PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1578, 23 October 1912, Page 10

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

iFrom Our Boocial Correspondents.!

SHANNON. A fire broke out in the scutching shed of the Murunui mill shortly before noon on Saturday. Owing to the vigorous ctforts of tho employees it was not allowed to spread, and although -some hundreds of pounds' worth of plant and fihrc wove destroyed, only a iiortion of the building wis affected. On Saturday night a meeting of tho Manawatu Flaxmill Employees' Union was held in tho Druids' Hall. Mr. Brigga presided over a largo attendance, which was addressed bv Mr. .1. 1!. Brown and other Tokomaru delegates. Tho meeting was obviously held to rally tho men in connection with tho "sympathy strike, which tho union executive decided should be held on Tuesday. The motion that tho men should cease work on Tuesday to demonstrate their sympathy with the Waihi strikers was however defeated by a two-to-oue (majority. A number of these present did not vote. It is likely, however, that many of tho mills will have to close down to-day. Tho Presbyterian Ladies' Guild held a very successful soiree and concert on Friday night in the Druids' Hall. A largo number, representative of nil denominations, were present, and tea was provided by tho ladies of the congregation. At the subsequent concert the following contributed items:—Misses Graham and Kendall (Palmcrston North), pianoforte duet: the Bev. Mi\ Sanderson (Levin), song and recitations (encored); Mr. and Miss Pringle (Levin), duets; Mr. Ken. Aitkin (Levin), musical monologues (encored). Mr. .T. Buglass, Foxton, sang "Afton Water," for which he was encored, and sang "Mary nf Argyle" and "Annie Laurie"; Mrs. Pringle, song; Miss Heyes (Tokomaru). recitation; Master B. Merwood, song; Miss Graham (Palmcrston North), violin solo. The local orchestra, under Miss O. Laurvig's direction, contributed items. The Bev. Mr. ,T. A. M'Kenzie and Miss O. Laitrvig were the accompanists. The manse funds are likely to benefit materially by the entertainment, on whose success the members of the Ladies' Guild arc to bo congratulated. HASTINGS. Tho Hastings Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon, and decided to unite with the Napier Chamber in urging the> Government to hasten on the construction of the East Coast railway. The president (Mr. E. H. Williams) mentioned that he had authoritative information -from the Minister for Public Works that tho Government would reconsider the question" of route. Mr. Eustace Lane was appointed a representative of the chamber, and he .was also authorised to represent the chamber as a deputation to the Minister for Public Works, urging the ■ desirableness of the- Government setting up an Agricultural College in Hawke's Bay. For many years Hawke's Bay farmers hiivo had reason to regret the early' cessation of spring rains', but this season the condition, are totally different.- Almost even- day brings 'one' or more-heavy 1 .showers, and it seemed like a special dispensation (hat the shower days passed ■ over without a downpour. The result of . the warm rains has been', to promote ' growth to an uniisn.il' and almost embar-, ' rassing degree. A few days ago residents . were jubilant.concerning "the finest sea-' ' son which the district had ever known. • Now the universal jubilation is tempered i by a few, who aro croaking of potato blight, grass without nutriment, late ; crops, and other possibilities. A month's 3 dry weather would now be acceptable.