DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2245, 3 September 1914, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Out Special CorresDondentß.) WANCANUI. Wanganui, Septomber 2. The Customs dues collected at tlio port of Wanganui for August totalled £7910 10s. Gel., being £I<JlB 10s. 7d. more than the figures for the satno month last year. Vital statistics for Waugitnui for August were:—Births 46 (previous August 50), marriages 11-(10), deaths 21 (19). Ovor two hundred .teachers from the Central Ward of the Wanganui Education District are undergoing a course of physical culture instruction under the Education Department's instructors. About one hundred men teachers are under caucus on the racecourse, the _ routine of the camp being' of a semi-military nature. The lady teachers are billeted in town. PAHIATUA, Many Pahiatua residents attended the funeral of Hie late Mrs. Watcliman (.Mere Ngawhiro), wife of an influential Hamua Native, and daughter of the late chief Nireaha Tamaki. The Mayor of Pahiatua, Mr. J. D. C. Crewe, expressed to Mr. Watchman tho sincere sympathy of the Pahiatua people in his sad bereavement. Mr. F. Punch, who has been in business in 'Pahiatua for the ' past two years, and who is leavFrig on Saturday for Hamilton, was the recipient of a silver-mounted sugar basin from tho members' of the local llcchablta 1/odgo at the meeting this week. Mr. Punch was one of the principals in re-organising tho Pahiatua Lodge twelve months back. The Pahiatua Progressive Association lias been advised that the distance between Pahiatua and Palmerston North by the proposed new telephone trunk route is about IS' miles. The present route is 27 miles Should tno new route be completed; telephone subscribers will be able to ring up Palmerston North for 3d., tho distance being under 25 miles. \ . MASTERTON. Major Norton, I?.T?.o.,\'managing director of the Bristol and Dominions Producers' Association, gave an address on Wednesday afternoon under the aii'Spices of the Farmors' Union. , He reierrod at length to tTio ohjentS of ffie association and the advantages, to bo dorivod from co-operation, ial distribution. The first annual meeting of tho Masierton Poultry, Pigeon, and Cage-bird Association was held on Tuesday evening. Tho balance-sheet showed receipts for the yeaj amounting to £127-155., and expenditure £123 9s. 4d. It was decided that the association continue its affiliation with the Poultry, Pigeon, and Cage-bird Championship Association of Now Zealand. ■ Tho Kaituna cheese Tartary" lral opened for tho season on Monday. Tliero has been a keen demand for seeu potatoes in this district, and every available plot is being put down in potatoes and other vegetables. .! ■ Afall has taken placo in the retail prices of both butter and milk during tho last few days. A team from tho Masterton Miniature TSTie Club proceeded to Carterton on Tuesday evening, and suffered defeat by a margin , of 41' points. OTAKI. A patriotic concert was held ■in Bright's Theatre on :Tuesday evening, when, despite unfavourable weather, there-was a large audience. The programme, arranged by (Mrs. R. D!Ath, was an excellent one, and included items by Miss Seagrief and Messrs. Gilchrist (violinist), E. J. Hill (tenor), Hamilton" Hodges (baritone)/-' all of Wellington, and Misses Quill, Te Au, Lynch,' .and Tahiwi family, of Otaki. Hakas and poi dances wore given to the delight of the audience, while the reciting of "Tho Absent-Minded Beggar" was responsible for £3 11s. It is estimated that the amount raised, with tickets sold, will amount to £25. ' The district was visited by a cold snap on Tuesday . evening, and the ranges are now well covered with snow. Only two and a "quarter inches of rain fell_ here last month, the heaviest fall, .83in., being on August 12.