PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1738, 1 May 1913, Page 9

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

FEILDING, In order to create interest in annual meeting of householders the Tokorsugi (llnlcombo district) School Coniinittco combined a limelight lecture ou the British Navy with the school election. A "bumper" house resulted. FEATHERSTON. At the opening meeting of the Feafclierston Literary and Debating Suciety, held 011 Tuesday evening, tlio subject debated was: "That equal and universal adult suffrage is in the best interests of society." Mr. 51. B. l'ait whs leader of the affirmative side, and Mr. \V. C. Stiller let! the opposing party. On being put to the meeting the proposition was negatived. The JJartinborotigh School Committee is as follows:—Messrs. 51. Eoss (chairman), A: Tyler, W. 0. Benton, C. l'\ M'Allum, R. H. Baillie, K. Muuroe, and tlio ltev. E. C. Tennant. All t'lioso mentioned, with the exception of Messrs. Baillie and Munroe, were members of last year's committee. At a meeting of ratepayers in Martinborough, held on slonday evening, consideration was given to the details of the Town Board's scheme for street and house lighting with electricity, the cost of -lant, etc., being estimated as .£3700. The following resolution was carried unanimously: "That this meeting heartily endorses tlio proposal put forward by the Town Board, and that the scheme be proceeded with as soon as practicable." It is understood that suction gas will bo the generating power.' A meeting of settlers was held on Tuesday niglit to consider the advisability of asking the Featherston County Council to tako over the privately-owned FernsideIxmgwood water race system. Mr. A. D. M'Leod, chairman of the County Council, presided. Mr. C. Elgar, the principal owner of the present system, which has been in existence for about twenty years, intimated his willingness to transfer, free of cost, all his righs to the council. Tho area interested would be about 5000 acres, and it would take a further outlay of .£OOO to supply the water required. It was resolved that the services of Mr. Laing-Meason be engaged to report on tho n'atter, and that tho cost be borne by those interested. A petition to the Featherston Couny Council, to tho foregoing effect, was drawn up and signed bv seventeen of those in the room. A committee, consisting of Messrs. D. H. S. Biddiford, A. Clark, C. Cundy, B. Willis, and A. Murphy, was appointed, and will, in company will Mr. Elgar, confer with the engineer. . sfr. Bruce Tennant, of Martinborough, leaves this week for the Northern Territory of Australia, in which locality he intends to settle. OTAKI. A largo number of parishioners met on Tuesday evoning and unanimously decided that a farewell "social" be tendered tho Rev. Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Smith has recently resigned as vicar to this, parish. At a meeting of parishioners yesterday afternoon Mr. L. S. George, people's churchwarden, read a letter from the Bishop of Wellington, intimating that the parish would not get a minister to fill the vncancy caused by the retirement of tho Rev. C. Smith unless .£2OO per annum were guaranteed, together with a vicaraje. srr. St. George considered that the difficulty, could bo overcomo if all gave according to their means. During tho course of the meeting much regret was expressed at the fact that Mr. Smith had tendered liis resignation.

Mr. T. O'Kourke left Oaki this week to join the RotHrua at Wellington, en route for England.