DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS fROM ALL SOURCES.

PALMERSTON NORTH. At' Tuesday's annual meeting of tho Palmerston North Vire Board, Mr. U. J. Armstrong was re-elected chairman. The chairman of tho 'West hnd School Committee* (Jfr. .T. Nairn) reported to tho meeting on .Monday evening that Mr. D. Buick, M.P., had suggested that tho openin" of tho school should bo on Juno 30, a >Momli»y, instead of July 2 as already suggested. This would allow members of Parliament to attend. Mr. Nairn stated that ho thought tho Hon. Jas. Allen, Minister • for Education, should bo invited. It was finally decided to adopt tho suggestion, and to ask Mr. Allen to'open tho school. Others who will be invited to speak aro Messrs. Buick, Guthrie, and' Newman, M.P.'s, F. Pirani (chairman of the Education Board), G. 11. Bennett (district member of the board), and tho Mayor. The annual report of tho Manawatu A. and P. Association shows that the total vsmbership of tho association is 1364, the largest A. and P. Association membership in New Zealand. ; , At Tuesday's meeting of the Kairanga County Council (Councillor. C. E. Bryant presiding), reference was mado _ to tho death of tlio- lato Councillor Collis. The council adjourned for an hour and a half in his memory. Referenco to Mr. Colas was also made by tho president of tho A. and P. Association at the meeting of tho General G'ommitteo on Tuesday. WANGANUI. | The Araraoho School reopened-after the recent fire on Tuesday morning. Tho pupils assembled at tho Main School, whonce they were drafted lo their respective temporary quarters. Mr. Walter Williams Hipango has presented to the Wanganui Public Museum a photograph of the late ohieffeiiness, Wild Kemp, also on© of llipahgo Park, as well as other interesting photographs. A.fracturo in a gas-pipe on the second floor of the Albion Hotel caused an alarm of fire to-be raised on Tuesday. When a match was lit, the gas exploded, causing a blaze. Tho brigade s motor-reel responded in smart time, and a large crowd quickly collected, but the blnzo had been extinguished when they arrived, and a plumber's services were requisitioned. At tho - Borough Council Chamber on Monday, afternoon, the retiring Mayor (Mr. C. E. Mackay) and Mayoress were the recipients of souvenirs subscribed for by a number of citizens. There were present the Mayor (Mr. T. B. Williams), Councillors Alderton and Harkness, threo ex-councillors, and abwt seventeen ladies and gentlemen, including tho heads of municipal departments. The presentations took the form cf an illuminated address and a gold albert, to Mr.Mackay, ami a gold necklace to Mrs. Mackay. _ ■ Mr. W. C. Groves, who has been a member of the "Herald's* mechanical staff for softie six years, was farewelled bv his colleagues on Saturday and presented with a valuable rug. Hp is leaving Wanganui eii route to. America and' England.

NAPIER. Sir William Eussell was on Monday appointed to represent the Hawke's Bay County Council on tho High School Board of Governors, vice Mr. B. D. D. M'Lean, resigned. ■ , Tha hill near Clarkson'a, on the Homp-den-Maraekakaho Road, is to be regraded by the Hawke's Bay County Council. Special quarry sites are to bo purchased in the various ridings by the County Council. When such sites are purchased they arc to be large enough., to allow of the erection of cottages for tho workmen, who will be charged rent for them. • . Notice of motion that the following rates be struck wa9 given at the County Council meeting on Monday:—Clive, Jd.; Erewhon, Id.; Havelock, |d.; Heretaunga, Id.; Maraekakaho, Id.; Meoanee, jd.j Okawa, |d.; Petane, Id.; Puketapu, id.; hospital leyy, 3-16 d.; Ngatarawa water raco district, 3d.' ' . . Tho Hawke's Bay Yorkshire Society held u "social'' in tho club-rooins on Saturday night.. . A euchro party and dance was held in the Municipal Hall, Wa.ip.awa, on Friday. Miss A. O'Reilly and Mr. D. Maroney took the leading prizes., A ladies committee. headwl by Mrs. Vf. I. Limbnck, and Miss Douglas, supervised the supper arrangements. Mr. Jno. Duggau was secretary and M.C. '' Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, of Abbotstoru, wero the recipients .of presents by _ the Abbotsford shepherds on Thursday night, on the occasion, of their departure irom Wnipawu. . News has been received that Mr. wotfrey Haggen? a Hawke's Bay boy, has been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for the Province of Ontario, Canada. Ho is thus entitled to .three years, at Oxford Urtivcrsity, with a scholars rap of £ 000 a ye The Public .Works Department, evidently anticipating that an early start will bo made with tho construction of the Westshoro Bridge, aro about to sink a pile in the locality .. with object of ascertaining the natnre of the bottom. The directors of Jlessrs. J. J. r«iven and Co., Ltd., entertained their employees at the annual > smoke concert in to 3?oro3ter3 , Hall, Dickens oni Saturday night. During tho evening songs were contributed by Hepre. H. E. b. Thompson, A. M. Russell, J. Wilson, R. Keys, and H. Angrove; recitations by Messrs. Scott, D. Redmond, and selections by the Niven's Band.

