DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2132, 25 April 1914, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents) NAPIER. * The Rev. B. Brocklehurst, of Hastings, is leaving on a two months' tour of Australia. Mr. A. J. Ncwbould and Miss Noivbould, of Papakura, leave to-day on a month's motor trip of the North Island. The Hastings Croquet Olub's championship was won by Mr. L. F. Pegler. Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, of Hastings, will represent the Napier and Hastings Chambers of Commerce at the conference to be held in Wellington next week in connection with the proposal for bridging and improving the NapierTaihape Road.

PALMERSTON NORTH. Tho promoters of tho movement to secure the abolition of tlio Palraerston River Board report that over 1000 signatures have been received to the petition. This will bo presented to tho Hon. H. D. Bell, Minister for Internal Affairs, nest week. The' Wellington provincial executive of tho Farmers' Union held a meeting here on Thursday. Tho secretary reported a gratifying increase- in levies from branches, the Wairarapa district alqno having enrolled 600 new members this year. Tho Manawatu Hockey Association at a meeting on Thursday dealt with numerous matters in preparation for tho' season. The Palmerston Club has received a challenge from Shannon. The Manawatu Building and Investment Society, which holds its annual meeting on Monday, proposes out of the year's profits to pay additional interest or a bonus to shareholders, making tho total of 9 par cent, for the year. The retiring ■ d'reotors. are Messrs. J. A. Nash and G. C. Keeblc. The Territorials injured iu tho motorcar accident on Thursday were Corporal K; Davidson, Lance-Corporal W. W. Spratt, Rifleman C. Gordon, and W. Dixon, all of tlio 11th .Regiment, Taumarunui. They proceeded to Takapau camp yesterday. The accidont is said to have Iteen due to the car going over a bank in attempting to avoid a collision with a trap.

NEW PLYMOUTH. The syndicate which has recently procured an option over the luglewood Oil .Boring and Prospecting Company's land, has commenced testing operations at Purangi, a few miles from Inglewood. Tho tests made are stated to have been highly satisfactory, and samples obtained as tho result of boring operations were taken to the refinery at New Plymouth. On-being analysed they were found to contain quantities of oil. _ ■ Building operations in connection with tlio new Taranaki District Hospital at Now. Plymouth are being pushed rapidly ahead. At present about 50 men are engaged on tho works. The foundations have been laid, and all preliminary work completed.

TAIHAPE. Whilst engaged in a wrestling match with a companion on Wednesday, a man named A. Cochrano-was thrown heavily and broke his right arm above tho elbow. The suggestion made by tho Minister of Defence that local bodies should find employment for conscientious* objectors to militatyr training was rejected by the Tailiapo Borough Council. A party of three deerstalkers who spent Easter week on tho Rualiino range experienced bad weather, throughout. Tho party secured only two tenpointers. Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith was returned unopposed as Mayor of Taihape. At the invitation of tho Taihape branch of tho New Zealand Reform. League tho Hon. James Allen will deliver a- political address at Taihape on May 11. The special _committeo appointed by, the Rangitikei A. and P. Association to inquire into the shortage of sheep trucks mot on Wednesday when a letter was drafted with tlio object of explaining the position to the Minister of Railways, and urging t"hat better facilities be provided. At a meeting of the-Taihape Defence Rifio Club, arrangements for tho final competitions of the 6eason were made. Trophies were donated by Messrs. J. G. Turnbull, W. Mathie, H. Marsh, T. E. Knowles, J. A. Anderson, and F. N. Whitcomtye. At the annual meet in a of the Taihape Association Football Club, Mr. P. E. Wakeman was elected president and and Mr. E.- Durrard secretary and treasurer.

CREYTOWN. Tho Greytown Wanderers' Hockey Club held a meeting in the Foresters' Hall on Thursday evening last. Mr. P. Arthur_ was iu. vhe chair. Mr. W. Muir's resignation as secretary was received with regret. Sir Walter Buchanan was elected patron, Mr. D. P. Loasby president, Mr. P. Arthur secretary, and Mr. S King assistanksecrotary; J. Nyhane, captain; W. Hall, vice-cap-tain; and W. Hully, auditor. It was resolved that a set of jersoys be procured and that the rolour bo white, if approved by the association.

