DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2271, 3 October 1914, Page 11

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Oorrespondonts.)

PALMERSTON NORTH

Prospective country objectors to tho luver Board's new classification list of rateable properties field a meeting on inuraday. Mr. limes, solicitor, explained that after the- iorinor objectors we're, upheld by the Magistrate, "the Chief Justice, gave a contrary decision, holding that the Fitssherbert settlers would receive benefit through the protection of the bridge and road. Unless they could show that no* such benefit would accrue, he thought it would be, useless to : object. Ho thought the new classification more fair than the old one, but ho suggested the rating on expensive lands in Class C ought to be on the minimum scale, in order to prevent their rates being higher than the 'cheaper lands in Class A, which were receiving more direct benefit. Messrs. Barber, W. Carter, and 6. Green wore appointed to act with the committee set up by the town objectors. To relieve local distress a scheme has been approved by the Mayoress to enrol donors of two new garments annually ■to a body to bo called a Two Garment Society. Abraham and Williams have sold their premises' in Rangitikoi Street to a large implement jinn of Christeburch. The championship of the ladies' golf tournament, which concluded on Thursday, was won by Miss Sybil Abraham, ayoung local player, who defeated Miss Stephenson, the ex-champion of # New Zealand, and several times champion of her own town, New Plymouth, in the final, with 8 up and 2 to play. The annual meeting of the Linton Rifle Club, held on Thursday, was an enthusiastic gathering. f Speakers declared their determination to do their, part towards making rifle shooting New Zealand's national pastime. Since tihe recent revival raised the membership to 140, tho club is temporarily short of rifles. '• WANGANUI. . The sum of £243 was remitted yesterday to the Belgian Consul at Wellington as Wangaiuii's first instalment towards the Belgian Relief Fund. The Wanganui County Council yesterday resolved .to raise a loan of £3000,' being half of a joint loan with the Waimarir.o County Council for tho purpose of completing the metalling or the Parapara ltoad, the main highway to the interior. Some time ago it was proposed to apportion among the various local bodies interested the cost of the river bank protection work at Taylorville. When members of the Wanganm County Council heard to-day that.their council had !>eeu set down for twenty per ceut. of tho total cost of £11,260 they expressed great surprise, and some rather hard things were said about tho Wanganui Boroufih ' Council asking that outsido bodies should bo required to contribute towards a work within the borough, i'he County Council resolved to lodge I immediate notice of objection, and to i-ollcot all possible evidence to place bo- ! lore the commission which is to be sot I up to settle the matter.

PAKIATUA. The vital statistics for Pahiatua for tlio quarter ended September 30 wore: Births, 32; deaths, 11; marriages,' 12. The iigures for the corresponding quarter of last year were: Births, 30; deaths, t); and marriages, 7. The rainfall registered in Pnhiafrua during September was 2.5S inches, as compared with 1.3S inches in September of 1913. : ~ Dr. H. Dawson, of Pahiatuaj underwent a successful operation at Masterton this week. .It is expected that ho will bo about again, in the courso of two or. throe weeks. . ' ■* , Mr. \V. H. Dempsoy, the local postmaster, is at present on his annual leave. Mr. J. Howard, of Wellington, is relieving. • The ladies of the Pahiatua district have made a ready rosponse to the Queon Mary Fund, and a large quantity of socks nad cholera belts has been promised. , , On a'charge of theft at Wellington, a mail named .ranies Allison M'lutosh was ! arrested at. tho Pori Co-operative Works on Thursday, lio was brought before tho Pabiatua S.M. Court yesterday morning, and remanded to appear at Wellington this morning. The directors of the Ballauce Dairy uoinpany made their annual inspection, of tho company's various brandies in this district on Friday. Tho Pahiatiia Defence Rifle Club's second shoot resalted in Messrs. E. V.' King (59 points) and C. 0. Eta (58 points) ■ winning tho first and second trophies rospectii ily. Archbishop O'Shea, of Wellington, vrill pay an official visit to Pahiatua this week-end. A three days' mission in the local lloman Catholic Church was commenced o; , Thursday, the Rev. Father Kelly, of Wellington, being in attendance. On Sunday evening the local Anglican Church will take up a collection in aid of tho fund for tho relief of the poor in Great Britain and Belgium. Out of twelve candidates• who entered for the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Mnsic examinations "in Pahiatua'this week, tho following were successful:—Ma Walsh, Eileen Ncsn. Mary Allardioe, Euphemia Ross, Violet Humphries, Eileena Ross, Annie M'Kay, Marjorio Baucke, Ethel Johansen. OTAKI. Cricket'promises to be.more successful this year than previously. At Levin tho Y.M.C.A. have held their meeting, while other clubs intend to immediately do likewise. The ■'following are tho newly-elected officers of the Y.M.C.A.:—Patron, Mr. J. Robertson, M.P.; president, Mr. J. E. Kean; vicepresidents, Messrs. F. E , . Parker, D. W. .Mathieson, W. M. Clark; captain, Mr: C. Home; vice-captain, Mr. W. Sandman; secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. E. Keys; committee, Messrs. B. Pringle, W. Sandman, and F. Fletcher. The tender of Mr. 'J. M'Chesney has been accepted for tho removal oi* tho churehroom in Iti Street to a site adjpining the Otaki Post Office. , Tho work is to he started at an early date. Several much-needed improvements aro to be made to -the building. In place of tho_ present porch, a chancel and belfry will be erected, tho former to contain three Gothic windows. Tho porch will be removed to the side of the building, and used as an entrance, while the interior of the whole structure is to be lined. The building, when funds permit, will fce replaced by a far botter and more imposing structure, and tho present ono will be converted into a schoolroom. Tho erection of a vicar-, ago is also contemplated, but the erection of this will not bo put in hand for a time. However, over half of tho necessary money is in hand.

