MASTERTON NOTES

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 857, 1 July 1910, Page 11

MASTERTON NOTES

CAMPAIGNERS' REUNION. (From Our Special Ooi'respoiidcnt.) Masterton, June SO. At the monthly meeting of the vestry of St. Matthew's Church, held last evening, the secretary reported that tho returns given in by tho various canvassers for funds in aid of the building of a new church were very satisfactory, both in respect to cash collected and promises made.

An interesting lantern lecturo on the thermal and adjacent regions of New Zealand was given in lit. Matthew's Schoolroom last evening by Mr. Brockett, of Taueru. Tho lecturer, with a companion, recently made a cycle trip up tho \Vangamu River, through Pipirikl, Taupo, Wairakei, and Rotorua, and secured some excellent views.

Hockey Players Foregather. A pleasant foregathering of members of the Wairarapa Hockey Association was held this week, Mr. A. C. Major presiding. The health of the association was proposed, in a felicitous speech, by Mr. D. Caselberg, who expressed tho hope that the shield would come to tnu Wairarapa. The toast was suitably responded to by the chairman, and Mr. H. Donald. During the evening tho president. presented another cup lor competition, tho conditions being that it must lie, won three times in succession, or five times at intervals. A very handsome silver cup, for competition by junior B teams, was presented by Messrs. A. C. Pragnell and L. S. Nicol, and it was announced that the proprietors of tho Town Hall Pictures intended presenting cups for the next season. A very pleasant evening was spent in song and story.

To Celebrate Stirring QayD, A reunion of ex-South African campaigners was held in the Arcadia Tea Rooms last evening, when nearly fifty contingenters assembled. Apologies for absence were received from tho Prime Minister, a number of members of Parliament, and ex-service men. The chair was occupied by Sir. 11. M. Boddington, who was supported by the Mayor (Mr. J. B. Coradine), Lieutenants Whittaker (Mounted llifies) and jlaslam (Masterton Rifles). The toast list included "The King," "The_ Civil Constitution," "The Army and Navy," "The Cause wo Celebrate;" "Absent Comrades," "Guests," and "The Press." During the progress of the gathering it was unanimously decided to form a South African Campaigners' Association, the object being tho perpetuation of these annual functions. It was decided to include in tho association all South African campaigners. Ilia Excellency Lord Islington (who look part in the Boer War) was elected patron, and a strong executive was appointed. During tlie evening vocal items were rendered by Messrs. W. Iggulden, W. Jago, C. Branson, 11. 11. .Donald, and A. Collinge.

Mauriceviile County Council. At the monthly meeting of the Mauricoville County Council, at which Councillor I' 1 . W. 11. Kummer presided, a letter was road from the district engineer, asking for a tracing of tho locality to accompany applications for road grants. The Counties Association secretary notified that tho date for the conference would not bo fixed until certain resolutions proposed by the Primo .Minister had bben placed before tho House. The Bruce County Council requesetd co-oncralion in getting the Hating Act altered, so as to make it compulsory for owners or conveyancers to give written notice of every change of ownership or occupancy of rateable property. It was resolved to strike a general rato of seven-eighths of a penny in tho pound for tho current year. The clerk was instructed to apply for authority in connection with the grant for Jltuiguoronga Road. It was rc•portcd that application had been made to the Minister for small grants to complete tho metalling on Mangaoronga Road and Bowen Road, and the member for the district lia.i been interviewed on the subject. Accounts amounting to .£1531 were passed for payment.

Jottings, Ths menu at the South African campaigners' dinner was a work of art. It described almost everything m tho vocabulary of the war correspondent, from the haversack to the lyddite shell, and it was stated in all seriousness that lights would be out at 10.30 p.m., and that there would bo "no morning stables tomorrow." Pom-pom pudding was a feature of the sweets.

Mr. A. Sorimgeour, who is well-known as "mine host" in tho Wairarapa and ITawke's Bay, lias taken over tho Prince of Wales Holel in Masterton, and intends converting-it into an up-to-date boardinghouse.

Mr. J. Billington, who is a local breeder of Jersey cattle, has sent three yearling jerseys to Te Awamuiu, in the Auckland district. Mr. Biltiiipton liat been dairying for the last thirty year's, and is convinced that the Jersey is one of the best for all-round purposes. ' Among those present at tho South African campaigners' dinner was a veteran who had served in the Zulu War. His reminiscences of experiences in that 'campaign were listened to with rapt attention. Ho also served in the Boer War, when he was wounded in tlie battle at Modder River. A mission is nt present being held in St. Patrick's Church by the Redemptor-ist-Fathers.