PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 566, 22 July 1909, Page 8

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(fliOU OUR SPECIAL COOfiIUrOBWTS ) , ) LEVIN. ' Tito Presbjtorian Social and Literary Society mot 'on Tuesday evening, when -. the president, x tbo Kev. Joseph Whito, redd a very ablo -paper on "Joan Milton." The ''essayist briefly sketched tho life of the poet, recounting his struggles with poverty and the -persecution he endured, 'and Bpoko with feeling of his work as a .poet and politician; . On tho motion of Mr. Fry, Mr. White was heartily thanked for his paper. Four now members nero proposed and adrjnittcd. ' ' Yesterday afternoon tho new municipal gasworks, erected by ytho Lovin Borough Council, were formally opened. Unfortunately, just at tho timo fixod for tho cero--1 mony, lain began to fall heavily, and tho 'Major (Mr. 13. R. Gardener), in opening j tho proceedings, suggested that the, function bo as brief as possiblo on account of tho weather. 'The Mayoress (Mrs. Gardener; r said that felt it a high honour to be ' called upon to formally open tho new works, and wished them every success. Mr. J. W. Blackman, , gas engineer, on behalf of tho i Lighting Committee of tho Borough Coun- , cil, then presented tho Majoress with a gold gas-valve wheel, in the foim ot a i brooch; afso, on his oivn behalf, witn a silver caid-casc, both gifts bearing suitable inscriptions. Tho Mayor bnofly returned thanks, after which several vehicles were put at the l disposal of tho visitors and guests tor conveyance to the Century Hall; where tables laden with good things had been pro? parod. Tho Major presided, and the band of tho Weroroa Boys' Training Farm en- , livened the proceedings by playing several selections. The following toast list was, gone through-.—"The King," by tho chair-' man; "Tho Levin Municipal Gasworks," by , Mr. John Dnvies and Mr. John Kebbell, two of the oldest settlers in the district,, replied ' to by tho.jlayor; ''The Gas Engineer," by Councillor 'Hudson, replied to by Mr. J. -\V. Blackman; "Neighbouring Local Bodies," by Councillor' France, replied to by Mr. Jas. M'Leavey ■ (chairman Horowhenua , County Council), Councillor Haydon (Palmeiston North), and Mr, G. H. Stiles (Mayor of Foxton); "Visitors from Other Districts," by Councillor J. Prouse, replied to by ' . Messrs. Kennedy (Palmerston North), and ' Butcher and Johnstono Wellington); "The Gasworks Stair," by Councillor Cameron, rc- ' , plied to by Mr, C. B. Sbaw (gas manager); "The Press," by,' Councillor Palmer, replied to by Messrs. Dunne, Papwbrth, Robertson (for The Dominion), and Penn (Otaki); "The Chairman," -by Mr. Richard Prouso, replied to by tho Mayor. Among visitors from a distance ware Mr. Healey (Feilding), Councillor Haydon and Mr. Kennedy (Palmerston North), Mr. T. W. Butcher '. . (Wellington), and a party from Foxtonj con-1 sisting of' Mr. Stiles (Mayor), \ Councillors . Rimmer and Gibb, and Mr. Fraser (town clerk). Tho new llluminant is now in gen- , N eral use in" the town, tho number of con-1 Burners being'close on 170. OTAKI. ', '" i A meeting of the Management Committee > ' of the HoTowheiraa Hockey Association was held at Manakau on Tuesday night. Pre|6ent: Messrs. T. Vincent (chairman),, J, Howard Andrew, F. Sims, 'Horo Karauti, , H , . Nicolson, and C. Wilson (hon. secertary). , A discussion took place as to who were the / —" representative selectors, but, as nothing , has been recorded in the minutes concerning the matter, the last decision of the comwas adhered to, viz., that the final | selection, bo loft in tho hands of tho chair- ' man and secretary Byron Brown wroto ' offering a banner for the ladies' competition, to bo won twice in succession or three times i' at intervals. It was decided that tho donor bo accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his generosity, and the offer accepted. The Wellington Association wrote asking for a match with Horowhenua on July 24. Tho secretary reported that he had replied that the date was unsuitable, and this action was " endorsed. It was decided that tho match be played on August 28. ; The Auckland Association intimated that they had no vacant date for a shield'match with Horo-

whenua, unless ono of the challengers dropped out. Tho secretary was instructed to procure a copy of the rules governing the contest, and, if possible, arrange for a match. Wanganui Association offored to play at Levin on September 8. —Agreed to.,- -It was decided to hold a Probable v. Possible

match 'at Manakau oil August 11' ■ and a North v. South on August 18 (unless other-1 wise arranged), also at Manakau. Mr. Sims I was appointed to select the southern team I and Mr. Vincent the northern, the- best of I the Manakau backs to be "included" in the , latter, and itKeVbest Manakau forwards' to be selected by tho Otaki end. It was also | resolved that Mr. Nicolson act as referee in' I both matches. Mr. W. S. P.ark was elected * auditor. ~., | The Levin-Te Horo ladies' match, which j ', was to have been played at Tβ Horo yester-' day • afternoon, was declared off, owing to I Levin being unable to. travel. - ' , ' 1% , ' FEILDING.' v ' [ The position. of manager for the Apiti Co-operativo Dairy Company's Factory -has i been secured, by, Mr.. Allwood, "of Palmerstbn 'North. There -were 40 applications. , ' At tho sitting of tho Assessment Court yes-1 terday afternoon, numerous reductions were secured by "objectors in theiOroua County (Mr. Gardner, valuer), but, in tho Foilding I borough, Mr. M'Carthy's valuations '(where | contested) were -maintained. There • was a sweet reasonableness about tho proceedings ! that was pleasant to all parties. The-Court I resumes to-day.