The first meeting of the newly-con-I stituted Town Board was held on Thursday. Mr; P. H. Bright was elccted ; chairman. Correspondence was read from R.. Wobby (roadman), reporting all loads in fair order, and (as inspector), complaining of a nuisance at Otaki railway. . In view of there being no suitable dumping-ground, the matter was hold over. Tho roadman also reporter! thai; his work of forming footpaths was interfered with by encroaching' fences.—lt was decided to attend to this matter as soon ■ as tho plan, which had been under preparation by tho Survey Department tor "nearly two years, was available. Tho chairman was appointed to join with representatives of other local bodies in waiting on tho General Managor of Railways; with a view of getting an improved railway sorvico, On tho motion of Commis-

sioner Nicolson it was decided that an estimate bo secured for tarring, sanding, and nconerete-kerbing of the footpath on the eastern side of the township. On tho suggestion of Commissioner Noble it was decided to sue for all outstanding rates, and to call for tenders for tho position of lamp-lighter. Commissioners Bright, Pole,, and D'Ath were appointed a Building By-law Committee. The pollution of a creek' by factory refuse was discussed, and it was to take immediate action to havo th'e nuisance abated. It was also resolved to have the Mangapouri Cre'ek cleaned. The matter of securing tirelighting appliances was considered, and •it was decided to ge't quotations. Commissioners Nicolson and Tatton were appointed to wait on the Domain Board relative to the Domain being vested in the Town Board.—lt was decided to effect jmprovemont by street-widening 1 at Otaki railway.

MASTERTON. Reports indicate that the rivers in thu Wairarapa are being depleted of trout by the depredations of ehags. A suggestion has been made by Mr. .A. J. Kuthorford, a prominent member of the. Acclimatisation Society, that a party should proceed to the upper reaches of the rivers and destroy the dhngs that are , nesting. - The annual meeting of shareholders of thej Workers' Mutual Benefit' Building Society was held on Wednesday evening. Tho report showed.that the year had been a most successful one for the society, tho profit being over 10 per cent. The three retiring directors, Messrs. B. Krahayrn, A. K. Johnston, and J. C. Ewington wore re-elected. Tho Masterton Competitions Society lias decided to abandon its festival this year. FEATHERSTON. At tho annual meeting of the Featherston Defence Rifle CJub nine now members w.ere elected. The following oflicers were appointed:—Patrou, Mr. A. Matthews; president, Mr. J. Parker;, vice-presidents, .Messrs. W. B. Bidwill, D. 11. ' S. Riddilord, Q. Donald, B. Speedy, H, Matthews, M. Hardie, W. Barton, and A. Benton; captain, Mr. T. Benton; vice-captain; Sir. H. Williams; secretary and treasurer, Mr. F. C. Everton; management committee, Messrs.'o. Nix, L. Benton, and W. Wakoly; delefiates to association, Messrs. ft. Williams and C. Nix; hnndicapper, Mr. H. Williams. '' It was resolved to sell the club's ammunition at the' same price as last year, namely, qualified members 6s. per 100, unqualified 10s. per 100. Tho opening day was arranged' for today. The annual report states- that new butts have been ' erected during tho past Season, and the thanks of the chib are due to Messrs, J. Parker (president), J. uO. Bidwill, and 11. Williams in presenting two new Bicknell targets. .