PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 757, 4 March 1910, Page 8

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents,.) * LEVIN. Two cycle road races, promoted by the Centaur Cycle-Co., and in charge or Sir. J. Phillips, were raced oil' on Wednesday afternoon. The first event was from the Square, Levin, to Otaki and back, a distance of sonic 28 miles. There were 32 starters, and the going in some places was rather rough, some of the riders coining to grief. The finish was a close one, W. A. O'Donnell (allowed lljmius.) being placed first time, lh. 2Smin. He was closely followed by Arthur Smart (9min. 45sec.), whose time was lh. 28min. 3sec. V. Schrainkn (lOmin.) was third; time, lh. 2ilmin. 30scc; and W. CooJSer (lOinin.) was fourth; time, lh. 30tnin. The fastest time was put up by D. Musgrove, who receives a silver medal for his performance of lh. 23min. The prizes were:—First, gentleman's cross-trame racing cycle, value ,£18; second, set of tyres, value £3; third, gas lamp, value JBI. After the race had been started ten boys between the ages of 10 and IS faced the starter and pedalled to Ohau and back, .a distance of 8 miles. The winner was L. Francis (scr.), 22niin. 30sec; second, C. Parsons (-train.); third, J. Cooper (scr.). Won by ltnin. There was a great crowd at the Square to see the finishes, and the winners were loudly cheered, Aiusgrove especially coming in for a groat reception. During the cycle race one of the competitors collided with a horse straying on the road and was badly hurt, his machino also sustaining severe damage. The directors of the West Coast Sawmillers' Association, Ltd., have decided to wind up the affairs of the association immediately. A rink from Shannon Bowling Club visited Levin groen on Wednesday to piny tho local holders of the Kinniburgh feathers. After an enjoyable -game the Levin men proved victorious. Scores:— Levin: W. Palmer, A. Thorne, G. Marriott, iubblewhite (skip), 29. Shannon: T. C. Duncltley, Mitchell, E! Butt, Knowles (skip), 13. A sealed handicap game for members of tho Levin Club fot a box of tea, presented by Mr. P. Stevens, was begun, and the following results were handed in:—E. Bishop 17, M. Fosolla 8; J. Cyder 16, A. Heasinan H. The presitlcntrs singles, also a sealed ' handicap, was also commenced, one game being played—A. Heasman 15, T. North 13. SHANNON. Mr. E. L3w intends letting his property, which is situated between Shannon and Makerua. . Mrs. W. H. Field is to perform the opening, ceremony at the Presbyterian Bazaar and Horticultural Show to-day. A meeting ,of the Makerua Drainage Board took place at Tokomaru on Monday, - when Messrs. H. G. Grcig' (chairman), E. Law, J. Liggins, G. Seifert, and E. J. Armstrong (secretary) attended. The,old Maori Church at Montoa, which was recently renovated, will be formally opened on Sunday, March 13, by the Rev. A, O. Williams, of Wanganui.

Whitannui, Ltd., have purchased Mr. A. Jaggers's property at Moutoa., FEATHERSTON, -Dr. Palmer returned to Featherston on Monday evening, after attending tho. Medical Congress in Wellington. During his absence Dr. Scannell acted as his locum tcnens. Dr. Scannell left for Foxton this week.. y The boys are taking up the. scouting movement very enthusiastically. here, and are going into the game thoroughly. In a few weeks' time there will be about four patrols in full fighting order. . This , evening the local volunteers will celebrate the death, of the old system .of volunteering with, a smoko concert. The staff officers and officers of the various companies of .the battalion are being invited, and a.good evening is being looked forward to. ■' Tho, vital statistics for Featherston for February are:—Births, 6; deaths, nil; marriages, 2. ■ Rain fell on nine days during the month,-the total amounting to C.6 inches; 3.78 of this fell on February 2G.

