DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1771, 9 June 1913, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

JO I.TINGS FROM ALL SOURCES. PALMERSTON NORTH. It was disclosed at Friday night's meeting of the Borough Council that tho necessary preliminaries aro being taken in regard to the acquirement of tlio gasworks, municipal baths, and tho institution of trains. It is probable that tho questions of trams, municipal gasworks, and public batlis will all be placed before tho ratepayers at olio poll. In regard to tho trams, tho council has decided to send Air. Jickell to Gisborno to investigate the storage-battery system. An applicant wrote to the council on Friday evening and said ho bad "carefully and religiously" looked after tho rubbish tip for years, and asked for n nominal wage in future. The council decided that tho rubbish tip did not require rithor careful or religious supervision, so no action was taken. At tho meeting of Orient Lodge, 1.0.0.1''., on Friday night tho nomination of ofticers for tho ensuing term took place. P.G. Bro. H. Griggs was nominated for tho N.G. chair, and Bro. Dalfou for V.G., P.G. Bro. Franco permanent secretary, and P.G. Bro. Ax as treasurer. Examinations in first aid were conducted recently under the auspices of the local branch of tho St. John Ambulanco Nursing Division. All tho candidates who sat wero successful in passing. Tho list is as follow:—Misses Edith Allman, Lyiuiio Allman, Frances Govan, Norah Grant, Maud Lloyd, Mary MacNnir, Myrtle Whitehead, and Jean Young. Dr. Stowe examined, wliilo Dr. Putnam was instructor. Councillor Bennett gave notico on Friday evening to move at tlio next meeting of the Borough Council:—"That the council enter into negotiations with tlio Public Trustee to secure tho Native Reserve in North Street for recreation' purposes, either in exchange for a riverside section or. by straight-out purchase." Tho funeral of tho late Mr. Charles Collis took place on Friday afternoon, and was attended by largo numbers of settlers and townspeople and his many colleagues on various local bodies. Many wreathe wero received. Tho obsequies were performed by tho Revs. F. W. Boys and J. H. Haslam. Among those present were Messrs. Best, Wood, Small, of tho Manawatu Drainage Board; Mr. J. A. Nash, tho Palmerston Borough Council; Mr. E. J. Armstrong, engineer to Manawatu and Aorangi Boards; as well as members of tho Kair.inga County Council and Aorangi Land Drainage Board, j The Kairanga Dairy Company, of wliicli deceased was a director, was represented by Messrs: S. R. Lancaster, W. J. Capp, | A. Lsuvcaster, D. Prouse, J. Kyle, P. G. Mildon, and J. W. Whittaker (secretary).

On Friday morning Messrs. E. WaTbiirton and K. Wilson supervised excavation operations in Rangitikei Street at tho place where the supposed fire ball fell during a recent thunderstorm. Nothing could be found where tho hole was mado in the roadside as a result of tlio explosion, but only limited investigations could bo niado under the footpath. Mr. Warburton. is of tlio opinion that tho main forco of tho disturbance was centred under the footpath, and considers that in all probability a big cavity has been made there. Moro iron dust was found in the bark of tho pine tree that had been struck. The roots of the tree were also scorched, and a few stones wero slightly blackened. Some of tlio stones broko easily, showing that they toad been subject to heat.

