 Bugler Walker (one range) 13 10 23 C Class. Pto. G. Knapp ... 22 19 26 scr. 67 Tho wind was across tho range at about an angle of 15deg. and the weather was dull. Only one bowls match (in tho pairs) was played here on Thursday. It resulted as follows: Higgison and Bungay (scr.), 30 Ross and Knowles (3), 9. Tho second competition in the pairs will be played next! Thursday. Teams will be picked from tho members present at ,2.30 on that day. Mr. Clements, the coach for the golf club, is being kept busy. A good number of players aro taking advantage of his presence, and, as the greens aro being got into firstclass order, some good games aro expected for the opening of tho season on April 3. A case of suspected scarlet fever was sent from Featherston to the Greytown Hospital on Thursday. Tho welcome social tendered to tho Rev. Mr. Page in the Town Hall on Thursday night was attended by a large number of residents and visitors. During tho proceedings, which were opened by a pianoforte solo, by Miss ITodder, songs were sung by Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Palmer, Miss Wilkinson, Messrs. Gray, Wilson, and a quartette by Mesdames Palmer and Taylor, and Messrs. Femvick and Gray. Mr. J. G. vicar's churchwarden, then welcomed Mr. Page on behalf of the pcoplo of Featherston. In doing so, ho paid a tribute to the assistance rendered to the peoplo hero by the Rev. Wynne-Bond. Mr. l'ago, in responding, thanked those present for their many expressions of goodwill. One thdng that ho war, very sorry for was the absenco (on account of illness) of Mr. C. J. Kent-John-ston. He hoped to see him about again before lon^.