DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1922, 3 December 1913, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES; NAPIER.

Unusual apathy was displayed by tli-j ratepayors of Napier yesterday in connection with the poll on the proposal of tho Council to borrow £IG,UOO, ol which ili'M) was required for completion of the electric lighting arid tramways undertakings, £7700 for additions to tin; tramways, including two extra cars, and .CIIOU for construction of public conveniences. There wore livo polling places, and though the polling commenced at i) o'clock in tho morning, only a very few votes were recorded before 10 o'clock, one booth having received only three callers at that hour. The poll was carried by l-!t> votes, but only "21 votes were recorded suit of a total of 2302 on tho roll. The voting was: For 182, against IW, iniorma' 3. Tho rainfall at Napier for November was 3.91 inches. The total rainfall for tho eleven months January to November was 22.45 inches, which is 10J inches below tho average.

Mr. C. E. Heid, of the Napier Money Order Ofiice staff, has received notico of his transfer to Wellington. '

Mi'. Sidney Kirkcaldio is at present on a visit- io Napier. Among the passengers for Wellington by the mail train ou Monday were tho lion. J. D Orraond find Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P. Whilst motor-cycling near Gmalut, Graham M'Cormick, aged 12, iost control of his maohino, and was thrown heavily and rendered unconscious. When brought into Hastings ho was found to bo suffering from a had wound in his head, necessitating several stitches. No bones were broken, however, and ho is reported to be progressing satisfactorily. His Grace Archbishop O'Shca, who has been cit his first archicpiscopa! visit to this district, returns to ■Wellington to-<lay. Councillor B. C. M'Cormick, of Hastings;, who has ba?n dangerously ill during tho past week, is reported to be greatly improved.

PALMERSTON NORTH. Notwithstanding the erection of tho new West End School, which was expected to absorb many scholars Irani the Campbell Street School, tho lattor'a roll number is now 088. Mr. Merritt O: Johnston finished his mission at the Church of Christ on Sunday, and was given a farewell social on Monday. During tho evening Mr. Johnston received a present of a handbag, and Mr. Rostock, who has rendered good servico to tho church, received a wallet. Mr. Johnston returned to Wellington yesterday. Mr. Fisher, engineer to the Palmerston River Board, made, an interesting report yesterday on tho inspection ' of tho remoter portions of thc_Maua\ratu River, bearing on the 'question of tho need for extending tho board district. ' Ho. found that from the Traffic Bridge ut Ashhurst to the board's boundary, six points required attention over :i total distance of 168 chains. At ono of these points the river threatened the properties of Messrs. Krarup and Staco, jeopardised tho proposed works of tho board, and endangered l'almerston town. Judging by its recent rapid encroachment, ho believed a formidable invasion might take place there any time. Ho strongly advised tho board to regard this a's a vital part of tho general scheme, and to erect defence works there. • ■. Fifteen groynes were required •there, ■■ab""a teosfr of £3000: ' Another serious encroachment affecting tho properties of Messrs. M'Konzic and Grant j did not threaten tho board's works bevoiul causing congestion of tho channel, ■ which woiiltl thus retard progress of improvements. Ho was certain that regit- : latiou of tho river channel to the Mnuawatu Gorge was expedient, to establish complete control of the river. To expedite tho proposed channel improvements in tho board's present district, and provide permanent protection generally to lauds and ■other interests that were now subject and liable to damage, lie strongly advised the board to ostend its district, to tho Gorge, and suggested that tho matter bo placed before tho land-owners affected. Whatever might bo tho result of the proposed extension, it was very evident that tho river encroachment already referred to must bo checked. The board decided to ask tho settlers to meet them, and discuss tho matter. The first fourteen groynes of the board's protection works are. estimated to cost £'1200. An action was successfully brought against a taxi-cab owner yesterday, 'claiming £41 16s. damage done.to a horse and trap in a collision in Gnurch Street, Plaintiff was J. M'Keo. a farmer, of Awalmri, and defendant Edward Foster. Each side alleged negligence, and defendant counter-claimed .lor £9 12s. for injuries to his ear. Evidence was given that defendant's car was on the "wrong side of tho road. Plaintiff and witnesses alleged that tl'o | trap was lighted, but defendant alj leged otherwise. Mr. Cooper, for the ! defendant, contended that tho driver had a right to travel on any smo of the mad when not passing another vehicle, Mr. Povnton, S.M., said that defendant ignored the rules of tho road, and he must find against him, but ho would

give a written judgment. Messrs. Joseph Nathan and C'o.'s staff on. Monday presented a silver soup tureen and muffin'dish to Mr. llcginnkl Davis, who is leaving the firm after eleven years, to enter into business on his own' account. Tho presentation was made by Mr. Dnnford, manager of tho Maltino branch, and Mr. V. J. Nathan also spoke appreciatively of Mr. Davis's work.

