DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM ALL SOURCES PALMERSTON NORTH. As arranged at ft recent meeting of the newly-formed Palmerston North-Kairanga Hirer Hoard, the members made an inspection of tiio Manawatu liivcr on Tuesday morning. The members will proceed to Wellington to-morrow and meet tlio chairman and engineer of the Hutt River lioard, who will show them over the works carried out at the Hutt River, and which havo been such a marked success. There are many experiences of people not being able to get out of burning buildings quickly enough, but very few instances of whore they have been exhorted to leave and have refused. A case of this kind happened at Pullers' picture theatre in Palmerston on Tuesday evening, when the wall at the back of ono of the stoves by some means became ignited. The firebell was set slanging, but before tho brigade arrived the theatre firemen had extinguished the fire with ono bucket of water, but there was still somo smoke. "Clear tho building," rang out the order. The people did not move—only a few of the very timid ones. In the hall were some Territorials in uniform. "Military, clear the hall," commanded a stalwart officer. Again very few moved, and many laughed. Finally while the brigade wore hacking at the walls chasing the smoke the pictures were set going. The first picture bv a coincidence was "Tier Fireman," showing a fire brigade scene. NAPIER. The City Band are considering ways, and means with a view to procuring new instruments to replace tho present set, which are over thirty years old, and unfit lor contest work. One scheme undei consideration is to hold a spring carnival in October. If the band are successful in their endeavours, it is proposed to form a boys' band, to whom the present . instruments will be handed. Mr. I'. AV. Williams was congratulated by the chairman of the Harbour Board at Tuesday meeting on his re-election, unopposed, after being unseated by legal proceedings. .■ The Taradale telephone exchange was opened yesterday with 56 subscribers. A number of others are waiting to be connected, and when this work is tbompleted there will be 72 subscribers. Edenham, reputably one of the' finest properties on the coast, consisting ot about 35C0 acres of freehold land, has just changed hands. The buyer, Mr. Oscar Nilssen, of Ardkeen, Wairoa. intends to make liis home there, and break up all the ploug'hable land^ NEW PLYMOUTH. On account of the member/ of the House of Representatives undergoing vaccination, it is unlikely tbat the Parliamentary party will be able to come up to the opening of the refinery, which was fixed lor Monday next. The opening may therefore be postponed for a week. During their preparation ot the foundations lor the new business premises which are being erected for Mr. J. Veale, at Devon Street West, says the "News," the contractors, Messrs. Coleman aaid Sons, have come across the remains of the puriri bridge which spanned the Mangotuku River in the early days, before the stream was diverted to its pre-, sent course. Some of the timber was still in a good state of preservation. The bridge is well remembered as one of the earliest recollections of the old settlers. With reference to the deputatibn which recently waited on the Minister for Railways, urging that increased accommodation be provided at the New Plymouth goods-shed, Mr. Okey, M.P., has received a letter from the Minister, indicating that the matter had been hicluded in tue list of urgent works for consideration during tl;e current wear. The matter would be further considered when it was known what funds were available. PAHIATUA. A dividend of ten per cent, on paid-up shares).was paid over to shareholders in the Starr-Boivkett Society, which is now in liquidation, last evening. A meeting of the society was held at thp Foresters' Hall. Mr. E. .Baucke presided. The liquidators are Messrs. J. Osburne-Lilly and 1!. Darley. Several of the Ballance settlors threaten to go in for cow-testing on their own account if the dairy company does not take the matter up. A meeting of suppliers is to be held shortly to discuss the question. The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. T. N. Broderick) visited Pahiatua on Friday last, and interviewed officers of tho Pahiatua County Council with reference to the roading of the Mangatainoka Block. It is also understood that the Public Works Department intends proceeding shortly with, the roading of the Ahautaranga