PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 220, 10 June 1908, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(ihom ocn Special correspondents.)

PALMERSTON.

SUPREME COURT SITTINGS. Tho criminal session of tho Palmetston Supremo Court commenccd to-day, before His Honour Mr. Justice Cooper. His Honour, in addressing tho grand jury, ■ said he was pleased to see tho criminal list so light, and with no eases .of a serious naturo. Edward Pilkington pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault, causing actual bodily harm, at Pahiatun. Tho following jury was'empanelled E. G. Tucker (foreman), C. Gascoigne, H. A. Morgan, U. Maloolm,'W. Frew, T. ,C. Birkensliaw, A. Sutherland, N. A. l'ortonson, j. A. Ritchie, J. Morrison, C. J. Colir, and J. Swonsoii.. Thomas Sinytkc, painter, residing at Pahiatua, said ho had been lodging with accused at the Victoria Boarding House, Pahiatua, on May 10 last. He had retired to bed on that night when accused entered, and, after somo words, gripped him by the throat. Witness struggled with liim, and accused hit him over tho head twice. William Charles, medical .practitioner, deposed. to haying attended the last witness, and found him considerably bruised and with one rib broken. After other evidenco, accused, sworn, said that on tho night in question ho had taxed Smytho with having made certain statements Smytho had denied this, and aimed a blow at him. Ho ducked and hit Smytho with his left. Smythe had then collared him by the logs and rushed him towards tho-bed. They wero struggling, for some seconds alternately on tho bed and on until Black came in to separate tlieni! To Mr. Longburri: He was under tho'influenco of liquor at tho ..time. Ho had several previous convictions against him. His Honour, in addressing the jury, .remarked that tho evidftrico all through was uns&Toury. There, was apparently too much liquor about Pahiaturt. The jury returned with a verdict of and accused was remanded till the morning for sentence. Daniel M'Curdy, of Palmerston North; pleaded not guilty to a chargo of having committed ' perjury on February 12 on the occasion of a fire, which destroyed tho stables occupied by■ accused. Accused, at the inquiry, had sworn.that 40 bags of chaff had, been destroyed by fire, and that he had purchased 175 bags of chaff from a farmer, at Bonny Glen two months before the firb took place. .Witnesses, who wero present at the firo, said they saw. very .little trace of chaff. After hfcaring tho evideiice,' the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The criminal session will conclude ten morrow. ,

.The bookings for the " Elijah festival on Wednesday week has been considerable. The Engineer reported to the Kairanga County Council yesterday that. tho county's portion of the Gorgo Road is practically open tor traffie, ono bjidgo requiring cmly a few mors planks, which will bo finished to-day. Tho cost of t-he_ work-to d»t6 it about'£2Bo, inoludine material'and labour. The Ohjiirman reported that ho had interviewed the Pahiatua County and was informed that the_ remaining portion of tbo road vould be put in repair immediately.

MASTEMOK. . ! The local branch ofthe Y.M.C.A. intends to communicate'with tho Melbourne branch, with a view of Securing: the services of a Victorian as secretWy, Who has been stfbiigly recommended for the position by Mr. Gillanders, the National Secretary. It is, somewhat, ourious that no New Zealanders can qualify for- -these -appointments. - -It ; is -stated ■ that exceptional' is required |by secretarial ".-hcads'iu.'ordc>r--to"maKe-tho'-;YjM'.C.A. organisations successful: in New Zealand, but surely Mr. Gillanders should be ablo to coach likely New Zealanders in' tho fine points of tho game. A gentleman who has just, returned from Queensland states that NewZealanders there are in great demand, simply on account of their eiiergy and "push." Tho samo r'oport comes from New South Wales. Without wishing in any way to disparage tho work of tho Y.M.C.A., it seems a mistako for the managers of that institution, all things being equal, not to givo greater scopo in their work to New Zea* landers., ' Yesterday in Masterton tho weather was as wirm as in the beginning of' slimmer. So far bifctefly cold 'days here havo 1 been few," and in ; almost all tho oases the rains liavo been mild. Tho first coatings of snow, which were on the Tararua- Mountains, have all disappeared. This is most unusual, as tho hills have usually boen ! well covered with Snow in. tho June months. . • . Mi'. John Graham, a well-knoWn Mastertdn resident of many years, is at present seriously ill with an attack of pleurisy, although later reports announce & slight improvement in his condition. Mr. C. Bridson, formerly of tho Waifafapa, but now resident ; in Auckland, is at present on a short visit' to his Mastertoh relatives. Mr. Bridson lias lately done some extensive travelling on commercial business in the district north of Auckland,. which he describes as the true "roadless north," and a :conntry of "pack-tracks." Tho labour market at Mastorton is very quiet just how, only a small amount of bush work offering for unskilled labour. Several trades aro also, reported to be very slack. Tho directors of tho Mastorton Co-opfera-tico Dairy Company meet to-day, when it will bo decided whether or not the factory will close bofbro next month.

