MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1107, 21 April 1911, Page 6

MASTERTON NOTES.

CENSUS RETURNS FINISHED, (By Telegraph.-Spocial Correspondent.) Masterton, April 20. The census returns for the borough of Masterton have been completed. These show the population in the borough to be 513(5, as compared with 5025 five years ago. During the quinquennial period there has been a movement of population to Lansdowne and other suburbs, and it is estimated that within a radius of two miles of the Post Office there is a population of over 7000.' Mr. 11. Toogood's Spring Hill Estate, containing 3850 acres, situated at Tenui, has been sold to Mr. A. C. Pilmer at a satisfactory figure. The property is said to be one of the best fattening estates in the district. ' Heavy rain is falling throughout the district. The Rev. S. J. Scrpell and Mr. P. E. Parsons were welcomed by the Wesleyan community at a "social" to-night. The annual meeting of the. Masterton Horticultural Society was held last evening, Mr. D. Caselb'erg presiding over .a large attendance. The balance-shect showed that, while the year had opened with a debit of <£3 15s. Id., it had closed with a credit of ,£l3 12s. Id. Members paid a tribute to the secretary (Mr. H. U. Boddington) for the success which had attended the society during the year. The following officers were elected for the •year:—President, Mr. James Prvor; viceprasidents, Messrs. G. C. Summereil and G. W. Sellars; committee, Messrs. E. Hale, J. Caselberg, N. R. Varnham, .T. Candy, J. C. Alpass, G. R. Sykes, T. Dixon, and W. J. Hirschberg. A Ladies' Committee was also appointed. Considerable discussion took place upon a motion by Mr. D. Caselberg, affecting the definition of amateurs and professionals. It was eventually decided, on the motion of Mr. J. B. Moodie, that the classes be made as follow:—(1) Nurserymen who grow plants for sale, a special class for exhibition only; (2) open class, eligible for all except nurserymen; (3) amateurs, who at no time during the year employ labour in their gardens. In spite of tho fact that very little interest has been taken in municipal matters, there is to bo a contest for the nine seats on tho Borough Council. Seven of the retiring councillors have been renominated, and there are four candidates besides. The new aspirants for civic honours are Messrs. H. O'Leary, A. Donald, Threadwell, and Flanagan. The holding of the election will mean that Masterton votes will play a considerable part also in the Harbour Board election, which takes place on the same day. Mr. William Noble, who has been chief clerk at the Masterton railway station for the past two years, has been promoted to the Thorndon station, at Wellington. He will be succeeded by Mr. J. U. Wilson, of Lower Hutt. Masterton riflemen were very successful at the Hawke's Bay and Rangitikei Rifle Association meetings, held during the Easter holidays. Census returns so far compiled show the population of the Castlepoint County to bo G2O; Opaki Riding of Masterton County, 1913; Awhea and Turanganui Hidings of Featherston County, 313; Peathorston Town District, 743. The wliolo of the retiring members of tho Masterton School Committee, with two exceptions, have been nominated for re-election. It is understood that the shares required for the formation of a co-operative auctioneering association in Masterton liavo been fully subscribed.