PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 816, 13 May 1910, Page 8

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents.! ' $ MASTERTON. Tho weather of the last few days has been seasonable, and tljta w|.rm rain which lias fallen intermittently during tho past forty-eight hours will have a revivifying eilect upon pastures. Tho rainfall of autumn was considerably less than for some years past, and rain has been badly needed for somo weeks. Reports from the back country show that there is a very good springing of grass. Good progress is being made with the erection of tho freezing works at the Waiiigau'a for the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company. It is hoped that they will be re)tdy for operations early in the coming season. Mr. J. C. Cooper, chairman of directors, Ims taken up his residence in Masterton in the meantime. Mr. John Carroll, who resided in jtfauriceville for a number of years, and whose sons were well-known ,in the early days in tho athletic field, died somewhat suddenly iu M'asterton on Tuesday. The monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council was held on AVednesday, Councillor W. J. Welch occupying the chair. It was decided to terminate tho' contract of Hall and Connell for metalling on the Weraiti Eoad.

The Public Trustee wrote stating that the anticipated surplus from the Tawa-

taia toll sinking fund was .£126 9s. Id. A letter was read from the Prime Minister, stating that copies of the proposed Local Government Bill would he distributed amongst the public bodies iuterestod. Tho statement of the treasurer showed a credit on the general account of .£1879 15s. 10d. Accounts amounting to. J2091 os. act. were passed for payment. It wins decided to make application for a loan of ,£3OOO for the improvement of the northern approach works. Tenders are to be called for the erection of a bridge over the Mangarei Creek. It was also resolved to call tenders for a mile (more or less) formation on Eiversdalo Eoad, and for twenty chains meltalling and a culvert on TJriti Eoad. The Borough Council is to bo asked for the use of its steam roller and staff on the Upper Opaki Road.

Titno was when the toll-gato* was regarded as tho least expensive and most equitable method of raising the royenue required for constructing and maintaining roads and bridges in New Zealand. That time is now very nearly past. Many a vigorous fight has taken place in the Masterton County oyer the retention of what has been described as relics of the Dfirk Ages. The last toll-gate in the district to bo abolished ■is that situated at Tawataia, between Eketahuna and Alfredton. At its meeting on Wednesday, the County Council decided that tolls should not be collected after June 1. This information will be welcome to a large number of settlers.

In view of the distribution of the Public Works "loyives and fishes" in the coming session of Parliament, tho in'erabors for Jtastcrton and Wairarapa are to be asked lo use their influence in securing tho following votes for. the Masterton County.—Kiversdalo Eoad, MOO; Mangarei Koad, X 200; Alfrcdton-Wober Eoad 'bridge, Bfcirton's Line, .£200; Miki Miki Koad, .£IOO.

A special meeting of the Shearers' Union is to 1)0 held to-night, to appoint three assessors to sit with' the employers assessors at the Conciliation Council. ,

The Masterton County Council lias appointed Roadman Cole an inspector under its wheel-tyro by-laws. ■ . . ' ' No trace has yet been found of the body of Mr. Thomas Donnelly, the wellknown prospector, who disappeared from liis camp some weeks back, l'ho police ■ and civilians ■ have searched every piece ,of water in the district, and have scoured the surrounding country without Tesult. It is thought that- the bo;dy. of tho unfortunate man has been buried in the sands of a river, which was in liigli flood at the : time of his disappearance. Mr. Donnelly had resided for many years in the Waifarapa, first at Greytown and then at Masterton. Besides being an assiduous prospector he was an artis-t of no mean ability. ■ ■ . , '

. It is not generally known that, Mr. S. Beg, the well-known Court artist of the "Illustrated -London News," •at one time resided in the Wairarapa. In the early days he was engaged with a-survey party which laid off tho 'rond from Masterton. through' the Forty-Mile Bush. Writing, to a friend some • timo back Mr. Begg expressed N the hope that he would bo afforded tho opportunity of again visiting. New Zealand.

' St. Matthew's Church in this town has grown altogether too small for the requirements of the congregation, and tho vestry and vicar intend making a determined effort to raise the funds necessary for erecting a new church in brick.

' The Masterton Benevolent Trustees held tlieif lest meeting.on Wednesday. Two applications for admission to-the Solway Home were granted, and it was reported that; there were now .five inmates of the home. :■.,-. . • ■ .-..'■

i Miich regret lias been expresed in town at"tho denth'-of Mr. William H. Truscott, eon , of Captain and Mrs. Truscott, at tine ago of 27. Deceased.had been ailing for some time. ' . . .

' A movement is on foot to suitably recognise the services of Ml'. J. C. Boddington to the Jfasterton Hospital. Mr. ■ Boddington was for eighteen yeaM chairman of- the Hospital Trustee.", and has latterly acted r.s secretary of tho institution,' to which ho has rendered yeoman service. Tho presentation will probably take tho form of an address and purse of sovereigns.. ; Ploughing operations, which have been delayed in consequence of the hardness of the soil, will be resuine'd in earnest in this district in tho. course of a few days.

OTAKI.

■A meeting -of ■'stewards- of the-'Otaki Jfaori Racing Club was held on./ Wednesday afternoon, when it was. realised in. discussion that the course and necessary buildings would be incomplete for tho coming meeting. Tt was ovrmtually decided to endeavour to secure a permit to again hold the races at Levin. That it. would end this ..way was predicted by your correspondent some timo ago.

■■■ Mr. C. Thorner was thrown from a cart a day or ' two ago, and had some ribs ,broken, besides sustaining severe'bruises.