DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 10

DISTRICT NEWS.

[ JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. PAS.MERSTON. ! Tlio J'almoiston bull) show lias a record 'entry of 260, as against 180 last year. I'lie competitors mclucic Messrs. A. Uootli, of Ca-rtorton, and A. J. Hobb and F. AVestbury, of Ijoivor'Hut-t. Mr. Booth wins t-lic narcissi cup outright, having been tlirico successful in this competition. Mrs. !'\ J. Nathan wins tlio silver rose bowl for most points in tho decorative sect-ion. The newly-rcvivcd l'almorston corps of Boy Scouts now number 'JB. Theory passes for the Trinity College music examinations include tho following:—Higher local: Joamiio Thompson, GS mark (; Marv I'oarce, 03 marks. Advanced intermediate: Olive Bergersen and GeoTgiua Carson, both 80 marks. lutcrinedaato: Margaret Hill, 91 marks; Annie Coran Foxton, So marks: Eilee-n Lynch, 75 murks. Advanced junior: Winifred Syines, 80 marks. junior: Winifred Symes, 95 marks; Tui Inggen, 83 marks; Frank M'Lachlan, 80 rnarlis; KaHilecn Kavanah, 80 marks; Katio Nash, G3 marks. Preparatory: Ethel Lane, 93 marks; Margaret Aile-n, 02 marks; Ethel liall, 01 marks; Ella Johmkie, (il marks. Dr. O'Brien, br-fore leaving l'almorsotn, is to bo asked by the Manawatu Racing Club to report on the ainbulaiico arangements at tho Awapuni racecourse and suggest any improvements. Tho Falmerston Debating Society concluded its season with a social gathering at Dustiu's on Tuesday night. Besides the toast list, songs, etc., wero contributed by Messrs. Oram, Green, Downer, Mason, Osborne, and Haycock. A young woman of Terrace End, named —. Thwaites, had her face and hair badly scorched through tho ignition of kerosene used at a fireplace yesterday morning. At tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, Adam Burgess obtained judgment against 0. G. Taylor.for £16 10s. 7d. for a mowing macliino and other articles supplied. • Defendant alleged that the macliino was defective, and he tried unsuccessfully to rectify it, and then returned it-. His Worship said- that defendant should have returned it moro promptly beforo continuing to work it Tho plaintiff's agent said defendant- had not understood tho macliino. Judgment for plaintiff was for tlio full amount with costs. NAPIER. At St. Augustine's Church yesterday afternoon, Miss Nella Waterhouse, daughter of Mr. F. S, Waterhouse, of Mangawhare, was married bv Canon Tuke to Mr. Leslie Jameson, tliird son of Mr. and Mrs. George Jameson, of Christchurcli. A reception was held at the Masonic Hotel after the ceremony, at which a large number of guests wero present;

A statement was published last week to the effect that tho Frimley Canning Company hud disposed of all their plant to n Nelson firm. It is now stated that only a small portion of the plant was disposed of, and that the company will continue operations here shortly.

A pretty wedding took place at St. Mary's Church, Meanec, yesterday morning, when Mr. James M'Cashin was married to Miss Annie Elizabeth Jefl'ares, daughter of Mr. Joseph Jeffares, of Taradale. Subsequently a number of guests were entertained at the Taradalo Town Hall, and a dance was given in tho evening.