NAPIER. I'ourtoen building permits wero issued during tho past month as under:—New dwellings 3, additions 3, brick building 1, brick shed 1, whares 2, verandah, small sheds 3, and the total valuo of the abovu is .&1317. Tho annual smoko concert of the F Battery was held in Abbott's Hall on Thursday evening, Lieutenant Levien presiding. Songs and recitations wero rendered by the following: Corporals iSirner and Harris, Gunners Holder, Dine, Toilkin, Phillips, Austin, L. Reid, Drivers F. R. Holder, Common, and M'Cartney. Tho accompaniments wero played by Mr. Bert Knox. During tho evening a number of toasts wero honoured. Mr. Horace Weber, Cathedral organist, lias been offered the position as organist and choirmaster of tho Baptist Church, North Adelaide. Thero wero thirty-:! vo applicants from all parts for tho position, which is ono of the most prominent church positions in South .Australia, ilr. Weber lias not yet accepted tho offer. A narrow escape from a serious accidont occurred on Thursday evening at tho Clivo Square-Dickens Street corncr, opposite the monumental yard, when n motor-cyclist was pulled up by running into a ropo stretched across the roadway. Tho obstruction was t'njKy/Vu-Qnd con. stitutcd a positivo litwr.it The line stretched from the corne? to a pathway made across the tram excavation, about 20 yards away, and the only light on it was that distance away from the corne l .'.. Tho many friends of Dr. and Mrs. Boss, of Waipawa, will regret to learn that Mrs. Ross, who was thought to be making a good recovery from a serious illness, has suffered a Telapse.

The Highland Society spent a social evening in the Princcss Hall on Eriday night. Mr. Young sang a Gaelic song, while Mrs. Alexander and Mr. Stevenson also contributed vocal items, ami .llr, I. Parker recited "Tho Cotter's Saturday Night." Mr. Gray, a newcomer, gavo some selections on the pipes. Highland, country, and modern dances were indulged in, tho music being supplied by Piper I?ae, Miss Eodgers (piano), anl Mr. R. Yuiil ((lute). Mr. J. P. Thomson gavo a most interesting talk on "A Day's Trip Through the Sir Walter Scott Country," and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, Mr, Norman M'Lean was elected a member of tlie society. WANGANUI. Wanganui County Council is again to oppose tho Wanganui Harbour Board Rating Area Empowering Bill, and a conference is to be arranged with tho other interested counties to decide on a plan of action. At Friday's meeting Councillors Poison and Fletcher wero appointed delegates to journey to Wellington to oppose tho Bill. Councillor Poison said that if the board was going to fight the council would fight, for tho board was practically ignoring {ho commission, and perpetuating the 6ins of the old Bill. Tho chain letter craze has again broken out in Wanganui, and quite a number of letters tiro being "passed on." The recipients in tho majority of cases accede to the request for fear that some dire calamity may overtake them, but if those who receive" tho letters would only slop to consider the matter, the chain would soon be broken and tho ridiculous business stopped. Tho services in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church on Sunday were of a unique character. The forty-third anniversary was celebrated, and it also marked tho last day on which the church will be used for divine service, as a new building is being erected. The I?er. James -Patoreon, late of St. John's Church, Wellington, who preached the opening sermon in tho church, conducted the service yesterday morning, and, despite his cighty-thrco years of age, preached a vigorous 6ormon, 'NEW PLYMOUTH.

Eight sections in the Mahoe Survej District were offered by ballot on Friday in the Lands and Survey Office, New Plymouth, and four of them were disposed of as follow, thero being no applications for tho other sections:—Section 1, Block XV, 70S acres, B. Spooncr; Section 4, Block XI, 218 acres, David Murray; Section 8, Block XI, Mi acres, W. H. Jones; Section 3, 378 acres, M. Marfell.

Mr. S. J. Kenniiigton, chairman of the Clifton County Council, left on Saturday for the South Island, where ho will spend a fortnight or tlireo weeks' holiday. Mr. Arthur Coxhead has- been appointed a member of the Taranaki Land Board. The New Plymouth Defence Ilille Club held a euchre party and dance in the Brougham Street Uall on Thursday night. Miss I. Bruce, of Hamilton, secured first ladies' prize, a carved toy, presented by Mr. 11. Old. Mrs. Y. Hoskin took second prize, a fancy salad bowl. Mr. F. Nichols look first men's prize, a brief bag; H. Hill, second prize, gent.'s umbrella. The music was provided by Mrs George, and Jlr. I''. Nichols played an extra on the accordion. Mr. Winsdale was M.C. HASTINGS. Tito Mayor of Hastings (Mr. W. Hart) has received a letter from Mr. Philip 0. j Buswell, secrotar}- to tho County Borough Gwwltttfc Sssttßß? (EwM)J

Btating that tho flag presented by tho children of tho schools of Hastings (New Zealand) has been won lor tho current quarter by St. Mary Star-oi-the-Si-a ltoiuan. Catholic Mixed School, Hasting!!. At the monthly meeting of the Hastings Firo Brigade, held on Thursday evening, two years' service bars were presented to Foreman M, O'Neill anil Fireman J. Cuthernll.

