COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 266, 6 August 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS

CENTRES

(Special Correspondents.) WAIRARAPA At the Masterton Magistrate's Court yesterday Vivian JJallard was charged with having stolon a. gold watch valued at .£2O, the property of Mrs. Phyllis Coley, of Masterton. Tho evidence disclosed that accused had been a stewnrd on tho steamer Prinzessin, which recently visited New Zealand. Later he deserted and went to Masterton, where he stayed at a. boariiinghouso. After ho had left for Wellington on tho following Monday morning a watch belonging to Mrs. Coley was missing. The Wellington police wero communicated with and Ballard was arrested upon arrival, with tho watch in his possession. Accused was sentonced to ono month's imprisonment, (o be followed by a period of six months' reformative treatment.

The annual report of tho Masterton A. and P. Association elates that after writing off .£3BO 13s. 2d. for depreciation of improvements plant, and office furniture, the assets amount to .07197 10s. lid., compared with STiWH is. Sd. for tho yoar ended June 30, 1!H8. The entries for tho annual ram fair held in February last wore 119 stud and 3203 flock rams, as compared with 117 stud and 2770 flock Taps entered for the fair last year. The receipts for th) 3 year's ram fair wero .£258 IGs. 3d., and the expenditure was £M 13s. 7d., leaving a credit of ,£OB 2s. Bd. Last year the revenue was ,£4.11195. Cd., the expenditure ,£l5O 9s. 3d., and the credit =£255 10s. 3d. Three new life members and 84 new annual members wore elected during tho year. After writing off unfinancial members:, and making provisions for resignations and deaths, tho membersliip to dato was 11 honorary, 09 life, and 993 annual members, a total of 1073, compared with 1037 for the previous year. Thirty-five members died during tho year, of whom nine wero killed in action or died on activo service, and thirteen were victims of pneumonic influenza. During the year MW was spent oh improvements and plant in connection with the association's showgrounds. A meeting of the Masterton Progressive League was hejd last night to discuss the question of appointing a paid organising secretary to the league. Mr. Temple was in the chair. Much discussion took placo as to the objects of t'lio league, and among other schemes mentioned were Rimutaka deviation, hydro-electricity housing problem, and tho establishment of an' up-to-date hotel in Mastorton. Eventually the following motions wero put to tho meeting and carried:—Moved by Mr. A. Donald and seconded by Mr. (4. Watson: That tho executive committee bo empowered to create a guarantee fund of £500 for the purpose of appointing a paid secretary and organiser. Moved by Mr. Joseph: That the executive go into the matter and report the result to a general meeting, to bo held in a fortnight's time. In connection with the peace celebrations tho following motion, moved by Mr. Thomas, was carried unanimously -.—That the Progressive Leasuo send a letter of appreciation to the Peace Decorations Committee for the excellent manner in which they hnd earned out tho general work of decorating the town.