Block. Mr. W. iJ. Collins, manager of the Pahiatua branch of Messrs. Abraham and Williams, intends ; lcaving shortly on u trip to Endaiid. He expects to be absent from the Dominion for about six months. A dairy farmer declared at tho meeting of the Bacon Company on Saturday that his pigs had paid him,over ,£3-per cow this year. He admitted, however, giving tnem a certain quantity of grain. DANNEVIRKE, > At the annual meeting of the Danntvirke Chamber of Commerce a letter was read from Mr. George Hunter, M.P., requesting the Chamber to forward the name of the person, in its opinion, most suitable to undertake tho duties of coroner for the Daunevirke district. Tho president (Mr. W. Johnstone) reminded members that the town had pow been without the services of a coroner for over twelve months, and notwithstanding the Chamber's endeavours on the subject, no success had yet attended their efforts to secure 'an appointment. After the appointment liad been discussed in committee, Mr. R. N. Blakiston proposed that a meeting of Justices should be called in Daunevirke, to; ascertain tho names of Justices likely and qualified to accept the position of coroner for the Dannevirke district, and forward such- names to the Justice Department, through the member for the district (Mr. G. Hunter, M.P.). This motion was carried. Including seven country members, the membership of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce now stands at 81. Last year 29 new members v/ere elected. In the annual report of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce it was mentioned that with the assistance of the Chamber, a rural mail delivery service was now established at Piri Piri. In regard to the Piri Piri School question, though the Chamber has not been able to obtain a grant for this object, the matter will not be allowed to drop, and further applica- i tion is to be made. -MASTERTON. At the ordinary meeting of the Masterton Borough Council, held on Tuesday' evening, the estimates for the ensuing year were dealt with. It was proposed Dy the Works and Finance Committee that the estimates be .£7BIO, which was a substantial increase on last year. The Mayor moved tho adoption of these estimates, and that th 6 general rate bo increased from. 2Jd. to 25a. in the pound. After somo discussion, an amendment that the estimates be reduced by several hundred pounds, and that the rato remain as at present, viz., 2|d-, was carried. The borough engineer on Tuesday evening presented an exhaustive report on tho water supply of the borough. He recommended the duplicating of the present carrying-main from the reservoir to the-, junction of Renall and Pownall Streets. ' The total cost of tho proposed new mains he estimated at ,£IO,OOO. Tho council decided to hold a special meeting in a fortnight's time to consider the report. Arbor Day was scarcely observed in Masterton yesterday. The schools and public offices were closed, and a fow ornamental trees were planted at Lansdowne School. Otherwise, nothing was done. The .Masterton Miniature Rifle Club completed their second inatdi on Tuesday night. K. J. Perry won tho trophy for the "A" class, and L. Picton for tho "li" class. The borough, engineer and manager of the. gasworks have been asked to bring down a report on tho question of removing the street lamps from the centre of the main thoroughfare, with an estimate of the cost. The Masterton Borough Council has decided to endeavour to procure the services of Mr. Pearson, of Auckland, to report on 'the public park. A sum of ,£SOO has been placed on the estimates this year for improving tho reserve. At the regular meeting of tho 1.0. K.,

hold on Tuesday evening, the following officers were installed for the ensuing term:—C.K., Bro. A. .1. Jlinifie; D.1!., Bro. D. Threadwell; secretary, Bro. W. M. Easthope; treasurer, Bro. A. Hendry, 8.5., Bro. R. Burns; C.S.. Sister M'l'ike; leviti, Bro. A. Easthope; G., Bro. G. J. Norris. . , It is proposed to make _ additions and alterations to the diphtheria ward at the Masterton Hospital. The- Masterton municipal gasworks are a valuable asset 'to the borough. The gross profit on the operations of last year amounted to &M-10. WANGANUI. Daring the month of June, 34 bui:<rlng permits, representing a value of .E2l,T'.t7, wero issued by the Borough Council. Eleven drainage connections ;uid 1G wntei connections were made for the period. Miss E. Sutherland, who sustained rather severe injuries by colliding with a. motor-car whilo riding a