NEW PLYMOUTH. The Riaoraomouku. Slock, consisting of 12,331 acres, has been opened for sale on selection in terms of the Land Act, 1908, cither for cash, for occupation with right of purchase, or for renewablo lease at tho option, of the applicants. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, inemher_for Eg-, mont. will move the Atklrep-m-Reply to the Governor's Speech at the opening oi of the New Plymouth Tiro at the Central Firo Station on Monday eveninE, a " ( \P r^ ento i3''™i man J. Sommervaile, of tho Zealand "Railways locomotive staff, who lias been transferred to Palmerston Ivorth, with a silver-mounted cigarette-holder and case Fireman R. Walshe, who is about to bo married, was also presented with a set of carvers. HASTINGS. The Rev. Peter Rainsay is on a visit I'eacock, wlio has been acting as •supervisor at tho Hastings telephone exchange, during the past three-years .left on jfonday morning for Audcland, where she has been appointed assistant super l On severing his connection with tlio staff of the Hastings gasworks on Saturday to take over the management of the oasworks at Waipnwa, Mr. Alf. Wilhins was the recipient of a silver-mounted biscuit barrel. The manager (Mr. Robeit P.aiil) made tho presentation. The winter "school for teachers of tho country schools in tho Hawke's Bay education district commenced at tho Eastings District High School on Monday morning. Thirty-eight teachers aro present.

MASTERTON. Tho sheep-judging competition at tho Masterton Collie Dog Trials was won by ill- J Scott, of Tintu, who judged the with Masterton under No-License is being prepared by, tho No-'Lieenso party, for use at tho next licensing polls. ' ■ The Lansdowno School Committee on Monday night decided that, in new of another teacher being required for tlio «chool, the Education Board bfr recommended to secure the services of ,vm«; o teacher. Tho average attendance at the Lansdowno School for last month was "At a meeting on Mondaynight of directors of the-Masterton Workers Mutual Benefit Bitiltlinpr Society, t betreasurer reported a credit balance at the l ank of .£923 'Is. dd. It was decided to hold a ballot for £300 and ft sale of JI3CO 0U Thursday next. . The Masterton Competitions SoeieU 1= a very Joreo entry, for its .competitions next month. At a mcetiin, of tho comniittee last night it was decided to make two sections for primary school squads in action songs, one for children over olid ono under eight years ot age. The monthly meeting of tho Central Hospital Committee of the \\airarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid l' 0 1'"' ,vns held in Masterton on Monday, llio report of the sub-rommittee set up to deal with the Mn.-*ter(ou Hospital mid nurses home was received oiwl adopted. J he 6ub-committee appointed to deal with the Card bequest reported that it was nro-

posed to erect a concreto and iron fence in front of the Greylown Hospital. Accounts, totulliiif: J;-!SG were passed for payment.

'i'lie Finance Committee of the Wairarapa ITospit'.il ami Charitable Aid Board met on Monday. A letter was rend from tlio Napier .Hoard stating that a family from the Pahiatua district had been admitted to the* fever ward nt Napier. Tlio reports of the health inspectors were received. Tlio Masterton inspector reported an outbreak of scarlet ferer in tlio district, but stated that ho had taken all the necessary steps to isolate tlw patient. Accounts amounting to .£l5B 4s. were rceo:uniended for payment. A consignment of 12G prime bullocks from the ChesterhopD Estate, in Hawko's Bay, arrived here yesterday for a local butcher. There is a shortage of fat stock in the Wairnrapa just now.

