DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Oorrcspondents.l palmerston. A judgment which was keenly awaited by shopkeepers was delivered by Mr. I oynton, S.M., on Tuesday, the case denning (to some extent) tho limits of freedom allowed for delivery of goods on half-holidays. The case was one in wincli tho inspect-or of factories prosecuted Watson Bros, for failing to close at ono o'clock, inasmuch as an assistant, named Harry Jackson, was afterwards delivering goods. It had been admitted, inter alia, that .Jackson is under contract to deliver goods, and receives £17 10s. per month for doing carrying dn his spa/re time. He received the goods before the closing hour. Outside of these his con- . tract is not controlled' by defendant's, and he could assign his contract to another carter if he wished. He is a- : licensed carrier, and is not subject- to the driver's award. His Worship said that the contract stipulated that the carter should deliver, or cause to bo delivered and carted, all such goods and chattels as aforesaid at such times or time of each day as the company shall from time to time direct. That, of course, allowed the company to deliver to customers goods at any time, including the closed hours, and gave them a big advantage over small traders, who could not employ a man, It was a clear evasion of the Act whenever delivery took plqce during closing hours, but that did not necessarily make it illegal. In the case of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association v. Lightfoot, where tho Supreme Court held that the carter was on assistant, tlio shopkeeper' provided the carter's i plant and controlled him entirely. Here the circumstances were different, and, if this carrier were held to bo an assistant, the effect wouid be to widen the operation of the Act extensively. If he were paid a salary or a fee for various packages he was merely the shopkeeper's agent, and if held to bo an assistant, it was difficult to prevent the Act being applied to the railways and post offices, which also delivered goods in closing hours. The case, therefore, would be dismissed. At the Retihabites' Conference on Monday Brother J. S. Munro, Provincial. Chief, predicted that the acquisition of Brother Wesnev of Invercargill as organiser would cause strengthening of weak tents, and the erection of numerous now ones. Officers appointed were:—W. J. Gaudin, Wellington P.C.R.: Brother B. H. Ginger, Petone D.P.C.P.; Brother S. B. Hulbert, Blenheim, provincial secretary and treasurer; Brother T. Ward, Wellington, provincial superintendent of tho juvenile branch j Sister _ Fathers, Wellington, provincial superintendent of female branch. Several remits were adopted for the bi-eiuiial conference at Invercargill, and the probability of opening new tents at leilding, ana Rongotea was discussed. Votes of J sympathy were passed to Brother East- j hope, of Masterton, and Sister Lodge, of Wellington, in regard to serious illness. The next conference is fixed for June 3, at Levin. Miss Mina Caldow, of Wellington, who sang at Palmerston just before her visit to England, has been engaged as oontralto for the Orchestral Society's December concert. Tho Congregational Church Tennis Club i has appointed the following. officers: —President, the Rev. Mac Donald Aspland; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. Cullen, J. J. Whitehead, W. Banks, AY. Mundy; secretary, Mr. G. Stout; treasurer, Mr. O. M. Markland ; committee, Misses Hocking and Stubbs, Messrs. Gilbert, Stout, Snell, Page, and Johnstone. Mr. Waugh, of Wellington, lias-been appointed judge of all the classes except ,the decorative classcs at- tho forthcoming Horticultural Show. ■ Tho butchers; liavo decided to hold their annual picnic at Ashlmrst on Jfovember 17. Mr. Robert M'Nab is expected hack from Sydney in the middle of November. Mr. A. Barker was the successful member at "Tuesday's drawing of the Starr Bowkett Building Society, obtaining £200. * MASTERTON. About thirty persons attended at the Technical School on Monday evening, at the invitation of the managers, to offer their services in connection with the exhibition that it is proposed to hold in the school. The Mayor presided, and after the projiosab had been fully outlined!, those present formed themselves into a committee to furtherthe project. It was resolved that tho exhibition be held on November 20 and 22. Tho chairman stated that -the professional musicians of the town had offered their services free for the occasion. A committeo of ladies was set up to make arrangements for the refreshments. A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here about 1.55 o'clock Oil Monday. The Congregational Sunday School ■celebrated its anniversary with a tea and public meeting on Tuesday evening. The prizes won by the scholars during tho year were also presented. ■ The opening meeting of tho Wasrarapa Amateur Athletic Club, which was to have been held on Thursday, has been postponed for a week, in consequence of tho Carterton show. Tho Loyal Masterton Lodge (Manchester Unity) met on Monday night, P.G. Bro. W. C. Perry occupying the chair. Four friends woro proposed for admission to tho Order. 'After the transaction of ordinary' husiAfter the transaction of ordinary business, a debate took place on current topics. It is proposed to institute a series of debates in conncctiou with the lodge.

