DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2215, 30 July 1914, Page 11

DISTRICT NEWS.

. « JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL ■ CENTRES. (Frcxa Oar Epuoi&l Gorrtimoaidanti) WANCAWUI. . . , ' The Rapanui Co-operative Dairy Company, w'hicly has just finished its second year, reports that last season was a successful one, the net profit being £394. This company is situated on a Bide_ track, about ten miles from Wanganui, and last year the milk of the fourteen suppliers yielded 1'25 tons of cheese. At the annual meeting a bonus was deolared to suppliers, of ]. l-6d. per lb. of butter-fat, making a total payment for the season of 13 5-12 d.

A lengthy debate took place at the Borough Council meeting last night on tho_ management of the gasworks, a dissatisfied councillor moving that an export bo called in to report on the works and their operation. The gas engineer was vigorously defended by the Mayor and the chairman of the Gas Committee, and finally the motion was-em-phatically negatived, only three : voting for it. The Borough Council has passed the necessary resolution for obtaining the Ordor-in-Council to construct the electric lift-way, and take over in twentyone years, at a-value to bo assessed by arbitration, no goodwill to bo paid. A case of, some interest to .-hotel workers was' heard hero yesterday when the Wellington Hotel Workers' Union «ued Miss Denison for the non-payment of fees. The plaintiff union's case was that the defendant had a clearance from the Auckland union, and ■ when she began working at-Chavannes's Hotel, in Wanganui, alie automatically he-; came a member of- the local branch of the Wellington Union. For the defence it was stated that though tho defendant was a hotel servant in Auckland she was not so here, the wife of tho proprietor of Ghavannes's Hotel being her sister. . She regarded the letter's place as her home, and her position had entirely changed, as what work she did was practicaly confined to the office. ' Mr. Kerr, S.M., non-suited the union.

MASTERTON.

" The night trains between Carterton (ind Masterton are not infrequently patronised by young men who are returning from the- "wet" area in an excited condition?'. - On Saturday .night' last a constable who was returning from Wellington was subjected to abuse by a stalwart man, whoso language became very strong. The constable ed to arrest the man, but was obstructed- by two or' three other men. Eventually he succeeded in conveying the offender to the Maßterton lock-up. Yesterday morning three men appeared before the Court. One was .fined £3 and ss. costs for using obscene language in a railway carriage, and two others were fined £2 aud costs for obstructing tho constable when in the execution of his duty. Mr. W. S. Short, of the Public Works Department, who has been appointed Commissioner to assess the cost of maintenance of 'the .Masterton-Castlepoint road, has not yot been able to fix a dato for tho sitting-of tho. Commission. • Shags are still numerous along the rivers and creeks in the Masterton distriot, and they have proved most destructive to'-trout. '

Although a few lambs !iavo.made..theii aiipparance in- the .-'Masterton district, lambing will not be general until towards the, end of next, mohth'. .

. PAHIATUA.. >

•Mr. E. Bancke,, president,.of the Pro ; . gressive Association, has announced his inteution of resigning his position in; a fortnight's' time'owing .to Ibelng, unable to .spare 4ho -time and labour,.' owing to private business., "At a lneeting-of the committee, it was unanimously ..decided to ask Mr. Baucke to reconsider his decision, and many tributes: were pai-i to tho energy and intelligence displayed by that-gentleman.-, during, his, term, of: office. . •vTlio Palmerston North Salvation Army Brass Band will contribute a programme of music at the Pahiatua .Hos-: pital on Sunday afternoon. , An. unoccupied, five-roomed house in Main Street, next to the Post Office Hotel, mysteriously oaugbt-fire last Saturday evening. The outbreak was quickly extinguished by the local fire brigade. -The building, which is owned by'; Mr. W. J. Foster, of Ballance, was insured for £125. .

TAIHAPE.

A small locomotive for use on tho tram lino at tlip State sawmill at Kakaki mado the trip from Wellington under lior own steam.. When approaching the Winiata. tunnel, the engine ran into a bullook, which had strayed on to the railway.. The animal was killed outright, 'and the cow-catches of the enginG was badly ..twisted. The compilation of the Waimarino electoral roll is being proceeded with, and so far 134 names have been addedto the roll and 61 deleted. : At the inquest concerning the death of Duncan M'Bride, who died from in'iuries received by falling over a cliff at Ruatiti, the evidence showed that a man named Wesley was "jumping" a holo for blasting, and deceased ciimo up to assist him. A sli" down unexpectedly, and swept M'Bride over tlio edge of. the'cliff-into the river below. A mat© named M'Grath went into the river and- brought M'Bride ashore. • He appeared to be very badly injured, bilt was conscious most of the time. Deceased arrived at Ruatiti from Wellington only a few days prior to the accident. A verdict of accidental death was recorded. v ,

■Mr. P. J. Murphy has disposed of his Wainui property to Mr. C. Bishop,' and has purchased Mr. Thurgood's Ma-t-aim property; '.■ r ;Messrs. E. Pettitj superintendent of tho Hawera Fire Brigade, and E. Jones of the Hawera electrical staff, visited on Friday for the purpose of inspecting 1 the fire alarm system, with 'the object of making a similar installation at Hawera.

•Mr. W. Deiahunty, of the < Taihapo railway staff, ha 3 been transferred to Cr<jss Croak. j\tr. J. Webb, who; is well-known throughout this district in his capacity as buyer for tho Wellington Meat Export Company,-lias accepted a position with tho firm of Simms, Cooper, Ltd.. and loft for Australia 011 Friday to effect some purchases, for that firm.

, ' . FEATHERSTON.

Mr. James Adamsou, who is retiring from tho position of manager of the Feathoi'ston Co-operative Dairy Co., and also Mrs. Adamson. wore the guests at a complimentary 'social tendered by the suppliers of the, company, in tho Town Hall, 011 Monda!y night. There were about 300 present, principally settlers of tho district and their families. The evening was occupied witli dancing,' music being supplied by Airs. A. E. Wickens, with extras contributed by Misses C. Tait-, Viles, and Mrs. F. Burt, jun. The reunion was a most enjoyable one. During the evening, Mr.. William Fuge, chairman of directors, took the opportunity of presenting to Mr. Adamson an illuminated address, ' signed by tho directors, testifying to Mr. Adnnisou's excellent services iu the company's interests. Mr. Adamson also "received from tho directors and suppliers an inscribed liqueur stand, and Mrs. Adamson a flower stand and two silver dishes. Songs .were contributed by Messrs. Harry Graham, W. Tiuney, and recitations by Mr. D. Hebenton.