WAIHOAMGA.' ■■'' Eesidence at Waihoanga has not been particularly pleasant during' the past week, for, what with the closeness of the atmosphere and with bush fires on all •sides and their attendant smoke, it has c.been something like Dante's inferno. Tho heavy rain which fell later.was most welcome and refreshing. Owing to the want of wind, the "burns" on the whole have not been so good as was expected, but they have been better thau was the case last year. . Mr. Mills,. w;hose condition was 60 serious that it was considered necessary to remove him to Otaki. Hospital, is nowmuch better. It fs expected that he will bo able to return home in a few days. •Mr. Bay has taken up residence on the Uplands, and intends shortly, to commence building a new dwelling house. „ , Mr. F. E. Bockett, of "Ohui,-" Featherston, is on a visit to his brother, Mr. B. Bockett, at Gorge Mount, i-Great inconvenience was felt at the non-arrival of the mail here last Friday. Our.letter's and papers are always eagerly looked forward to, and .as some havo to send a considerable distance for 'them it' is not pleasant to, find-neither mail nor papers delivered! The mail should bo at Waihoanga Post Office at 12.30 p.m., but last Friday nor up to the time' of writing ([Monday,' 11 a-m.) no'thing has been heard of them. It is posed that thoso who are responsible for the delivery went to greet K. of K. at Johnsonville or elsewhere.

Mr. A. M'C'heyne Murray, who has been on a lengthened visit to Feilding, is expected to return to Clenveigh this week. The bridge over the "Eoaring Meg" will be completed in about a week's time. OTAKI. ..At a meeting of the Management Committee of the Horowhenna Hockey Association at Manakau ou. Tuesday evening the matter of arranging a match with the coming English team was considered,, but those present deemed it inadvisable to take up the matter, as they, were shortly quitting office. They decided, however, to make a strong recommendation to the incoming committee to arrange for a 'guarantee and match. Mr. F. Sims, who has been in business hero for some timo as a cabinetmaker, intends.to leave for England next month. > The Ngatiawa Eifle Club fired its final match for the championship on Saturday, F. Mouk pi-oving the winner, W. H. Bennett being second/ and J. Monk third. • Shooting for the Abraham cup at Paraparaumu on Saturday, C. Whiting topped the other competitors present, with an aggregate of 247. J. Whiting was next with 241, C. Dowsott 234, P. Crankes 229, and W. Weggery 218.

REIKORANGI. The fourth annual picnic of suppliers to the creamery was held'on the Waikanae Racecourse, and was a great success. It is intended to endeavour to induce suppliers to the Waikanao creamcry to join with the Keikorangi suppliers, and so have both events taking place on the same day in future. . Wandering stock is causing some trouble in the district. The. roads are "populated" with horses and-cattle night and day, these frequently damaging- fences and gardens if a gate should happen to be left open by mistake.

The' Fresh Food and Ico Company has put in a Babcock tester at the creamery, in consequence.of which innovation suppliers can now see their milk tested. The company has also put in a skim milk weighing machine. The highest test secured here recently is 4.4. Quite a number of members of the Ngatiawa Rifle Club have left for the Trentham meeting. Some of the younger members have been doing good shooting lately. The annual school picnic and distribution of prizes took place last Friday. The rain spoilt the children's'sport to a certain extent, but an enjoyable dance was held in the schoolroom in the evening. Rumour has it that the pea rifle is being freely used in the bush.- The beautiful bcllbint (tui) is said to be the chief sullerer. Trout are not so numerous in the local streams this year as they used to bo, and in some places not a trout is to be seen. Dynamite is supposed to be the cause.

Fcr ChilCren-s -lacking Congb. at night, woods tireat Peppermint Cure, Is 6d ■i. .Gd.—Advt. " A diminutive delinquent had just been sentenced by the magistrae to receive a dozen strokes with the birch. He heaTd the decision quietly, and, then, turning to the Bench, calmly asked, "Please, may I have cocaine sprayed all over,me?"