PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 6 October 1911, Page 7

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) FEATHERSTON. At theannual meeting of the Fealherston Fire Brigade, funds in hand were reported to be 18 0s. 1d. Mr. A. Tail was re-elected captain, and .Mr. G. H. Walker was appointed secretary. A presentation was made to Mr. C. Lust, who has been secretary and lieutenant for over three, years and is leaving Featherston, the members speaking in complimentary terms of his services to the brigade. A programme of songs and other items was rendered by those present.

The South Wairarapa Cricket Club intends to enter senior and junior teams for the championship fixtures during the coming season. Ten new members were elected at the annual meeting held on Monday night, and the club has several promising players on its roll. The best batting averages last season were: Cobcroft, 31.33; Balfour, 27.33; Miller, 26.99 ; Hawk, 24.11; A. Cundy, 21.00. L. T. Cobcroft has been re-elected captain, and Messrs. Hawk and Miller delegates to the association. OTAKI. There is still no trace of the missing man, Peter Smith, who disappeared from Manakau several weeks ago. His shop was broken into on Saturday night, but as the police have removed all money only confectionery and cordials could be interfered with. The police are making inquiries. Miss Stevens has been appointed postmistress in place of Miss Johnston (resigned) at the Otaki Railway Post Office. Some 40 Reikorangi and Waikanae settlers attended the meeting at Waikanae, which was convened for Monday night, by Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., who, with Mr. M'Curdy, of Upper Huff, pointed out the advantages to be gained by a railway deviation from Waikanae, to the Upper Hutt, via Reikorangi and Akatarawa. At the conclusion of the address, the following resolution was passed:—"That this meeting is of opinion that, in the interests of the convenient working of the railway system of defence and of settlement, the time has arrived when an exhaustive survey should be made of the railway route from Waikanae to the Upper Hutt, this route to serve as a duplication of the Manawatu railway, and that we cooperate with the settlers and residents of the Upper Hutt and Akatarawa in waiting on the Government by deputation to urge the early prosecution of such survey." A committee was formed to further the proposal. The death occurred here this week of Mr. Harry Riddiford, stepson of Mr. T. Roach, at the age of 36. Deceased entered the hospital a week ago. The interment is to take place at the Maori cemetery on Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Byron Brown addressed the electors at Te Horo on Wednesday night, and, as in other places, had a good reception from a large audience. The address was based on similar lines to that given at Otaki. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him.

SHANNON. Mr. Malcolm, M.P., gave a No-License address at Miranui on Monday evening. Captain G. N. Stephenson presided at the annual meeting of the local Rifle Club, when the balance-sheet was read and adopted. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Captain Stephenson; hon, secretary, Mr. E. W. Sutton; shooting committee, Messrs. B. J. S. Spencer, E. Law, and E. W. Sutton; general committee, Messrs. E. .T. S. Spencer, E. Law, B. F. Spencer, W. Shearman, and E. W. Sutton; handicapper, Mr. M'Phearson ; auditor, Mr. E. J. Judd. It was decided to have two "shoots" for the Fresh Food and Ice Company's Cup, the first to take place on October 28, and the second in February. The vicar (the Rev. C. Palmer) occupied the chair at a meeting of the Venerable Bede's vestry on Monday night. The sum of .£l3 10s., the proceeds of the recent Daffodil-Pierrot concert, was paid over to the churchwarden, and a vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Cowper, Messrs. Tilling, Batchelar, and Cowper, who organised the entertainment. The vicar will shortly leave on a six week's holiday. During his absence services will be conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Compton (Levin) and Wood (Foxton), and Messrs. C. F. Exall (Shannon) and Parr (Tokomaru). CARTERTON. Mr. T. W. Rose, who has purchased Mr. F. Cave's residence and property at the north end of High Street, is erecting an up-to-date poultry run on the property. Tho local bowling green now presents a very pleasant appearance, and should be in fine order for the opening of the season. A conference is to be held at Masterton on Octobor 21 on the question of establishing an agricultural school in the Wairarapa. The A. and P. Associations, County Councils, and Borough Councils in the district are being asked to send delegates. A two days' bazaar in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Church was opened in the Victoria Hall on Wednesday afternoon.