DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1786, 26 June 1913, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM ALL SOURCES PALMERSTON NORTH. Palmerston's Borough Engineer, Mr. S. Jickell, returned on Monday from his week's visit of inspection of the Gisborne storage battery train-ears. Though reserving a detailed report for his council, ho says ho was favourably impressed with tho cars, and saw 110 reason why tlicy should not succeed at Palmerstoii. Tho traffic returns were satisfactory lor the shout section in operation. Jfr. R leighton, the . well-known Holstein-Friesiau cattle breeder, of Lougbum, has decided to lake up land in Xew South Wales, whero he intends to found n stud, and will look after the interests of tho New Zealand Hohttein Association over there. * The Hon. James Allen, Minister for Education, has definitely formally- to open the new West fcnd School next Monday afternoon, at 2 o'clock. A social will be tendered to tho Parliamentary party in the evening. The members of St. Poor's congregation (Ti-rrace End) 011 Tuesday night heartily welcomed the llev. Mr. and Mrs. Grove (who have lately arrived trom tho Old Country to assist the Key. 11. G. Kosher). The function tcokthe form ot a social and dance, many prominent citi-zr-113 (including the Mayor) being present. During the evening items were rendered iw Air mri !Mr«. Ivoellor, Misses' Drew (-)» St Peter's Glee Club, and Messrs. A. E. Sainsbury, Aitken, Hev. lioshei, Marsack, and B. Drew.

NAPIER. At the Napier Gun Club's grounds on Monday afternoon, at the conclusion of the championship "shoot, two sleepsstakes were shot off. l'or the first one Dr. Harvey (Napier) and L. K. lung (Alexandra South) tied on the sixteenth rise and then divided first and second prize money. E. J. King (Masterton) took the third money 011 the fifteenth round. In the second K- J- King took tho big monev, wiiming from .1. Simpson (Canterbury) 011 the fifteenth round. The" County Council propose altering the one-in-livo grade of the hill leading to the Waihau settlement, known as Trask's Polly, to a much more convenient slope, one in thirteen.' WANGANUI. Wangauui East ' enthusiasts, to the number oi' about fifty, tays the IlGrfild, turned up on Saturday afternoon io effect some improvements to the Wanganui East Esplanade, tho chief work being to erect a wire fence to train back eoiuo creepers planted two years ago, funds for which came from the profits of an en-, tertainment held on Priday evening. Should funds permit, it is intended to effect great improvements in this beautiful reserve, including.the erection of another pergola for creepers, and planting another approach to the new bridge. A collection of plants and shrubs, raised by Mr. F. Walker is to be planted iinmediately. _ As the result of a car coming off ihe, lines, the tram service to the Western Suburbs was greatly interfered with on Saturday evening. At the cemetery end of the Uuyton Street Extension, overhead bridge, as the car that leaves town about !) o'clock was turning off the road, preparatory to raking tue embankment, the wheels refused to grip tho lines, with, the result that the car was derailed. On investigation it was found that some irresponsible .person had deliberately filled tne rails 'with gravel. At the time of tne occurrence there were auout a doen people in the car, who were lucky to escape with only a shaking. The latest improvements eliected to the various reserves by the borough gardener, Jlr. Tucker, are tne cleaning up and laying out of tlie zig-zag up tne Avenue faco of Victoria ParK, and the laying out of the terraces around the rotunda in Queen's Park, ft'he oak trees which line Taupo Quay and Wilson Street arc also being pruned. All the trees in the streets of the town- are being similarly served. The oaks, with, their bare and knottccl trunks, and stems,' present a most gaunt appearance. ' Jlr. J. ii'iNicol, recently.stationmaster at Waverley, has been transferred to Departmental service "at W anganui. Tne latest development in the crusade against tuberculosis at Wangauui has been the erection of , large framed posters by the Health Authorities, headed "Consuption—How to Prevent ft." These are displayed in suitable positions in tho main streets.

A little girl had a miraculous escape from being killed by a bolting horse and cart yesterday, states the ''Chronicle." The. cart belonged to Mr. Newsome, baker, and the driver was just stepping in preparatory to driving into the yard, when he slipped. , The startled horse took to the pathway, and the child was extremely fortunate in escaping with slight injuries. Xo damage of any',consequence was done to the trap.. i. NEW PLYMOUTH. His Excellency tho Governor, Lord Liverpool, lias accepted appointment as Honorary Colonel of the 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles). The appointment of Murray Urquhart as second lieutenant (on probation) of the regiment is also gazetted. The following appointments and transfers in connection with the Senior Cadets are gazetted:—Captain W. F. Balharn has been transferred from the New Plymouth Senior Cadets to the command of the Senior Company New Plymouth 'High School Cadets; E. P. Lister has been appointed second iieutenant (on probation) of the New Plymouth Senior Cadets; Second Lieutenant C. C. Carncross has been transferred from the AVaitaia Senior Cadets to the Eltliam Senior Cadets; and Second Lieutenant H. E. Winder has been transferred from tho Petone to the Stratford Senior Cadets.