Mr. W. W. Cameron, of this town, received advico by the last English mail of the death of his mother at Perth, Scotland. The gas engine and pumping plant to supplement the present borough water supply, have been installed at tho Masterton Hospital. The engine -will also bo used for generating the power required for tho X-rays plant, which is expected to arrive in the course of a few days. An effort is being modo to improve tho acoustio properties _of tho Masterton Courthouso by draping tho ceiling with green baize. During tho post month, eight persons have been granted casual relief by the charitable aid authorities in Masterton. jfr. Duncan Cameron, the well-known bagpipe player of tlio South Island has composed a' selection dedicated to Sir Walter Buchanan, and it will bo played on the occasion of Sir Walter Buchanan's return from tho Old Country. An accident happened to Mr. W. Hanlon on Thursday evening last. When along the Lower ■Valley Road his liorso bolted, and ho was thrown out on to tho road. He was conveyed to tho Martinborough Hotel, whero he was attended by Drs. Robertson and Lowis, and found to have sustained a severe 'concussion of the brain. DANNEVIRKE. Travellers will be relieved to hear that ! a gang of men arc busily engaged lowering the banks of tho notorious railway crossing at Piri Ptri. This is doubtless duo to tho Coroner's recommendations at tho inquest concerning tho death of Mr. Rpy Dean. Giving evidence in the bush fire case at tho Dannevirke Magistrate's Court on Saturday,' a witness stated that lio had not complained to tho defendant for 'having had over 100 acres of gras3 destroyed, "because," said witness, amidst laughter, "I burnt him out last year." The Rev. 11. Collier has been nominated, by Bishop Averill as vicar of Takv ■pau, which has been created a separate parish. Somo people liavo peculiar ideas on humour. On Saturday night (states the "News") a Dannevirke resident dramatically informed his wifo that he had taken poison —lysol. The police and Dr. Macallan were immediately informed, but the would-be suicide quickly reeovered when 'he saw tho doctor handle the .stomach pump as though he meant business; he had taken no moro lysol than the doctor. At tho firo brigade meeting, Superintendent M'Millan presented several service honours, the recipients being: Fireman F. 33. Kelly, five years' service medal; Firemen Lane, E. Drinkwater, and ExFireman Stills, ench two years' servico bars; Fireman J. .Dales, threo years' service certificate. The Makotuku School for tho third year in succession lios received a gift of six cords Of firewood from Mrs. Holden.

in the Magistrate's Court on Saturday, Charles Mitchell, farmer, of ITatamau, proceeded against Thomas Bai, jun., a neighbour claiming £200 damages in connection with the destruction of property allegedly caused by a five started in snrno fallen bush on Bai's property. Tho case was adjourned.

PfIHIATUfI. The controversy which has been, going on for many months past among members of tho Pahiatua County Council regarding the financial position of'the various ridings, was renewed at tho council meeting on Saturday; and, after considerable discussion, motions were carried requiring Mangaone and Konini to pay an extra half-penny iu rates. Mr. W. Morrison, of Mangamaire, has been appointed pound-keeper at Mangatainoka, vico Mr, H. J. Wakeford, resigned. Mr. A. Knox will represont the Pahiatua County Council at a deputation to wait on the .Minister for Native Affairs at Wellington next week 1 , regarding the coll-ectiob of rates on Native lands. FEUDING. Mr. T. Hoult has disposed of his farm of 182 acres on the Valley Road, Colyton, to Mr. Currie, of Valley .Road, at a satisfactory figure. . The 5000 th child to be admitted to tho Feilding District High School came yesterday morning. The oldest records on hand (though apparently older ones have existed) show that on November 2, 1874, the following were admitted to tho school: i—Thomas James, Mary Belfit, George Worsiield, Mary Evans, Sidney M'Alister, Mary Hitchman, Emily Bowler. Last week an old boy called to renew acquaintances with old scenes. He was one of tho original pupils admitted in 1874 by the then headmaster, Mr. Dowliug. He had. a. clear Tccollecfcion of coming through the? bush from tlio sawmill (now Bartholo; mow's) to school, and of th© "making of the playground by digging out the iiax anil toi-toi then growing in the natural clearing. At that time unbroken bush stretched inland Tor an. unknown distance. STRATFORD. Tho services in St. Paul's Presbyterian Chu'rch on Sunday wcte of a unique character. The forty-third anniversary was celebrated, and it also marked tho last day on whic htho church will be -used ior divine service, as a new building is being erected. Tho Rev. James Patterson, 'lato of St. John's, Wellington, who preached the opening sermon in the church, conducted the servicb. The northern firebell rung at a few minutes to 8 on Sunday night, the cause being a chimney afire in tho house of Mrs.°Kodgers, next to His Majesty's Theatre. The brigado fawned out promptly, but tho ssrvices of a few members only were Tequired'to make everything safo. Owing to the big drop in the price of cheese, several of tlie 'larger dairy companies arc'turning! their attention to but-ter-makiiig again, and already in South Taranaki, the Jolls, Itawera, Meremere, Hivc-rdale, and' Normanby factories we manufacturing butter instead of cheeso, duplicate plants enabling these companies to do so.

