PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 759, 7 March 1910, Page 5

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Snecial CorressondentH ' —♦ —' I LEVIN. •The annual fruit banquet provided bj the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Y.11.C.A. ■ was held in the Century Hall on Wednesday evening. : Mr. Jas. Prouse presided, and the hall was crowded. The tables were loaded with all kinds of fruit, cakes, .cordials,' etc., and were also tastefully decorated with pot plants and flowers. A lengthy toast list was. gone through, that of 'The King", being re-, oeivod with musical honours. Mr. .\V. G. Adkin proposed "Our Town," tracing the jprogress of Levin from the time when it took shape .til, lthe. present day. The Mayor, (Mr. B. E. Gardener), replied in an optimistic speech, in which he espressed the utmost confidence in th« future prosperity of. Levin, Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., next proposed the toast of the "Levin Association," : and expressed his pleasure that such'an institution,' existed not only in Levin, but aU' over the. world. He was especially pleased to note that the great association devoted a good, deal of . its "attention -\te physical culture, • an'd' suggested that the local association might add a "" mountaineering, department, . the purpose of .which- would, be the exploration of the-ranges so close at hand.' Bebore Mr." Prbuse replied, the' general 'eeo-' retary • (Mtf F.-E. Parker), : read the annual' report, which was-received,with marked approval. Mr. Prouse spoke .of the "pride which he felt in having to reply to "the toast, and also put in ar^plaa.' ; for religious instruction in our day schools. The T.II.CX, he said, endeavoured to instruct the youth of the town . in Biblical truths, while it also catered for their physical requirements. "Tie Visitors" was proposed by Mr. Geo. Cameron, who expressed the pleasure of all at the presence of Messsrs Fisher'and' Field, M.P.'s. It was gratifying • that e> many public men took an interest in the work of the Y.M.C.A. Mr." F. M.,~ B.' Fisher, M.P., who had a great reception on rising, expressed his pleasure at barng ; invited _to the gathering.' This was his" first visit to Levin, and he.sincerely hoped that it would-not be his last. He had been •'hospitably, .entertained, and had spent a most, enjoyable time at the lake 'that, afternoon, . He suggested■ that all; present should 'support.- the.. ' work done by the various agencies-of the. X.M.CA.,. and.instanced the educational side of the work, urging his hearers to see to it that a. good library was avait able. Mr. Byron Brown .(Otaki). pro- -~ posed "The Ladies'Auxiliary/'-and men- ! tioned the fine influence :which ; ladies brought to bear in all good causes.. Mii\ Palk responded in'a few. well-chosen words. . "The , Press" . was proposed, by Mr. P. W. Goldsmith in a few humorous sentences, and was replied to by■ Messrs.. Knight, Nicholson .. ("Otaki Mail"), and; Bobertson, (representing Tse DomuhonJMr. Field proposed the health of the chairman, v which was'honoured with enthusiasm, the audience singing "For hefa ; a jolly, good fellow." During the. evening,' an orchestra, composed of Messrs. Kears- ' ley,, Moon, Sloan (violins), Wood (clar- ( ionet), Lolley ('cello), and JL- James • (piano), gave several musical, selections in\a. pleasing manner. Songs were sung by Messrs J. Howard Andrew (Msnafcau),: B. -W. Matheson, and E. W. J. Smithj' while■ Mr.'Stanley Pole gave- a'recitation< which hold.the. attention of all. :.The usual votes of- thanks concluded a most enjoyable-and successful gathering. A .pair-oar race for ladies 1 was rowed on Wednesday on Horowheiraa/ Lake, the prize being a pan , of,silver-back brushes, presented by Mr. Byron' 'Broirn (OtaK). The "winners were Misses A Parsons and' Robinson,.who finished two lengths-ahead of-Misses Williamson and Weitiel. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., officiated as starter, and Mr. Byroh-Brownasjucge. Afternoon tea was served by seyeial ladies. An anonymous donor has given .two trcphieff for a ladies'■ double-scull race. ■ .

At the Levin Magistrate's, Court on Thursday, before Mr.. A. D. Thompson, S.M., Ales. ■" Mcßrytlie, late' of Wereqa, sued S. J. Beattie for ,£lB 2s. Jdy for.bread; supplied to.Mrs.. Harg'reaves, of' Manikin? It was stated in evidence that defendant had. a store at ilanakau, which .was in iMrs.. Hargreaves name, and., managed by her,' and. Mr. Mcßrydie supplied the bread under contract'.-. Mrs.; Hargreaves left the business-in January, and defendant ignored the • account. Defendant 'stated that Mrs. Hargreaves' was -his manager, and was responsible forall accounts.-' Judgment. was given for- the amount claimed,' with costs amounting to £3 Is. : •".'■. ".' ■ ■ ' On Thursday evening the Bishop oy Wellington conducted a • confirmation service'at St. Mary's Church, Levin. Thirty five' candidates were confirmed, and the church, was crowded in every .part- Tha Bishop's address .was listened to with close- , attention... . ' . . . '..:'' ;

. Mr.:. -Tas. Drysdale. manager of Wer>. roa Experiment Farm, supplies the following particulars regarding the rainfall for February—Total rainfall, 2.27 in.J maximum fall- .(on the; 25th'), 1-12 in. I number of days'on which rain fell, sis.. . Mr. B.' E.' Gar'dener, Mayor of Levin, has presented a garden seat to tho Domain Board for use in the Recreation Ground..

;.■,■. shannon; ~. ■ .; Mr. F.W.. Venn, has announced his iw tention of standing for election for the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Mr. Venn, who, for .18 years, has been a member, of the, Horpwhenua County Council, ought, to be. very well supported.from, this, district. ... ■; ■ . •■■ :■>' ■ Mr. A.- Thomson, presided, at. a,meeting in the- Club Hotel on .Wednesday night when a club, to be called '^The : Shannon- and Tokomani Road-Bacing Club," was formed for the purpose o] promoting bicvele road-racing. The membership fee ■ was fixed -at 2s. It was recommended, that the 1 course be from the Levin'-Post "Office lamp-post, whence to Makerua Railway Station,: finishing up at' the Club Hotel. The following committee was elected:—Messrs. A.'.'Thomson, W. Berguist, W. Treniewaii, D. Moynihan,. D. Sullivan, E. King, J. .Muir, >T. Doch-' crty, B. Spencer, and L. Jenkins. ■Mγ. lloynihan was, the convenor of the meet, ing. ■■ '-' .... ;....-. ...■.;.. '■' ■'