PROVINCIAL NEWS. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.)

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 228, 19 June 1908, Page 4

PROVINCIAL NEWS. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.)

PALMERSTON. OUTBREAK OF FIRE. Shortly beforo seven o'clock last evening a firo was discovered in a block of wooden buildings situated in Main Street and occupied by Messrs. Rogers and Co., land agents; Jones, oyolo agent; and Mayo and Co., florists. Tho lire originated in Sir. Jonos's shop, but was extinguished by tho brigado, beforo any serious damage resulted. The, booking is already heavy at the various hotels for the approaching show. An epidemic of Colds is now prevalent in tho district, and soveral pooplo aro indisposed. In spite of tho inolemcnt weather tho Opera Houso was well patronised 011 Wednesday evening for tho rendering of tho '.'Elijah" oratario. Tho perfornianco was one of exceptional merit, and was ably supported by outside talent. MASTERTON. HOSPITAL TRUSTEES. Tlio Mastorton Hospital Trustees. met 011 Wednesday, when tliero wero present: Messrs. J. B. Keith (chairman), F. W. 11. Cummer, It. Brown, M. J. A. Jackson, H. J. O'Loary, W. Harris, and W. Fisher. Tho treasurer reported as follows: —Credit halanco at last mooting of £83 3a. 3d.; receipts since, .Gl'lti On. 8(1.: oxpendituro. £251 16s. Id.; present debit balance, £22 12s. 2d. Against'the debit, balance is a cheque from the District Board of £300. Tho hospital diary showed 25 patients in the institution at last'meeting, with 33 since admitted, and 27 discharged', leaving 31 remaining. A hoarty vote of thanks was accordod tho Masterton Friendly Societies' Council for a cheque of £82 18s. Bd., tho net result of Hospital Saturday and Sunday conducted under tho auspices of the council. Mr. J. O'Lpary was instructed -to seo to repairs to tho'hot water system. It was reported by tho secictary that pationts wore being sent to hospital without doctors' certificates, , and the trustees resolved to draw the attention of tho medical officers to tho fact that the regulation did not allow this. Tho Chairman and-Mr. O'Loary wero appointed a deputation to wait upon the Borough Council to ask tliat tho prica of gas used at tbo hospital be further reduced. : The Chairman's action in accepting a tendor for tho supply of meat to tbo hospital was endorsed. Messrs. O'Loarv, Jackson, and Harris wore givon power to lay olf a now road to tho hospital. Sir. Fisher moved, pursuant to notico, that tho present arrangement with the medical staff torminato at tho end of tho financial year. ■ Ho said his solo object waa to have a bottcr system of salaries to tho staff next, year. Mr. Harris seconded tho motion, which was carriod unanimously. Tho Wairarapa Hunt Club hold the seventh run of tho season at Pairau and Daisy burn Estates, Upper Opaki Road, yesterday. There was a largo gathering of spectators, and a most oxciting and enjoyable meet took placo. Messrs. W. H. and It. Buick provided afternoon tea, and wero given hearty cheors for their hospitality. Tho following aro tlio names of tho riders and mounts engaged in tho hunt:—Messrs. 11. Welsh, huntsman, on Dick Turpin; C. J. Bennct, hon. whip, on Diana; W. H. Buick, doputy-mastor, 011 Fire-stick; J. Chisholm, on Tattoo; W. J. Vernon, 011 Tui; 11. Bnick, pn Kiwi; N. Douglas, 011 Otarangi; H. Douglas, on Haka; A. Cadwallador, on Jack; 0. Cadwalladcr, 011 Korahau; F. B. Vallanco, on Fairy ; IT. Wolch, on Diana 11. Mr. A. W. Birss, for many years a wellknown local residont, is to' leavo hero' in a few days' time for Levin, where ho pur'poses entering into business on his own account. . \. Tho narrowness of the Wajpoua bridges and tho northern approach thereto have been responsible for number of accidents lately. With traffic of all descriptions on this thoroughfaro, with its cribbed space, it must he a matter of only a short timo beforo there will bo a serious accid'ent, and then possibly something will bo dono to meet the requirements. Newspapers and tho public gonerally condemn tho apathy of tho local bodies in' this matter, but the Borough Council, which has 110 jurisdiction over the bridges and tho approach, which aro in tho county, naturally throws tho blamo upon tho County Council, and the people of Lansdowne, who resido on tlio' other side of tho river, will not requisition to enter tho municipal area. Mast'erton's Pipo Band has a credit balance of £18 18s. sd. • At tho annual meet-, ing, Mr. E. G. Williams was elected president, Mr. H. O'Loary, vico-presidont; Mr. B. Johns, pine-major; 'T-T. L. Pickett', treasurer, and Mr. C. A. Tabateau, secretary, while the directors appointed were Messrs. J. Pickett, F. O'Toolo, E. G. Williams, T. G. Hoar, H. J. O'Loary, W. L. Falconer, W. Morris, J. A. Pelling, and B. Johns. 