PAHIATUA. Mr. J. Anderson, who disposed of his property hero a few months ago and left for the Tauranga district, returned to Pahiatua on Friday. He intends again settling in this district. Mr. W. Nagel, of Rongomai, who has been on a trip abroad, returned home on Thursday.

HOROWHEMUA. Mrs. C. A. W. Monckton is again seiiously ill, and is now in Wellington. Mr. Monckton and Mrs. Monckton had proposed to mako a trip to England this year, but it is doubtful if this will now fake place. A movement is on foot to resuscitate the Foxton Cricket Club. The Mayor has tho matter in hand. The Manaw.itu River has overflowed its banks in several places in tho district, and consequently low-lying land is inundated. The flaxmilis, however, have been able to work. Several young men in this district have offered their services as special police, in connection with the Wellington waterside strike. A pleasant gathering—the annual'"at home" in connection with the Levin Methodist Church—was held at tho -Century Hall, Levin, recently, when, despite threatening weather, there was a capital attendances, including a few visitors from Otaki. A number of musical items, recitations, etc., were given, all being well received, while various reports in connection with different phasoH of church work were presented. Mr. Goldsmith reported on tbe general circuit funds, Mr. F. Parker on tile church trust and Century Hall accounts, Mr. Rawson on Sunday School affairs, and Mrs. Parsons 011 tho Ladies' Guild. Tho Rev. Mr. Cottom, of Otaki, delivered a short address, and supper concluded a very enjoyable evening.

WANCANUf. Tho Marton bowlers came into town on Tuesday and tried conclusions with tho Gonville Bowling Club, who defeated them by 10 i to ?u. Marton won two out of tile four rinks, but Gonvilles heavy margin on the other two gave them a win on points. News that the Wanganui Harbour Biil passed its third reading in the House has been received here with great satisfaction. When announced in some of the picture theatres it was received with rounds of applause. OTAKJ. Labour Day passed off quietly, tins only attractions being bowling and tennis. Members- of the Tc Hiwi Bowls Club played Otaki, «aach side winning two. games. Otaki, however, won on points: 8-1—59. The Palmcrstou tennis players were decisively beaten by tho local players, who won every set-. The collection of Native rates is an important matter to this district, seeing that tho Maoris hold such a eonS'.derablo amount of property, and Councillor Monk referred to the matter at his meeting at Te Horo last week. Ho stated that there had been such trouble in collecting those ratos that the County Council had not even demanded payment from the Natives, Who went "scot free." He urged that tho council should use its utmost endc&sours to collect the rates. Natives should be sued, and the rates made a charge upon the land, and then, when the land was sold —and a good deal of it changes hands at one time or another — the council would get its half rates. The, meeting endorsed this view of the matter, and passed a resolution recommending the County Council to take 'oi err possible step towards collecting rates from Natives. This matter has always presented much difficulty to local bodies. Tho Natives know full well how difficult it is to enforce payment. Tho Otaki Bowling Club is leaving no stone- unturned to make th& seaSon a successful one. Tho green, thanks to th» work of Mr. Allan Bills, caretaker, is in good order, but. will be in even better condition when fine weather set,3 in. Tho club will shortly play two outside clubs, Karori being duo here on November o, and Lyall Bay on November 8. Tho local bowlers will also play John-sc-nville on December 26 at Johnsonville-.

TAIHAPE. Eighteen parents were treated at the Taihape Hospital during September. Eight were admitted, eleven discharged, and there was one death.. There wer.e six patients remaining in the Hospital on September 20. _ The sports gathering on Labour Day 'n aid of tho Recreation Ground improvement fund was a great success, in a net profit of about £150. With this sum in hand tho work of enlarging tho recreation ground will be commenced shortly. Mr. Neil Small, late of Hiwera, has donated a fine silver challenge cup for competition among members of tho Taihape Rillo Club. Tho trophy is to be named the Hiwera Challenge Cup; and is beautifully inscribed. Shooting for the President's Challenge Cup and tho Hiwera Challenge Cup will be commenced shortly.