PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 54, 27 November 1907, Page 4

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(FnOM OUE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.)

PALHERSTON;

It is stated that, farm labourers or,c diffir cult to procure here, in spite of the good wages "offered!

Two local Chinese wore 'brought before th& Court yesterday morning on charges of opium: smoking, in the-absence of an interpreter;

the case was adjourned until next week. The Mayoress and her able staff of collectors are sparing no energy to make the Hospital Day a huge success. Needless to statu, the public is responding liberally, and, already a number of substantial donations have been received. The Mayoress will be pleased to receive the assistance of any ladies who arc desirous' of taking part in the movement. Ternicc-Kiid residents are , objecting to the' site acquired by ".this Government for the erection of ft now post-oilice, and a petition has boon signed by 300 residents requesting that the oliicc ho continued as before atMr. J. Tregurtha's store. Failing this, they ask that it be placed at a site in the vicinity. The Manawatu laying Club forwarded a

number of birds to Auckland yesterday to compete in the race, from Auckland to "l'alnicrstou on Wednesday next. •• ■ .

MASTERTON.

A prominent member of oiiu of the Wairarapa.,racing clubs states that by recognising tho status of bookmakers, the Government has intensified the gambling evil. A week or so ago, ho says, the law of tho land condemned these men to prison, and now it makes them gentlemen. Tho authority predicts that as the "'clause admitting ' book-' makers to racecourses was only carried ,by one vote, with a quarter of the number of

moinhers of Parliament-'not recording their votes, there should be a big chanco of an amending Act next session to upset the present Bill.

Nurse Florence Hall, who has resided hero for some time, and was formerly at "Grasinore.V Taratahi, intends to leave Mnstcrton shortly in order to take up her permanent residence at Muritai, Her departure .-from this district will be sincerely regretted by a .host of friends. :'•• , •

Tlic Mastertoir Borough Council- balance sheet for the year ■willed March 31, 1907,. has just been published. Credits are shown by the ..following accounts: —Gas. supply, £765 18s. 5(1.; -. waterworks, £221 ss. 7d"; abattoirs, £124 15s. 3d. The. -gasworks account appears to bo in a flourishing condition. The sum of £1263 18s. was transferred'to another loan account, and at tlic present time appears/to be' more Nourishing than ever. "There, is a general opinion amongst burgesses that in the circumstances the JJorough Council is not justified in making huge profits out of "its Rasworks, as if it were, a private company, whose sole object was to produce dividends. . It was decided some time ago that.(the price of gas should be reduced, but so far nothing has been done in the matter. . .: , . . . ■ :

FEILDING.

The Minister of J'ailways has declined the request made by ,the Keilding Chamber.:,of Comniorco that a trial should be given to,a train leaving Feilding for in the morning, with a return Palmqrston to Foilding in the evening, connecting with the present service, arriving at Palmerston North at 9.13 p.m. In liis reply, the Minister says, that, in ordor.;.to comply with the request, it would bo necessary to establish a depot hi Feilding,-or, in the alternative, lo'i-un an empty train: from Pallnerstoiv North to Feilding and back daily; The expenditure necessary for. terminal facilities at Feilding makes the • adoption of that cdurse impracticable at the, present time, when a large expenditure is being made on more- important railway works throughout tho Dominion-; while -the-running of an empty "train from and to.,Palmerstou North renders that.,-proposition.-. : y.crjr costly. Tho propos'edi service , wquld■ lueaiJS an- addition of .48 traiu-iiiiles por.daj-, , which, on the aver-. aV'o costl ■jjErill.traitt-.mile-.-'.-would involve a, daily expenditure-: of; £1-2:-/-."-Ho adds,- however, thati;wl]cn the AVellington and 'Manawatu Railway-Company's Hue, is acquired it is quito pqspible-that many'oLtho.train.services on4llo. '■Wellington,. Napier,, and New. Plymouth section will be remodelled. The price of bread went down in -Eoilding yesterday to fourpenc.e for. the two-pound loaf. .There is some disappointment here because retailers are not to closo on the first •ilnv of the Keildina; races, next.Friday. The Half-holiday Committee' of the Chamber of Commerco met yesterday, and decided, by. six votes to five, not to close. At a meeting of the Kimbolton Raihyay League the Chairman,- Mr. E..H,.Crabbo, .reported' having; received back only onc-tlnrd of the 'circulars issued to. the settlers for statistical purposes. It was .decided to mako another effort, and if settlers do.not then respond a collector will be sent round to got in the returns. ... . ■ .- Messrs. Carruthers and W. Hansen have been added to tho committee of Railway League. as representatives- of the Kimboltbn business community •

