PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 4

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(t'ltOM OUlt SPECIAL CORnESrOSDF.NTS.)

TALMERSTON.

The exhibits from tho public school gardens havo always been a centre of attraction at tho dairy show, and have formed a decidedly instructive object lesson. As tho outcome of experience in past years the section has been completely revised this year in such a way as to provide for a display of the results of garden experiments, and of nature study collections mado during tho current year. A subsidy of £2 10s. will bo paid to the master of each school making a suitable display, tho object being to encourage neat and judiciously-arranged educational displays of exhibits in tho school bays. Tho prize of £10, donated by Mr. J. E. "Nathan, of London, will be allocated as follows:—First, £4; second, £3; third, £2; fourth, £1. The scheme—a somewhat bold one —appears to meet the desires of the masters, and a great many inquiries havo already been received. There is every reason to believe that tho school bays this year will bo far in advance of anything of the kind previously seen in tho Dominion. The Defence- Department's instructors havo been busily engaged during the week arranging for the transport service necessary in connection with tho Oringi encampment. Some difficulty was experienced in securing the right stamp of horses for the work, especially for tho gun teams, but a number of Palmerston firms have materially assisted the officers, and there is now ample provision of both wagons and horses. The Manawatu Mounted Rifles intend to make thoir now orderly room as attractive as possible, and are sparing no pains to do so. They are now commencing to establish in it a museum of all arms and accoutrements used in warfare. As a nucleus towards iho collection they have already received twenty Mauser and twenty MartiniHouri rifles—souvcDirs of the Boer War. In addition to those Captain Jickcll has presented an old flint-lock rifle, a "Brown Bess," and several flint-loek pistols, with tho original flint locks attached. Mr. T. Stockwell has presented a Terry carbine—one of tho first breech-loaders used in tho English Army. Besides there presents various members have mado donations of shells, fuses, etc., and already the museum is taking shape. The idea is to assemble a collection of all kinds of arms used in ancient and modern times. The walls of the room are being decorated with photographs of past officers of tho corps, -and lances, swords, and various trophies won from time to time. As a history of each exhibit is attached to it, the museum will prove an excellent means of imparting instruction as to the changes that have becneffected in the implements of war. A meeting was convened at tho Baptist Church on Monday night for the purpose of forming a mutual improvement society. The following were elected to office for the session :—President, llcv F. Mac Donald: vicepresidents, Air. A. E. Whitehead and Miss Haycock; secretary, Mr G. Miller; treasurer, Mr. Forstcr. Tho society will be known as the Palmerston North Baptist Mutual Improvement tooiety, and will bo opened by a social on April 19. The Broad Street/Methodist Schoolroom .was eroded on Monday evening, when the congregation met to farewell tho'Rev. J. J. Lewie and family, who arc,leaving to take up work in tho Nelson circuit. There were also present, a number of friends from the Cuba Street and 'country churches; ' Mr. G. H. Bennett presided. During tho evening presentations of a travelling rug were made to Mr. Lewis by Mr. D. Sinclair on bohalf _of ihe congregation, to Miss Violet Lewis of a volume of poems by Sir. Bennett on behalf of. the Sunday School teachers, and to Miss Gwen Lewis of a framed photograph of her class on behalf of hor class-mate 3in the Sunday School. ' Speeches 'ealing with tho good work done by Mr. Lewis during his three j ears' residence in Palmerston were made by Messrs. G. H. Bennett, F. R. Hoddor, D. Sinclair, and 11. Haydon. The work of tho Rev. H. Beggs was also mentioned with appreciation. Mr. Lewis, in reply, thanked. those present for the - assistance which they, lud given tira in his work during his term.at Palnurston.

A start has been made with the erection of the new Technical School at the corner of King and Duke Streets. The contractors for tho work have a good number of men on at present, and indications point to mod progress boing made. The foundations of tho plumbers' school have been laid) and excavations are proceeding for thoso of the main building. It is expected that the school will be completed by tho end of the year, and will bo ready for tho first term of 1910. The attendanco at tho present school is mounting in numbers, tho total on the class registers being now well over 500— a large increase on .last year's figures.

MASTERTOJT

The following temporary promotions have been made in the Masterton Rifles in connection with the military manoeuvres at Oringi at Easter:—Quartermaster-Sergeant Lcvicn to act as transport sergeant; Sergeant Perry to act as colour-sergeant; Corporal L. "Prentice, to acting-sergeant; Laiice-Corporal Scales to acting-wrgeant; Private B. Munn to acting-sergeant; Private C. Munn to act-ing-corporal ; Private W. Williams to actingcorporal; Private F. Boylo to acting-cor-poral; Private W. Hornblow to acting-cor-poral.

FEILDING.

. Mr. Spurway, of Apiti, has just sold out his farm stock, and is building a private residence in Feilding, where ho intends to rosido for the future. Mr. Spunvay's successor, Mr. G. Malcolm, from tho Marfan Block, is bringing his family to Apiti. The recent chango in tho weather here has caused a decrease in tho milk supply in some parts of the district, but tho tests at tho creamery are very satisfactory, ranging from 3.8 to 4.4.

A serious accident was narrowly averted hero last' week. While Mr. C. Fitton was engaged in stumping ho accidentally set fire to four or five pounds of blasting powder. The resulting explosion caused no damage however, beyond providing some anxious moments for Mr. Fitton. A party left this district a few days ago on a deer-stalking trip in the Wairarapa. It included Messrs. R. J. Stuart, E. Fitton, R. Taylorj aud J. Barrett.

CAUTEBTON.

