DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2412, 18 March 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

« | JOTTINGS PROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents.) PAHIATUA. A meeting of prominent business people of l'ahiatua was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday night, presided over by the Mayor and attended by Mr. J. H. Scott, M.P., when a proposal of the Postal Department to reduce the subsidy on the Pongaroa-Pahiatua daily mail coach service from £400 -to £300 yearly was severely criticised. The speakers considered if the proposal is put into effect that a great injustice would be done to both districts interested. It was pointed out that this service was the oldest established and also the best connection for the train services for north and south, both incoming and outgoing. A deputation was appointed to interview the Postmaster-General and strongly protest against the proposal. The Ballance Dairy Company's payments this month for February's miik supply totalled £GBBO, at the rate of 0110 shilling per pound.for butter-fat. To date this season the company has paid out over £45,000 to suppliers. The annual meeting of the Pahiatua ■Progressive Association was held on Tuesday evening. The report submitted s.howed that tho association had estalished a record year in carrying out various work for the benefit of tho town and the district. Tt was- decided to take steps to procure a continuous telephone service for Pahiatua (at present it is from 7 , aim.'- till •11 p.m. daily), and it was reported that settlers in the Hamua, Hukanui, and "\Yaiwera districts wero anxious to he connected with the Pahiatua Bureau. The chairman, Mr. H. .'M'Sherry, remarked that the Government had treated the association very fairly 'in granting a subsidy 0f.£400 (£ for £) for the People's Park, which was officially _ opened last Boxing Day. It was decided to urge more of the business _ people tc become members, thus making the association more financial. Mr. P. Tulloch was clccted vice-president, and Messrs. H. M'Sherry, J. D. Wilson, P. Thomson, G. A. Vile, L. Feist, J. K. Carpenter, and E. "P. Badger wero appointed a general committee. The election of a president was held o\ er. The Pahiatua branch of the W.C.T.TJ' is represented at the annual conference at Christchurch' this week by Mrs. 0. Neal and Mrs. H. Godfrey. Mr. \V. O'Malley, who has been appointed manager of the Greymoutb branch of the Union Bank of Australasia, is to bo tendered a complimentary social by the Pahiatua residents this week. • ' •