DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1904, 12 November 1913, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our SpcolaJ Correspondent!.) PALMERSTON. 'J'he question of whether the railway station gas plant which makes the gas for lighting trains between Auckland, and Wellington is safely situated has been several times questioned since the recent oxplosion and lire. The subject was again under review this week, when a suggestion irom tiio Borough Council that its location be changed was replied to by the Chief, Railway Engineer, who wrote that tho Department could not see its way toremovo tho works now, but would consider tho matter in connection with tho new station scheme. He added that tho recent tire was tho result of an error of judgment on tho part of an employee, and a recurrence was extremely improbable. Tho Borough Engineer told the council at Monday's meeting that the dan ger-.was that tho heavy floating gas from the works would become ignited from matches thrown from trains which drew up alongside the works. He considered that, though the, retorf/ might remain .there, the storage-house tank and tar well should be removed. He will write to tlie Department again. Coleman Place, which came into prominence lately as the subject of a defeated street-widening loan poll respecting a jutting section, and now enhanced by a nearly-comploted brick warehouse for the Harvester Trust, is again under review. This timo the matter is controversial, and embraces the leasing of two properties adjoining. They aro occupied' by i Mi - . Clarlcson, cycle dealer, and Mr.. Groucher, baker. Tho leases will be sold by auction for a term of 42 years, each purchaser having to erect a building worth £IGOO within ton years. In view of. contemplated heavy loans for tramways, gasworks, baths, and othor purposes, the official figures of existing unexhausted loans arc interesting. Tho amounts unspent are: Asphalting square, £139 14s. 9d.; new footways, £21G 4s. 4d.; surface, drainage, £562 6s. lid. 'The total disclosed less than £1100.

Councillor Woon,. who represents a largo picture company, lias given notice to movo at next meeting of tho council: "That no official or employee of the council is entitled to demand of tho management of touring companies appearing in tho Palmerston Municipal Opera House double tickets or any such privilege."

As a sequol to' the Chief Justice's decision as to rating methods, and other matters affectiflg the l'aimerstou River Board, tlie Borough Council is contemplating asking the Government to make certain amendments .to tho River Board's Bill. If rated on capital value the borough will have to pay £2,500,000 and the country districts only £100,000.. Tho prizes at tho West End School will include a copy of "Old Whaling Days," specially presented by tho author, Mr. Robert M'Nab. Councillor F. J. Nathan, who has been in hospital for a minor operation is-making a good recovery. The proposal has boon revived to continue Fitzherbert Street through tho Squaro to connect with Rangitikei. Street. -People at present have to go rouinj the sides of the Square, which causes somo inconvenience, but such a scheme as proposed' would involve another railway crossing. A petition in its favour, signed by 58 persons, was unanimously rejected by the Borough Council, though tho Mayor remarked that tho matter would be discussed as' part of tiio tramway question. Tho High School Old Girls' 'Association is forming tennis and swimming clubs'. ' ; ■ NAPIER. Foreman Mai-tin O'Neill, of the Hastings Post Office electrical staff, who has been transferred to Wellington, was met by members of tho fire brigade and presented with a shaving outfit as a mark of esteem. -Mr. O'Neill has for many years been an active member of the brigade. At its meeting on Monday tho Napier Hospital Board decided to raise the Hospital fees from 4s. to 6s. per day. A Hawke's Bay committee of the New Zealand Institute of Surveys has been formed, consisting of Messrs. A. A. Kennedy, A. G. Saxby, R. T. Sadd, E. H. Farvey, H. E. Walsh, and W. M. Atkinson. CARTERTON. Four rinks of Carterton bowlers went to Masterton on Saturday afternoon, when tho first game of the season for tho Wairarapa Centre .Shield was, played. The game was started, in fine weather, but in an hour rain came down heavily, and soon stopped play. Ten or eleven heads had gone, and Carterton wero six up in the aggregato when play ceased. The gamo will be finished next time the clubs meet in another shield contest.'

Mr. James M'Kondrick, the Scottish evangelist, is at present conducting a mission in tho Presbyterian Church here.

'Tho 'fortnightly meeting of the Druids' Lodgo was held on Monday eveuing, Bro. J. H. Barlow, A.D., presiding. Tho Grand Secretary wrote notifying that Bro. .J. Moncrieff had been appointed Book Examiner by tho Grand Lodge Executive. A donation of 10 per cont. was made in response to an appeal from tho StSr of Ashburton Lodge on behalf of a widow and family of a deceased brother. One brother was declared off the sick fund. Tho A'rch Bard's report on sick members was received, and tho amount of £8 16s. passed as sick pay. Consideration of writing to Eketahuna and Masterton Lodges ro half-yearly installation meetings was hold over until next meeting. Tho half-yearly meeting of Totara Lodge will take place on Monday, November 24, when tho nomination of officers for the ensuing six monthsl will ho received.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, tho recentlyappointed master and matron of Cartor's Aged Men's Home, entered upon their duties on Tuesday.

Following is the Carterton Druids' cricket team to play the Hockoy Club at Masterton on Thursday next:—C. Rcid, H. Hutchinson, E. M'Kenzie, W. Attwood, H. Hart, N. Armstrong, P. Hodder, Bell, J. Gayfor, Lillwood, and P. Rcid. OTAKI. The To Horo-Mangaone Valley Road is now out of tho hands of tho contractors, and has already proved of benefit to' settlers. The fencing is nearing completion. During the past month the roads in the Otaki district havo suffered greatly by rain, the recent floods causing washouts in ono or two placos. Tho Manakau 13oach Road and tho Waitohu thoroughfares suffered badly. The Rev. Mr. Petrio and Mrs. Petrie, of Johnsonville, aro spending a holiday in this district, and aro the guests of the Rev. G. F. petrie. This district is represented at tho Methodist Synod,,now sitting in Wellington, by the Revs. Messrs. Cottom and Harris, and Messrs. P. W. Goldsmith and Frank Fenn.