PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 8 April 1911, Page 3

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) 5 FEILDINC. Tlie Rev. J. H. White, after six years' scrvico on the Kimbolton and Kiwitca Methodist Circuit, has had very hearty farewells at Apiti, Kim-bolt-on, and Rangiwahia. Mr. White has been transferred to Patca. , Tho chairman of the Wanganui Education Board has refused permission to close tho Fcilding schools 011 tho Harbour Board and municipal election day so that they might bo used as polling booths. He says there arc other buildings that can bo got. A caso of more than usual interestwas decided by Jlr. A. D. Thomson, S.M. Tho Fcilding Borough Council proceeded against C. A. Bennett for rates 011 a property which had originally been part' of tho Peers Estate. Evidence was brought to show that Bennett's name was 011 tho Government valuators' roll, and that a rato notico had been sent to him by post and never returned. Tho defence went to show defendant had never seen the property,' had never owned it, and had never occupicd it. Ho had onco carried, on negotiations with a view to its purchase, but tho arrangements were never completed. Judgment went for defendant-. A two-roomed cottago 011 Ranfiirly Road, owned by Mrs. Murphy and occupied by Mrs. Harvey, was destroyed by, fire 011 Thursday evening. The occupier was away at tho time, and tho cause of the firo is not known. None of the furniture was saved. A very unfortunate gun accident occurred in Foilding 011 Thursday afternoon to Miss Dorothy Wrightson, a girl employed in tho Telephone Exchange. It is stated that Miss Wrightson was engaged in cleaning a pea-rifle, not knowing that it contained an undischarged cartridge, when it exploded. 'Iho uullet entered Miss Wrightson's body. Dr. Wallis was called in, and after an examination without locating the bullet, ordered her removal to tho Palmerston Hospital. Miss Wrightson was taken by motor-car to tho Hospital. Her condition cannot bo definitely ascertained at present, but it is hoped nothing serious will follow. Children's day will bo observed at tho Primitive Methodist Church tomorrow (Sunday) and the sermons will be preachcd by the Rev. E. Coatsworth, tho newly-appointed minister to Foxton. Mr. John Powell, of Rewa, has purchased a I'2oo-acre block of land 011 the Wanganui River from Mr. Paul Murphy. » t The ordinary meeting of tho Oroua County Council was held yesterday. Present: Councillors W. G. Pearce (chairman), Thos. Rowling W. Reid, and J. Morrison. Tho chairman referred to -tho death of Mr. G. C. Wheeler, who had represented the Raumangi Riding continuously for-23 years, and has occupied the chair in the council for about ten years. During tho past dccado tho County Council had come into existence being evolved from the old Manchester Road Board. ,Tlio council had developed into what was now described by outsiders as the most progressive local body 011 tho coast under Mr. Wheeler's leadership. Tho council had been the, first to use concrete and steel in n tho ercction of bridges, the first to introduce the' road grader, and the first to purchase a road roller. The council's financial position had improved . wonderfully, and Mr. Wheeler had Droved himself a careful and-.wise administrator. Councillor Pearce then proposed: "That this'council places 011 record its sincere sorrow and. regret' at' the loss sustained-by' the death of its chairman (Mr. G. C. Wheeler) and to extend its sympathy to Mrs. Wheeler and family; also to record its appreciation of jiis long and faithful services to the county." Councillor Thos. Rowling seconded the motion; which was. carried in silence. Out of resneet to the. late Mr. Wheeler tho council then adjourned for two hours.

FEATHERSTON. The return match between the Martinborough and Fcatherston Bowling Clubs was played here on Thursday, and resulted in a decisive win for the homo club. The local teams were shipped by Benton and Bungay, and the visitors by AVright and Lawson. ;

WOODVILLE. : Only a short sitting of the County Council took place on Thursday. The chairman, with Councillors Nelson and .Murray, were appointed to represent the council as members of a deputation of bodies interested, who will wait upon the Minister, urging that the Government should take over 'the Gorge Road. Tenders for 1450 yards of metalling at Is. lOd. per yard, and the formation required on tho Otawabo Road at £2 17s. 6d. per chain, wero let. Fifty men arc now employed upon fho drainage work. The depth of the drain where tho men arc working roaches 13ft., and it is no easy task for those labouring in tho narrow spaco to hoist tho earth clear of tho opening. Largo boulders aro frequently met with, but, on the whole, tho work is progressing well. At the quarterly meeting 'of the Methodist Church the stewards reported that the financial statement for the quarter showed that £184 16s. 4d. had been raised, and that, after clearing up the year's workings, a ercdit balance of £77 ss. 3d. would be available with which to commence the year.

OTAKI. At the last annual meeting of the Otaki Road Board, it was decided to call for tenders for fascining, earthing, and metalling the Rangiuru Road, and to call tenders for the supply of maintenance metal for all roads for ]2 months. It was also decided to mako application for an overdraft of £600. Miss Daisy Bills, who is about to be married, was entertained at a tea on Wednesday night. Many presents were received, and a pleasant time was spent. Rain, of a welcome nature, fell for a> brief interval on Thursday night, but was not sufficiently copious to penetrate any depth into the soil.

PAHIATUA. The annual meeting of the Pahiatua Chamber of Commerce was hold in the office of tlio secretary (Mr. J. A. Walsh) on Thursday evening. Thero was a good attendanco of members, and the president (Mr. W. Tosswill) occupied tho chair. Tho balance-shoot, which showed the Chamber to bo in a satisfactory financial position, was Tho following officers wcro clcctedPresident, Mr. W. Wakeman; vice-president, Mr. J. W. Sturton; council, Messrs. W. Tosswill, L. Feist, C. E. Clifton, J. K. Carpenter, A. Weston, H. 0. Pillcndreigh, L. T. Herbert, and G. A. Burgess. Tho following 1 resolution was carried:—"That tlio traffic manager of the Now Zealand railways bo written to asking what alterations, if any, have been made in refcrenco to tho goods traffic between Wellington and Pahiatua, and what steps, if any, liavo been,taken to improve tho service between those places. to inform the Chamber as to which of tho two Wellington stations goods should be dispatched'from to rnsiiro a prompter arrival in Pahiatua." Little'_or 110 interest is being manifested in tho forthcoming municipal elections, and it is very doubtful if ' a poll will bo taken —so apathetic aro burgesses in the matter. At the last election there were

Bomo eighteen aspirants for the nilio vacant positions, hut this year those who are approached arc fighting shy of the honour. Mr. N. W. L. Absolum, who has bceni connected with tho local branch of the Dank of New Zealand for a number of years as ledger-keener, lias been transferred to Pongaroa. The return bowling mjtch, Law. Banks, and Insurance, v. "tho World will be played 011 the local green this afternoon. Teams will be selected from the following players:—Law, Hanks, and Insurance: Burgess, Howard, Eccleton, Hargrove, Tosswill, OsburneLilly, Lea, Yourcn, Hawkins, Walsh, Miller, 'Husband, Swainson, Chambers. "Tho World": Howat, M'Bratney, Hansom, Hughes, "VYakcman, Mills, Savers, Chatwin, Johnsoi. Clifton, Spear, Watts, Brittland, White-Scott, Wildsj Asliby, Pearcoy,