. A day or two ago some little excitement was caused at the wharf, when a townsman caught, a seven-foot shark on an ordinary schnapper hook 'and line. Careful manoeuvring ' brought the shark nlongsido the. wharf, and before the lino parted as a result of the shark's strenuous efforts'to'get free, a four-hooked ' "jag" was firmly fixed into its body. The shark had been hooked previously, a larjje hook being found in its jaw. In its eflorts .to get free the shank of the hook had been almost worn through against tho rocks in half a dozen places, but the lain occasioned by the rubbing process had evidently been too great to enable tho fish to finish the job. A settler not many leagues from.Manaia bought five acres of land a little over a twelvemonth ago, the piirchase money Tunning close in the vicinity ot' .£SOO, out of which lie was able to make a payment of '.£SO (says the "Witness"). He put the whole of the land under onions, and it is understood that the return from his first crop enabled him to pay'the whole of. the debt on his little holding, besides leaving him a' fairly, substantial sum to go on with. ' ~ .

HASTINGS. The Fire Board lave accepted the Borough: Council's tender to instal an electric motor for the purpose of ringing tho lirebell, the cost to bo JEIS 10s. The superintendent was authorised to procuro 500 feet' of 2?in. hose.

The .scheduling of the applicantsfor the separate positions of town clerk antl engineer has been concluded, and the final numbers are:—For town clerk 55, for engineer 31, combined positions 1; On Monday evening the Hastings Orphan Club was brought into being. The opening ceremony consisted of the instal-lation-of Jlr.'A. L. D. I'raser as Chief Orphan, by Orphan N. H. Beatson, after which the gathering was declared op«n ami the programme commenced. Tito Napier Savage Club visitors contributed tlio first part. Savages Wood and Wotton sang a duet, vocal solos were contributed by Savages AVotton and S. I?. Wood, Savages M'i'arftiuo, and Hay played a 'cello and flute solo, respectively, and Savage T. B. Bear contributed a recitation. After tlio supper interval songs were rendered by Orphans L. Tail, F. L. Yickers, 11. Avery, IT. Sinclair, and J. Craig', whilst Orphan I). Jl'Corkiudale gave a recitation. Savage. Sutl on played the visitors' accompaniments, whilst Orphan Bfownliiil discharged a similar nflice for tlio liosls.

FEILDING. An effort is to l« made to form a cowtesting association in the Feilding district. At the instance of Mr. .1. Bruce, a meeting is to be held in the Cheltenham Hall next Tuesday afternoon, when tin address on cow-tesunc will ba delivered by

Mr. Singleton, of the Department of Agriculture. It is understood thai Mr. C'. Hills, 01 Maxwelltov.ll, and formerly headmaster of Ituahine School, where lie was so successful with school gardens, will hu transferred to the Aniti School.

On "Wednesday morning a motor-car owned and occupied by Mr. . Mitchell, and driven by Miss Mitchell, collided with a motor cycle ridden by Mr. Sharpe, of the Dresden Piano Company, 011 bend: in the road, about a snile beyond Kimbolton. The cyclist was on his wrong side, and the front wheel of his cycle was completely smashed, while damvje was done to tile luud-gmtrds, lamps, and lampsocket. Mr. Sharpe escaped with one or two slight cuts 011 the head, numerous bruises, and a general shaking up. He was motored to Aimbolton by Miss Mitchell, and was attended to by Dr. Deedie. DANNEVIRKE. Mr. D. H. Knit, M.K.C.V.S., has arranged with the Daniievirke A. and P. Association to deliver an illustrated lantern lecture to farmers 011 "The Common Diseases of Stock." The lecture will be held at the secretary's offices, Ward Street, 011 Friday morning. . On Tuesday evening members of the various commercial firms and representative citizens met to bid farewell [to. Mr. Paul Hockley, who has for some time occupied the position of manager of Messrs. Dalgety and Co.'s local branch. After various toasts had been honoured, Mr. E. E. Bunny presented Mr. Hockley with a suit-case on behalf of those assembled.

Improvement is daily taking place at the local hospital in tlia case of Miss Francis Sabin, who allegedly took poison at the Club Hotel on June 3. The doctors liavo reported to the police that the young lady will, in all probability, be able to attend at the Daniievirke courthouse on July 3 to answer a charge of attempted suicide. Mr. J. T. Brophjr, local auctioneer for Messrs. Dalgety and Co., is under notice of transfer to a larger branch of the firm, but his destination is as yet unknown. Tlio Eev. John M'Caw preached his farewell sermon in the Norsewood-Presby-terian Church 011 Sunday night. He left with his family 011 Monday for Mangaweka to lake up his new charge. Mr. .A. IC. Dyne lias been appointed postmaster and telephonist at Maugatailioka. 1

MARTON. The Valuer-General, Mr. F. W. Flanagan, has supplied the following information in regard to the valuation of the Marton Borough:—Capital value, X288,50G; unimproved value c£lili,S2l; improvements, d£153,(J85. These values are subject to reduction wheru statutory objections are raised.

