PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 470, 31 March 1909, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(fUOSI OUII SPECIAL COIUIKSVOSBESTB.) * PALMERSTON. At tho S.M. Court yesterday, Bertram Melver Ellis Wright proceeded against the Scott Motor Company to recover £20—tho valuo of a sheep-dog killed by ono of tho , defendant company's cars. Tho magistrate, after hearing evidence, said that tho caso resolved itself • into a question of whether there was nogligenco on the part of tho driver, and, under tho circumstances, ho considered that nogligenco had not boon shown. Judgment was therefore entered for tho.defendant company, with costs £2 12s. An inquest on tho body of William Ernest Vickers Haviland, who was found drowned in the Manawatu River on Saturday, was held before Captain Mowlcm, District Coroner., yesterday. The written evidence submitted bv Jack Harker, groom, at tho Denbigh Hotel Stables, Feilding, was to tho-ef-fect that deceased camo to Feilding about 12 months ago, and got a job as porter at Hastio's Hotel. Ho stayed there a fortnight, and then went to work at tho Denbigh Hotel, and subsequently at tho Emj piro Hotel. About a week after he had left Fcilding he bad written from Palmerstou to witness, asking' for sonio money, but witness did not send any. Whenever he was out of work ho got despondent, and used to say ho would "put a stop to it. A verdict was returned that deceased committed suicido whilst in a despondent state of mind, induced by lack of employment. With three exceptions, '■ tho leases of tho Palmerston properties sold on behalf of the governors of tho Wellington College and tho Girls' High School, by Messrs; Abraham and Williams, on Saturday, wore disposed of to tho original occupiers. Tho position was that the leases having expired, tho Board of Governors increased tho rental, and tho occupiers had either to tako over the leases • for another 21 years, or lose tho value of their improvement!!. Messrs. C. E. Waldegravo and Podjursky, and Mrs. E. A. Smith decided not to tako over their leases for another period. Those who did woro Messrs. 11. K. Reid, W. Just, J. B. Bealo, A. F. Anderson, G. Allinan, and Mre. O'Reilly. The committee of the Manawatu Racing Club' met on Monday night, Mr. D. Buick; M.P., presiding. It was decided to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April C, to consider applications for racing dates, and also to consider the advisability of altering tho dato of the monthly meeting. Tho action of tho Ground Committee, in granting the uso of tho racecourse for the polo races, was endorsed. Correspondence was received from , tho Rangitikci Racing Club, notifying tho nomination of Mr. D. Fraser as a representative on tho Metropolitan Committed: It was decided to recommend tho application of E. Neale for a trainer's license. A number of transfers in connection with tho salo of thoroughbred stock were noted.

MASTERTON.

The quantity of phosphorised pollard for rabbit-poisoning purposes bcinj; manufactured at the Masterton depot is greatly in excess of previous years. To copo with tho orders for pollard, extra labour is being employed at tbo depot. Settlers ecem to bo showing an earnest desire to prevent tbo spread of tbo rabbit pest. A» number of deer-shooting ' enthusiasts have already procured licenses, with a view to making a start on .April 1. Doer aro plontiful in tho Martmljorough and East Coast districts, and aro reported, to bo in fino condition) this being doubtless tho result of tho very favourablo season. Sportsmen, therefore, anticipate a good time. At tho annual meeting of tho Huia Hockey Club, tho balance-sheet showed a'credit of £5 2s. Officers for tho ensuing year wero elected as follow:—President, Mrs. Watson; vice-presidents,-, Mrs. Hoskmg, Messrs. J. Mticara, C: Carlcy, Raine, A. C. lYagnoll'; captain, Miss 0! Richards; vice-captain, Miss La Roche; secretary and treasurer, Miss Dalrymplc; gcnaral committee, Misses Richards, La Roche, Dalrymplc, l'ctors, and Finnis; selection committee, Misses Richards, La Roche, and, Dalrymplo; delegates to Wairarapa Hockey Association, Misses Richards and Dalrymplc. Nino now members wero elected. It was, decided to open tho season on Thursday on tho Lansdowno Ground. • Tho membership of tho Masterton Orchestral Society now numbers twenty-four.. Tho society has settled down to solid practice for tho winter. ' _ Tho anniversary services in connection with tho Knox Church Sunday School tako placo on Sunday next, when, special services will be conducted.

FEILDING.

Mr. H. Tollcy has rotired from tho Mayoral oonkst, and Mr. S. \V. Fitzlicrbcrt is now tho only candidate in tho field. Several councillors intend retiring at tho end of thoir present term. ' Tho Cheltenham cricket team won tho Foilding district cricket competition, and therefore become- tho holders of tho Guthrio trophy.

CARTERTON.

■ Heavy rain fell hero on Monday night, and consequently tlio rivers in the. neighbourhood were running bank high. At Dalefield nil the low-king land was under water, and on the Daleiield side of _ the railway crossing water was eighteen inches deep across tho road. The weather now sceuia to bo clearing. ~•'., i A chess match botweon Carterton [<nd Groytown takes place on Wednesday evening at Greytown.

MAHTON.

' Tho funeral of tho late Mr. F. H. Gibbons, of Gretuai Hotel, Taihape, took placeat Marton yesterday. There- was a largo attendance of mourners from all parts of . Rangitikci and neighbouring towns, .and also a representative gathering of Masomo lodges, while Taihapo was represented by, all its loading business men and residents. Tho Yen. Archdeacon Toogcod conducted an 'impressive- burial service, lljw assisted by the Rev. Mr. Clarkson, of 'laihape, and the Masonic burial servieo was also conducted. A largo number of floral tributes were sent from various instit.utious with which deceased was identified and from a wide circle of friends.'