PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1203, 11 August 1911, Page 9

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

OTAKI. ■ A meeting of ratepayers was held at Otaki on Tuesday for the purpose of considering the advisability of widening the main county road from .Mill Road to Waorenga Street. There was only" a very small attendance. After discussion it was decided to ask for a grant of .£IOOO from the Government. Mr. Albert Strawbridge, who was injured nearly eleven mouths ago while returning from a point-to-point steeplechase at Manakau, died at the hospital yesterday. Deceased was aged 36 years lie was a prominent member of the Hunt Club, and was instrumental in forming the club here. He was the sou of Mr. T. Strawbridge, formerly a resident of Waihakeke, Carteiton, and of fcilding. The funeral takes place to-day. Measles are prevalent' at Eeikiorangi, and an effort was made to close the schcol for two or three weeks. Although th 3 attendance had been reduced to about onehali", the effort failed.

The rainfall for July at Keikiorangi was 5.93 inches, as against 1.58 for the corresponding month last ytar. Last month there were 11 frosts. At the monthly meeting of■ the Otaki' Road Board on Monday, the business transacted was mostly of a routine character. Warden Skerman reported that the Riugawhati and Rahui Roads were on the wrong survey line, and, on his recommendation, it was decided to go fully into the matter. It was also agreed to do metalling on the Te Eoti Eoad leading to the racecourse gates. Mr. M. H. Ayre was appointed temporary clerk to the board, in , place of Mr. Eagar, who is at present indisposed.. ' The euehre tournament in connection with the Druids' Lodge terminated this week, when Mrs. E. Bills was announced winner of the ladies' prize (a silverbacked hand-mirror), and Mr. Clifford winner of the men's trophy (a eilvermounted pocket-book). At Monday's meeting of the Eoad Board Warden Skerman strongly condemned holding meetings in what he considered a building "rat and plague infected, and worse than a rabbit hutch." A glance by other wardens at the interior of the structure was apparently sufficient to warrant other remarks of condemnation, but the chairman jocularly passed over the matter, and no action was ralwn. On "\Vf(lncs>.v evening tho Otaki Amateur Dramatic Club staged the court scene of "The Merchant of Venice." AH performers interpreted their parts fairly well, but the one to make a decided hit was Mr. E. Lyon, son of the late Mr. W. D. Lyon, once a well-known amateur of Wellington. As "Shylock" ho sunk his own individuality, and cave a capital rendering of tho part. Mrs. E. D'Ath also ably sustained her part. "The Merchant" was followed by' several concert items. The comedy "My Turn Next" was also' billed, Mr. Lyou again being the mainstay. At the conclusion, Miss M'Mahon, who was instrumental in organising the. entertaiument, was made the recipient of a handsome set of books.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Mr. Samuel Clifton, junr., was held in the Courthouse on Wednesday, but only three creditors attended. Liabilities wero .£226 Us. 10d., and assets £5. FEILDJNG. The Cheltenham Rifle Club will open the season on Saturday at the local range. Major M'Donald, who is in charge of tho junior, cadets under the Education pcpartmont, paid an official visit to Feilding on Wednesday. Yesterday ho inspected tho cadets at the two local schools. GREYTOWN. The Coronation Swimming Baths Com-, mittee have decided to erect the baths at the southern end of the town. HASTINGS. On Wednesday night Mr. H. Lan Sim-, son, who is 6tandinpr for tho Hawke's. Bay seat as a Government candidate, opened his campaign. Ho addressed a larjo number of supporters, who appeared to be well satisfied with his views. A strong committee was 'formed. .

The Ikaroa Maori Land Board had be- • fore it at Hastings yesterday several meet- ! iuss of assembled owners of Native lands to hear., their views as to selling to.the Crown. . The lands in question are: Owhaoko, Tima'-Hanga, Omahaki, Kaou, aud part Awarua, representing roughly about 100,000 acres. The land is of indifferent quality, the. valuation ranging from 4s. per acre to 10s., and is practically unoc- ■ cupied. Should the Crown purchase it is ! anticipated that the land will bo leased in large areas. This will havo a double advantage: First, of waste lands being turned to profit, and, secondly; the occupiers will band together to combat the advanco of noxious weeds and rabbits, which at present are such a menace. The blocks referred to are on tho slopes of the Rrnihine Range, extending from beyond to inland of Wtea.