Mr. Mnurico Cohen has visited WanjfiUiui, where his brother Louis, who was seriously ill] is reported to bo belter.

A meeting of Ksiranga settlors, to arrange for telephone connection with J'alinerstoii, 'resulted in twelve subscribers being forthcoming. Negotiations are proceeding with the, Department, "Ah-, Balsillio Slaving tho matter in hand.

WANCANUI. There is a prospect of the Upokongaro ferry over tile river, which was recently closed hy the Wnnganui County Comicil. being reopened iiefo.ro very long. In view of the inconvenience and hiss which the closing is entailing on entllcrs, I In; Wailotara'Comity Council 'lias offered to reopen the ferry ami take, elniiro of its management, sliaiinu; tho loss, it any, with the Wanganui County Conucil". 'Hitherto the falter body has had to shoulder I lie whole loss itself. During the iiast few days Air. Morns, the LvUeiton Harbour Heard's dredge engineer, has been in consultation with tho AYauganui ilarhmir engineer on ilie tenders received from Home and Kurupeau linns for the supply <>l a lll ' w »"■ ngnnui Harbour dredge. The engineers have submitted a report to tlio board, which will disclose the same at the next meeting on Friday. Mr H. 10. Uvmoelc, who uas been for °f) vears clerk to (he Wailotaro County Council, and who has. been on leave ot absence, .lurine: the Inst- twelve months, lias liuallv relired from I hat- position, and the- council, at a mooting on Monihv passed a resolution depressing its hi.di •.p'ii-eeialion of tin: retiring officer's valuable past services. Mr. A. S. I)y----mock who has been a member oi tile council's office stall' for some years, succeeds his father as county clerk. ' lieginald I'itbe.-, aged 18, Mm of a well-known townsman, who was severely injured on Monday. through his. motor c'vcle colliding with a- dray, Miccimined tg'his injuries yesterday afternoon. De-

Ceased was very prominent as an athlete, ami his untimely death is widely regretted. vVater was turned into tho row AYestmere storage reservoir late on Monday afternoon. A decision of some importance- was ;.;iven by Mr. Vi'. Kerr, S.M., yesterday morning in tho case in which » publican sued for £2 for money lent and £2 13s. ("d. for board and liquor supplied. l)e----i'endaut had siven a'n 1 O U for tin; total of £-1 13s. (id., but pleading that the amount owing for liquor was not recoverable at law, ho paul only £2 into court. Tho magistrate hold that as defendant had given an 1 0 If for the total amount that constituted a fresh promise to jmy, and it was too late to raise the, point on which ho relied. Judgment went for the full amount and costs. MASTERTON. Tho rainfall registered in this district for the month. of November was 3.27 inches. The total for tho past eleven months is 35.13 inches, which is 0| inches loss than the average for the last ten years. There was a largo attendance at tho adjourned annual meeting of the- Mastcrtoii Ladies' Swimming Club on Monday. Tile following officers were elected: —President, Sirs, lllaclcman; vicepresidents, Me.sdames {Sunny, N. Bcctham, J. Caselberßi Graham, and N. Campbell; committee, Me.sdames C. Perry, J. Casolberg, Wardell, Liddie, Vile, 'James, Graham, Logan, Bmmy, Kendall, Cording, Collier, and Pethoriek, Misses Bennett and E. 'Perry; secretary, Miss D. Graham. It was decided to hold tho annual carnival during tho latter end of IfcAnmry. Messrs, Cooper and Atkins wcro elected delegates to the Now Zealand Swimming Association.

A Masterton settler who recently made the ascent of Mount Holdsworih reports having scon in tho bush what hs believes to have been a huia,

Schedules arc now being issued for the next show of the Mastorton A. and P. Association. qTAKI, Nearly COO entries have been received for this (lower show to be held here to-day, and despite unfavourable weather'the display" is likely to he a good one. Much interest is being evinced hero over Use first appearance in New Zenland of the American athletes, who appear at Waikauae 0:1 Saturday. The visitor? are to be given a hearty reception. Tempestuous conditions again provailed on Monday evening, and heavy rain fell, while the weather became much colder, and it now seems certain that much of the fruit will receive a set-back, while the continuous winds cannot have anything else hut a detrimental effect on fruit trees. A large number of residents intend to visit tho Auckland Exhibition during the next month nr so. Dahlias and chr.vsanthcimims are already flowering in some local gardens, while- raspberries, currants, plums, etc., have been ripe- some time.

ADD GREYTOWN DISTRICT NEWS Mr. C. W, Henry, who has lately taken over tho Strand News Agency, was accorded a very hearty farewell social in Greytown last week by tho local residents. 'Mr. Henry was secretary to the local Foresters' Court, lion, treasurer to the South Wairarapa Trotting Club, and ex-president- of the 'Working Men's Club, besides holding numerous other honorary offices. His departure was greatly ■ deplored by the residents, and they hoped that ho would bo. successful in his new sphere.