bicycle in "rn« Avenuo last Wednesday evening, is still in the hospital, and is progressing uu favourably ns' can be expected. At three o'clock yesterday afternoon trie Mayor (Mr. T. is. Williams) § formally opened the new Y.M.C.A. building at the corner of Plymouth Street and Victoria Avenue. The Mayor will also inaugurate an "All Nations* Fair," which is being held with the object of raising the money required for furnishing the building, ana which will extend over three days. MANGAWEKA, At the annual general meeting of the Mangaweka Debating Society the following officers were elected for the year:— President, Mr. A. H. Gascoigne; vicepresidents, lievs. M'Caw, Klingender, Messrs. G. G. Oliver, A. Bennett, Heerdegen, Tremewan; secretary and treasurer, Mr. F. D. Oxley; committee, Mrs. M'Grath, Miss Flyger, Messrs. Esson, Tompkins, Ilecrdegen, A. Bennett, M'Caw, and Tremewan. Mr. E. Newman, M.P., hag received a communication from the Hon. W. H. Ilerries, Minister for Railways, which states:—"With reference to the representations made by you respecting the necessity for improving the lighting of the Mangaweka railway station, I have to inform you that 'instructions have been given for electric lighting to be installed, and for the current to bo obtained from the Mangaweka town supply." EKETAHUNA. At Saturday's meeting of the Eketahuna County Council attention was drawn to the fact that rural postal delivery'boxes wore being placed adjacent to metalled roads and in positions likely to cause accidents. It was suggested the boxes could be placed on the fence line and a track made to give the mail contractor access to them. The meeting decided to authorise the Overseer to confer with tho settlers as to tho best positions for the boxes, and to inform them they took all risks should any- accident occur. A regulation recently issued by the Post-master-eneGral, to the effect that a charge would in future be made for telegrams sent from the main office to subscribers of the telephone was. adversely criticised by th Ekctahumi County Council on Saturday. Mr. Pitcaithly, of Rongomai, on receipt of these now regulations, communicated with Mr, G. R. Sykes, M.P., who saw the Postmaster-General on the question, and has -received a reply which states tho regulations do not. apply to this district. This information will avert indignation meetings which it was intended, should be called throughout tho district. • t

LEVIN. Arbor Day was celebrated in Levin by tho Beautifying Society. Trees and shrubs were planted in the reserve opposite the railway station, and those will further help to improve the appearance of that piece of ground. The Borough Council did its share by employing its staff on the roadside plantations, and all trees tiiat had died were replaced with young oaks and elms. The borough workmen nro now giving the final touches to the levelling up of the public grounds in Cambridge Street, whereon an improvement, scheme is being effected by the council in conjunction with the local Beautifying Society. The fencing-in of tho grounds B well under way, and tne artificial pond has bsen finished. MARTON. Owing to the increase of business, t«iMarton Borough Council lias found K necessary to meet fortnightly Instwul r 4 '. monthly, as hitherto. At tho request of the Marton Beautifying Society, tho Borough Council has given its permission to the society to apply, through Mr. Newman, 51.1'., for two m>solete field pieces for the park. On the railway line near the Marton Junction station "yards on Tuesday morning, a horso belonging to -Mr. J. Dawson was struck by the engine of the incoming train from Taihapc, and so'injured " • it had to be destroyed. The iiorso, it appears, was enclosed in one of the railway paddocks, ami by some means got through the fence' and strayed on to the line. OTAKI. Up to the present less than thirty persons, all Natives, have been vaccinated. There has been a delay owing to tile maiarrival of lymph, which did not come till eleven o'clock yesterday morning. TT European section of the community 'aro regarding the matter lightly. On account of the smallpox scare, all yesterday's hockey matches where Natives are interested were postponed. At the annual meeting of the Jlaori Racing Club on Tuesday, last season's officers were re-elected," and the guarantors paid off. As a result of the June' meeting, the club reaped a profit of .£IOOO odd, and it is intended to effect ' further improvements to the course and appointments.