WOODVILLE

Mr. F. Murray has received an appointment in connection with tho dairying industry, and will bo; leaving "Woodvillo - shortly: This will cause a vacancy' in the Borough Council, of which Mr. Murray is- a member. Another ' old settlor, Mrs. Mcccham.of Mnharahara, died on Monday last. Some 'thirty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Mccchamtook up their residence in tho Victoria block, Napier Road, and, after a few years of rough, buch-lifc, Mr. Meecham succumbed to rheumatism. Mrs. Meecham, with a family of small children, stuck pluckily to tho holding, and eventually increased it, purchasing ' a farm in tho Maharahara district. For a number of yoars she lias resided at tho latter place, where the family are hold in high The school committee's funds benefit to the extent of £5 by tho recent performance of tho Danncvirke Amateurs;

OTAKI

Tho Otaki-Paraparaum'u cricket. match, played on Satiu'duy, resulted in favoiu , ' of I'urnpai'aimiii on the first, innings," with a score of >70 to Otaki's CO, In tho second ossay tho Otaki total was 21 for six wickets. A motorist, said to bo. driving .at .breakneck pace, caused a horse attached to a drill to bolt at Manakaii on Friday,; with the result that tho implement was badly damaged. The owner, after a deal of. trouble, has secured the number of tho car, and will probably put in. a claim for damages. Mrs. (Dr.) Hnthwaitc, who has the welfare of tho ladies of Otaki at heart, addressed thorn on health topics on Friday.' At.tho conclusion Mrs. Hnthwaito was given . a henrty vote of thanks. Mr. L. IT. .Atkins, who has been employed in the elorical work of the Cainphell Land and Timber Company, has resigned to accept a position at Pahiatua. He will leave here to-day to enter on his new duties.- -,-..

Tim Ervs. Paris and Wrieloy left this morning for Kapier to nttnnd the Conference which, commences! on Wednesday. -Messrs. Prouso and Pcnir leave to-morrow- for the same purpose.

. Several of the leading horticulturists hern intend to competo. fit thn Levin show tomorrow and Thnrsdav, and there is no doubt manv will return with prizes. . Mr. AV. James, who has been .in inmate of the Palmerston TTosnital for soino weeks, has returned home, greatly improved in health.

EKETAHU2TA.

Jlilvotahunn appears to bo continuing its era of progress, which has boon such a distinctive marl; of its business life (luring the piist years. Tenders arc to be. called shortly for the installation of olectrie.ity in the town ; a report is to be made with the idea of giving the place a water supply, aiul there is to be aii. "extension of the drainage works! In addition, preparations are being made to take tlio Jpvels of the town. When all.these things have.boon completed, and the town has a town clonk, l'Jkotahtuia will compare liiorc -.than favourably with other county 'ebiitrcs of the Dominion. . . • ■'

The bachelors gave a dance in King's Hall last week, which proved a decided success. • A concert was given last week in aid of

the snorts fund of the school . liere, and proved most enjoyable. The following contributed to', the programmed—Misses Tillcy, Irene Tillcy, and Coxon, and Messrs.-' ... vaughan, Bainsford, and' Cooper. • ■ • ■- We have 'been getting spell of iinusually hot -'weather.. Certainly the cherry ••" And strawberry crops look .well, as likewise .-■• ■the-potatoes;.-, but .rain is.-, bndly needed. Shearing here is .nearly finished, Mr. Had.fields shed being cleared''out last Satur- '' day. ' :'.*i • .- -. ?„■ ■.- ;-■•

A large number of-visitors have been enjoyniK the beautiful scenery and benefiting by the mild climate, hero during .the last .jveolc. ■'■■.■■

,jJiEYIN.'

