PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1006, 22 December 1910, Page 3

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special CorrcsDoadcnt.) HASTINGS. When' the Hastings Borough Council failed to obtain satisfaction from tho Government in regard to a water supply ami electrical power from tho Tuki Tiiki River it decided to fall back upon a reservoir scheme. Tho project in favour now to pump water from artesian bores in Hastings to a reservoir 011 tno Havelock llills, and from this reservoir to supply Havelnck and Hastings. Jlr. G. I'. Donnelly is amongst those who ccnclcmn thi£ scheme, and, having just returned from 11 visit to InlamhPatea, ho has formulated 0110 of his own. Mr. Donnelly contends {hat Hastings can be sunpliod direct from its own artesian wells with a higliprossuro supply by a gravitation system, and he purposes asking tho Borough Council to reconsider tho whole matter.

Tho local swimming baths were officially opened on Monday night, in tho presence of nearly 500 people. A gaslight gala was held, and numerous interesting events were decided, after which the Mayoress (Mrs. J. A. Miller) presented tho trophies won. The baths aro now exceptionally well equipped.

Tho Hastings Electors' Association is not satisfied with tho council's reception of certain recent recommendations, and has written asking tho city fathers whether they aro prepared to receive anv more correspondence from tho association.

Miss Ruby Wellwood and Miss Eva Haird will represent this district in the New Zealand tennis championships to bo held in Blenheim next week.

Tho weather recently has been fine, but interspersed with showers, which havo interfered somewhat with harvesting operations. Pastures, however, havo improved wonderfully, and the whole country is now looking well. TAKAPAU. Although Takapau is a progressive business town, right on the railway line, and possessing a population of moro than 600 people, it is somewhat remarkable that the Government, which professes so much for the welfare of tho country settlers, has not yet given the place a telephone exchange. The delay in tho matter cannot be in any way attributed to the dilatoriness of the residents. Four years ago 30 residents signed a petition asking for a telephone exchange, in accordance with the Departmental demand regarding liability for upkeep. The "powers that bo" promised a post office, and then apparently forgot all about tho subject for fully a year, when they suddenly purchased a section of- land 111 tho main street. For something over another year the section produced excellent weed crops, and then the hopes of the peoplo were buoyed up by tho statement that a sum of mony had been put on tho Estimates for a pest office. That statement was in a measure "blank cartridge," because nothing was done last year. However, patience has at last, been rewarded, and a post office is now being erected, and should be completed in January, when (doubtless after tho usual delay) a telephone exchange will be installed.

PONGAROA. The Rev. C. Mill, of Paliiatua, moderator of the charge, conducted a scries of special services at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Pongaroa, last Sunday. ' Tho services mark a distinct forward .movement in tlio organisation of tho local congregation, particularly as tho ordination and induction to tho eldership of five candidates was included in tho services. Tho impressive service of ordination by prayer and the laying on of hands was conducted by Mr. Mill, assisted by Mr. Rattray, Those inducted were;—Jlr. W. T. Murray, Mr. A. Watson, Mr. J. Pederson (Pongaroa), Mr. D. Millar (Waikereru), Mr. J. Morris (Waterfalls). At tho conclusion of the induction, a Communion service was held, to which a good number remained. Included in these were five now members—young people who were partaking of tho Communion for the first time. A spccial servico Was also held at Waterfalls,, twelve miles distant, which was attended h.v 42 persons. AI choral servico was held in Pongaroa Church in the evening. There was a fine congregation, tho church being filled with, tlio largest attendance yet seen within its walls. In addition to tho congregational hymns, the choir, under the direction of Mr. Rattray, rendered several new Christmas carols with great acceptance. Mr. Mill's address was listened to very attentively, the servico throughout being most hearty and inspiring. CARTERTON.

Mr. T.Kemp lias purchased Mr. G. Stanger's property in Pembroke Street, and takes possession next month. Jlr. and Miss Stanger. aro leaving for England during tlio coming year, Mrs. Stanger ■ honing to reach London in time for tlio Coronation. Mr. P. C. Anderson, of Parkvalc, lias disposed of a young purebred Jersey bull calf to Mr. C. F. Fear, of Lower Hiitt. The butchers of Carterton l-.ave reduced tlio price of lamb by Id. per lb. The annual presentation of prizes and carol service in connection with St. Mark's Sunday School takes place 011 Sunday afternoon next. SHANNON. Mr. F. Vt. Venn formally opened the Shannon Public Library and reading room on Saturday night. There was a good attendance of the public, and Mr. Venn's speech was couched ill his best vein. Fresh from their cricket victory over the Foxtail schoolboys, tho Moutoa boys journeyed to Shannon on Saturday and easily defeated the local scholars. The visitors scored 56, tho Shannon team replying with 16. On going in again the local ."men" amassed the enormous total of seven, tho Moutoa cricketers thus winning by an innings and 33 runs. Mr. A. Saunders, of Moutoa, who has been lying seriously ill in a Palmerston North private hospital, is making satisfactory progress towards recovery. The annual \distribution of prizes in connection with the Presbyterian Sunday School took place last Sunday, when there was a good attendance of parents and friends. Mr. Clayton,, the superintendent, after conducting the opening exercises, addressed the children principally on the .Christmas lesson, concluding his remarks by emphasising tho necessity for regular attendance at tho school. After Mr. J. Lyric had addressed some kindly advi'cu to the children, Jlr. J. Mitchell, senior elder, presented tho prizes, which were awarded as follow Girls —Senior: Maggie Law and Quecnie Jones (onual), 1; Alice Jones, 2. Junior—Tholma llowe and Edith .Daniels (equal), 1; Agnes Aim, 2. Infants —Doris Portree, 1: Hilda llvrie, 2. Boys: Seniors —"Wilfred Mitchcll, 1 ; Kenneth Mitchell. 2. Juniors —Willio M'Kenzie, 1; G. Daniels, 2.