DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1860, 20 September 1913, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL • CENTRES. . .(From Onx Special Correspondents.) PALMERSTON. Mr. J. Murray, acting-rector of the High School, ia making satisfactory progress after au operation for appendicitis. A pair of express horßes bolted with a vehicle through tho centre of the town, smashed off a wheel, and collided against a trap at the post office. A dog, sitting on tho seat quite unconcerned, was the solo sccupant. . WANGANUI. Mr. 0. Wadman, socretary of tho Wanganui Orphanage Committee, has at last surmounted all difficulties in the way of a new building scheme, and has let the contract for tho orection of the now Children's Homo, which is expected to be ready for occupation in January. Tho extension business of tho Wanganui Telephone Exchange is giving the poles too great a weight of wire, ana, consequently, tho Department has resolvod to discard tho overhead circuit system, and substitute underground cables. Theso are already on the way here, and tho work of laying them will be shortly commenced. Tho number of subscribers to tho exchange is now close on 1000, and applications are already in for neW connections. MASTERTON. A very successful olay-bird pigeon match was fired on Thursday in connection with the Masterton Gun Club, for a stako of £65. Thore were 25 competitors, and the prize went to the veteran riflo shot, It. J. King, who won in a shoot-off from H. Long. Three sweepstakes were subsequently Bred, and were divided in each case by three competitors. ' i At tho conclusion of the performance of the "Geisha" in the Town Hall on Thursday evening, the performers and visitors were entertained at supper at the olub hotel. Mr. W. H. Beetham (patron of the society) presided, and various toasts were honoured. Mosbw. D. Renny (Wellington), A. Newton (Wellington), and Sivan (Wanganui) responded on behalf of the visitors, each declaring that the efforts of the local society had been a surprise to them. As evidencing tho diminution in the rabbit pest in the North Island, it is worthy of mention that while tho Masterton poison depot was in tho habit of supplying eight or nine tons of poisoned pollard a few years ago,, this year there was practically no demand for tho poison. \ • .At Knox Church on Thursday, Mr. J. Jimmison, of the Lower Taueru, was married to Miss Eva Petersen, youngest daughter of Mrs. H. C. Petersen* Misses M'Guicken and Jimmison acted as bridesmaids, Mr. C. .Jimmison as best man; and Mr. 0. Petersen as groomsman. , The new Anglican Church is to be consecrated on Sunday by his Lordship the Bishop of Wellington.

TAIHAPE. A man named Erio Bentley had an oxcitine experience while attending a log-hauling engine in the Tiratii Com-' pany's ,bush on Tuesday. He was engaged in winding a length of slack steel ropo on to the: revolving drum of the engine. His hand got caught: between tho rope and the drum, and ho was dragged round the drum with every revolution, tho rofte winding round his arm. Fortunately the engine was work ing slowly, and Bcntley managed to keep his head clear of the rope. When he was released it was found that he iiad made tho circuit of the drum about, thirty times, and had miraculously escaped' with a. badly bruised arm, dislocatod knoe, and some scratches on his: face. _ The deciding game in connection with the, Main Trunk Hockcy Associations competition was played at Tailiape on Thursday, when Pakeha beat Taihapo by two goals to nil. Maher and Tidswell scored for the winners. Briggs, Baton, Cribb, and Tidswell were the best players on the winning side, and Coutts, Harris, Gibbs, and - Connolly wero oonspicuous for Taihapo. 1 Mr. S. Reid was"'referee. The sum of about. £80 has been donated towards the prize fund in connection with tlio sports to be held on Labour Day in aid of tho Re>creation Ground improvement fund. At its meeting on Wednesday night the Rangitikoi A. and'P. Association voted £5 ss. to the'fund, and ono member stated that £50 might be votod towards improving the ground after the sports gathering had been held. "Ragging" is',said to have been, in evidence at the Taihapo railway locomotive isheds recently, and an inquiry was commenood' on Thursday. Seven or eight cleaners are involved. Tho running of tho extra express trains between Wellington- and Auckland from October 1 has been responsible .for tho railway staff being added to. A number of additions to tho locomotive staff have already arrived, and others aro due noxt week. The north-bound express was delayed for an hour'on Wednesday Might. The "riglit-awav" signal had been given at Taihape, but tho train had not gone more than about thirty yards when the online was found to bo 'knocking ba3ly. It was an hour before two engines could_bo got ready to replace the disabled "X."

NAPIER. Twenty now members were elected at the annual meeting of the Napior Tennis Club, hold last evening. It was decided to open the courts on the first Saturday in October. Tho following officers were elected Patron, Mr. J'. Vigor Brown; president, Mr. G. Morley; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Tabuteau, B. J. Dolan, H. Bull, F. Moeller; committeo, Messrs. D. G. Dunn, J. Lundon, Lloyd, Frasor, Dowsett; secretary, Mr. R. Allen; treasurer, Mr. T. C. Burgess. Tho Hastings Bowling Club will hold its official opening on October 25. Tho furnishing fund of St. Mattliow & Church, Hastings, has benefited to tho extent of £80 from the proceeds of tho recent bulb show and sale of work. _ Mr. Nimrod Shaw, aJ settler of Waimarama, was thrown from his horso on Thursday afternoon, and severely injured. He received a kick on tile forehead, and, though an operation _ was performed,.his condition was considered 'critical yesterday afternoon. ' The Waipawa Tennis Club liavo olocted tho following officers for the ensuing year.* —President, Mr. A. E. Jull; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Hunt; ground secretary, Mr. C. Whittington; ground committee,, Messrs. Gilbert, Lew, and Lindsay; general committeo, Dr. Deck, Messrs. Norris, Low, Hislop, Campbell, H. M. Kathbono, Hogg, H. Collctt, Cut field, Ayros, and L. l'rntley. A statement filed by Pnora To Wlnitiwalio, bankrupt, of Clivo, eliows liabilities amounting to £78 Is. Gd. There are no assets.