DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2297, 3 November 1914, Page 9

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Onr Bpeclal Correspondents,) PALMERSTON. A crowded court witnessed yesterday s oponuig of the inquiry resulting ..the ratepayers' petition for the abolition of the River Board. The com-' missiouers are three Wellington gentlemen, Messrs. Gerald I'itzgeraldj . engineer, A. P. Hiinter,' and C. P. Vickerwan. Numerous counsel are engaged. Iho principal witness yesterday was Mr. lusher, the board's engineer,, whose cross-examination was largely directed to show what effect,the partial straight* fining and quickening of the river would have on the flooding possibility of lands farther down. Questioned by Mr. Robert Edwards, a local expert, as to whether the new groynes resembling those on the Hutt River would stand up against' abnormal flood,' Mr. I-'isher replied: "I am quite certain they will." Mr. Edwards: "That is a strong statement to make. Thousands of pounds have been spent there on groynes previously, and they 'have been washed away. ', Mr. Fisher: "I-have had an opportunity of examining the remains of former groynes, and can understand them giving way. The present kind of groynes will not give way even if laden with debris," . .

Sister Margaret Jamieson, who is on furlough from missionary work in New Guinea, gave an exhibition of curios on Friday evening in, St. Pa'ul'6 Wesleyan Schoolroom. Music, speeches, and refreshments were included in the proceedings.. Preparations for this week's. Agricultural Show : are busily proceeding on the 6how ground. Bishop' Sprott's confirmation "candidates at All Saints' Church on Sunday numbered 72. In explaining that the parish had not succeeded in extinguishing, the debt as was intended by AH Saints' Day, so that dedication might -take place, he said'this was on account of the war upsetting plans, but he hoped they would be able to dedicate it on the following All Saints' Day in a time of peace, previously the Bishop conducted morning servipe at St. Peter' 6 Terrace End, and dedicated recent addition sjo the ohoir stalls there.' / The Technical School has received a .donation of £20 toward the shearing classes, from the Wellington Provincial Farmers' Union;-

MASTERTON,

. • Nominations close at noon on Monday f<ir seats on the Masterton County Council. Councillors D. W. Foreman, ■W. J. Welch, A. J. Percy, R. P..R. Beetham, aiiu. H. 0. Toogood were elected unopposed.- -'Mr. L. R. Wilton was elected in the place of Mr. D. J. Cameron'as representative of the Rangitumau Riding, and Mr; C. E.. CockburnHood in place of Mr. J. Miller as representative of the Upper Taueru Riding; For the two Alfredton Riding- seats. Messrs; C. C. Cross, S. M. George, L. Houlbi:obko, D. M'Allister, and A. J. Patchett have been nominated. ■ Mr. A. J. Speedy has bean re-elected unopposed .to/represent the. Masterton County Council on the Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

A westerly-gale. of exceptional violence passed over Masterton, on Sunday evoning, and:did considerable damage in the town. ' Windows, and, skylights were''blown in,' roofs torn off buildings, chimneys razed, fences knocked over, and treeß uprooted in all directions. It. was a veritable cyclone. On I'Monda'y telegraph colnmunication with the surrounding districts was cut. off. : i. Tho annual meeting ;of r'the. Welling-, ton branch of the Shearers^..'Union ..was 'held- in-, Masterton. on Saturday night. ;Mr.'' L.| M'Carthy was elected president •of;'the branch, Mr. J„ '.'president, atid-'Mr. .ID.. H/ Pell secre'tary. An exeoutive was also; appointed. :Ahniversary - services in . connection with, the Masterton Methodist ■ Sunday School were conducted oh Sunday''by the Rev. A, M'Bean, of Ekotahuna. A company with, a capital of £8000 is being floated here to place the Hubbard patent milk-can' oil the market. ' The'Masterton public swimming baths were opened for,the season. on Sunday. . Professor Hunter, of •' Victoria University, addressed about, fifty Wairarapa teachers on Saturday on : "Psychology and Education." On tho, motion ofiMr. W, H. , Jackson,, president of the, Wairarapa branch of ..the Teachers' Institute, he was.accorded a hearty vote of thanks.' • •

OTAKI.

Much damage was done by the recent frost' at . the Otaki Hospital grounds', where the head guardener, Mr. 11.I 1 . Melrose, had some splendid crops of early peas and potatoes. 1 ' A large number of tomato plants were also injured. Tho little girl Grace Prime, admitted to the .Otaki Hospital as the result of a burning accident at Levin, is doing nicely. 'The Otaki Hospital is now fairly full, and a number of serious cases are reported. ' . ' ■ Mrs. Boyd, a resident of Manakau, diod.on Saturday. Deceased was of a quiet, unassuming nature, and generally lived a retired sort of'life. The' .funeral"took, place. On-Sunday.

FEATHERSTON,

Six births were registered at Fea- ' therston last month. There were no deaths' or niarriages recorded. The rainfall here for October was 1.20 inches,'distributed over seven days. The maximum fall oil one day was 0,47 in., on October -28. ' , The recent rains, although not very heavy, have freshened up tne . pastures and removed some anxiety that was being felt by farmers on account of probable shortness of feqd.- The milk supplies jo tho local factories show .a fail-ing-oil as compared with the corresponding period last year, but generally this district has not suffered to the same extent as other portions' of tho country. A committee of ladies has undertaken to supply clothing, etc:, for the Belgian refugees,-and, it is pxpectcd .that a generous response will be made to requests for contributions. The Rev. J. G. S. Bartlett, the newly-appointed!' vicar of St.'John's Church, has arrived here, and will shortly, take up his residence in ihe vicarage, which should be completed in about a fortnight.