PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 736, 8 April 1910, Page 3

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

. (From Our Special CorrctiDondeataJ — : — FEILDINC. "How is the fat lamb trade?" was the question put to a local stock-raiser. "It's all right so far as I am concerned," he replied, "hut I can't get trucks to tako my sheep awsiy. We shall never have enough trucks for the busy season, unless they build more. Mr. Millar said Jiero the other day they would not build more, to have them lying idlo. all the year, but that's all. rot. Why doesn't he build them and charge us extra freight for the use of them? It would pay us, and the Department would not then lose money on them." Th'e kinematographic version of Marcus Clarke's novel; "For the Term of His Natural Life."' was shown hero by MacMahon and Carroll last night to a large audience. It is a fine version of tho story. At .the meeting of the Fcilding WesI loyan Quarter Board, tho Rey. C. j Beecroft occupied tho chair, and there was a largo - attendance' of members. The chairman expressed the good wishes of the- meeting towards Mr. and Mrs. J. Cr. Cobbe, who are about: to leave for a visit- to the Old Land. The irieetiiig expressed great satisfaction at tho reappointment of Mr. 'H. Tolley as superintendent. and of Mr.' E. Cobbe as secretary of the Sunday School. ■ A very encouraging report was received from tho Sunday School.

At the quarterly meeting of the Sandoll and Rongotca Methodist Circuit, the Rev. S. Frost presiding, the stewards, reported that the income for the circut fund was £49, the expenditure, including the debit, leaving a deficit of £11. The balanco brought forward was £61. Three garden' parties held during the quarter realised £38, which was voted to the parsonage renovation fund, and it was decided, to commence tho canvass for subscriptions and get the Work finished immediately. > . OTAKI. In reference to tho skull found between the: ceiling and roof of a house at Paraparaumu, no further-particulars are available, but it is surmised that the skull is that of a Maori, and has been in the kouso for - a number of years. ■ Constable Shaw left • for the placo to-day to make further inquiries. Mr. and. Mrs. AY. B. Smith, defeated Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourko in tho play-off for a trophy given by Mr. Byron Brown on'the local bowling green-by 27 points to 19. Both pairs' have shown good form, but on tho day'of the match heavy rain fell and neither side' showed its best." , '

\ LEVIN. The autumn show of the Levin Horticultural Society- was opened on Wednesday afternoon in the Century Hall by Mr. F. M. B. Fisher,, M.P. . Mr. James Prouse,, president of,the society, stated that the quantity of apples on show was not, so largo as- previously, some exhibitors having left tlio district,' and a large 1 exhibit from the Nelson, district having not yet arrived. In the vegetable section, however, the entries had shown a very largo increase. Mr. Fisher stated that he had paid his first visit to Levin a few

weeks ago,, and was so 'much- impressed, with 'the. town and. surroundings that he indicated his desire ,to return at ail .eariy date. Ho hoped the society, would continue. to invite' outsiders to come, as that was»by far the best way to advertiso .the to\yn. and' district,';and he ;v6uld suggest that Mr. Field,- the member," should'organise a.few Saturday trips for members of 'Parliament just to show ; them' the various scenic beauties and places of interest round Lovin. Mr. Fisher spoke strongly in favour of land being cut up for closer settlement, and concluded by formally ".declaring, the show open - and' wishing it every success. On the call of Mr.'. J. Eroiise, Mr. Fisher was accorded

