PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 125, 19 February 1908, Page 8

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(FROM oun SPECIAI, COnnESPONDENTS.) : »- FEILDING. An alarm of;, fire was given just beforo noon yesterday, and tho firo brigade wont out to fight firo in the long dry grass surrounding tho houso owned bv Air. Patrick Desmond;, behind Dr. Monckton's rcsidenco. A number of willing helpers who had arrived oivthe spot had stayed the progress of tho fire by. tho aid of the übiquitous korosono tin and a plentiful supply of water. The houso of Mr. Desmond had actually caught firo, and tho flames woro fast spreading in tho direction of several other places before being extinguished. Within an hour a second alarm was given, when a fire was discovered in Mr. W. Wilkinson's timber yard. It was quickly extinguished, and no damago was done. Foilding was'donsely surrounded by smoko yestorday from bush firos. The sub-conunittee appointed to arrange for the opening of the Foilding Technical School on March 10 has decided to invito residents to lend photographs, paintings, curios,- etc., for a loan exhibition; also that a display of flowers, fruit, and vegetables be arranged; including a 'competition of vegetables from school gardens. It was also decided to hold a social in the evening. The opening, ceremony was fixed for 3.15 The first meeting of creditors in the bankrupt, estate of Samuel Kirk, boardinghousekeeper, of Feildirig, was held at the Courthouse yesterday; Mr. J. G. Scott, Official Assignee; ■ presided. Tho bankrupt's statement showed that 011 December 29, 1906, hetook oVer the hotel business in Macarthur Street, previously carried on by Mr. R. M'Farlaiie. He attributed his . failure to lack of experience in the business. He had a sympathetic meeting of creditors. ; LEVIN. Tho local school cadets and boys from the. training, farm left for Petone . yesterday, where they go. into camp for about a week.rho' boys aro under tho command ,of Major Burlinson,; manager of the boys' training farm.- -■ ' . ' Tho' usual fortnightly meeting of tho Borough Council was held on Monday night, ill tho,councillors being present. Comparativbly little business was before tho Council. (I letter was.received from tho captain of the Fire Brigado, complaining that the water it present, -in. tho main water-race was not sufficient to fill'the long, hoses, and suggesting., that, another race b'o diverted into the nain ra'co to'add to tho supply. Tfie matter ,vas referred to the Roads and Streets Comnittee. Discussion took place regarding tho EIO,OOO loan which was being raised for the mrpose of erecting gasworks, and also upon ;he new £22,000 loan, which it was proposed 0, raiso for .-/.ho construction. of, water-wbrks. t was decided to hold a special meeting-to tho latter loan noxt .week. During :ho meeting .tho Council adjourned to hold a ipcoial meeting, to striko a soecial rato as ;eourity of loan' on £10,000 "for gasworks, .t was resolved to .strike a rate- of liincnxteenths of a penny in the pound on tho apital value of all the rateable , property in ho borough of Levin, to bo an annually ro"rnng rate during the currency of the .loan. Isews has just com© to hand that largo ;rass fires.-.havo broken out, on properties' bewcen.Oliau.and Manakau, but 110 particulars ro yet available.. These. fires may account or the. heavy smoko that is hanging .bout; the'neighbourhood' at present. A.,tangi jis at present being held at Porouawlmo,- near Lovm, on account of tho death if, : King Wilson, a well-known Native, who lied.a few. days, a2o.' ... It is.reported' that a separate, telepliono omco is shortiy to bo started between Itaki, Shannon,. Levin, and Palmerston ■lorth, which should provo a' great' booh to •usmoss. men in theso towns.