MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1102, 15 April 1911, Page 15

MASTERTON NOTES.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) Masterton, April 14. Interest in the Masterton municipal election is increasing as (he lime for the closing of nominations draws nearer. Of- the retiring council, only Councillors Hoar, Prentice, Pragnell, Elliott, and Temple have definitely intimated their intention of standing for re-ekction. Messrs. H. O'Leary, f>. J. Edwards, and one or two others arc mentioned as probable candidates. There will, as far as can be ascertained, be no contest for the mayoralty, the retiring Mayor (Mr. J. M. Coradine) being considered a certainty for re-slection. ■ • A lceal land agent reports the exchange of 2100 acres in Hawke's Bay, the property of Mr. Rhodes, for 3509 acres on the Darling Downs, Queensland, tho "property of Messrs. K. Hoflung and L. Vallance, of Masterton. Messrs. W. L. Falconer and W. M. Easthope waited upon the Minister for Public Works' when he was here on Wednesday night, and urged that a Government grant be ma.de for the erection of a bridge over the Waingawa Hiver boyond the school at Kaituna. It was pointed out that, during the summer month?, tho river was crossed by hundreds <f tourists who proceeded to Mount Holdsworth, whilst tho settlers were inconvenienced through having no bridge. The Minister promised to consider the matter when the next Estimates were being propared. Bush fires have been raxing on lie foot of the Tararua ranges during the oast week, and settlers have experienced some difficulty in preserving their homes from destruction. At the annual meeting of the Masterton Mounted Hide* last night, Sergt. H. Bannister was presented with a case of brushes as a'marlc of appreciation of the services rendered by him as cook at the recent'camp.' ' : '" ■' ■ The annual anniversary, ""jcciali" held in Knox Church on Weclnerclay.eynihv;. in connfction with the Sunday' School, was an unqualified success. 'A'drtre?soj. were given by the T!ev. A. T.' Thompson and Mr. James M'Grcsor, fen., both of whom congratulated the fcholars and tecehers on the progressive work done during' the year. The last meeting of the year of the Masterton School Committee was held this week. The committee is in a very satisfactory condition so far as finance? are concerned, and has done fome very useful work during the year, notably in respect to tho provision of a miniature shooting range and a well-equipped museum.

The animal meeting of the Masterton Mounted Rifles was held this week. Captain .!. C. M'Killop presiding. Committees wPiv; set up for the year,'and. a Jetter wns read from Major Sandtmann, nd.nitant of. the regiment, statin;;, that orders, had boon receivpd from the olTiMr commanding. the district' .to amakamato

(ho present" squadrons at Ifastorton and Eketalnina, and form one squadron only, with headquarters.at Kkctahuua.

inspector xingo, Lliiel iiro Inspector of the Dominion, has made an inspection of the fire-alarm system recently instalk-d in Jfasterton! There are, in all, twelve fire-alarm boxes, and thera nro connected by special apparatus with the chief fire station. An interim balance-sheet for the past year has been submitted to a committee of the Borough Council. This is to be considered at tho next meeting of the council. Two teams from theOpoki Rifle Club are compctii'K at the Hawke's Bay Rifle Association';! meeting'at Eastings today and on Monday. • : : The net expenditure of the Masterton Borough Council for the past year amounted to .£2:5,481 I'., ad. The not receipts from all sources amounted lo J:23,307 19s. 7d. Outstanding rates in the Masterton Borough at the end of the financial year amounted o only, cC'3l3 '2s. The Masterton County Council tlccidctl at its meeting this week to proceed with the erection of a stock bridge over the Wuipoua Eivsr, at the eastern end of the borough. This has been foiiiul necessary on account of the large quantity, of stock travelling through tlie town to (lie 'Waingawa Freezing' Works, and the new sale yards. The Borough Council is to be asked to provide half the cost of the work. The Rev. S. J. Scrpall, of Wellington, who has been appointed to tho M-.'.stoi-ton Circuit, arrived this week, and occupied the pulpit at the Methodist .Church for the firs': time on the morning of G.cod Friday. Dr. Frengley, of the Health Department, waited upon the Master ton Borough Council this week in reference' to tho appointment of Mr. J. Cairns as inspector under the Health Act. After the position had been fully explained, the council decided to vote a sum of <£50 por year in order to retain the services of Mr. Cairns as inspector of nuisances for the town, subject to his taking un his residence in Masterton. Very satisfactory entries have been received for the Kopuaranga F;>orts meeting, which takes place en Easter -Monday. Only twelve ewes ef infectious disea-e were reported in the Borough of Masterton during the (we've months endini: March 31. Ths borough wc.s never in a more healthy condition than it is af the present lime.. The annual meeting of tho AVnirarapa Hockey Associntion w:-.s hold this week, tho Rev. W. ]!:iino presiding. There was ii largo attendance of delegates. The resignation of Mi-. A. C. Mr.jor us president was accepted -with regret. >Ir. J. Tryor was elected president for the ensuing year, and Mr. A. C. i'ragne'.l secretary. It was decided to close nominations for permits, for teams on Anril 27. 'JV opening of the reason was fixed for May •!. The secretary wf.s empowered to arrange for a match with either Hawke's Bay or Wellington on June 3.