PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 853, 27 June 1910, Page 9

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

tffcotn Qiu Si>eclnl (JorrapDonuenliAJ $ OTAKI. Tho funeral of llio late Mr. Whairiri Nilcorn tool; pluee last uec-k, when n largo concourso of Natives and Europeans attended. Tho body of tho infant, child of Mr. Itawori Hakariiiii. was buried nt the same time. Concerts took place nt Mnnakuu and To Horo on i'Yidny evening, and record attendances were cst:iblislied in both eases. Both functions wore highly successful, and credit is due to the •promoters. FEILDINC. A special meeting of the Borough Council was hold up. Saturday morning to strike the rates lor tho year. The formal motions were agreed to, striking tho general and special rates for tho year as stated in the estimates, tint total rato amounting to 3d. in the £ on tho unimproved value of all property in tho borough. Half an hour alter this confirmation the rate notices wore sent out. The Mayor (Mr. Cloodbehcie) expressed the opinion that this was probably a speed record for the Dominion ; it certainly was for the lTcilding Borough Council, and he Ihmurht groat -credit was due to the new Town Clerk (Mr. A. J. Geary, late of Wellington) for tiie promptness shown in getting tho notices ready. Tho death is announced of Mr. James B. Purkiss, of Halcombe, at tho age of 69 years. Mr. Purkiss was one of tho sturdy old settlers of the Halcombo district, and was for many years secretary of the H'nlcombn Town Board. Ho conducted a butchering establishment in Halcombe. For the past two or three years ho had been an invalid suffering from a painful malady. Mrs. Purkiss predeceased her husband b.v some years. Although tho "season" has not yet arrived, there is a big demand foi' •leasehold dairy farms in this district. "I could do with a dozen such properties,", said one land agent. Mr. T. Hoult has purchased Mr. A. H. Maguire's dairy farm of IS2 acres, in the Colyton district at a satisfactory iiguro. WOODVIULE. The cantata "Under the Palms" was rendered by the choir of St. David s 'Church on "Friday evening last. Busy hands had decorated the church with largo punga ferns and flowers. Also the platform, upon which the choir sat, was appropriately arranged with palm leaves, and was a pretty feature. Iho cantata was rendered very satisfactorily, those- attending manifesting Ihoi.r appreciation in hoar-ty applause at tho conclusion of the performance. His Worship idie Mayor proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Stevenson, conductor, the singers; and those assisting with the musical portion. This was earned by acclamation. At a recent Masonic installation Mir. F. W. Hutchings was elected W.M., ajid Mr. Stevenson secretary. Mr, Mawby, of Ma.liarahnra, who recently installed milking machines on his farm, reports -having obtained capital results. It is gratifying to hea-r this, as some farmers have been doubtful as to the expediency of doing away with hand labour, aaid installing a miJkiiig plant to bo driven by the usual oil engine process. Mr. Mawby obtains the motive power from a itoain engine, whirli is used for other purposes a-s well. WAiHOANCA. Mr. Judd has been rather unfortunate with his bushfellers' camp. Kirit o>llo, who styled himself "Colonial Scot," left for reasons of his own. Soon after, another went away to pursue- astronomy. A third hud his arm badly hurt owing to a falling limb. A fourth had to seek medical nid for an injured leg, while tho remaining one, hot- caring for solitude, has, like- tho Arab, folded-up his tent and gone away. Tho contractors havo finished thoir work of clearing the bush from the track into tho Waitoamo Valley. Owing to am accident, Mr. Malcolm, the engineer, has been unable to iiißiicofc the work, but Councillor Windley has seen amd. passed it, at tiie same timeexiiressing liis satisfaction with tho manner in which. Messrs. l r rnser Bros, liad completed their contract. Tjio next stop towards the road is-tho raising of a special loa.n, which has boon agreed upon. The sooner these minor details are settled the sooner will tho settlers havo access to th-.-ir properties. The Hautere Biflo Club held their BJiinunl "social" and dance in the To Hoto School last week, and it proved a great success. Captain and Mrs. Beauchamn received tho guests, and tho comfort of nil was well looked after by the secretary, Mr. Dunn, and the members of tho club. The Yardlcy Bolt, tho handsome cup presented by the Ico Food Company, and the various trophies won during the sen son woro ])rese.li/ted to the winners during tho evening by M'r. Field, JI.P., who complimented the club on their achievements at the butts. 'IV champion belt, woji outright by Captain Beaucha.mp, was handed back by that gentleman, to be competed for again during tho coming season. Dancing was kept up until a.n early hour, and tho ladies of Hautoro and Te Horo provided supper, which was of a roehereclio mature. Splendid weather prevailed, and the guests when leaving for homo were ono, and all in loud praise of tho evc'iiing's entertainment provided. It is with regret that the writer ha.s to announce the serious indisposition' of Mr. Horriban. This old and respected resident of the district has been confined to his house for some days. The sawmill which lias lately Wn moved into Sir. Beauchamp's bush is now at work, and several wooden tenements, belonging to the mill workers, have been erected on either side of the road. Regular, winter weathor, snoiv on tho liills, aaid hard frosts havo taken the place of a long spell of rain. Mr. H. Hay, of the Uplands, is on a visit to Fcilding. Ho purposes improving liis flock from some of the leading Romncy Marsh .breeders in that district.