The Mastcrton United Friendly Societies' Council have invited the local societies to take part in the- demonstration in aid of the Mastcrton Hospital on Sunday, May 2. Hie event is to take the same form as was the case last year. 'An entertainment is to bo given hero on Friday week by the children of the local high school, the proceeds to be devoted towards wiping off a debt on the piano recently placed in the school. . The Waiohine Hivcr overflowed its banks on Tuesday morning, the overflow being due to the heavy rain on the hills. At nine o'clock on the day in question it burst over tho high stop bank opposite Mr. Williams's residence, ne'ar the Black Bridge, and later covered tlio floor of Mr. M'Giiinness's residence on tliebank of tlio river to a depth of one. foot. \Yhon it only needed another six inches in height to inundate Mr. Williams's residence, tlio water receded, and at 10.30 it was again confined between the' river banks. Lent services are being held daily in St. Mark's Church tin's week. Mr. A. Talbot, assistant-master at the District High School here, has received a similar appointment at Greyniouth, and loaves bore at the end of the month. During his three years' sojourn hero Sir. Talbot has proved himself a capable teacher, and his departure will bo received by residents wilii regret. On Sunday harvest "thanksgiving services were held in tlio Daleficld Methodist Church. The afternoon service was conducted bv tlio Kcv. W. "W. Avery, and tlio Uev. W. j. Elliott preached in tna evening. The choir was under the comluctorship of Mr. G. Gordon, and Mrs. Gordon presided at the irgnn. In order to give the parents sonic idea of what progress their children arc riaking each quarter ( at Sabbath school, the staff of, [ St. Mark's Sunday School are issuing quaf-

torly reports, tho first of which were distributed on Sunday. On Sunday tho local Salvation Army hold harvost festival services, which were conducted by Ensign Wellington.

GREYTOWN.

The local Borough Council held its monthly mooting on 'Monday evening, when the Mayor, and Councillors Kent-Johnston, Coe, Kcmpton, liaison, Trotman, Haigh, and Webster were present. Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.P., wrote stating that ho would arrange a meeting between a Minister of the Crown and the delegates appointed in connection with the progress of the Ruamahanga bridge. Messrs. W. Udy, !J. T. M. Hornsby, and J. D. Hcagorty declined attonding tho meeting for various reasons. Tho Mayor subsequently reported that tho delegates had met the l'remic-r, who had promised to lay the matter before the full Cabinet. Tho Chamber of Commerce, Carterton, wrote thanking tho council for assisting in tho matter of endeavouring to get the railway time-table altered. It was decided to grant Mr. W. Workman tho renewal of his present lease, but, only from year to year. The receipts during the last month were £51195. 6d., and che dr. balance at the bank js £002 16s. 7d. Tho Mayor announced his intention of seeking re-election. The writer went out to inspect the fivo feet seam of coal reported to havo been found at Woodside, but found that current" accounts had been slightly The find is situated in tho Bluegum Gully' and Mr. Gateley has put in several short drives from which he has taken some indications of coal, such as shale, fire clay, and light coal. There is a largo quantity of red sandstone on the higher reaches, and one's impression is that payable coa.l is there, but a diamond drill is required to siuk for it.

LEVIN,

' The Levin Horticultural Society's show opened yesterday afternoon, fine weather prevailing. There are 930 entries, which is slightly in advance of last year, and there is a splendid display of fruit, especially apples. The flowers on exhibition aro also good. The vegetables aro poor, which no doubt is due to the dry season which we havo had. Mr. T. Horton, tho well-known nurseryman, has the finest exhibition of apples that has been seen in Levin. Ho ie showing 120 varieties. One of tho features of the show is the. exhibit of the Weraroa Experiment Farm. This comprises two new varieties of grassviz., Falla-ris commutata and Fallaris coral-, lina. The varieties show a wonderful growth, and are supposed to be frost-proof.

SHANNON,

Rifleman Sutton was first in the competition for the Vile Challenge Cup on Saturday. Captain G. N. Stephenson was runner-up. Last week the annual general meeting of the Shannon Football Club was held in the Club Hotel.- The following officers were elected for the coming Eeason:—Patron, Mr. W. H. Field, M.P.; president, Mr. A. Soifert; vice-presidents, Messrs. Moynihan, Adams, S. W. Carter, Morris, T. Wells, G. N. Wood, and Taplin; selection committee, Messrs. Tinims, Roos, and Foster; coach, Mr. J. Ward; referee, Mr. F. Foster; secretary, Mr. J. A. Roos; delegates, Messrs. W. Moynihan and J. Gardiner; captain, Mr. Timms; vice-captain, Mr. ROO3. Mr. Higginson's flaxmUl at Koputaroa and the Koputarua Fibre Company are closing down forthwith. A ; meeting of the Makerua Drainage Board was held at Tokomaru on Tuesday.

I'EATJIERSTON.

Only a few men's handicap games wero played at the golf links on Saturday, the opening day. Tho. weather prevented ladies from putting in an appearance The weather lias been nothing if riot boisterous hero during tho past week. Wo are getting heavy wind and driving rain. All who are looking for a good time at Easter are wondering if the weather will break beforel them. r Ifit,does'.n , ot.there,'wi]l Jbo great disappointment.'" , -'''' " " ~" "' '''■. Tho Featherston Dairy .Company ie sending 287 cases of cheeso away by tho Draytou Grange. : ; '.'''' A curious altercation took place hero on Sunday, wherein a father' sought to prevent a young man from paying attention to His daughter. During tho "scene" tho young man- produced a revolver, but stopped short of shooting. Later tho polico toot: charge of the weapon, and further developments aro awaited locally with a certain degree of curios .. ' '