PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1404, 2 April 1912, Page 6

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents.)

FEATHERSTON. Tho vital statistics here for the past month were:—Dill lis, (i; deaths, 1; marriages, 1. The rainfall in I'eatherston for Marcii was ,'J.GS inches. There were 16 days with rain, the maximum being oil March L', when 1.28 in. was registered. OTAKI. 'I'liere was a good attendance of now players and intending players at the. unmial general meeting ol the Tainni football flub, held on Saturday night, in the Druids' Hall. The financial statement. shows the club lo be in a sound position for the forthcoming season, and members anticipate a siicccsful season for 1912. Votes of thanks were accorded Messrs. 0. Gordon and E. Lauchester, the retiring treasurer and secretary. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year.—Patron, .Mr. C. A. W. Monekton; president', Mr. W. M'Jvegg; vice-presidents, Messrs. It. ami A. Bright, .1. Johnson, K. Ilawea, M.. Simcox, A. M'J.cllan, H. Nicolson, Poko Tcra; management committee, Ijcn, Griffiths, Don. Wilson, Keliu Hakaraia, 0. Armstrong, Duncan "Wilson; club captain (left open); delepnlp< H.l'.U., Donald Wilson and 1!. 1". Mann; treasurer, Donald "Wilson; secretary, }{. I'. Mann. The annual meeting of Iho Hahini Hockey Club was held on Saturday night. There was a fair attendance of members. The balance-sheet showed a credit of ,C 7 Ss. Pd., and it was decided to <Tonnt<S J..7

towards n dressing-shod, .provided other clubs did likewise. The following officers were elected.—President, air. Bvnm Brown; vice-presidents, Messrs V' AV Skcrtunu, J. Griffith, H. Freeman,' B.' J- ,, " R ,v.5-,; Tu,ul> . J - Bills > H - Liirki ». »»<• u. 31 Beth; delegates to association, Messrs. AY. .Tudd ami L. Kilmister; secretary and treasurer* Mr. I'ercv Freeman ■ ground eomniittcc, Mesrs. F. Dorset, AV. Taylor, and AV. .Tudd. The total rainfall in Otaki for the .month of .March was ,1.29 in. Rain fell mi sixteen days, the heaviest fall, .VSin being on March 12. March last vear was exceptionally dry, oulv .15in. faliin» the average for March for the past eHit .years is 2.% inches.

' SHANNON. Last week the pupils at the local school presented a silver-mounted bread-board and other tokens of appreciation to Miss .Kager, who is leaving the teaching profession. Itr. . Yoyscy made the presentation. X At Messrs. Saunders Bros.' farm, at Aloutoa, on Thursday afternoon, *Mr. Dibble, Government Agricultural histruetor, gave a demonstration of making stock ensilage from maize. There were about 7ft interested spectators, including visitors Irom Levin, Shannon, and Tokomarit. The maize was cut by a binder, which was something quite novel in itself, having recently been imported from the United States. It worked without a hitch, cutting, binding, and throwing the bundles clear. While supervising operations, Sir. Dibble explained the details to those assembled. Mrs. A. Saunders entertained the visitors to lunch, where speeches were made by Messrs. H. Prouse (Levin), Griffiths (Tokomaru), and A. Saunders. Local shops and offices will close from Friday to Monday. Shops will keep open till 0 p.m. on Thursday night. CARTERTON. . Mr. C. E. Cumpsty, who has been assistant at the Clareville Native College for some months past, is leaving ttiis week to enter the Sclwyn College, -Dunedin. The Wairarapa. South County Council on Saturday decided to raise tlio wages of (he permanent casual hands to 9s. a day, being an increase of Is. a day. Mr. Philip Andrews, of Moretcm .Road, Carterton, has purchasjd Mr. W. Jefferies's farm of 131 acres at Dalefield. Mr. W. Tucker, stationer. Carterton, was the successful tenderer for- the lea*e of the bookstall to lie erectcd at the Carterton railway station. Mr. .lames Brown, of Masterton, and an ex-Mayor of Carterton, has donated a. seat to Carringtou l'ark. This is the fourth to bo placed in position. Sir. and Mrs. Jl. Hodge, of Longbitsh, who are leaving for Te iloro, were entertined by tlio residents at a farewell "social" on Friday evening. During tlio proceeding*. -Mr. \V. 0. liuehannn, M.T\, on behalf of the assemblage, spoke of the stc-J»ing qualities of the departing friends, and in addition asked Mrs. Hodge to accept a set of silver-mounted scent bottles, .Air. Hodge a case of pipes, and Miss Hodge a leather-ca=ed silver ink stand, as tnl.ciir- of e-teein in which their i'ellow-■■'i'l!!<-rs held them. Mr. TTodge brietly aifiinv. ludii'd the kind seatiim-nts and gill'.