MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1078, 17 March 1911, Page 2

MASTERTON NOTES.

e (From Our Special Correspondent.) Masterton,' March IG. St. Patrick's Day will be observed as a close holiday so tar as the banks and public offices are concerned. A national concert and dance will be held in tho Town Hall in tho evening. Swimming sports will also be hold in connection with St. Patrick's School. As a result of a picture entertainment given in the Masterton Town Hall last evening, tho District High School will be provided with n fund of between JIGO and £10, with which to procure a firstclass lantern and equipment, to be used in connection with the teaching of science, geography, and nature-study at the school. Mr. W. H. Jackson, headmaster of the school, takes pardonablo pride in the fact that he is now in charge of easily- tho best-equipped elementary scholastic institution in the Dominion. The Masterton Borough Council had no easy task in making a selection of a successor to Mr. W. V T. Mansfield as town clerk and borough engineer. Of the 74 applicants for the position, quite a number were capable to fill the dual position.; The council was divided upon the question of whether the offices should bo separated, but eveptually endorsed the opinion of the Mayor that the appointee should fill the dual positions of clerk and engineer. Mr. .Tames ATcher, who was successful in the final ballot, has been for five years in the employ of the Napier Borough Council. Prior to t)(i)t he was with the Auckland City Council'." He received his early 'training in a surveyor's office at Wolverhampton (England). Mr. .Archer will, it is expected, take up his duties in the course of a w«k or two. Mr John Smith, one of Wellington's' oldest city councillors, is at present on a visit to friends in this district. Mr. R. M'Kenzie, who is the sole representative of the Wairarapa at. tho championship athletic meeting, left for Wellington this ..morning, en route for Christchurch. Mr. M'Kenzie, who is in excellent form, "will ,compcto in the hurdle and hop,'step, and jump events as a of. the AVellington Province. Tho annual meetings of the Excelsior and St. Matthew's Hockey Clubs were held last evening. Mr. H. Hall was appointed club' captain of the former, and it was decided to open tho season oh. Thursday next and to mako arrangements to play senior and junior matches with the Danhevirke Club on Easter Monday. Eighteen new members were elected. Mr. G. H. Scrimgeour was elected secretary. The St. Matthew's' Club decided to form two teams, and Mr. A. Wheeler was. elected secretary. Hockey promises to become a favourite sport in Masterton this season. Bush fires are at present raging in several parts of tho Porty-milo Bush. A well-attended service, under the aupices of the United Evangelical Council.was held last evening. 'At a subsequent meeting of the committee of the council it was decided to hold a gathering in the Presbyterian Church in celebration of tho Bible tercentenary on April 10. There was a very satisfactory attendance at'the Forty-mile Bush Athletic Club's sports at Hamua yesterday. Tho arrangements, which were in tlio hands of an energetic secretary (Mr. Bourke) and ft strong committee, were complete in every detail. Several residents of Masterton have become contributors to the National Provident, Pund of the Government. Mr. H. D. Bedford, M.A., of Duncdm, who lias been conducting No-License meetings at tho various townships in tho Lower Vallev, speaks at Tenui to-night and at the Lower Taneru to-morrow night. He will address a mass meeting m the Ma«tcrton Town Hall on Sunday evening. •Vt the annual meeting yesterday of tho Masterton Golf Club, Mr. H. G. Williams was re-elected president and Messrs. H. Holmes arid H. H. Beetham vice-presi-dents Mr. A. R. Sclanders was elected club'captain and Mr. W. W. Gabites S6cre t arv .It was decided to open the season 'on March 25. Messrs. A. Hender=on and A. R. Sclanders signified their intention of presenting trophies for competition during tho season. The Williamson Company appeared at the Town Hall to-night in "The Lion and-the Mouse." Tho first appearance of Miss Katkerinc Grey was greeted with an overflowing house. The Masterton Chess Club held its opening meeting last evening, when some interesting games wero indulged in.' A monster sides match is being arranged for Wednesday, March 29.