111 connection with tlio Masterton Trust Lands Trust unoccupied sections in various portions of tho borough, Mr. H. C. L. Robmsoii, ona of tho members, has suggested that money should be raised in older to build suitable dwellings on theso areas. Tho places might, then bo used for workmen's homes. Somo good substantially built .cottages aro badly required. It is contended in some quarters that thero is too much of tho speculative element in tho proposal, but in progrossivo towns liko Masterton, there should bo no fear of tho consequences in this respect. Tho Trust has donoi woll by dealing in tho samo manner with 1 its business sites, and it would indicate a truo spirit of progress to proceed similarly with the areas which may bo adapted for \lwoll-ing-houso purposes. Tlio Masterton Methodist Church hold it 3 anniversary on Tuesday night, when thero was in attendance a largo congregation. Tho annual report showed that tho receipts for tho year had totalled £641-2s. sd. Tho deficit was £302 19s. 4d. It. was stated that this year tho Church would like to collect £1600, £600 of which would bo spent in the purchaso of a pipo organ, £400 for an infant school, and £600 in paying present debts and making further improvements. At its weekly dobato on Tuesday night the Y.M.C.A. decided th?t ,tho Labour party should bo in power. Amongst, the speakers wero Messrs. A. G. Wise, R. Rigg, D. Hebenton, A. P. Feilding. .J; Hunter, and Oxenham (ayes), and W. ,'Komp, L. Daniel], J. S. Alpass, F. Jones (noc-s). Next week tho association wi'l hold a mock Parliament, in which - tho following will bo tho officials: —• Governor-General,. Mr. P. L. Hollings; Prime Minister, ' Postmaster-General, and Minister for Defence, Mr. O. N. • Pra<*nell; Minister for Railways and Public Works, Mr. J. Hunter; Minister for Labour and Marino, Mr. Alex. Donald; Minister for Justice, Mines :and . Immieration, Mr. A.'J. Part-on ; ■ Minister for Education and Public Health, Mr. R. Rigg;- Minister for Lands and Agriculture, Mr. W.-Kemp; Chancellor of -the Es-cheouer and Minister of Finance, Mr. D. H. Hobenton: Minister for Na'tivo Affairs and Stamp Duties, Mr. J. Colo. Tho Speaker will be Mr.'E. Brown; Leader .of the Opposition, Mr. E. Flanagan. Mr. A. 0. Considino, of Martmborough, is reported to bo seriously ill, as tho result of a trap accident, in which 110 sustained rather severe injuries. Mr. D. J. Cameron, of the Upper Plain, Masterton. intonds shortly to reside for somo time in Wellington. , Mr. J. Lauren soil, who divided first and second money .with Mr. T. .Christofcil in the £100 handicap at tho Hawke's Bay Gun Club meeting 011 Tuesday, is one of the best shots in tho Wairarapa, and rosidos at Greytown. This performance was remarkably 1 fine shooting. From- the 22 yards mark ho killed all his birds with .tho exception of 0110 with tho - first barrel, whilo Christofoll, also 011 22 yards, had the urk of tho second, barrel! 011 five occasion*. In the live bird clay pigeon match at tho samo Jensen, of Carterton, smashed all his birds with tho first barrel, and divided' honours with Mp-ssrs. F. Seccombe, 11. J. Fleming, and J. J. Bryce. The'sis'bird match resulted in .the following,

dividing:—MesSrs. F. Soccombe, J. Whittly, A. G. Rhodes, J. J. Bryce, 11. J. Fleming, J. F. Keely, T. Christofeil, H. Harrison, and G. K. King. FEILDING. Mr. D. 11. Montgomery, Feilding manager of tho Hank of Australasia, has returned to Foilding, after having spent his vacation in the South! A movement is on foot here to have periodical meetings of stamp collectors for tlio purpose of exchanging stamps and for discussing .matters connectcd with that interesting hobby. About tv/onty-fivo qicmbers of tlio Feilding Mouhted ltillo Corps took. part in the ollicial wulcomo to tho Governor at Palmer-st-on. Mr. W. A. Edwards, of tho staff of tho local branch of tho Union Bank, has been transferred to tho bank's branch at' New Plymouth. Mr. J)'. F. Hcldt, of tlio New I'lymouth branch, will take tho vacant position at Foilding. Tlio rcsidonts of W.iituna, says to-night's "Star," will regret to learn