COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 10, 7 October 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS •CENTRES (Special Correspondents.) WMRARAPA In connection with the Wairarapa hydro-eleetric scheme, several clauses in tiie petition being prepared by Messrs. jiai't and Hogg, solicitors, have hud to be submitted to tlie Crown [jaw Oilico for revision. When the petition is completed it will bo necessary fo obtain the signatures of at least 25 per cent, of tho ratepayers of each of tut- local bodies concerned, after which tho document will be presented to the Ciovernor-in-Conncil for approval. Mr. J. C'. Cooper, one of tho prune movers in the project, anticipates that when the liecestary autliorily is obtained the scheme will bo proceeded with immediately. A governing <|jody will be appointed, composed of representatives from each local body in the area, ami this body wilL bo invested with ihe same powers in the governing of its district as aro enjoyed by county and borough councils.

■During the quarter ending September 30, the vital statistics for Eketahnita were 23 births, -t deaths, and 7 marriages.

In a soven-a-side football tournament played on Saturday, the Masterton Drnids defeated a team representing the Carterton Ledge. A.s a result, tbe competitive shield will be stationed at Masterton for tho ensuing year. The Masterton Co-operative Dairy Company commenced the manufacture of butter for export last Saturday. The prospects for a record season are good. The following have been elccted officers of the Y.M.C.A. Swimmii'g Club:—Patron, Ml - . W. 11. Bcetham; president, Mr. Hugh Morrison; vice-presidents, Dr. N. 11. Pryor, and Messrs. T. A.' Burling, A. Donald, R. 3. Southgnte, E. G. Eton, J. Caselberg, H. P. Hugo, and L. S. NIcol; general committee, Messrs. L. S. Nicol, D. W. Welch, S. D. M'Ewen, L. S. Poison, D. B. Williams, and J. G. Dagg; assistant junior secretary, Mr. Maurice 11. HolTeins; joint handienppers, Messrs. L. S. Poison and L. S. Nicol; starter and timekeeper, Mr. L. S.^Nicol; club captain, D. B. Williams; vice-cap-tain, S. W. Gallagher. The nineteenth annual report of tho Masterton Chamber of Commerce says that the most important matters denlt with during the past yea? were country districts mail services, hydro-electric power, Rimutaka deviation, dangerous crossings, formation of a. street connecting Qneen and Chapel Streets, universal Saturday half-holiday, main arterial roads, revision of land agents' commissions. In .connection with the recent railway "cut," tho chamber had sent a deputation to interview the General Manager of Railways. Mi - . Francis Holmes had acted ns the Wellington representative of the Jlasterton Railway Committee, and the chamber very much appreciated ills services, which had been given voluntarily. All the expenses in connection with the deputation's visit to Wellington and tho management of the local railway committee had l;een defrayed by t!i-> chamber. In the past the chamber had been responsible for tho establishment of a daily mail service with tile country districts: tho urgent telephone call which had been adopted throughout the Dominion, a slot telephone, a better connection with the Main Trunk-railway; alio it had been through tho efforts of the chamber that a resident stipendiary magistrate was again appointed for the Wairarapa district. Three deputations <\t various times had wailed on the Government in reference to the Rimutaka deviation, and also one deputation urging that a light lino railway be made from Masterton to Waipnkuraa, via Pongaroa. The chamber regretted the death of Mr. ,T. C. Boddington, who bad been the firrt secretary Find one of the promoters of the chamber.

In the football match for the Cobcroft Cup, played at Feathers) on on Saturday the Liberals (holders) defeated Martinborough by 12 points to 3. Mr. E. M'Kenzie. was referee.

- The Wairarapn Fruitgrowers' Association was formed in Grcytown on Saturday afternoon, after an eddr»w siren by Mr. Shelton, of the Federated Fruitgrowers. He gave a short address nnd answered questions and received a vote of thanks for same.

The weekly meeting of the Claims Board of tho AVairarapa Patriotic Society w held yesterday. Loans aggregating JIHSO wore advanced for the purposes of business and farming. Eight claims for temporary relief were granted, and one waa deferred for further consideration.

Following oil the general meeting of tho Wairarapa Returned Soldiers' Association last niglit, Mr. A. P. Whatman, patron of the Clubhouse Society, provided supper for those present. Mr. H. 15. Hurt proposed a vote of thanks, to Jlr. Whatman, and in doing so referred eulogistically to his many kindnesses to returned soldiers generally. Mr. Whatman, in responding, said he hoped that the club and the entertainments provided therein would always be well patronised.