OTAKf, At the annual of the Horowhenua Ilofticultural Society the following were clected officers Patron, Mr. ~\V. 11. fimoox: president,; Mr. IT. Freeman; vice-presidents; Messrs, :'C.' L. Harhnann -:nd A. J. S. Thomson; committee, Mesdames .T. G. Steveiis and I'. Simeox, Mi-=es Freeman, Pole, Kilelin, M'Cleland, Powell. Stcwrs. CocbncU, Broadway. Westaway, Taylor, Kilmister, Sawyer, and Small. LEVIN. The proposal to stop tho Auckland express (rain at Levin- to take up passengers to or from stations north of Marton was mentioned at Monday nights meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. A lettor was received bv tho Chamber from the Hon. W. It. Herrics, in which tho Minister intimated that he would make inquiries into tho matter. - Mr. W. 11. Singleton, of the Dairying Division of the Department of Agriculture, delivered an interesting lecture on herd-testing in Hie Druids' Hnll, Levin, on Monday night. Mr. James Prouse presided. A well-attended meeting of tho Management Committee of tho Horowhemta ifcckey Association wns held at Levin on Saturday night last. Mr. C. J. Spiers, referee in tho match Te Horo v. Rahui, reported Harris for having questioned his rulings. Harris appeared before tho comniittee, but tho referee wa.s not present. After fully discussing the matter, and hearing Harris's explanation, tho committee decided to caution Harris severely. It' appeared that there had been some little misunderstanding with regard to tho appointment of tho referee in this match. Mr. M'Bnin wrote, regretting that he could not act as representative selector, as no matches had been played at Mana-k.-iu this season, and lie was unable lo get away to attend matches. It was decided to endeavour to appoint a Shannon representative ill place of Mr. MUain.

It was resolvoil that tho Shannon-Ohau A ladies' match, set down to be played at Shannon, bo ployed at Oliau, a rearrangement being necessary owing to the ground being engaged. Tho meeting decided that tho ladies' teams bo graded A and B at tho conclusion of tho first round—in tho same manner that is to bo adopted with regard to tho men's matches, also that th? winner of the championship take both tho Mackenzie Cup and Brown Banner. It was resolved that all affiliation fees must bo paid not later than Juno 17. MARTON. At tho Rangitikei County Council meeting on Saturday, n petition was received from settlers in tho Upper Turokina Valley Road from Fapanui to tho junction of tho Ongo lioad, asking tho council to oxeinpt their road from tho operation of the county ranger. Owing to tho precipitous naturo of tho country adjoining tho road, it was impossiblo for them to maintain fences and flood gates suflicientI ly to prevent cattle occasionally straying on tho road, and as they were about twenty miles from the nearest pound tho operations of tho ranger wero a severe tax on them. It was resolved (Councillors Lilturn—Duncan) that the request be acceded to, and the ranger instructed accordingly. Sirs. A. Brown, of Mnrton, was tho successful subscriber at the ballot for an appropriation of JC3OO last week in the Wairarapa Terminating Building Society. Utiku must l>o a good district for potato-growing. A Mx. Butler, writing to the- "Rangitikei Advocate," says that this last season he took up 19 tons of Up-to-Dates off one acre of land, cropped tho second time, without manure, and very roughly woTked. Moreover, he has had no change of seed for four years. MARTINBOROUGH. Mr. C. Lawrence, who has been for somo time connected with Che local brass band, leaves this week for the Tolago Bay district, where ho intends to take up farming pursuits. Mr. George M'Lennan', -proprietor of the Club Hotel stables, had the misfortune .to slip and fracture a small bono in his ankle on Friday evening. The official opening of the new Municipal Hall and Public Offices takes place to-morrow at 3 o'clock.