that tho Wanganui Education Board has received a letter from tlio Education Department, stating that tho Minister for Education has declined to mako a grant for tho erection of a school at Dunolly, and suggests that tho children should be taken by conveyance to tlie Waituna West School. Tho " Star" says it cannot understand the decision, especially as tlio locality was recently visited by Mr. Fowlds, who saw tho state of tho roads.' On Tuesday next a match will ho played between tho Feilding District High School Ffteen and a team of boys representative of tho District High Schools in tho Taranaki province, who are on their way to tackle tho Wellington Schools representative team. Tho visitors arc bringing a party of twentytwo boys, under tho charge of Mr. Gatland, a muster at tho Stratford District High School. Stratford supplies twelve players, l'atea seven, and Eltham threo. Tho visitors are to bo billeted out for one night amongst tho parents of boys attending tho Foilding District High School. Mr. Richard Bum, who has been in business hero for some'years will leave Feilding to-day, to tako up his residenco permanently in Napier. Senior wardon, Bro. W. H. M'Lean, has been unanimously elected worshipful master of the Feilding Masonic Lotlgo. . A couple of local sportsmen paid a visit' to tho Ohaknno district last week, and, as the result of a day in the bush with the (inn, they , bagged seventy native pigeons. They roport that a great deal of settlement is .coins; on'in the district, and_tho town itself is a compact littlo placo, with an air of solidity about it. MARTON. Tho White Hart Hotel narrowly escaped destruction by firo 011 Wednesday night. Tho outbreak occurred in the billiard-room, aiid it was not discovered unti tho flames issued from : tho top floor of tho building. Tho proprietor was first to disoover tho fire, and ha promptly gavo tho alarm. A boarder soon had tho hotel hoso at work and checked tho flames till tho arrival of tho brigado, and the dangor of a serious firo was soon over. It" was a very narrow escape. Tho 'damage will bo covered by insurance. Mr. Arthur Patcrson, _ licenseo of tho Marton Junction Hotel, died on Wednesday aftc-r a short illness: Ho was a son of Captain Paterson, of Dunedin, and has relations in • Wellington. He will bo buried at Wellington 011 Saturday. The Hunterville Senior footballers defeated Excelsiors at Marton on Wednesday by 6 points to nil. The winners are now loading for tho Shield. PAHIATCTA. . On Tuesday night the second of tho series of socials in aid of St. Peter's Anglican vicarage funds was hold in tho Drill Hall. It.was well attended, and proved a great'success. . Tho Woodlands Hunt Club mot on Wednesday at Woodville, and, despite tho weather, had a most enjoyable run over the Bloomnelds Estate.,' a corisidcrablo number following. On Saturday ne:;t tho hounds are to go to Palmerston, where another, successful run is anticipated. CARTERTON. ; 1 Tho flying squad of tlio repair gang-of tlio Railway Department has just finished replacing tho delapidatod wooden fence on tho railway hore with a neat iron one. Residents aro informed that any attempt to cross tho line in Rhodes or Kont Streets will lead to prosecution. Tho Carterton Rifle Volunteers paraded on Wednesday night, under Lieut. Toomath, during absence of Capt. Skey. Liout. Hart gave an instructive lecturo on "Recomiaisance," tho first of the winter serios. GHETTO WN. A meeting has been called by the Mayor to consider what matters can be put boforo the Premie,r on tho occasion or his visit here this month. Such matters as the bridges, tho accommodation for public servants in tho district, and closor settlement aro likely to bo brought forward. ; Tho creditors of-. Mr. A. C. Bicknell, builder, of Greytown, mot on Thursday, and after somo discussion Messrs. J. Kershaw (Pain and Kershaw) and J. D. Smith (W. Booth and Co.) were appointed to investigate cortain matters. The severity of the weather during the last two days can be seen by the quantity qf snow 011 tho ranges surrounding Groytown. _ 1 Tho usual annual meeting of the Greytown Bowling Club has been held, and satisfactory progress was reported. The balancesheet and report as presented wero adoptod, and tho following officers elected: —Patron, Mr. AV. C. Buchanan (re-elected); president, Mr. William Tidy; vice-president, Mr. IT. Trotman; hon. secretary, Mr. H. J. Wigg; treasurer, Mr. W. H. Day; auditor, Mr. 0. P. Loasby; committee (in conjunction with tlio abovo), Messrs. S. Haigli, E. White, W. 0. Williams, D. C. Humphrey, and' Thompson. 