a hearty vote of,.tha<iks... The. show.as;.a whole 1 is< quite;iup to'.'tho standard' b,f former years in point''of tho quality bf the-exhibits, which wore scarcely so numerous as previously. The display of apples was a very good, and showed the immense possibilities of Levin ,and neighbourhood as a fruit-growing centre. Vegetables'were of a very ; liigh class, and the-judges had great difficulty in, coming' to their decision. The 'Wereroa Experiment Farm had on exhibtion a fine, collection.* of apples,- pears, peaches; and quinces, as 'well as'-vegetables of all kinds; also a number of cereals. Mention should ' be made of. several stalks of maize, . Red Hogan variety, which measured . 17ft. ■high, and produced'Bo tons , to' the aicre. The Boys' Training Farm also had a very fine- exhibit, consisting of -vegetables, bottled fruits, etc., ■ arid these attracted considerable attention. Mr. H. Y. Newport, of Kawhiu Road Nursery, had ten n.ew . and unnamed varieties of apples on ishow, and these were inspected with keen interest. They were raised from Jonathan seed and Washington pollen. Golden Russet seed and .Jonathan pollen, Jonathan seen and'Sturmer Pippin pollen, Sturmer Pippin seed and .Touatlian pollen, and Golden Russet seed and Sturmer Pippin pollen. Tho show was visited by large : nuuibers during the afternoon and evenins,and will be-again open to-day.•

' SHANNON. At the annual general meeting of the Literary and Debating Society there was a good attendance of members. The following office-bearers were elected [—President, Mr. Gibb ; vice-president and editor 0/ journal, Mr. Gullnnd; secretary and treasurer,' Mr W. Clayton; committee, Slesdanies Laurvig, Hensman, JlissAVick-

.lift?, Messrs. Tilling, Judd.and AY. Law, The opening night,will be held on April 19, and will tako the form of a social. Last year there were. 78 financial members, and there is every, prospect of- the society having'another successful season. ■ Tlie weather for the past day or two has been warm and mild, with every appearance, of. being settled' for some days to come. ,6u tli© bowling green' 011 Wednesday afternoon, Messrs. W. H. Gunning and J. Mitchell, the holders of tho "Bixon

Pins," were defeated by ■ Messrs. A~. Clayton and J. Roach, by 21 points to 14. Messrs. luiQwles. and Rods,, tlio Holders of the "Stansoll Feathers," defeated Messrs." Patoii and Oleson by one point, the scores being 22 and 2i points. At a 'meeting of the Shannon Football Club, in the Club Hotel, the following office-bearers were appointed:— Patron, Mr. M. Movnihan; president, Mr. (t. N. Wood;, vice-presidents, Messrs. Martin, Callaghau, Norwood,

Curtis, Murray, and Paton; auditor, Mr. Martin ; Management Committee, Messrs. T. Dalwell, L. Tims, J'. Smith, R. M'Lennan,: J. Martin; A. Grinistonc, and W. Moynihan; captain, Mr. Tims,; vice-captain,.. Mi'; M'Lerman; treasurer, Mr. W. Moynihan ; secretary,' Mr. Grimstone;; delegates to the Rugby Union, Messrs. W. Moynihan and Grimstono.

"Free-trade versus Protection" will form the, subject of debate at a meeting of the Literary and Debating Society on April 26. Mr'. AV. Clayton will bo the Free-trade advocate/ and Mr. W. H. Gunning will speak for Protection. LEVIN.

Mr,' James Drysdale, manager of Wereroa Experimental Farm, supplies 'tho following particulars respecting the rainfall during March Total rainfall; 2.03iu.; maximum fall,, on March 10, .75m'.; number of'(lays 011 which rain fell, eight. Tho fund for building a now Angfieiiii Church at AVoreroa now amounts to over £32. Harvest . thanksgiving services aro to be- held 011 April 17, anil the produce will bo sold, tho proceeds to go to tho building fund. At *Lcvin S.M. Court 011 Thursday, Mr. A. D. Thomson on the bench, Albert Fry. sued Guy ' Marriott for. £7, balance of wages due for work done by t<i defendant's garden. The

work had been done at irregular intervals, spread over a considerable time. Defendant stated that ho had paid plaintiff '£10 in. full settlement of his claim, but plaintiff held tha'fe tho balance was to bo paid "later on." . Tho magistrate gavo judgment for tho amount claimed, with 10s. costs. A largo number of judgments for various plaintiffs wero given by default. . At a special meeting of Levin School Comrnitteo on Wednesday evening,, a cordial voto of thanks was passed to the' secretary (Mr. J. Robertson), who is' leaving tho district, for his past services. • . \