PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1229, 11 September 1911, Page 3

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) 4 CARTERTON. At Gladstone on Friday night the residents tendered a return ball to the employees of Tupurupuru. Thero was a largo attendance, including a number oi visitors, and the arrangements wero excellent. Mr. M. Maguire's orchestra supplied tho music. A social gathering was held at Belvedere the other evening as a fend-oft to Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Parker, who are removing to Fast Taratalii, having acquired it section of tho Fastbrook Estate. During the evening Mr. Parker was the recipient of a silver-mounted pipe, and Mrs. L'arker a handsome tray-cloth, as tokens of esteem.

Mrs. I!. Fail-brother's (senior) many friends will hear with regret that she had the misfortune to fall on Friday evening, and severely hurt her arm. Mr. Poole, M.P., accompanied by Mrs. Poole, arrived in Carterton on Saturday morning. Mr. Poole is delivering a series of addresses under the auspices of the No-Licenso League at Greytown, Carterton, and Featherston. As a token of esteem and appreciation of their services as musicians at various school gatherings at DaJefield, Miss A. Nielsoa was the recipient of a silver-backed brush and comb, and Mr. G. Nielson a gold-mounted cigarette-holder. Mr. J. Hodder made tlio presentation in a very appreciative speech at a social gathering held for the purpose.

OTAKI. A very successful concert was held at Te Horo on Friday night, when there was a packed audience, a large number being present from Otaki and Waikanae. The programme was of fair merit. Several items were splendidly given, and much applauded. Sheep-worrying is rifp in the district, and owners are nightly on the look-out for tho dogs making the depredations.

FEATHERSTON. The social of the Liberal Football Club, held on Thursday night, was attended by about ninety couples, and was a.successful gathering. The medals won by players during the season were presented by Air. W. Barton, patron of the club. Tho monthly meeting of the Peathorston County Council was held at Martmborough on Friday. An application was received from Major-General Godley for the uso of a haU or suitable building lor the training of tho citizen army. As the council has no building available for that purpose it was decided to reply to that effect. The Public Works Department notified that no funds were availaolo to enjage an engineer to report on the proposed deviation of the Eimutaka lioad, and that Mr. J. D. Louch had reported previously that it was not feasible. It was resolved to send the correspondence to Mr. \V. C. Buchanan, and ask him to make further application. The chairman (Mr. A. D. M'l,ccd) said it was reported that tho "Waihttuma Block, of about 15,000 acres, had been purchased by tho Government, and hu moved that application be made that the bush portion be created a scenic reserve, as if tho bush were cleared from it tho Turanganui and Tauanui Rivers, which run through the property, would bring down the shingle on to tht land below.

It has been reported that thero is a difference of opinion regarding the practicability of the scheme to extend the Morca Water Race, so as to supply the Knhutara district, by means of pipes, bringing the water from Greytown. It has been alleged that the. fall is insufficient, and that the cost will .be considerably greater than the amount now available tor the work. Messrs. W. E. Bidwill and D. Eiddiford, representing a number of property owners in the Kahutara district, waited'on the County Council on Friday, and asked for some information regarding the scheme. They expressed themselves in favour of it, but wished to know if there was any certainty of the work bemg carried out successfully. The council's reply was that tho matter would be carefully considered by the Water llace Extension Committee, and that the ratepayers affected would be brought together again, and all particulars would be given to them. It was intimated that a company had been formed in Wellington to undertake- the manutac-. hire of tho wood-stave pipes required for the, carrying of the water. Probably other engineer will be asked to report on tho scheme.

GREYTOWN. Mr. John Hodge was presented with a handsome gold watch-chain and pendant at. a social- on Thursday night, in recognition of his long service as chairman of the Greytown Dairy .Company. During tho evening songs and recitations were given and eulogistic mention made of the high position held by tho company through tho proficiency of the cheesemaker, Mr. Irving, i . Tho local Trotting Club lias donated a subscription towards the New Zealand Sports' Protection League. The Town Lands Trust have received an acknowledgment from tho Wellington Education Board of tho .£BO donated to tho Greytown District High School.