PAHIATUA. The Pahiatua Progressive Association is proving a live institution, matters in connection with tbo erection of a post office on a more central site, and tho matter of procuring a scenic reservo for Pahiatua are being vigorously followed up. Officials for the ensuing year were elected at the annual meeting of the Mangatainoka Football Club as follow: —Patron, Mr. G. W. Chatwin; president. Mr; R. A. Williams; secretary, F. Pingelly; treasurer, Mr. W. M'Pherson; delegates to Bush Rugby uuion. Messrs. T. I. Ra'yiier and F. Durigan. Mr. B. Harvey was clected club captain. Owing to a large number of players in the Bush Rugby Union district having to attend the Territorial camp at Takapau at the "beginning of nest mouth it is not' expected that the championship football fixturos will bo commenced until the middle of May. The weekly shooting competition of the Kaitawa Ladies' Miniature Rifle Club held this week resulted in Miss F. Korridge being top scorer with 34 out of a possible 35. Miss Kerridge won Mr. W. Morrison's trophy. Tho noxt best- score was 32, made by Mrs. D. Ross. Tho Pahiatua -School Committee, at its monthly meeting this week, decided to ask the Education Board for a grant of £10 towards improvements recently effected to the school grounds. Tho Pahiatua Borough Council, at its last meeting, made a grant of £5 towards, the work. Tho Pahiatua Progressive Association is considering a scheme to bring, tho Pahiatua Borough under tho Fire Board scheme. A number of local athletes were successful at tho sports held at Kumeroa this weolt. Mr. E. Harvey, of Mangntainoka, also won tho maiden leaping in the horso events. Mr. J. Barron, 'an old icsidenfc of Mangamaire, left this week on a trip to tho Old Country. A fairly heavy frost was experienced in this district yesterday morning. At "'the annual meeting of the Hulcaliui Ladies' Hockey Club this week, Mrs. Sykos was elected patron, Mrs. Mowbray president, Miss Martin captain. and Miss Griffin secretary. The annual meeting of tho Pahiatua Ladies' Hockey Club will be held this evening. The Rov. W. A. Rcay, of Auckland,

delivered an addfess on Bibk-in.-sehools at Pahiatua this week. I'le also spoke oil the samo subject at Jlaugatainoka. A meeting of ratepayers of tho Akitio comity will bo held ou May 0, when tho question of remodelling the count? will bo discussed. The matter was discussed at the meeting of tho Pongaroa Chamber of Commerce held last Wednesday. An effort is being made- to establish a cottagc hospital in Pongaroa. 'J'iie Pongaroa Chamber-of Commerce is moving in tho matter. Mr. A. M'Farkmc, chairman of 4h« Ballance Dairy Company, and who is connected with ramus institutions in this district, will bo tendered a complimentary social on Tuesday evening, prior to his departure on a trip to the Old Country.

CARTERTON, A number of local Territorials left Carterton ou Thursday for the Taknpau camp. Mr. M. Robsrtsoii, of Tiiratahi, is at present laid up with an attack of pneumonia. The Wairarapa and East Coast. P. and A. Society have received the Challenge Cup presented by Messrs. Will. Cooper and Neplieus, manufacturers of Cooper's Sheep Dip. It is a silver cup mounted on an obotty stand. It is engraved, and tho first of tbd iix small shiolds attached bears the engraving; "Won-by A. E. Anderson, 1913, gaining 19 points for L-incolns." Tho conditions under which, tha cup is to he competed for aro as follow: —"Winner of most points in either Lincoln or Romnoy 'March classes, points to count: First, 3 points; second, 2 points; third, 1 point. The cup is to be a challenge cup for tho first three years—l9l3, 1914, 1915; wins in those years not. to count. After 1915 tlio cup is to bo competed for in above classes, and is- to b« won three times (not necessarily in succession) before becoming Use property of any exhibitor. Ties a.ro not to be counted, but exhibitors tioing will have their names engraved on tho cup for that year."