. The general committee of the Masterton A. and P. Association will meet on Saturday afternoon next, Among tho items set down on the order paper is revision of tho rules to allow of the committees including in its constitution several prominent South Wairarapa members. Tho date for annual mooting of the association will probably bo fixdd. -' ' , Tho gas committee of the Masterton Borough Council has made .an inspection of tile streets in connection with tho better lighting thereof, and will recommend to tho council, that about 13 additional lamps bo' placed ill various streets in the borough. Messrs. lArthur and Leonard Bishop, two Carterton residents'wh6 have. just returned from a shooting expedition in, the Karidi' district on tho Slain Trunk line, report tho existonco of thousands of pigeons in that locality. Messrs. Bishop, with, a companion, Mr. Ross, shot 218 birds in six hours. Mr. Ross accounting for 98 of that number. Thore vrt-y* c.botit one hundred shootists in tho- district, and it is estimated that the enti'-e l-"t iln one day of six hours exceeded . five thousand pigeons. Olio man also siiot u-li 6ock pheasahts. Tho Mastorton Borough Council last night adopted Mr. Laing-Meason's report, with refercnco to alteration to tho present water supply scheme at tho intake, involving an expenditure of about £000, after which it is understood the water supply to town will bo on a most, satisfactory basis . for somo yoai-s to come. it was decided by tho Borough Council to •reduco the price of gas to tho Masterton Public Hospital to 6s. Bd. per thousand f eet - .. * . The Council's overdraft was sot down at £1345 18s. lid. ■

PAHIATUA. At tlio Borough Council meeting on Monday night, the treasurer, reported tho following balances: — General account, debit £1704 . 14s. 4d.; interest, credit £443 19s. 9d.; ' water and drainage, credit £233 15s. On tho recommendation of the Financo Committee, it was decided to build a new septic tank. The rates for the ensuing year were fixed as follow General, 3d. in tho £1; separate Id.; and special, 2jjd.; being an increase of §d. in the separata rates for last year.

CARTERTON.' i MAGISTRATE'S COURT, W. P. James, S.M., presided over tho Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Judgment was given for plaintiff."."in the following undefended cases: —R. G. Welch v. A. W. Blackwell (Mr. Mannsoll), £15, and costs £2 10s. Od.; Coleman Phillips v. A. W. 'Jkckwell, £73, and costs £3 135.,; Coleman

Phillips v. A. W. Blackwell, £14 lis. lOd., and costs £1 18s. Gel.: S. C. Shelley v. T. C. Wehb (Mr. Maunsellj, £12 6s. 2d., and costs £1 lUs. 6d.; 11. 11. Xrabageu v. Julia Cotter, £1 3s. lid., and costs 55.; H. Judd v. F. Sewell, £5 us., and costs 12s. In tho judgment summons' case, \Y. F. 0. A.v. Harry Cook, a debt of £15 Os. Gd., defenant agreed to pay £1 per month. In Roydhouso and Hornsby v. H. W. Clay, a debt of £21. 45., an order was made for payment' forthwith, in default 21 days' imprisonment. \V. Paulsen was/charged > with cruelty to four horses by working them with sore shoulders and raw wounds on Juno 2. J. 0. A. Hubbard, stock inspector, deposed that tho horses wero in low condition, and sore under tho collars. • F. Tyler, blacksmith, gave similar evideiico. Defendant v,'ss fined 405., arid costs lis., in default seven days' imprisonment. Colin Gordin, charged with failing to comply with ail order of the Court under the Destitute Persons Act, to pay for tho maintenance of his blind son, was sentenced to one Month's imprisonment with hard labour, tho warrant to be suspended oii payment of tho amount. ' Frank N. Dixon was charged with failing to contribute to his mother's support, but. the caso was adjourned till next Court;