Mr. Frank 11. Burnley was married to Miss Louie Mayo, daughter nf Sirs. W. Mayo, of Xapier, at St. Augustine's Church yesterday morning. MASTERTON. At tho monthly meeting of tho Masterton County Council on Tuesday a notification was received from the Treasury that a sum of £229 10s. would bo at the disposal of tho council for expenditure on Saunders Road, in the Alfrcdton district. The Public Works Department also authorised tho expenditure of £113 2s. Id. (£2 for £1) on a portion of tho Mastcrton-Waimata Road. A resolution was passed, by way of special order, striking a special rate to meet interest and other charges on a loan of £300 for the completion of tile northern approach works at Masterton. Tho Minister for Railways wrote stating that instructions had been given to tho engineers of the Railway Department to report on level crossings which wero considered dangerous, and stating that when the reports are received tho question of minimising the danger would bo carefully gono into. Tho first race in connection with the Masterton Homing Pigeon Club takes place from Ohakunb on October 2. A 'house at liukanui, occupied by Mr. Mabcy, was destroyed by fire on Saturday night-. Insurances amounted to £200. The manager of tho Masterton Municipal Gasworks reported at the monthly meeting of the council that 3,-185,700 cubic feet of gas had been manufactured during August, showing a decreaso on tho preceding mouth of 300,000 feet. Gas sold totalled 3,200,800 cubic feet-, as against 2,775,500 for August last year. Tho cash revenue for tho month amounted to £1305 2s. 2d., being an increase of £208 on the figures for 1012. OTAKI. A lecture was given on Tuesday evening at Manakau'by Mr. Alex. jil'Bain, the subject being "England and tho Knglish." Tho speaker was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks, and was also' asked to givo another Iccturo on similar lines. Tho local Druids and a Te Horo combination held u euchre tournament on Tuesday night, tho former winning 30 games. Over fift.v players took part. Tho following ladies havo been selected, to take charge of stalls at the Anglican bazaar next week':—Christmas tree and bran tub, Nurso Lowis; sweet stall, Misses Edwards and Adsitt; fancy stall, Mesdames H. Nicolson, J. G. Stevens, and A. Bright; refreshment booth, Mesdames A. H. Cook, R. Patching, and J. Bills; stall, Mesdames A. Sathcrlcy, C. Williams, and H. Freeman. Whitebait, in limited quantity, was sold hero on Tuesday at 2s. per pint. Tho Rev. G. S. Cook gave au entertaining address here on Tuesday evening on '.'Homo Mission Experiences.'' 1 TAIHAPE. In connection with improvements which are being made to the Taihapo municipal reserves by tho Domain Board, application was mado to tho Minister lor Lands for a supply of trees implanting on the edge of tho busii, so as to form a protective belt. A reply was received to the effect that the superintending nurseryman at Whakarewal'cwa can supply -100 pines, and these have been applied for by tho board.

The rural telephono has other than its legitimate uses. .For some time past straying stock has been causing the comity rangers 110 ond of trouble, and great difficulty has beeu experienced in impounding stock. At tl.o last meeting of the Uangitikei County Council there were several complaints against tho rangers, 0110 of whom, it was stated, had impounded slock at night. The ranger in Question defended" his action by stating that it was impossible to impound stock in the daytime, because as soon as ho appeared on any road the telephone was set going,"and all the settlers on tho road wercTwarnod, with the result that straying stock was removed before he had time to reach them. The Public Works Department has notified the Rangitikei County Council that it is prepared to authorise a grant 0!' X'7so for the Utiku Bridge, but will accept no responsibility. I'ho council littfl undctUkon ta accost all losppflsibiLv

