DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2137, 1 May 1914, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Spodal Comspondtsts) NAPIEft. The public debt of the borough of Kapier has increased rapidly during the past few years, partly owing to the numerous loan works whieli have been undertaken, some of which are reproductive. Tho municipal baths have- net yet paid their wax, awd the theatre is hardly likely to show , a profit for a year or two at Jeast. It is estimated, howover, that the uiip.rafita.blfl undertakings will bo counteracted by the moro successful ventures, such as the trainways an delectric lighting and power supply. Napier's public debt is at present £362,430 17s. 9d. as compared with £125,803 25.. for the year ending March 31, 1908, an uweaso of £236,033 15s. Dd. in seven years. The figures for the years are as follow:—190&, £129.288 14s. 6d.; 1910, £132.088 14s. 6d.; 1911, £154,403 25.; 1912, £210,403 25.; 1913, £299,986 17s. 9d.'; 1914, £302,430 17s. Dd. . ... Only one bankruptcy was recorded in Napier during April. . Vital statistics for April are- as follow:—Births, 43; deaths, 16; marriages, 31.

PAtMERSTON. Tho anniversary gathering of the Baptist Church on Wednesday evening was marked fey « encouraging report from the pastor, tlio Bev." Fordc Car- ■ lisle, as to tho outlook, and an interesting address by the "Key. Sl'Doiiakl Asplaud on Church'work. Musical items and refreshments ufeo had a place in the proceedings. The seventh annual meeting of AH Saints' Children's Homo was htrld on Wednesday evening, the Hot. Mr. Kosher presiding. Tlio report of tho Board of Control stated that the iiiniates numbeicd 25, of whom six came from Palmerston, seven from Wellington, two fiom Htivvcra, four from Eltiiam, two from imanuon, one from Huntervillo,'and three ftwn Patea. The earlier inmates wero wnv growing «p ■ able to start in tho world, and four wero already on forms. Jjesklos this, all wero learning to help in the work of tho home. Many were learning basket work, and other industries. Tho finances were capable tff improvement. Although the MKJartliy Trust's bequest, of £100 bad reduced, the mortgage erf £800 by that amount, yet the management were often severely exercised about, ways and means, J'rwit and vegetables had reached them from. 19 harvest festivals, and Mastcrtoh had sent live largo, boxes of toys and clothing, besi'dcs other gifts from outside. Judgment has. Icon given by Mr. Justice Stringer in tho .'compensation claim of Hugh' Ki.nloy, a,, trimmer engaged in convoying flax at Fpxtou, 'against Abraham King. Tlw Judge held that ihe torlris of tho employment constituted plaintiff a eon ferae tor, and ho therefore cowkl Hot recover as an employee for injuries sustained while driving to work in. a buggy, even it tho circumstances justified , ' tlio Court in holding that the iftjm'ies occurred in the course of employment. Judgment was therefore far defendant. On .Wednesday, the Caledonian Society presented a caso -of pipes aui} a. golcjmou'ntcd tobacco pouch to Mr. Hugh. M'Kay, who is leaving for Timaru.

PAHIAtUA. During tho course of Ws reiiuwi'S at tho complimentary social tendered hi'iii this week, Mr. A.. M'iarisne, who is leaving on a trip to England, stated that while at Home he would make inquiries into the marketing of New Zealand produce. The l'ahiatua Friendly Societies' winter card tournament commenced on Wednesday evening. ■ Sir. J. T. Harriott-, of Ballaiice, was at tho meeting of the Ballaiice. branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union, appointed delegate te the Knioit's. annual conference'. At tho annual meeting of tho Pottßa* roa Horticultural and Industrial Society, Mr. A. Mcech was elected president, 3\lesdames W. A. 'Burling, s A. Dickius, A. H. Herbert, and Messrs. H. B, Smith, AV. (i. 0. Tylee, and the Rev. C. E. Tobiti vice-presidents. Mr. P. R. Kent' was appointed secretary. Regret was expressed that Mr.. A. Diekins, Who had beeft president of the institution sincn its inception, would not consent to re-elocttou.

djTAK!, The price of meat has-been increased in Otalii, and a levy of Id. per pound made oil all not paid cash. for. Tho prico of bread ' continues.' high, Uut at an early .date is expected to fatt. Milk is also higher now than ever it has been. '. Mr. Uiley, General' Manager of Railways, has refused to comply with, ;a rpv quest from the OtaM Town Boai'd for an early morning train to "Wellington. Ho contends that tho traffic does not warrant it. The funeral of tlte late Miss Mlirio! Sevan took place- on Wednesday at Manakau, when , the cortege was a lengthy one. The Her. Father Ncln'perfornied the .ceremony at the graveside. Mr. and Mrs. Bova.Ji.wwe the recipients of scores of sympathetic messages and floral tributes. The school children were Riven a half-holiday and. uli-der , the guidance of their teachers, proceeds ed to the cemetery. Tho patt-benrers wereeyoimg men who only, the Wednesday previous had played tennis with tho deceased.