LICENSING COURT.' Messrs. W. P. James, S.M., and Jas.' Brown, and W. Udy, J.P.'s, sat as a Licensing Bench, and tho following transfers and renewals, were granted:— • Renewals—J. Greeubank, Blairlogio Hotel (granted subject to Health. Officer's report): Eagle, Taueru; Pat. Costiu, Taratalu Hotel; T. P. Firman, Club Hotel, Carterton;. W. Halley, Marquis Hotel,- Carterton; T. Smith, Royal Oak Hotel, Carterton; J. Constable, Gladstone Hotel, Gladstone; Claro Smith, Grey town Hotel; Mary Caulton, Foresters' Arms, Greytown; 31. T. Hawker, Club Hotel, Greytown; A. .C. Witz, Tauherenikau Hotel, . Tauherenikfiu;, John Card, Empire Hotel, Featherston; j. Crawford, Royal Hotel, Featherston: J: B. Gold, accommodation license, .Ferry ; C. E. Brewer, Martinborough Hotel, Martinborough;, H. J. •B. Ma'guiro, Club Hotel, Maitihborough; W. F. C. A., wholesale license, Greytown. The license for the Morrison's Bush Hotel was transferred from Emiis Parrish to Swen Poison., ~ lii granting Mr. W. M. Halley's license, Mr. James remarked:, "Tho' best-conducted house between Martinborough and Woodvilo." -

A very pleasant. euchre, tournament was playod ill the Fire Brigade Station on Monday night between tho married and single members of tho Brigade. Tho married wero • victorious by 11 games to 4. - Mr. G..T, Canton, Borough Overseer, has resigned his position, and a special meeting of the Borough Council was hold on Monday - night to consider, the matted Tho resignation was accepted with regret, and Mr. Can- ~' ton was allowed Imvo of abstnice, as from ' June 15 to the end of the month. . jf ■ Tho local hockey-team (Hinemoa'/s) play Groytown (Kia Toa's) at Groytown /on • Thursday, and as botß\ teams arc stronig, - neither having been beaten this season, grffiat interest is being taken iri tho match. A GREYTOWN., , ) Mr. W. Bassett, of the local hospital, litis been appointed custodian of the Hospital ' and Sanatorium at Oi-afei.'. .J The monthly meeting of the local Firft .Bra- . gado was hold on Monday evening last, at thU Fire Station. First Lieutenant Workman!, in the absenco of the captain; was. in tlio .; chair. It was decided: to procure four now ' , helmets for the brancbmen. aud 300 feet: oil liose for'tho small engine, also a new be/1' . for the tower at the north ciid of the towiju Accounts to the amount: of £11 lis. lOctL , wore passed for payment.--. . j Offing to the resignations, of two counqil' . lors, nominations .are. being callod. - ■. j ' The Agripulttifal-School here i(tho fold "" Schqolhouscj, has. t been: renovated; :.and thf »|... rooms all utilised-forf.ragnculturecand co/ob. i ; . ing,- and a glasshouse erected for propagating purposes. ■ i '■

■ • - LEVIS'. ' / Considerable rain lias fallen in this dis- i trict during the last diiy or so. Tho first of the scries of evenings provided by the Y;.M.C.A. for' boys was held v on Friday, and . proved to .bo a very • sue- •.; ccsSful commenccmeiit, • many boys attending and. enjoying a .pleasant iind instructive Averting. .At a recent meeting of tho local branch 6f the Acclimatisatioliv Society, it was decided to .write to ' the Wellington branch asking for 200,000 trout .fry—l6o,ooo brown trout and 50,000 rainbows—as well as 50 1 pheasants, for liberation; in tho:. district controlled 'by this branch of. the ~- r It is reported that' the pick of • tho Shorthorn heifers' prosbnted I'to tho Government by Mr. Douglas M'Cleaii are to bo sent to, the experimental farm at Levin. > •' The following football 'team has- been Solocted to represent Horowhenita i in the • match to ,be playing against Rangitikei at Marton to-day (2), E ( Bevan, Gobo, H. Hakafaia; It. George, j, Hakafaia, Phillips, Parata, Ropata, Unim, M.-• Winiata, and W. Winiata. / . ' FEATIIEKSTON. . The Liberal junior team to plaj! Rovel'S here ' on Thursday will, bo:—Tidswell, Tyer, Gil- ' mour, Donald, Fugc, H. Walker, Bilby, : Crawley, lCelly, Higgison, O'Neale, Mason, M'Kenzie, G. Walkef, F. Fenwick. Erner- • gcncy, O. Burt. i . . \ ; The. Paka Koilra Hockey team- to play ' Garry Owens, at Masterton, on Thursday,will be:—Misses. E. Eastliopo, I Fugs, P. ,Aitchisoii, I. Tait, 1.. Itowe, E. Skipitgo,'L Sheen, E. DaVidsoii, Etlicl Burt, L. Ilodder, and It. Walker.