Recently 111'. VC. 'Frederick, of Marton, climbed up a tree, ivitli the objoct. of swinging it, and it came down with him. He received a severe .shaking, besideshaving several teeth knocked out. " The. Marton School concert was held on Monday night. The absence of items fcy the school childrqn was commented upon. Notable among the items given were the selections by Croziev's Orchestra, and the singing of a male quartet, consisting of Messrs. Sheriff, Gibson, M'Kimlon, and Garside. The Bohemians' contribution, "The Suffragette Disloyal,"' was again successful, as ou a former occasion. FOXTON. It is probable that the deputation set up at tho conference of local bodies in connection with I'oxton Harbour will meet tho Pranieiy the Minister for jllailw;ays,. and the Minister for Marine in Wellington on Saturday next. ' The vicar of All Saints' Church .has appointed Mr. .A. 11. Boyes as vicar s churchwarden in plaeo of Mr, r. \\. Erankland, who is shortly leaving -1 oxtoil for some time. On the occasion of his approaching marriage, Mr. I'. D. Whibley, of the "Iler.iild" staff, was presented un Tuesday with a handsome set of carvers by the staff, and a- dinner'sot by the proprietor. Two' local families have reiciiuy sus-tained-bereavements, in each case the deaths being of infants. The five-months-old son of Mr. awl Airs. James Andrew passed away on .Tuesday morning, and 011 Monday the fiftoeii-nionths-old son of Mr.'and Mrs. A. AVallbutton died. It was reported at the Harbour Board meetin" at Palmersfon on Tuesday that tho Foxtou wharf was very bad in ports, and that a dray went through the other day. EKETAHUNA. The monthly meeting of the Eketahuna branch of tlio I'aruiers''. Union will be held oil Saturday. ' Two important proposals are on tlic order paper, via.: the lormation of sub-brauches ana veterinary classes. Miss Haswell, of Eketahuna, has been appointed'.official • accompanist for the Levin competitions. At a meeting of the Eketahuna Egg Circle, held on Saturday last, the secretary reported that 274S dozen eggs haa been dispatched to tiie agents in Wellington (luring the season, and that the amount received was <£153 10s. Mr. H. M Bsddington, secretary of- the Wairarapa Egg- Circle, attenued the meeting, and gave an address on the manner iu winch his circle conducted its business, and after a short discussion jt was decided that the local circle ainalgaraato with the Wairarapa Circle. ' On Friday evening the Ivaitawa-Kongo-mai Rifle Club held their annual social at Rongomai. The music i'or the dancing was played by Mrs. terry, misses Waldin, Lowes, Stuart, and Brunton, and Mr. H. Cooper. Songs were given by Mr. W. Evans. Messrs. \Y. K. and Is. Waldin acted as M.C.'s. Alter supper Mrs. J. P. Lowes, wife of the president ot the Hiile'Olub, presented:*'iruphies won during the past season. LEVIN. Dr. Davics, of Levin, who is about to make a visit tor England, was farewelled by a gathering of his friends on iuesday evening. , . . . , , l c The funeral of the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Dean, of Muhunoa East, took place on Tuesday. The whole of the district settlors were represented at tho funeral. The service was conducted by tho Rev. H. T. Stealey. f At tho conclusion ot a day s rabbit shooting recently (according ' to tho "Chronicle"), a Levin sportsman discovered that ho could not extract a loaded cartridge from his gun. All efforts to extract the cartridge" proving a failure, he was advised by a companion to discharge the gun. Ho held it to one side, shut his eyes, and off" it ivent—in the wrong direction, tho hitting the front wheel of. his bicycle, which was near by." There was 'a o-milo walk in front of ithem, and besides a good bag of rabbits; a very lame bicycle to carry.

OTAKI. The annual meeting of tho local Bowling Club was held oil Tuesday night, llr. R. Booth presiding. The balance-sheet showed a credit of nearly £10 on tho year's working, while tho report was a very gratifying one. It was agreed that thu club join the Wellington Centre, considering that by doing so it would get 'many advantages not derived from the SlanWatu body. Mr. Ferguson was elected secretary .to attend a meeting ot .delegates in Wellington to arrange dates ot matches, etc. Nearly twenty new members were elected, among tho number tein" several ladies. .It was decided to hold the annual ball on Friday, July 15, and to requisition tho services of a Marton orchestra. Tho followinz were elected officers; —Patron, Dr. Huthwaite; piesident, Mr. A. J. S. Thomson; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. W. M'Keizg and Ben bins secretary, Mr. A. Ferguson ; treasurer, Mr. A. Satherley; auditor, Mr. C. L. J.lartmann; committee, Messrs. A. Bright, A. Anderson, it. Vann, ■ 13- Smith, 11. Olliver, H. Windier. and D. Noble; green committee. Messrs. Fcrgusor» t Suthcrluy, Smith, and Goodins; match committee. Messrs. Anderson, Satherley, and bmith; ball committee; Messrs. 1\ H." Bright. Thomson, Satherley, Manning, M Ivegg, Ling, Bills, and Cook. . At an inquest on the body of Winnana Taupo, found dead ! in a whare here, a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. . Tho "wind-up" meeting of the Otaki Koad Boar'l, now merge'), into tho Horowhenua Cmintv Council, took nlace on Tuesday. No business of any conscqucnco was done.