DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2436, 15 April 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents.) NAPIER. The annual report presented by the chairman of the Hawks's Bay County Council on Monday disclosed a satisfactory financial position, though hardly as good as usual. Receipts and expenditure were £44,235 and £47,532 respectively, being the highest on record. The public debt amounts to £33,629 19s. 9d. The year started with a debit balance of £3785 7s. 6d., and ended with a debit of £7082 7s. 3d. Councillors expressed the'opinion that this year would have to be an economical one. MASTERTON.* The Rev. A. T. Thompson, M.A., 8.D., who has accepted a call to St. Andrew's, Christchurch, was entertained at a farewell social at Knox Hall, Masterton, on Wednesday evening. There was a large audience, and several congratulatory speeches were delivered. An earthquake shock was experienced here at 3.30 on Tuesday morning. It was severely felt in the back-coun-try.

The young bird race flown by the Masterton Homing Pigeon Cub from Ohakune last week resulted'as follows: Drake Bros.' "Boss," 1; A. Hargood's "Starlight,' 2; J. B. F. Sutherland's "Tiny," 3. The race from Wellington cn Saturday last was £own in fine weather and resulted: L. Wadhtfm's "Two Lights," 1; W. Gourlay's "Winkle," 2; J. B. P. Sutherland's "Brighteyos," 3.

In Knox Church, Masterton, on Sunday the Rev. A. T. Thompson, preached farewell sermons to crowded congregations. In the afternoon the Masterton branch of th© Y.M.C.A. farewelled Mr. Thompson in the Gymnasium Hall, when a large number of members and business men of Masterton listened to a very inspiring address given by the reverend gentleman. Mr. C. E. Daniell occupied the chair, and Dr. Prior and Messrs. G. R. Sykes, M.P., and S. Parsonson (general secretary) expressed regret at the departure of the Rev. Thompson. Mr. E. C. Taylor, on behalf of the pioti,bers, presented Mr. Thompson with a silver shaving mug, with brush, as a mark of esteem. The recipient suitably responded. The Federation Shield, _ compoted for by the various homing pigeon clubs of the province, has been won by Mr. Joseph Dixon, his birds having put up the best time in the Federal Races from Parengarenga (500 miles airlino) on two successive occasions.

CARTERTON. At a meeting of the Greytown Volunteer Firs Brigade on Monday, Captain Gates, H. Haijh, Branchman Workman, and E. J. Haigh were presented with the two silver bars. Firemen C. Beard and M. Jackson were presented with the three years' certificate, and Mr. J. F. Thompson was present and presented his medal to the winner, Lieut. A. Cos. Fireman E. Harrison was presented with Lieut. Fisher's medal for the one man, Jun. Branchman J. Workman received tho Humphries Badge for his team. It was decided to hold a social and dance on June 3. A wet practice wa6 called for next Monday week. At a meeting of the Greytown Golf Club on Tuesday Mr. W. J. Feast presided. The sum of £5 was voted towards the Belgian Relief Fund. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to tho ladies, the retiring captain, Miss Diddams, to Mr. F. J. White for his kindness to the cljib during last season, and to the outgoing officers. Messrs. Humphries Bros, have returned from Mount Alpha, after building a hut there for tourists going over the Mount Hector track. Further donations towards the Belgian flag are acknowledged as follow: — Mr. T. West. £5; Mr. J. Eaton, £1. In tho Police Court on Tuesday morning a man named William Heaps, with several aliases, was sentenced to a month's imprisonment for using obscene language. . The Druids Lodge has decided to_ hold its annual ball on May 2<i in aid of the Allies' Relief Fund. Bros. N. Armstrong, H. M'Kenzie, E. M'Kenzie, W. J. O'Meara, C. Reid, AIL M'Kenzie, W. Earl, C. Corlot, R. Smith, F. Fairbrother, J. H. Barlow, and J. M'Kenzie have been appointed a committee to arrange details.