PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 172, 14 April 1908, Page 5

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(FItOSI OCJI EPF.CIAL CQItnEBPONDEN7J 1' » PALMERSTON. The friends of Mr. Edward J. Scott, aged G4, will regret to hear of his death yesterday, after a brief illness. Mr. Scott had resided here for 30 years. He took a keen interest in volunteering and fire brigade work, and was one of the first members of tho Mauawatu Oddfellows' Lodge. He will bo accorded a military funeral. \ The' serious illness of a Palmerston boy iif London, Victor Harris, the talented violinist, is causing his parents considerable anxiety. A cable, in code, which could not be interpreted, was received on Sunday. A request for repetition was made, but up to last evening 110 reply was received. , A concert was given last night in aid of the Boys' Brigade. Police Inspector Wilson, of Wanganui, was a visitor to Palmerston yesterday. The Manawatu Boxing Association tournament on Wednesday evening promises to be attended with marked success, as the entries are highly satisfactory. ' The milk-vendors of- Palmerston North will shortly enlist in the cash system ranks. PAHIATUA. During the past week Pahiatua has been enjoying variable weather. At Makairo, Mr. fi. T. Ellingham and family, who have been long resident in the district, and who are leaving, were tendered a farewell social, during which Mr. Ellingham was presented with a gold albert chain, and Mrs. Ellingham witli a silver kettle, by the residents of the district. : ,

At Ballance, a surprise party visit was paid to the residence of Mr. J. Williamson by the local choir of the Methodist Church. The invaders pleasurably paid for their intrusion by making "a handsouie presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, who are leaving for, Hawke's Bay. Mr. Williamson has been conductor of the choir and singing classes for the past nine years. ■ A meeting of ladies, convened by the Mayoress, is making arrangements for a bazaar, on behalf of the Pahiatua Drillshed funds,, to be held in September next. ■ The trustees of the local Methodist Church have : held a meeting, when it was resolved that the new church,-which is at'present in course of erection, should be opened on May 17 next. It is understood that the llev. C. E. Beecroft will be asked to preach the dedication sermon.

At Mangataiuoka a conclusion was. tried between the Mangatainoka , and Pahiatua Football Clubs, on the local recreation ground. Pahiatua won the toss, and elected to play from tho. south end. The game was evenly contested throughout. v Tho first spell ended: Pahiatua, 3; Mangatainoka; 0. In the second spell there was no scoring until just on time, when Pahiatua managed to score a try, which was not converted, Pahiatua thus .winning by 6 to nil. :

, ... CARTEIITON. •Volunteering is going ■ ahead in Carterton. The Carterton ltifles turned out on Sunday for a church parade, uudor Captain Skey, and were delighted, when they found that 31 members qf the Masterton Rifles, under Lieutenant Haslam, paraded with them. The Carterton Brass Band (Bandmaster Crawley) also turned out. Pipers Ingram,, in M'Kenzio tartan, and Pearson, ; in Stewart tartan, added eclat to the procession. -Mr. E. Beard provided tea- for all-comers, ati the conclusion .of the parade. The parade strength was 106. OTAKI. • The. roads are now being .kept comparatively free from wandering;stock, which have often been a monaco to public safety. >... .Mr. George Watson; of' Waikahae, who, has been.in indifferent health for somo time,'lias just returned from a trip to Nelson, and is benefited considerably \bj' tho chapge. .• Building improvements aro' being carried out. at the railway ,post office here, and aro rapidly nearing completion. When out of tho contractor's hands the office should have a.n up-to-date ' appearance,"as. it will bo fitted with'several modern conveniences,..-. Tile Rev. Mr. Stealey preached a very, impressive service here on Sunday night, taking for his text, "Do this in iremembraiico' of Mo," alluding chiefly to the necessity of Holy Communion during Easter. On Good Friday and _Eastor : Sunday Mr. Stealoy will hold special services.. The sacred cantata "Esther" will bo staged by the Otriki Methodists ait Levin on April .15, arid a bright production is anticipated. ■ , The golf season opened hero on Saturday, and some- tliirtv or fotyy. members attended at tho links. Tho weather was perfect, and some good games wero indulged in.

SHANNON. The Rev. Mr. M'Nicol, who at one time was stationed in Shannon, is' likely to reside lic.ro this winter. The ■ weather, .which has been cold and blustery lately, with snow on the ranges, is now .warm and settled.' Many residents took advantage, of., the'. fine weather, and turned out on Sunday to hear the band playing in tho school grounds'. The-front room of the postmaster's residence is to bo converted into a telephone exchange. The Shannon' Riß.e Club will meet tho Whareroa Rifle Club on Good Friday at Paraparaumu., The following will represent the local club :-7-Captain G. Stephenson, Riflemen Hallam, H. Richards, E. J. S. Spencer, . G. \\ oodmass, E. Law, W.. Shearman, ana B Spence.v Tho final shoot of'tho season for the Club's cup', will beheld on Easter Monday at 10.31) o'clock. _ ' ' Owing to a previous engagemontj the Foxton footballers could not play Shannon 011 Saturday,- so the local players journeyed to Manakau, where they defeated the Humai Club by thirteen'points to eight. Perkinson Timms, and J. Wood scored tries'for Sharfnon, and Perkinson converted two tries. All the Shannon forwards, and backs played well; and Ropata, Koro, and Stewart played weli for 'Humai!

NIEEAHA AND BUSH DISTEICTS. 'At-an' early'hour on Saturday • morning Drysdale;s sawmill at Nireaha ,wns reported to be burned to the ground, but, on inquiry tho, report was'found to'be groundless, although the mill had. a narrow escape from fire. It/somehow caught alight in the long slab neap, .and. but for .the work of.a number of men-the mill and much, valuable totar'a timber would have been destroyed. Between f°rty-and-fifty cords of slabs were demolished. The Sunday man with his dog and gun are annoying some settlers in our locality. It is stated that some persons,-when they can find no legitimate game, are tackling tame poultry. No one need be surprised at farmers warning people off. • ■ > ' PAMPARAUMTL , On Sunday, afternoon a men's service was held, in'-'the Anglican Church by the Rev J. Edwin .Jones. The subject of tho address was " Cricket." ' There was an excellent gathering. of. men,.many. of the -members 'from' Paraparaumu, Waikanae, and Reikorangi Cricket Clubs being present. All entered into the servico most heartily. Solos-were rendered 1 by Miss Irene Tiliey, Miss Tilley, and Miss Copper, and several' organ voluntaries: were played bv Mr. Cooper, of Paekakariki. The lesson' was. read by Mr. H. Walton, secretary of the Paraparaumu Cricket Club, and a most instructive, interesting, and able address 011 cricket' was given, by Mr. J.' A. Austin. Mr. Austin referred to the use St. Paui [.made of the Greek games as illustrations arid made some excellent quotations. from W. G. Grace's book on cricket. The service was conducted by tho Rev. J. Edwin Jones. Do men propose as a rule? Many men no doubt, can distinctly recollect' being married, but few, if any, have any remembrance of the proposal. They found themselves at tho' altar without any very - clear 1 idea as to how they-got there.—"Sphinx," Cairoi e