DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1854, 13 September 1913, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents.) FALMERSTON. Joseph Hannon, who was recently remanded on a charge of theft of shirts from the premises of Garner and Garner, has now proved that ho was in Wanganui when tlio theft occurred. He was accordingly dismissed. Miss Prouso, of Lovin. won Mrs. Nathan's silver rose bowl for most points in tho decorative section at tho I'almerston bulb show. College Street householders have docided to hold a bazaar on October 22 and 23. The debt on tho land bought for an additional school playground, to which these efforts are devoted, is £53. It is stated that tho Ashhurst railway station was entered on Wednesday night, and that a quantity of stationery is missing. Tho report of Mr. Fisher, of Lower Hutt, on tho best means of controlling tho Manawatu River was considered in committee on Thursday by tho Palmor-ston-Kairanga River' Board. Tt will bo submitted to a meeting of ratepayers shortly. MASTERTON. The annual fiiuoko concert in connection with tlio Masterton Miniature Rifle Club was bold last evening. A longthy toast list was honoured, and tho trophies won by momberg were presented by tlio president. Tlio quarterly meeting of tie Masterton Firo Board was held this week, Mr. 0. N. 0. Pragnell presiding. The treasurer's statement snowed a balanco at date of £151 3s. 7d. It was decided to purchase a motor pumping engine on condition that the Borough Council assured tho board that it would provido fire-wells whoro necessary, or an improved water supply.- The board accepted tenders for ne.v uniforms for tho lire brigade and firb polioo. During the past quarter, the Masterton Fire Brigade answered eight calls, but only four of these were to fires. The Masterton Harriers had a successful run at To Oro Oro this week. They were afterwards entertained by Mr. G. Shaw. The Masterton Gun Club fired a 24bird clay pigeon match this week. This was won by Mr. W. Woolven, who struck twenty-two birds. A subsequent sweepstake was won by Mr. T. Harvey. The Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society intends stagibg "The Geisha" noxt week. In a golf match played on Thursday, a Masterton team of ladies and men defoated a Carterton team by seven and a half games to four and a half. Edith Hannah Munro, confectioner, was yesterday adjudicated bankrupt. Her liabilities are set down at £219 12s. Id., and her assets at £70. OTAKI. Miss Newman lias been appointed assistant teacher of tho Paraparaumu School. At a special mooting of tlio Horowlionua. County Council on Thursday a brief adjournment was made as a token of respect to tlio late Mr. A. W. Skerman, who had been ■ a member of the council fqr somo time. Mr. Ryder and Miss Ryder, who have been on ah extended stay here, have left for their homo in Hawko's Bay. ... PAHIATUA. A mooting of tlio committee appointed by tho Eonini: ratepayers to considqr the action of the Eahiatua, County Council in raising tho general rate in tho Konini riding.by 60 por cent. was held on Tuosday afternoon. Tho secretary to tho committee, Mr. C. Avory, who is also tho member for the Konini riding, reported that tho ratepayers were subscribing funds liberally to test tho action of tho Council in tho Supreme Court. The "Herald" states that the meeting decided that Messrs. Avery and T. Hodgins should proceed to Wellington and place tho matter before Mr. T. F. Martin, solicitor to the Countios' Association. The annual meeting of the Kaitawa Hall Society was held on Thursday night, Mr..A. Knox presiding. Thereport showed that during the past year tho society's overdraft had been reduced from £60 9s. Id. to £56 Os. 2d. A committee was'elected with Mr. D. S. Ross as chairman Tho Pahiatua card tournament was continued on Wednesday evening, with tho result that tho Foresters' A team is now leading. Tho Druids' team oocupies second place, and the fire brigade third place. The winners of the'last tournament, the Town Band, wore presented with the oak' shield purchased for the competition. feiudinc. At a meeting held at Halcombo on Wednesday ovening it was decided to form a brass band, provided a sufficient amount of money could bo raised to purchase instruments. , A start has been made with the formation of the platform at the new railway siding at Miro, which will bo midway between Feilding and Halcombo. A month ago tho Borough Council decided, by a majority of six votes to four, to dispenso with tho services of the caretaker of tho Victoria Park. It soon becamo ovident, says the "Star," that this piece of economy was not viewed with any favour by the ratepayers, and a good deal of adverse criticism was levelled at the council. In consequence, the Mayor considered himself justified in putting in notice of motion that the caretaker be reappointed. Councillors Bramwcll and Barry supported tho Mayor, but the motion was defeated. On numerous occasions tho Borough Council has refused to permit wooden or iron or additions to be oreoted in tho brick area. Yet _ tho Bank of Australasia ha 3 been permitted to make an addition to its premises in weod. Councillor R. Heald referred to the matter the other night, and asked how such a breach of the by-law came abeut. The Mayer explained that tho engineer had given tho owners permission to make the addition in'wood. Perhaps lie had exceeded his authority, but the elections wero on.at tho time. The additions did not really cnlargo tho size of, tho premises, and gave no greater risk from firo to adjacent buildings. A motor-shed which had been put up without authority had Tjeen ordered to be removed. Several councillors expressed disapproval of the action of sanctioning tho additions in wood. NEW PLYMOUTH. The bit which was lost in tho Bouithon bore on Thursday last was fished out early on Thursday morning. This is tho fourth successful fishing job accomplished at this bore. Drilling operations will be proceeded with immediately. There has been soma delay since tho drilling commenced, but, nevertheless, good progress has been made, the depth of the bore now being 1440 ft. It is oxpected to bo down between ISOOIt. and 2000 ft. in a few more days, when tho lOin. casing will bo set. The greater portion -of tho holo has been very hard digging, but it is expected to get easier from now up to 2000 ft. A motor-cycle and side-car, driven by Mr. H. W. Lightbaiid, collided with a youth named M'Hnrdy, son of Mr. A. M'Hardy, who was bicycling, at Sargood's corner on Wednesday evening. The lad was thrown heavily to the ground, and received rathor bad injuries to bis faco and head, while the occupants of tho motor-cyclo wore thrown' out and moro or less badly bruisod.