JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1898, 5 November 1913, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

• (from Our Special Correspondanti.) PAL.MERSTON NORTH. Monday's tragedy, by which two four-year-old children, Herbert Cross and Gordon Alien wero dashed to death- by the Auckland up-express at a crossing close to Xerraco' End Station, spread over tho town an' unusual horror. The question of the menace involved in the swift passage of trains through two miles of Palmerston's principal street has often been discussed in connection with tho agitation to take the railway by a loop round the outskirts of the town, 'i'ho noise of the train whistles at crossings has also been the subject of complaints from business people, and recently it was commented on by the Chief justice in the Supreme Court. Suggested alternatives to ensure safety have been the fencing of the railway, the employment of signalmen, and gates, and tho running of trams in a outting, So that they could travel underneath crossings. The majority of the, townspeople are averse to the removal of the railway, But the present tragedy is reviving the question, particularly in view of the council's proposal to run tramcars over the crossings. Cross was terribly injured about the head and back, and died in'a few »minutes. Allen was taken to the hospital, suffering from a fractured Bkull and log. He was operated on, but died nest morning.

The Oriental Football Club has presented Mr. J. Hardio with a marble clock, "as a wedding gift. Tho Drainage Board eleotions od. Monday resulted in the following being elected: —Sluggish River: Samuel Macauley, 78; Wm. Amos, 68: Geo. Kendall, 59; Jonathan Lucas, 69; EdV'n Talzott, 68. Aorangi: E. L. Broad, 49; H. C. Mellsop, 39; R. A. M'Kenzie, 38; G. Green, 88; P. E. Henry, 88. Mr. A. H. Grant has been appointed secretary for the Horticultural Society, succeeding Mr. F. Amos. The Palmerston River Board, at a meeting on Monday, authorisea orders for machinery for its scheme For combating river encroachmont.

The Manawatu Racing Club on Monday received a proposal from the Foxton Club to purchase Jointly a motor ambuilance. The chairman, however, stated that Dr. Martin had recommended a new ambulance wagon, which could be. attached to any motor-car, and had written to England for fuller particulars. Dr. O'Brien also will report on the practice in vogue at Australian races.

Tho New Church of Christ was open■cd in Campbell Street on Monday with a tea and Brother Fleming M'Donald, president of the Dominion Conference of Churches of Christ, took part. : NAPIER. Mr. Arthur M'Oarthy has been nominated for the vacant seat on the Naier Borough Council, caused by the retirement of Mr. W. A. Smith. Two Napier gentlemen, who have just returned from Taupo, report the following fishing tallies:—Messrs. Lowry, Duncan, and Ross got 18.'weighing'94 lb., the biggest fish weighing 91b., before breakfast. Ngamotu, the Taupo No. 1 fisherman, got 50 fish, weighing 22451b., tho biggest fish weighing 9}lb. Mr. George Reid and party*got 63 fish, Messrs. Lusk, Strachan, and party 88 fish; Messrs. Russell, Duncan, and party 12 fish; Mr. Hands, Wilson, and party 28 fish. All the abovo wero taken trolling on the lake. Messrs. Duncan and Ross had a day spinning at tho Aratiatia rapids, aud in spito of unfavourable; pondition's'.'gbt 33 more fish— the majority in Ver.y fair condition. The second day, trolling at the lake, they caught 53 more, ana one party reported I getting 103. It is estimated that on tho first two days about a ton of fish was taken out of the lake. A tender for rebuilding St. Matthew's Church, Hastings, has been let to Mr. J. W. 0. Monk, tho price being £5200. Over 600 entries have been receivod for the Napior Horticultural Society's show, which opens on Thursday. This oasily constitutes a record. OTAKI. The public do not appear to bo fully aware of the excellent work being done afetho woodwork classes held regularly" at Otaki, under the Wellington Education Board's supervision. The classes are held weekly, Mr. Frank Tunley boing the expert in charge. An exhibit is being made at the Palmerston Show this week of woodwork done by the Native College boys. This comprises a good assortment of work—various useful articles, brackets, picture-frames, stands, bookcase, otc., all beautifully worked and finished. In a few drawings of works are to bo shown. The whole makes a very fine display. The rainfall for October totaliod 6.04 inches. Rain fell on 20 days, tho heaviest fall being recorded on October 18, when 1.19 in. fell.