DISTRICT NEWS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1905, 13 November 1913, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

j6ttings from provincial CENTRES.

(From Our Spocio.l Corxesponflenti.) PALMERSTON. Four correct guesses were handed in regarding the weight of the fat bullocks at the Palmerston Show, which was ]795J1b., and the prize money (£2O) was divided equally Mrs. C. Johnstone (Aoluitere), Messrs. J. Wylio (Bucklaud), A. G. Beuncr (Pongakawa), and W. H. Tripe (Gear Company). Seven others who guessed to within half a pound, divide £7 10s. These arc: Messrs. H. A. Beek (Utiku), D. Dalby (Waipukurau), Mrs. C. M. Amies (Palmers ton), J. C. Ryman (Kairaiiga), Sophio Watson (Hokowhitu), Mary Warburton (Palmerston), and Claudo Galpin (Marton). Public ideas of the bullock's weight ranged from 1621b. to 19,0001b. A framed -diploma issued by the British Sunday School Union to teachers with over 20, -years' service was presented to Mr. J. J. Whitehead, superintendent of - the Congregational Sunday School at the annivorsary proceedings on Tuesday evening. Mr. Whitehead has been a Sunday School teacher in England and New Zealand for thirtyfour and a half years. The Rev. Mr. Herd, who is- visiting Palmerston, made the presentation. Tho incident has has caused a refreshing of memories among town teachers, with tho result that. it has been found that the following are entitled to the dipolma:— Messrs. G. U. Bennett (St. Paul's Methodist), and R. Hodder (Cuba Street Methodist), A. E. Whitehead (Baptist), and J. Wallace (Presbyterian). At the Starr Bowket draw on Tuesday night Mr. J. C. I'\ Jolinaseu and Mrs. Elizabeth Bell secured £100 each free of interest.

St. Patrick's Church bazaar, which has been running for over a week to raise funds for the'-new St. Patrick's Church, terminated last night. Substantial profits are anticipated. Mr. F. W. Bunting, photographer, of this town, a keen shot and sport, and once owner of the steeplechaser Derry, died yesterday. He was greatly respected liere. Ho was a prominent member of the Bowling Club and a past president of the Working Men's Club. Last year he benefited from a trip to Sydneyj but a fortnight ago, ho entered a hospital. Dropsy set in, and he returned to his home oil Saturday. He was born at Waipawa 45 years ago.

WANCANUI. At tho annual meeting of the Wanganui Swimming Centre, Mr. F. K. Turnbull was elected president, Mr. - I). M'Farlano vice-president, Mr. H. 31. Payne vice-president of the New Zealand Council, Mr. C. Bryant delegate to the New Zealand Council, Mr. C. H. Newcombe secretary and treasurer, Mr. It. F. Johnston local consul. The report, which showed that a very successful season had been experienced, stated inter alia that tiio New Zealand championships had been held here last season, and had resulted in a profit of £52 to the local centre, but £11 lis. (,'d. was still outstanding in entrance fees, oiling to the four other centres having neglected to send tho samo along. i ' At the annual meeting of tho Alexandra Cavalry (now a squadron Second .Regiment Rifles) Old Members' Association, a credit balance of £38 was Toported. Mr. H.-N. Harrison was elected patron, Mr. Jamos Kiggio president, Captain C. L. Sommervillo vice-presi-dent, Captain E. B. Morgan secretary, and Mr. Thomas Allison treasurer. It •was decided to hold the annual reunion in February next. At tho special meeting of the Wanganni Hospital Board, Mr. W. G. Bassett was elected chairman, vice Mr. W. Ritchie resigned. A resolution was pass.ed in appreciation of iVlr. Ritchie's many years' valuable services.

TAIHAPE. An effort is being made to revive tho Tuihapo Chamber of Commerce, which body became defunct, about ago.

The two lads, Simson and Bales, who were brought before 'Mr. Haselden, S.M.j on Tuesday, were remanded to tho Wellington Supreme Court for sentence.

Most of the slips which occurred on tbo district roads have now been cleared, and traffic has been resumed.

Mrs. R. W. Smith and daughter have returned from • a visit to Australia.

At the annual meeting of tho Taihape Cricket Club, tho following office-bearers were elected.:—Patron, Mr. J. F. Studholme ; president, Mr. W. M'Lennan; vice-presidents, Messrs. P. E. Wakeman, E. G. Wilson, and W. J. H. M'Cormick; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Eteveneaux; General Committee, Messrs. Stringer, Upchurch, J. iSomerville, Sollery, and Joll; club captain, Mr. H. Dashwood; auditor, Mr. W. I'. Garner.

CREYTOWN. At the last meetiirg of tho GreyCawn Fire Brigade, Captain Gates was voted to tho chair. Brauchman Morris, Firemen Gilliland, Beard, Jackson, and A. Morris wore appointed to attend at the hall during the month. The captain called a wet practico for Tuesday fortnight. A man named Bamford died at tho Greytown Hospital on Monday. A boy named Yelvcrtqn, from Martinborough,' was admitted to the Hospital yesterday. Tar boiling over him resulted in his face being scalded.

y MASTERTON. The Masterton County Council has been advised by the Attorney-General through Mr. 6. R. Sykes, M.P., that there is already provision in the Counties Act for the striking of a special rate over a portion of a riding for tli9 institution of a fund for firo prevention. •Councilor Cross gave notice at the last meeting of the Masterton Comity Council that he would move: "That there be an assistant engineer appointed for the Masterton County, and that the motor-car bo put out of commission."

An officer of the Agricultural Department visited the Gladstone district on Tuesday, and destroyed several -head of cattle that wero suffering from tuberculosis. One was a .purebred beast valued at £30. , Tho Wairarapa Caledonian Society has arranged a very attractive programme for its New Year's Day sports mcetiug. Tho prize money amounts to, £300.

OTAKI. fho Maoris, especially in the olden davs, ivero possessed of considerable skill in forecasting the weather of the various seasons. The old Maoris were kceh students of Nature, and by careful observations their prophecies wore frequently found to bo wonderfully accurate. It is noticeable that the cabbage trees of this district arc exceptionally blooming this season—more so than wo have noticed for years past. This, tbo local Maoris state, is a suro sign that the present summer is to be an exceptionally' warm one. Past experiences have shown that there is a good deal in these observances by tho Maoris, and it is highly probable that the prophecy of a hot, dry summer will be fulfilled. The brethren of the Masonic Lodge assembled in full force on Wednesday evening, when Bro. W. M. Simcox was installed as Worshipful Master. Among the visitors .woro several from Palmerstou and Levin, including Bro. 'J. A. Nash, who performed the installation ceremony.A special meeting of the Town Board is to be, held in the course of a few days for the purpose of considerinc a reiort from Mr. A. J. Paterson

relativo to high-pressure and drainage for the town. An analysis of tie creek water adjacent to the town lias been received by Mr. Ayre, clerk to the board. . L ,,, , . Catches of whitebait are- still being recorded lieio, but only m limited numbers, the changeable weather being responsible for small, hauls._ fishers aro also meeting with littte BUCCC33.