ity. The bridge in question will replace the suspension bridge formerly used by Messrs. Gibbs and Co. for tlio conveyance of logs from their bush to the mill at Utiku. It will bo remembered that the bridge collapsed somo time ago, with fatal results to two men, who were precipitated into the gorgo with a team of horses and a load of logs. Only one of the- bodies was ever recovered, notwithstanding a diligent search. MEW PLYMOUTH. A special meeting of the Borough Council is to be held early next week to consider the plans of the tramway scheme. Mr. E. .T. l!eid, who has been relieving Mr. C. Denny Brown in charge of the New Plymouth oflico of the A.M.P. Society for some weeks, returned to Wellington on Monday, and leaves for Napier on relieving duty. Oil Tuesday Mr. l'rank Hosltin, of Opunake, discovered a GOft. whalo 011 tho beach near Opunake. Mr. Hoskm is calling'lenders for tho sale or "trying out" of the monster, with a view to turning his lind to account. At tlio monthly mooting of tho 801ougli Council 011 Monday night tho Mayor congratulated the council upon tho very satisfactory stato of tho roads of the borough, consequent, ho said, upon tho new systom which had been adopted iu connection with their upkeep. Thero was a very representative gathering of leaseholders under tlio West Coast Settlement Reserves Act of 1881 at the meeting held at Oplinako on Tuesday. Delegates were present from as far north as Tikorangi. Messrs. Okey and Wilkinson, M.P.'s, w'ore prosent'. The meeting was held in camera, but it is understood that an arrangement lias been arrived at which is proving acceptable to both Europeans and Maoris, and which will probably be placed before Parliament, for ratification, in tho course of a week or two. _ The Taranaki County Council are intimating to their foremen that the council intends to insist upon tho surface of the old road being properly broken up with a pick before now metal is laid. Any foreman failing to comply with this requirement is to bo immediately asked In send in his resignation. Mr. M. G. Williams,"who is leaving New Plymouth to take up an appointment with the Ashburton "Guardian, was, ou Monday, the recipient of a presentation from members of tho various cricknt clubs of tho town. dannevirke. At Monday night's meeting of tho Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce some discussion took place over a communication received from the assistant-secrc-tarc of the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington, enclosing a copy of regulations governing tho granting and maintenance of a continuous telephone service. A resolution was carried that tho secretary of the chamber draw up a petition and take steps to obtain tho signatures of two-thirds of the subscribers to the Dannevirke telephone exchange who favour the introduction of a continuous telephone service on tlio £6 per year basis. It was also decided to circularise other chambers of commerce, asking their co-oper-ation in inducing tho Telegraph Department to provide a continuous service at the present rate in towns where, the number of subscribers is 200. Mr. A. Collott, junr., who has been absent in England • for three yearsstudying engineering, returned to Dannevirke to-day. He intends again entering the firm of Collett and Son. Correspondence was received from tlio acting-town clerk by the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce at its meeting 011 Monday night, enclosing a reply received to representations made by a deputation some time ago respecting the dilapidated condition of tho railway fenco in Queen Street. The Minister regretted that owing to shortness of money for ail works outside, necessary and pressing undertakings, authority could not be given to givo effect to tho suggestion just then. An engine-driver and a.Btoker who cross the Piri Piri crossing 'at least twice a day 011 four days of tho week, informed an exchange that on inoro than one occasion recently motorists have disregarded tho sign, "Stop! Look out for .tlio engine," when '.trains were approaching this dangerous locality. Only tho other day a motor-cyclist proceeded over the crossing while a train was approaching, the rider travelling at a speed estimated at approximately 40 miles an hour, the train being within half a chain. A number of platelayers standing at tho locality held up their hands and adopted other measures to warn and endeavour to stop tho progress of tlio cyclist, but lie took 110 notice. MQHAKA., It is feared that there will be a small percentago of lambs in this district this year. This is due to tho heavy rains and severe frosts following. The mortality amongst them 3ias been considerable, and feed, also, is anytiling but plentiful, as the young growth lias been nipped off by the frosts. The rabbit pest seems to be 011 the increase. What use .is it for settlers to go to the oxpense of clearing their runs' wlien la.rge tracts of Maori country surrounding them are left neglected? A start has been' made to rebuild "Willow Flat," .which was lately burned down, and Mr. Koss and his family hope to bo in. their new homestead' early in the summer. The main road from Napier to Moliaka is to be metalled. This is a 'step in tho right direction., as,' after heavy rains, it becomes impassable . for vehicles.

Mr. F. J. Ryder and Miss Evdor have returned to Kakariki station from lliverslea, Otaki. Messrs, Watson and Shortt, of Hastings, have been on a visit to Kakariki station. 'i ■■ MANAIA. TJio third annual bulb show in connection with the Manaia Presbyterian Church was held in the Town Hall last week. The show was largely attended. The evening's proceedings were enlivened by a vocal and instrumental programme. Mr. J. A. Bridgo and Miss M. Gilmer acted as secretaries to the show. A commencement was made on Monday morning with the laying of underground telephone wires here. lt_ is anticipated that operations will bo linished in about threo weeks. OPUNAKE. A whale 60ft. long, and with a girth of 30ffc., was discovered on the beach near Opna, about three miles from Opunako. on Monday morning. The whale was lying high and dry on the property of Mr. Hoskin. by whom it was found. It bears signs of having been dead about a week. It is understood that Mr. Hoskin is trying to sell his find. ,\t a meeting held in tho Opunako Hotel on Tuesday night it was resolved to form a branch of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society. It was explained by several present that tho objects of the branch would be to acquaint other centres of local conditions, and to supervise the operations of anglers and game hunters. A movement is on foot to start an Opunako Plumpton for a coursing ground lias been secured on tho lliaia Road, and will be in readiness for next season. Progress is being mode with the survey of the proposed To Itoti-Opunake railway. Surveyors aro now engaged in proximity to tlie town.