; The entries for the Losin Horticultural ■•■ Society s Show closed on-Monday,.and con-- . - .stytuto a record. The shojv .opens -to-day'" -,",' and is expected, to ho one of the best ever ,-i hold in the district. ;.■;,. . . . "; 'jdr. J. H. -Walton has been, appointed ■■■ r -"'" stock inspector j in. this, district in .place of'■••:.' Mr; Goodall,.. lylio has been moved to Kaikotfra. Mr. .Walton's-headquarters will be'-.'.,' .at l''oxton. . ;. '' .., ; The. Mayor 'and a number of councillors, ' wliq Iform the' high'-.pressure water scheme, . ".' committee, journeyed ' out \ .to " the upper, .-"■ roaches of the-''Qbau. River,' tq inspect the site for tho iutalyj. . ~

FEATHERSTON

. %'!F. E.;Mcrlet, N.G., presided at a meeting of tho'.Loyal Unity Lodge, 1.0.G.F.,i Monday night, wh.jitho treasurer reportoil-a credit balance of £3175. 7d. at-I

the bade: d'lic- following t, \icrc the officera nomiuaiidd.forrtho:ensuing form:- N.G., Bro. 1 ,, . E. •MerlotpV.G'., Bro. J-.rM'Carty J; E.S.y Bro. C.lSlieeiu' ■ The - next meeting ik to be held mi December-.16,.-when the matter of viaiting [tho-Uroytown -Lodge will he -con--sidered.:h:- •.. . •;■ .- - c : ~ ■ ,;; ■:. The 8.1 Company, Rualiine-cßattalion, held n chnrcliKipal-adq "at- .S.t..- Jphn'sr Church,. FeatherstSn, on.Sunday morniiig, when- therewas a faii)lattendance. The' Venerable Archdeacon -, Funcojtrt conducted-, the servico, assisted, by r-tbe Eevs. K- T. Wynne Bond and T. J.- Smith. . -. .' -, r ~ , . ■ The-Foavherston Rifle Club fined a match on Saturday; from the 200 500 yards ranges.- jyi.th a score of 92 points-H. Williams was;ihe winner, with, J 91, second,, Wakcley, 81,-t\vrd. . ■ '■- Major Hughes inspected the- , Faatherston Rifle Rangftjon Saturday, and'rfound it in a satisfactory,.,G(}ndition. ■ / , 3I

At the Raligatawa Station yards acrossing : has been formed and' metalled? -the road now 'V "• running-Tiglit»into! the yard. "L'&TgbQuantities of material" have. latcly-'bceiV-'Unloaded• ■'•'■ "■ at'this'station, many iteamsi f boing.';now engaged cartings'to' and" from? Raetihi ■ ■". and-■' Oliakune. ~~ '-ni .i-*.".•* n ■-~;■■ i. ■:••■ An important/', salci takes place at Ohakuhe' ill December;r.whou' the creamery site, icon- . .' taming 150ft.,-.frontage-'.to the.'main street, will be sold iivUlCft. allotmonts by .Messrs.; Freeman It.: Japkson and Go. ■';'• -, ■'■ - : ■ It is reported; that' ono; local -boarding- ■■■•■ • house keeper-intends "tqr.corivey patrons-free ■■■ of charge fronwtho rail-head to Ohakune: •■•■ ' The star.tihgr.of the Ractihi Saw-milling Company's nuchas been postponed , : ';' untu-.:/ ' after the Now Year.: The steel tramway:from the mill t 2to the railway .will-be-gone • on with when tilie rails .come to band. ,"■... ■• : A well-attended meeting of ratepayers \yas .-,: held at Raqtihl last week, the business being'.... . the discussion::ef -the prelim[nary.;,steps- for ~ ; ■ raising a loan of £5000 for,'-town?improve-, • ments, Mr. &U Dauphjn -ofjeupied-.the chair, and in the coiifise of his remarks,-said that.' bis iilea wasntouitry and borrow, ; ;£sooo, and ■■ -.; consolidate tltfhitwo existing-.loans .on■'• the-'; .' main' street ai)dj;inill,road,'whiq])-, would take about- £1500, ,• leaving £35Q0 ,tq,rwork oni, Mr. J.-, Punch-quoted some'inter-esuug figures. The gross capital value of.'the.,tpwii was. ... £32,9(i7; unimiK-oved valued £1^688;.-rate-,, : • able capital . ; .^unirnprbyed,..-. £15,3-13. Tlid ; , f nmount which! ; p'ould. be-ro T . quired;,per qt 4 1 per'|ce^t,.was i '. ~.. £200, and at "3j ? .per cent. £17,0. "A,'.rate of ..."/ 3d. in-.tlio £..wo'jild yield. £192,'. and. at 23d.. . ~ £ l-75;ii!-Tho..pj)esenf-.rate..iwas..2d.i . : It was'.'. .•. AVaimanno'Couiity .Council i( ._y be asltifl. to instruct its. < .en^;in,eer..tp..dr^wun.,.;'...;. a comprohensiyo* s,cHenie,. with'. estimates, tot,.' . improving. all'Uip- streets, in the town,"',.,'"'.".'.■ '