FRASERTOWN NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 361, 11 March 1902, Page 4

FRASERTOWN NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Some mild excitement prevailed last Saturday over the election of a member for the seat in the Wairoa County Council rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Lomax, who by the way is leaving this district for Gisborne shortly. When nominations for the vacant seat were first called no one responded, and the somewhat unusual sight was witnessed of a seat in the County Council going begging. When nominations for the vacancy were called for the second time four Richmonds sprang into the field. Of these one withdrew, and the remaining three, Messrs S.j G. Bennett and J. Davey of Frasertown, and W. E. Jefferson of Nnhaka, went to the poll. It was generally supposed that the Nuhaka electors would roll up as one man and get their candidate in, but events proved otherwise. On the day of the election a few stray posters appeared at different points in the township advising the electors how to vote. Little groups of voters here and there discussing the. qualifications of the candidates, and a few .traps flying about, wore the only signs of) anything unusual in progress. The poll resulted as follows: S. J. Bennett 67, John Davey 14, Robert Ewen Jefferson 22.

Captain Milne-ihonison and Lieutenant Bax, of the Hurumua Mounted Rifles, who are leaving for South Africa in tho Ninth Contingent, tho former as SurgeonMajor, and the latter as Assistant dispenser, were farewelled, at the Jubilee Halt, Clyde, on Saturday evening last. There was a large muster of settlers and volunteers. Mr J. Hunter Brown occupied the chair, and Mr J. W. Sargisson the vice chair. Tho following toast-s were proposed His Majesty King Edward the VII., Queen Alexandra, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family,” proposed by the Chairman. “ The Army and Navy,” proposed by tho Chairman, was responded to by Mr R. Neill —a past ca.ptain in the New Zealand Militia. “ The health of Captain Milne-Thomson,” proposed by the Chairman, Lieutenant A. G. Smith presenting Captain,Thomson with a purse of sovereigns. Captain Thomson mado a feeling and suitable reply. 11 The health of Lieutenant Bax,” proposed by the Chairman, Mr Wilson presenting Lieutenant Bax with a purse of sovereigns in recognition of his services to the Caledonian Society. Lieutenant Bax suitably responded. “ The Ninth Contingent,” coupled with the name of Captain Milne Thomson, proposed by the viee-Chairman (Mr Sargisson). Captain Milne-Thomson responded. 11 Our men in South Africa,” proposed by the Rev. M. W. Butterfield. “ The Hurnmua B-ifles,” proposed by Mr T. Carroll, responded to by Sergeant R. Smyth. "Tho Veterans,” proposed by the Chairman, responded to by ex-Sergeant-Major Smyth, ex-Sergcant Carr, and Sergeant R. G. Deighton. "The Ambulance Corps,” proposed by Mr D. E. O’Neill, to by Captain MilneThomson. “The Ladies,” proposed by Trooper Hutchinson. “ The commercial interests of Wairoa,” coupled with t-hc name of Mr Foy, proposed by Mr Ijoinax, responded to by Mr Foy. “ The Press,” proposed by Mr Sinclair, responded to by Mr T. Lambert-. “ Our dead in South Africa,” honored in silence while tho Dead March was played by Mr Sargisson. The singing of Auid Lang Syne brought a brought a very pleasant evening to a close.

A meeting of the Frasertown Domnin Board was lield at the office of the Board on Saturday. Present: Messrs F. Mcßae (Chairman), I. E. Taylor, W. Goldstnne, T. J. Tunks, and F. Parker (Secretary). The Chairman said that in accordance with the Act it would be necessary to elect a Chairman at that meeting, as his term had expired. He declined to act for a fresh term. It was proposed by Mr Parker, that Mr T. J. Tunks be elected Chairman and Secretary. Proposed by Mr Parker, seconded by Mr McCrae, that Mr I. E. Taylor be elected Treasurer. It was decided to transfer the Board’s banking account to tbe branch of the Bank of New Zealand at Wairoa. It was decided that the Board meet again on ihe 10th inst. to inspect the Domain grounds, and that the lessee be notified to bo present. Some accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting closed. One of the most successful social functions ever held in the Wairoa eventuated on Tuesday evening last, when Mr and Mrs A. Poyzer, the popular host and hostess of the Wairoa Hotel, entertained a large assembly in the magnificent new hall, just erected by them, and which they have christened the Royal Albert Hall. The interior of the hall was tastefully aud profusely decorated and .-brilliantly lighted with acetylene gas. The floor was in perfect order for dancing, and the company kept merrily at it till daylight drove them reluctantly home. A feature of the evening was the Collosophone, a sort of large phonograph brought by Mr Charlton, of Napier, for the occasion. The function was given in honor of the coming of age of Mr A, Foyser, jun,