Tho young man who was remanded from Hastings on Thursday on a chargo of cruelly ill-treating four 'horses was committed to tho Porirua Asylum in tho afternoon, and was taken to that institution on Friday, in custody of Constable llellernan. Tho Hastings Y.M.C.A. 'held an enjoyable social at the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday night, Mr. It. Ewart Barley presiding, and was supported by the following committee: Messrs. 13. Halterell (acting lion, secretary), J. Paul, L Campbell, and G. Hardy. The programme included the following items: Solo by Mr. Taylor, recitations by Messrs. J5. liolmes and C. G. Gutterson, ond a series of new Karnes introduced by tho Barley Brothers. Miss Lascellos (hou. secretary of tho Ladies' Committee), Mrs. King, and Misses B. Thompson, and D. Turner wero responsible for tho supper, and Mrs. (Jostle presided at tho piano. . On Friday afternoon Mr. L. F. Pegler, headmaster of tho Hastings District High School, presented Miss Rosie, the headmistress, who is loaving at tho end of tho present month, with a leather dressingcase containing ebony and silver fittings, and with an enlarged photograph of tho teaching staff. Mr. Pegler spoke highly of Miss Bosio's ability as a teacher, and Mrs, Hudson suitably replied on Miss Rosie's behalf. Miss Rosie has been connected with tho staff of the Hastings District School for over twelvo .years. MASTERTON. During tho smoko concert tendered ttiß. visiting competitors by tho Mastorton Collio Club on Thursday night, Mr. J. Lilico offered to present Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.l\, with a broken-in sheep dog ; provided lie competed at next year's trials of tho Mastcrton Club. Mr. W._ Whyte, of Hawko's Bay, offered his Worship tho Mayor a dog on similar conditions. Both the dogs woro accepted, and a feature of next year's oollio trials will be the competition between his Worship the Mayor (Mr. .T. M. Coradine) and the member for the district (Mr. G. R. Sykes). | Endeavour Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held, a social gathering in Murray's Hall on Thursday evening. Competitions wero held, and the following items wore contributed: — Pianoforte solos, Mrs. Kielberg, Miss Kielberg, and Miss Gardner; violin selection, Mr. C. Savage; songs, Miss V. Judd, Rev. E. Swinerd, Mr. Morris, Mr. Swinerd, fun., and Misses Green; recitations, Mr. Hebenton, Mrs. Cairns, and Miss E. Morris. " . The teams match in connection with tho Mastcrton Collie Club's trials was got off on Saturday morning, and was won by F. W. Jones's team, no other award being made. The Mastorton Racing Club has granted permission to "Wizard"- Stone to make an aerial flight from tho local racecourse. CARTERTON. The judges for the Wairarapa P. and A. Society's ploughing match at Tauherenikau next week are Messrs. 0. J. Percy, of Mastcrton, and G. Shaw, of To Ore Ore, Mastcrton. Mr. 11. D. Knight, of Palmerston North, is'tho judge of ths teams and the young horses, Mr. Coleman Phillips has donated £2 2s. to the funds of the Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade, in recognition of their services at the recent fire. The local Lodge of Oddfellows have decided to procure an artificial wreath to place on the grave of tlio lata l'.G, Bro, lirickson, Mr. Porcy Bond, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bond, of Belvedere, was married at Cliristcliurch on Wednesday to Miss Lucy Parker, daughter of Mr. Robert, Parker, late of Carrington, Cartctton. DANNEVIRKE. Mr. M. Power' returned to Dnnnevirke on Friday from a health-recruiting trip through the North and South Islands. Mr. E. Lister (R. Hannah and Co.'s local branch) leaves Dnnnevirke to-day, having been transferred to the firm's Auckland branch.

