DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1862, 23 September 1913, Page 11

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FltOM PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

{Prom Our fipeciaj Correspondents.) MASTERTON. Tho annual meeting of the Wairarapa Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union was held on Saturday evening, Mr. M. Lavery occupying tho chair. A letter was read from tho Auckland Centre, suggesting the formation of a Nortli Island Union, but no action wa3 taken in tho matter. The annual report and balancesheet showed a credit of £15 7s. Tho following officers wore elected for tho ensuing year:—President, Mr. M. Lavery; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. 6. Hoar and J. B. M'Kenzio; secretary, Mr. M. Gillespie; treasurer, Mr. 1\ C. Jorgensen; handicappor, Mr. W. J. White • assistant handicapper, Mr. W. S. Dickson.

At a meeting of tho Wairarapa Caledonian Society .on Saturday last, Mr.. B. If. ltayner was elected ft vicepresident, and Mr. E. M'Ewon a director of tho society. Mr. M. Laracy, secretary of the Shearers' Union, addressed members of tho union at Tinui on Saturday, and at Masterton on Sunday.. Mr. Laracy told a press representative that there are about 15,000 members of tho union in tho Wellington Province. The agreement recently made with the owners was, ho says, for a period of only twelve months. A ballot of members is, however, to be taken during tho shearing season on a proposal to extend tho agreement to four years.. The agreement has given every satisfaction to the men.

Bogy competitions in connection with the Masterton'Golf Club wero played on Saturday last. Tho best card in the ."A" grade was handed in by Mr. C. Perry, and in tho ."B" grade by Mr. A. D. Gillies. The final result for the challenge trophy is as follows:—E. Perry, 5 points, 1; C. Perry, 4} points, 2; 11. J. Francis, 3 points, 3. Tho track to ,Mt. Holdsworth is in good order, and it is expected that the mountain ascent will be made by a considerable number of visitors during the ■coming summer. Tlio sconery in tho vicinity of Mt. Holdsworth is magnificent, and there is a splendid camping ground at the foot of the track. Excellent trout fishing is also to bo obtained in tlio neighbourhood. Tho annual home mission services were held in tho Methodist Church on Sunday, the' preachers being the' Rev. S. J. Serpell and tlio Hon. 0. M. Luko,

TAIHAPE. Tho second animal ball under the auspicos of the Taihapo United Friendly Societies was a great success, tliero being about 70 couples in attendance, Music was supplied by tho municipal band, and extras by Miss Whenuroa and Messrs. Chase, Walker, and Russel. A Roman Catholic church is iu courso of erection at Mataroa, and on Friday night a ball in aid of tho building fund was held at Mataroa. A large number of visitors from Taihapo were present, and the gathering was tho most" successful of its kind held in tho district.

' Beautifully fine weather has been experienced during; tlio past week or two, and in no previous season has there 'been such ail abundance of feed for stock throughout tho district. "Docking" has not yet been completed on a good many farms, so that tlio lambing percentages aro not yet available, but as tho mortality lias been exceptionally low, the average percentage this season is bound to bo a record.

CARTERTON. After several days of ideal summer weather, the ground lias become somowhat dry, and a day or so of rain now would do no harm. ,

• • Tho ladies' "committee of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society will bo entertained at the Arcadiii Tea Rooms on Thursday next by tho directors of the society. A number of members of tho Carterton branch have been invited to be present. Tlio Tourist Department have been applied to for a vote towards repairing tho bridge leading to Mt. Holdsworth, and of maintaining tho track. Tho proportv situated at Ahiakouka, which was submitted to _ auction by Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., on Saturday, on behalf of Mr. H. G. Williams, was sold to Mr. William M'Kenzie, at the rato of £35 per acre, which is equivalent to about £45 per acre for tho land availablo inside tlio fences.

Inspector A. B. Charters, of tho Wellington Education''Board, was on an official visit to tho Wairarapa during the past week. Dominion Day in Carterton passed over very quietly, tho banks and State schools being tho only places to observe a holiday. There was no bunting on tho public buildings.

