PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 507, 14 May 1909, Page 6

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORUKSPONDB-iTS.) PALMERSTON. The initial meeting of the recently-formed Officers' Club was held on Wednesday night, about thirty officers being present. Apologies were recoived from Lord Plunkct, Lieut.Colonol Davies, Major Tatum,'and Captain Gathorne Hardy. Colonel Robin, in the course of an address, promised to assist tlic club in every particular, placing the officers of the instruction staff at tho, disposal of tho club. Ho also said that lie would send a lecturer up with the new lantern slides that are bbing prepared for demonstration purposes. He also promised to draw up a sketch syllabus, and would suggest certain lecturers for certain subjects. : Lieut.-Colonel Bauchop also delivered a very fine addressone brimful of points and good advice as to the lines on which the club should be conducted. Subsequently refreshments were served; and short addresses delivered by Mr. D. Buiek, M.P., Captain Preece, Major Garner, and Captains Goldingham, Peach, and Mostyn Jones. Messrs. Tasker and Mowlem have completed the canvass of that portion\of the Square allotted to them by tho Beautifying Society, and have been successful in Iraising over £20 of the £60 required to supplement the amount already in hand for beautifying the Square. The question of the Levin-Greatford railway was introduced at the meeting of the Manswatu County Council on Wednesday by a letter from Mr. Newman, M.P., in which he stated that- the Minister for. Public Works was evidently opposed to a trial survey of the proposed line. He enclosed a copy of the letter from the Minister, which was identical with that received by Mr. Field, M.P., on tho subject and published recently. - No action was taken beyond leaving tho whole matter with Mr. Nowman. Diphtheria has made its appearance at Foxton. One of the victims—a' child aged three years—died on Sunday. FEILDING. v i The Manawatu County : Council iis to be congratulated upon the healthy'condition of its finances. • Time was when an : overdraft was considered a necessary concomitant of tho year's, operations of . a local governing body, but the county councils are setting an example in this district which is well worthy of imitation. ■ Mr. A. Lightband, of Feilding, soil of Mr. W, B. Lightband, who it is supposed'was lost in a canoo; at Nelson a fow days ago; has gone to Nelson'to "seo what further steps can bo taken with a view, of clearing up the mystery-of his father's disappearance. Scarcity of labour for county works was one of the questions > that croppcd up incidentally at the meeting of the "Mnnawshi County Council. ' One, councillor said that ho had easily obtained a man and a hoy lor his own farm for £1 and 12s. a wool;, reAnother councillor thought that the council's wages were ioo high, » third considered, that it was tho qnality of some of the men that was astray.. . The chairman (Councillor J. G. Wilson) thought that tho pay was (low enough, and the subject dropped.

CARTERTON.

A full attendance was present at a meeting of . the vestry of St. Mark's Church on Wednesday evening, although the weather was damp and ■' miserable. The Rev. R. Young presided.' Messrs. T. S. Maunsell,. J. J. Mead, and W. Tucker were appointed a sub-committee to revise the pews and report at next meeting. Tho compliments of the meeting were paid to Mr. A. King for the oapable manner in which he had supervised the work of asphalting the footpaths around the church. Loyal Heart of Oak Lodge (Oddfellows) met on Wednesday evening, Bro. 0. J. Do Laoey, N. 6., presiding. Notiw of motion was tabled that the treasurer's salary increased, which .makes four notices of motion to be dealt with at the nest summoned meeting. Receipts for the evening totalled £21 3s. Id., and disbursements £4 15s. lOd. ' Tho municipal race is to bo run to-day, and from what one can gather the result for both Mayor and council "will end up in a very closo finish. There is so .little-to choose amongst tho candidates that those who vote willhave no easy matter in making » selection. In Waararapa junior hockoy championship matches played yesterday afternoon, Knox (Masterton) defeated Carterton A by 2'goals to 1, at Mastorbon; W.F.C.A. defeated Carterton Bby6 to ml. '

FEATHERSTON.

The Paka Kowa Ladies' Hockey Club held a very enjoyable dance in the Town Hall on , Wednesday evening. Tho hall was tastefully decorated ivith tree ferns and greens, and the stage was formed into a pleasant retreat. A largo number of danoers from near and far enjoyed the dancing on a firet-chsß floor, to music supplied by Mrs. A. Burt (piano) and Mr. W. Sorenson (violin). Tlio M.C.'s were Messrs. E l . H. Saunders, Waters, and C. Lust. Extras were played by Mrß. Wickens (two), Mrs. Waters, Miss Wakelin, and Miss Davidson. Tho supper-room was' beautifully! decorated with yellow chrysanthemums, and the tables were loaded with delicacies. Altogether the dapco was voted one of the best held in Featherston for a very long time. The town board met on Wednesday craning. Present:—Messrs. J! W. Card (chairman), W. Benton, W..Gi]pin, A. Donald, M. B. Tait, B. Yelvertori, J. ' M'Carty. The Works Committee reported that there had not been very much work done since kit meeting, .owing to the weather being unfavourable. This month a good deal of patching would be necessary. It was decided to caS for tenderß for about 360 yards of metal to carry out the work recommended by the committee. Mr. O'Neale's tender for tho extension of the water system was accepted, it being found necessary to strike off sixteen chains of the proposed extension. The estimates for the forthcoming year were read and approved by the board. The estimated rates for tho forthcoming year will amount to 4d. in tho £ on tho unimproved value.