DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Epccial Correspondent!.) NAPIER. Donations amounting to £98 Bs. have been received towards the funds for the erection of a memorial to tie lato Mr. G. H. Swan. The following offiocrs were elected at the thirty-sixth _ annual meeting of the Napier I 1 ire Brigade:—Superintendent, Mr. A. Hillson (re-elected); sub-super-intendent, Mr. C. Minett; senior foreman, Mr. L. Ashworth; second foreman, Mr. A. Bourgeois; third foremaii, Mr. 0. Maymond; out-station foreman, Mr. P. Eddy; secretary, Mr. W.White (re-elected); committee, Messrs. A. Bourgeois, F. Gilberd, 0. Maymond, and A. Berry. The ceremony of laying the last brick of lona Havolock North, will take place on Wednesday. 'Ilio suspected case of smallpox at Te Hauke apjpars to havo been a hoax. When the health officer arrived ho found a Maori suffering from a swollen finger, the result of a out. Out of two applicants admitted to ballot at to-day s meeting of the Hawko's Bay Land Board for Seotion 1, Block 2, Waiau, 121 acres, W. A. Carruthers, of Wellington was successful. Mr. J. Hajjies, physical instructor at the Y.M.C.A., Hastings, who leaves next week for the Old Country, was met last night by members of tho gymnasium arid presented with a cheque. Two Napier motor-cyclists leavo hero at 3.30 on Saturday morning for Masterton, on an attempt to break the previous reoord. Thero has been, rain m tho oountry, and bad roads will probably prevent' making fast timo. PALMERSTON. The quarterly meeting of tho Board Street Methodist Circuit unanimously invitod tho Rev. F. W. Boys to remain as pastor for the full term of five years. It was further rosolved to ask Conference to abolish the time limit while retaining the privilege of annual invitation. The Cuba Street Methodist Cirouit has invited the Rev. J. H. Haslam to . extend his pastorate thero for a further term. They jiave also secured land foi a parsonage. ~ . , Sir Robert Stout has intimated that ho will receive tho deputation of solicitors appointed to interview him, with the objoct of retaining the Main Trunk district cases at Palmorston, when a Wanganui-Palmerston boundary is defined. The interview takes place thie morning. MASTERTON. A sudden change in the meteorological conditions occurred on Thiiredaj evening, when the wind voared round to the south and a cold tain set in. The weather to-day is very rough, a boisterous gale prevailing. Although barely an inch of rain haß fallen sine® tho weathor broke, the ett'cot upon pastures will bo beneficial, and the apprehension of a sustained drought will bo dispelled, The Masterton Gun Club concluded its season on Thursday when two claypigeon 6weepstakeß were decided. Both events wore won by Mr. D. M'Calmont, who shot consistently throughout. The Knox Church United Improvement Society produced the Shakespearean comedy, "A Midsummer Nipht'f Dream," before an appreciative audience ou Thursday. OTAKI. ' Tho district is at present ufidorgoinp a cold snap, the weather being a toucii of winter. Rain fell on Thursday night and w(is greatly appreciated, being badlj needed, but on Friday morning the wind inoreased in force, and the rain abated. Tho aftornon was cold, and it is evident snow has fallen on tlie hills, which are at present obscured by rail and mist. Tho funeral of Mr.' "Wally" Bell took place on Wednesday, tho Rev. Blathwayt conducting-the burial service. A largo circle of relatives and friends attended, while many floral tokons were placed on tho ooffin. Tho lato Mr. Hornborsloy was buried on Thursday, when the cortege was a representative one. The Rev. G. F. Petrie officiated at the graveside. ■ Complaints are numerous rolativo to oounter delivery at tho local post office, whilo tho telephone arrangements are also criticised. This is due to the stall being undermanned,' and , unablo tc cope with a deal of the work. Mr. M'Kegg, chairman of the Otaki Town Board, lias received .more data concerning the' lighting of tho township and a full report will bo submitted at tho noxt meeting. Mr. M'Kegg hopes tc shortly placo a schemo before the ratepayers. Drainage and water supply i£ also receiving his attention. DANNEVIRKE. At Wednesday's meeting of the Dannevirke County Council, Councillor M, Tansey tendered Jiis resignation , as f member of tho body owing to his parting with hiß interests in the Matamau district. Repairs were being effected to the exhaust pipe of tho gas engine at the Town Hall on Wednesday, and, noi being completed at knock-off timo, boards for protective purposoß wero pui over tho pipe, whioh is at tho rear oi the building. During the these burst into lame, and wero discovered on fire' by the nightwatchman, .whc roused tho firemen _ and incidentally townspeople by ringing tho bell. The outbreak was soon suppressed. It has been deoided to open the local bowling green officially next Wednesday, when Mr. J. H. Reid has arranged with Mr. Jerome to have, the 1 Palace Theatre Orchestra in attendance. The club's membership this ' season is larger than it has boon foi years. ' PAHIATUA. ; Some of tho sharp bends on the mail ■ road between Pahiatua and Makur i were recontly attended to by tho Palua i tua County Oounoil, and the road wai • widened in several places. Tho ,worl • done should prove of groat benefit t< ' travellers. At the presont time mino: i repairs are being effected to tlio ro!U • through the Makuri Gorge. It was stated by tho town clerk a; tho mooting of the Borough Oounci on Monday evening that Pahiatua ii the only town in the Dominion thadoes not oolleot a general water rate It appears that the ratepayers are saved the water rate owing to the specia ' rate provided for the interest on th< > water loan being collected, and th< I oouncil also not oaring to increase th< I Rev. L. H. Fenn, of Welling ; ton, who has boon appointed vioar of th< 1 Pahiatua Anglican parish, Is expeotee to arrive here next Wednesday. Th< i Bishop of Wellington will porfonn the i ceremony of instituting tho now vicai i at 6.45 p.m. on Monday, Ootober 20, 1 After the ceremony a welcome social to tho Rev. L. H. and Mrs. Fenn will • bo held in tho Sunday schoolroom. E Mr. A. Quinlan, who is loaving Niro- " aha to engago in sawmilling pursuit > in the Huntervillo district, was on Saturday evening last tendered a smoke concert by his Nireaha friends. Mr. Quinlan was presented with a set of t pipeß. I 1 ...