FEILDINC. To-morrow evening tho Mayor (Mr. A. M; Ongloy) will meet tlbe ratepayers in tho Drill Hall and explain tho Borough Council's proposals tor tho installation of clcotricity in tho borough' for lighting and power. Tho council lias adopted a. scheme to raiso a loan of £10,000 for tho work, and tho promises olj- support already offered are sufficient to guarantee tho scheme against loss. A pleasant function took placc at Closeburu, tho i residence of Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Simpson, on Thursday afternoon, wlion. ,a largo number of friends and parishioners bade farewell to the Rev. R. M'Cully and Mrs. M'Cully, who leave shortly in response to a call from Fraukton Junction. During the afternoon an interesting ceremony took place —the christening o? Mr. Simpsons small ; granddaughter. Mr. M'Cully stated that this was his losth cliristening in the nine years ho had been in the district. Tho hosts, on behalf of those present, handed to Mr. M'Cully a well-filled purse of sovereigns, and 1 tho recipient suitably replied. At Wesley Churcli ou Sunday evening tho Rev. D. J. Murray delivered' an "iu memoriam" address, with Mr. Isaac Brent as tho subject. The late Mr. Brent had resided' in Feilding for 26 years, during which timo lie had been attached 1 to tho Methodist Church and an active office-bearer. Mr. A. Sheltou, as choir conductor, and . Miss V. Bowater, a.s organist, assumed their respective duties' for tlio first timo at Sunday's services.

PAHIATUA. On Saturday the liallanco 00-opera-tivo Dairy Company completed the sale of the greater part of its this season's export output of butter, to an Auckland clairv, produce firm. The actual price has not been divulged, but it is stated to ho the best yet paid to any butter factory tliis soasoiu It will, however, ensure the suppliers receiving at least 12Jd. per lb. of buttor-fat, with the prospect of that figure being increased by tho cpdof the season to I2'd. The output is l '-destined for San Francisco, which is a new market for the Ballaneo Company, though it shipped several hundred tons last year to Vancouver.' The military "social".and dance hcld under the auspices of thoPahiatua. Honorarv Territorials' Association at tho Drill Hall 011 Friday evening was very largely attended, by town and country residents. A big party from Wooclvillo was also, present. The gathering was probably tlio biggest affair of its kind yet Held in Pahiatua. Tho funeral of t.he late Miss J. Ruskell, of Pabiatua, took placo t on Friday afternoon, tho interment being at tho Mangatainoka cemetery. A servirc was first held at the local Anglican Church by the Rev. C. Smith, and later at the graveside bv the Rev. R. Hermon. A general committee meeting of the Pongaroa Horticultural and Industrial Society took ■ place on September 18., Consequent upon, suitnblo arrangements being mado. tiio show day for 1914 was

fixed for March 5. Recommendations mado at tlio last annual mooting were discussed, and for the most part included in tho programme for next year's show. The recommendations for revision of the Ladies' Committee wero dealt with and mostly embodied. It was decided to give points prizes for most of the classes, and if funds are available a championship cup will also ho offered for competition.

NEW PLYMOUTH. His Excellency the Governor will pay Now Plymouth an official visit either on Ootober 14 or 16.

Work at tho Taranaki (N.Z.) Oil Wells, Lt<l., refinery is progressing satisfactorily. There is now 'about 40 tons of wax awaiting final treatment. Tho demand for the majority of the products is in excess of tho supply. The rotary boro is down to a depth of 1370 ft., No. 1 Bell Block, 3250 ft., and No. 2 2730 ft. There is nothing fresh to report in respect to tho walls at Moturoa.

Tlio Blenheim well of tho Taranaki Oil Lands A. and D. Company has passed through very hard formation and. a quantity of sand during tho past week, with constant showings of both gas and oil. Tho depth of the well is 1700 ft.

During tho past week Mr. Fedorowicz, field manager, lias been supervising the cementing' of tho Huiroa boro on tho Consolidated' Company, thus shutting off tho water.