On Thursday a Native named Isaac Watarau Norman, under tho influence of liquor, commenced a quarrel with his wjfe. Mrs. Tepo Patterson, a Native woman, ondeaVoured to effect a reconciliation, and for her trouble was violently assaulted. Norman appeared before tho Magistrate's Court on Friday, and was fined £a and costs, the magistrate, Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., characterising tho assault as "iv cowardly and brutal one." FEILDING. Thero wasa large representative attendance at tho Kimbolton County Council Chambers on Friday, to discuss tlio district's various needs. _ Mr. H. Fowler was voted to the chair. Mr. D. IT. Guthrie, M.P., attended, and Messrs. Hugh Osborne and F. Elliott represented tho Apiti Chamber of Commerce. Four proposals were discussed, viz.:—Tho construction of a railway from Feilding, tho erection of a hall in place of tho one recently destroyed by firo, the re-erection of a new post office, and representations to the Bank of New Zealand to erect a new building. Mr. C. E. ..Levien proposed that tho Bank of New Zealand directors be asked to erect new teak premises I and manager's residence in place of tho present inadequate and antiquated building. Mr. J. Parsons seconded, and, after a 6hoft discussion, the motion was carried. It was also decided that the PostmasteiGeneral bo,written to, urging the building of' a new post ofneo to replace tho structure destroyed by fire. With regard to the quostion of a public hall for the district, Mr. Hansen proposed that Messrs.- R. Richardson, J. C. Murray, G. I{. Beard, T. S. Cornish, J. S. Parsons, 13. C. Haythorne, F. Kruil, A. E. London be/ a committee to go into the question of purchasing a suitable section and erecting a public hall, and that a subscriptionlist bo opened for the purpose; .£45 had already been offered towards tho proposal. A five at Kimbolton completely demolished tho rcsidenoo of Mr. J. Murray, who was away from homo at the time. Mrs. Murray had tho greatest difficulty in escaping with her two and they all bad a miraoulous escape from the burning building. Potato-growing in the Kimbolton district is fast becoming one of tho recognised means, not only of "lifting the mortgage off the farm," but. of reaping profits. A conservative estimate places this season's yield as 3000 tons, mid truckloads of the tuber are daily being railed from Feilding. Again reports come to hand that local sheepfarmers are experiencing losse9 through tho worrying of their sheen. Cases have been mentioned where valuable stud sheen havo been worried and dono to death. OTAKI. The monthly sitting of the S.M. Court was held on Friday, when several civil cases went by default. Tho case JTarold Briscoe, n farmer of Mnnakau. versus William H, Robinson, proprietor of tho Packakarild Hotel, occupied some time. The evidenco showed that plaintiff left his motor-car at Paekakariki, in chargo of defendant, while ho proceeded to Wellington, and that during his absence defendant used the car, and damaged it. This defendant admitted, but considered t'ho extent of damage done was trifling, compared with damages claimed. Much evidenco was taken, after which judgment was given for plaintiff for <£35 and costs. At tho annual meeting of the Licensing Bnncli all renewals wero granted, the Bencli, in a few instances,. instructing that improvements must bo carried out more expeditiously. Several transfers wero also granted, and ono wholesale license was authorised. Tho police reports, with ono exception, were very favourable.

