PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 462, 22 March 1909, Page 6

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

iMiOM OUR SrECIAL COMtESrONDENTS.)

PALMEItSTOX. The polo tournament under the auspices of tho New Zealand Polo Association commenced at Hokowhitu on Saturday morning. Beautiful weather prevailed, and there was a good attendance all day, hut particularly in tho afternoon, when the spectators included Lady Plunket and party. In the morning, Manawatu B met Rangitikei in the Savillo Cup contest. Tho home team proved no match for Rangitikei, who won by 17 goals to nil, outplaying the Manawatu juniors in every department. In tho afternoon, Fern Flats met Mangahcia, and we're beaten by 6 goals to 5, after a very closo and interesting game, the scores being 5 all when tho final spell was commenced. Following upon that, Christchurch played Parawanui, and tho country team won easily by 8 goals to 1. Parawanui played a fast and strenuous game, and had the city men in trouble from tho start. The trip to Moumahaki experiment farm, under the auspices of the local branch of tho Farmers' Union has been arranged for Wednesday next. The party will leave Palmerston North at 6.45 a.m., arriving at Moumahaki at 12.30 p.m. The return train leaves at 5.15 p.m., arriving at Palmerston North at 10.20 p.m. Arrangements have been made for luncheon and tea at Aramoho, and conveyances will take passengers from the station to the farm. A visit to the Government experiment farms is always full of interest to the farmer, and, as Moumahaki undertakes all branches of agriculture and horticulture, the farm is probably the best of its kind in tho Dominion. James Anneson, a young man, and a recent arrival in Palmerston, was charged at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning, before Messrs. A. D. Thomson, S.M., and F. Mowlem, J.P.,- with common assault on a girl twelve years of age. Sergeant Stagpoole. in opening the case, said that the charge was one of common assault, but the evidence would show that a more serious charge had been narrowly averted. Ho then outlined tho case, after which evidence was given by the littlo girl, her brother, a witness named Larder, and Detective Quirkc. The Bench considered that a serious offence had !>cen narrowly averted. Tho maximum penalty for common assault was two months imprisonment with hard labour, and that sentence would be inflicted. MASTSBTON. , : The following letter has been received by Mr. JVC. Boddington, secretary of tho Mastcrten Chamber of Commerce from the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways:—"l have to acknowledge. receipt of your letter in forwarding petition from the cab and express owners and. drivers of Masterton, praying for the acceleration of tho arrival of the New Plymouth and Palmerston North train which is timed to arrive at present at 9,55 p.m. This section of tho railways' is now undergoing a report, and the representations contained in the petition will bo duly considered." ' The annual meeting of the Masterton Golf Club will be held on when a number of important matters relating to the club will' be discussed. ■.- CARTERTON. .As a result of the visit of the Land Board, Mrs. Harris, Messrs. Albert Hooker, Wimott, and. A- Bishop arid'son are to be allowed . sections on the Carrington Estate without ballot. Messrs. Wallace, Masson and Co., a local firm of blacksmiths, have just completed to tho order of the Martinborough Fire Brigade a competition hose "reel, at a cost of £23. It is to be sent to its destination on Thursday. Tho local hockey club has a credit balance of £3 10s. sd. to carry forward for the coming season, which is to bo opened on April 1. The subscription has been fixed at "s. 6d. for juniors and ss. for seniors. The officers elected are:—Patron, Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.P.; president, Mr. W. Moore; vice-presidents, Messrs. E.' Eaglo, junr., W. A. Ivitehen, J. Frascr, S. A. Pull, W. H. Reynolds, W. J. .Lindop, W: Fisher, sonr., W. Howard Booth; cautain, Mr. J. Fisher; auditor, . Mr. R. V , King; secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. Sievors; management committeo, Messrs. King, A; Fisher, and Morgan, with captain and secretary; selection committee, Messrs. Pull, W. Moore, and the captain; delegates to . tho union, Messrs. Full, Fisher,, and Sievors. Tho annual meeting of tho Gladstone Football Club was held on Fridaj; evening, Mr. A. B. Booth being in tho chair. .It was decided to enter a senior team, and tho following officers were elected:—-Patron, Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.P.; president, Mr. W. Strang; vice-presidents, Messrs. J\ Strang, W. Day, E. A. Toogood, G. R. Macdonald, A. Booth, and N. Willoughby; management and match committee, Messrs. S. Mason, D. Thompson, F. Johnson, Monu, and R. Cooper; secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. Cooper; delegates to the union, Messrs. A. E. Booth and N.Dougias. It is understood that there is no foundation for the rumour that Mr. Coleman Phillips will contest the Carterton Mayoralty. . FEATHERSTON. Mr. G. Laffler, who claims to be the champion trick and fancy cuist of Australia, is in Featherston at present. He will engage local players this evening, and is willing to concede 200 in 600, Mr. W. Barton, of Featherston, has established something like, a record by driving a motor buggy from here to White Rock. The distance is about 54 miles, the greater portion of which is over river beds and stiff clay roads. In one place Mr. Barton ran into quicksand on tho beach, and it took him two hour 3 to get tho car out again. On the home journey tho roads were very bad, rain having fallen for two or three days, and transformed the roads into ditches. In ono place the car, which-has wheels like an ordinary buggy, went into the clay up to the axles. In the condition that the roads were, it would have been impossible to get to White Rock in a buggy with a pair of horses, so the performance of the car, a Holsman, is very creditable.