PROVINCIAL CENTRES

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1199, 7 August 1911, Page 6

PROVINCIAL CENTRES

OTAKI. The Otaki Maori Racing Club have decided lo build an outside grandstand on their course, and it is expected that the building (which should l'onu an acquisition) will bp started in a fortnight's lime, and be ready for the races, which are to bo held on September 25 and 2G. An old man named Peter Smith has been missing from Manakau since .Monday, and his disappearance is causing comment. Jle was last seen boarding a train going north early on .Monday. The police are at present investigating, but, up till now, have secured no clue. His prcmi.-es fa store) have been opened, but everything was found in thorough order, there being no indication whatever which might be supposed lo account for his disappearance. At the last meeting of the Otaki School Committee it was decided to accept Miss Foster's resignation with regret, and to send her a. letter expressing their appreciation of her excellent services. A grant of JC3 was also received from the Education Board for travelling purposss.

There was only about half an. hour's sitting at the S.M. Court last week. In civil business judgment was given by default in tho following cases:—Matenga Moroati v. F. Bobinson. claim .£3, costs 155.; Howell Bros. v. Chas. Kerr, claim £a 10s., costs i£l 45.; J. E. Gear v. S. Shiel, claim £1 "s. Id., costs £2 3s. Gd. Judgment summonses:—Robert Greig v. Henry Clifton, claim .£3l 4s. lOd. —no order made; R. J. Staveley v. Utiku Hapcta, claim <£7 Ss. Gd. —order mode to pay forthwith, in days' imprisonment. Alfred J. Knocks applied tor an order to be made against Charles Carmont for the support of his daughter (Maria Carmont), now an invalid, and her children. An order was made for the payment of 17s. G<l. per week for the wife and four children. Defendant applied for the custody of the children, but the application was refused.

HASTINGS. At a committee meeting of th« Hawke's Bay A. and P. Society last week the proposal of the president (Mr. A. H. If assell) in the direction of scouring a new site, for a show ground, was advanced a further stage. A cub-committee has been authorised to consider offers of sites and report to a future meeting. The following Judges-were appointed in connection with the next show:—Polled Angus cattle, Mr. W. Tvobertson; Ilerefords, Mr. H. B. Stuckey; fat sheep and cattle, Mr. H. Gillies; grain' and seeds, Mr. L. Abraham; shearing, Messrs. F. Gordon and C. L. Mackersey.

The Borough C'ouri« l i! has been informed that the. Railway Department will immediately proceed with the work of shifting the cattle-stops at the Heretaunga Street crossing in order to'permit of the widening of the street where the line crosses it.

FEATHERSTON.. A football match was a played at Wairongomai on Thursday between teams representing 'l'oogood's estate and a combination of the employees or Wairongomai and adjacent properties. The combined team won by three points to nil. They were afterwards entertained by Mr. and Mrs. A. Matthews, and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Matthews at a social gathering. Songs and recitations wero given by Messrs. Edwards, Pillar, Hardie, Hali, Sullivan, Holms, and C. Lust. A return match will bo played shortly in Featherston. ■ •

Mr. C. W. Tanner gave a political address to a fairly large audience at the Town Hall here on Friday night. He announced himself as a supporter of the party at present in office, and approved of all .the policy measures passed during the last twenty years.

WAIKANAE. A fancy-dress ball was held at tho old schoolroom on Wednesday last. Visitors from all the • districts' wero present, and a most enjoyable time was spent, tho profeedings being under tho supervision' of Mr. and Mrs. Leu. Freeman." The music was supplied by Mrs. Freeman (piano), and extras were played by W. Edwin and M. Thomas. Some of the costumes wero as follow:—Miss 0. Smith, Starlight; Miss S. Moko, Japanese; Miss C. Brown, naval officer; Mrs. Freeniaii, Miss Hook of Holland; Miss Temple, fisher girl; Miss Moore, Spanish dancer.; Miss Tira Pnrata, gipsy maid; Miss Johnston', Miss Folly; Mrs. Kent, Old Mother Hubbard; Miss Kent, Dutch girl; Miss Kerrigan, Italian opera girl; Miss Emma Brown, Irish col-leen,-Miss Kaister, nurse; Miss I. Kaister, Spanish dancer; Miss 13. Kaister, "N.£. Times"; Miss Donnivon, Japanese; Miss N. Brown, Rags; Miss Parata, Night; Miss Solomon, Cherry Ripe; Mrs. Matthews, fortune-teller; Miss E. Bauckc, Puritan; Miss J. Baucke, Dutch girl; Mr. L. Freeman, pierrot; Mr. P. Gorton, clown; ill-. A. Robinson, huntsman; Mr. J. Freeman, nigger boy; T. Sheet, swagger; Mr. G. Brown, cricketer; Mr. R. Marten, swagger; M. Kent, clown; Mr. Bob Stubbings, cricketer; Mr. Geo. Stubbings. soldier; Mr. A. Heap, footballer; Mr. B. Roach, Maori footballer; Mr. AV. Edwin, runner; Mr. Mato Thomas, Maori footballer; Mr. H. Lynch, cricketer; Mr. E. Lynch, tennis player; Mr. ,T. Soloman, rough rider; Mr. A. Thompson, cowboy; Mr. J. Thompson, lmteher; Mr. H. Powell, pierrot; Mr: A. Powell, cricketer; Mr. G. Colpman, outlaw; Mr. W. .Askew, railway; Mr. Dayinau, runner; Mr. T. Parata, cricketer; M. C. Baucke, footballer.

FEILDING. The 35th anniversary of the Feilding Primitive Methodist Church was celebrated yesterday. The Rev. G. J. Spence, president of the New Zealand Methodist Church, was the preacher. Feilding district has participated fairly well in the public library subsidies as will bo seen by the following:—Apiti, «£S 9s. Gd.; Ashhurst, .£lO 2s. Id.; Awahuri, .£'B 12s. 6d.; Beaconsfield, .E7; Bunnyr thorpe, .£9 12?. 7d.; Feilding, .£'23 Is. 7d.; Kimbolton, .£9 9s. 9d.; Makino, .£6 13s. Gd.; Pohangina, i:7 lis. oil.; Rangiwahia, J!S Bs. 3d.; Sanson, £7 l?s 2d.