Messrs, .Tones Bros, havo sold their Hautere farm, and leavo shortly to take over a largo holding in tho Mokau district. WOODVILLE. On Thursday Mr. Escott; Jr.P., received tho following "telegram from the Alinistei for Lands:— "With, reference to your recent inter> view with me, I desire to inform you that Ahuaturaiiga Block will be opened on July 22, and the Mnngatajuoka Block on July IG. Snlo plans of eacli will 1» issued in about ten days. The ballot forAhuaturaiiga will bo at Woodville, and for Ma.ngntainoka at I'ahiatua.—W. IT. MASSEY." Tho second round of the ouchro touxna.Riofit gtavtefl o,a yhoirsdqjr fljgljt, fffcoy

Foresters boat the Territorials, 2!) to 1?; Band beat Brigade, 23 to 14. Mr. W. Hughes was refercs. Councillor Escott,-M.P., was Appointed delegate to tho Council Conference by tho Woodvitle County Council on Thursday, much against Lis will, as ho said the members liked to liavo other delegates there so that they might gather ideas from thorn instead of simply meeting each othor afresh. The St. Columbtillo's Church social on Wednesday was a decided The music was supplied by Messrs. Nicholas, Savage an 3 Pickfortl. Musical items were Tendered by Mrs. Vogt, and Misses Hobditch and Miller, and Messrs. Vogt and Martin, and <i liornpipo by Mr. Faliey, and recitations by Mr. Haybittle. Extras were played by Mrs. Nelson, Misses Miller and Metchor and' Mr. Gilbert, and (ho accompaniments wera played bv Mrs. Vogt, Misses Cooper, Miller, and Murphy, and Mr. Savage, and Mrs. Soally iva-9 in charge of tho Blip, per. Mr. P. Cosgrova acted as secretary, while Messrs, Prendergast, Brosnathau, Parker, and Petersen acted as M.C.'s. LEVIN. Tho publio installation and dance, under tlio nuspices of tho Horowhenua Ixmlro of Druids, was held in tho King's Theatre, Lovin, on Friday night. After two or tlireo dances P.D.P. Bro. M'lntyro installed the officers, and P.A. Bro. Chaplin acted as master of ceremony. Other lodges in tho district were well represented. The musio for tho dance was supplied by Messrs. Kearsley (piano) and Hayfield (violin), wliile extras were played by Mrs. Fairs, Messrs. Barratt and Young. Bro. Young and staff looked after tho supper arrangements, while Messrs. Thurston and. Nation officiated as M.C.'s. MARTON. The annual meeting of the Rangitikel Licensing Bench was held at-Marton on Thursdav. There were present: Mr. W. Kerr, S.M., and Messrs. R. K. and A. G. Simpson, F. Purnell, W J. Phillips, and J. Georgetti. Tho police offered no objections, and all publican and wholesale liccnsos were renewed. Leavo to carry on in temporary premises of White Hart Hotel, Marton, was granted S. J. Gibbons. It is likelv that a district nurse mil bo appointed during the next few days. Over .£SO has been promised iti subscriptions, and Mr. R. E. Beckett has promised to guarantee tho first year's payment. Mr. W. 'Walk-ley, of the Rongotea Post Ofiloo staff, lias been appointed to a position in tho accountancy branch of the G.P.0.. Wellington. On Friday last Mr. F. G. Soddon, tho secretary of the Rongotea, School Committee, on behalf of tlio scholars, presented Miss Gray, wlio is severing her connection with the school, owing to her approaching marriago, with a handsome silver teapot for a wedding present. Mr. Seddon eulogised Miss Gray's services as a teacher during tho eighteen months she has been at Rongolen. Tho Rev. Fortune, Anglican minister; returnod thanks on behalf of Miss Gray. GREYTOWN. A gathering, in iho form of a "parcel evening," wa.s held at Mrs. J. Newton's, residence on Thursday evening, in honour of tlio approaching marriage of Miss I. Mitcholl. Songs were contributed by Miss Udv, Messrs. Doyle, AVigg, Appleby, Fisher, and Newton, and Misses M'llattio and Appleby rendered a musical selection. In the progressive euchre tournament, Miss Mitchell and Mr. 0. Bicknell gained first prizes, and Miss Williams and Mr, E. Richards the "booby" prizes,