1 : Messrs. H. Trotman and D. C. Humphrey have been elected, unopposed, to fill vacancies on tho Borough Council. Mr. W! B'assett, who has been custodian in the South Wairarapa Hospital for some years, has resigned to fill a similar position in tho Otaki Hospital. Before leaving ho jwas presonted with a travelling case and a sot of razors by tho staff. Dr. Bey, in a fow woll-chosen words, made the presentation. \ I WOODYILLE. • Exceptionally bleak cold weather is being experienced,hero, and the ranges are cappod with snow for the first timo this winter. ! Road communication ithrough tho Manawatu Gorge to Palmerston North is blockcd on account- of the punt at Ferry boing wished away. : Mr. H. Escoto has taken up tlio position pf seoretary to tlio A. and P. Society. A niece and nephew of Mr. H. Thomas arrived from Wales yesterday, and purposo settling in Woodville. Tho lecture, "The Old Hand of To-day," given by tho Rev. Mr. Ginger, was well attended, despite a bitter cold night. His Worship the Mayor occupied tho chair. One portion in particular of the' discourse and tho pictures illustrating it wero remarkable, showing that in many counties at Home they have not got away from tho old-fashioned methods of agriculture. Toams of four horses to a single-furrow jilough, necessitating two persons to handle it, constitutes tho common method of ploughing, while in large fields of grain they still retain tho scytho. New Zealand can claim to bo far ahead in this respect. : Mr. R. Shaw, who recently sold out his business hore, intonds to settle at Waipuklira'j. OTAKI. A hockey match between tho ladies of tho Otaki and Mnnakau Clubs took place horn 011 Wednesday, and resulted in a win for tlio former by 3. goals to 2. Otaki had all the best of the game, duo to tho fact that tho visitors had only nine players, including two substitutes. After the contest tho visitors worn entertained at- afternoon tei by the local club. "Lot's play rough" was tho remark of a Manakau lady while playing hockey 011 Wed- , neuday. "No" ..said'her captain. "Well,

wo may as well;-they (Otraki) are." In many cases blood flowed, and skin was knocked .off.. Tho ,gamo was not played in tho friendliest spirit. . At the Town Hall on Wednesday night a concort was hold in aid of' tho funds of tho Otaki Station Anglican Sunday School. The programme was a good one, and reflected credit on Mrs. ■ Rollo, the promoter. There was. iiowover, only a moderate attendance. • Tno Otaki Road Board is doing good work in tho town, and is completing tho footpath on Waerenga Road. A couple of lamps havo boen removed from their original positions, and erected at more convenient places. _ Additions are being made to the Anglican" Church in Iti Street, and improvements and additions will shortly bo carried out at the Methodist Church. A successful concert was held at To Horo on Tuesday night, when there was a large and appreciative attendanco. Sovoral . visitors were present from Otaki. A movement is on foot here to promote a ladies' leap year ball, and one or'two of the' moro energetic havo tho working of the function in hand. An unusual sight was witnessed here on Tuesday night, when a fine stag visited the precincts of Otaki. After viewing the surroundings ho left hurriedly towards the Tararua. This is the third, time deer have been seen near tho township during the last three years. EKETAHUNA. A stable at Alfredton, owned by Sir. W. Cross, together with the contents, was completely destroyed by fire at an early hour on Tuesday. morning. Tho insurance was £100 on tho stablo and buggy. Miss Maud Manson, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Mrs. Manson, lioenseo of tho Eketahuna Hotel, died at an early hour on Thursday morning after a lingering illness. As a result of tho performance given on Tuesday evening by tho ladies' Magpie Minstrels, the funds of the Women's Auxiliary of St. Cuthbert's Church will be augmented by fully £20. ■ FEATHERSTON. 5 The weekly danco under the auspices of tho Firo Brigade was held on Wednesday evening, in the Town Hall., when thero was a fair attendance, despite the inclement weather. Mrs. A. Burt was the musician, and Messrs. C. Lust and J. Higgison, M C's lix connection with tho lcctnre-concerfc to bo given hero on Monday evening, in aid of tho Firo Brigade, some fifteen performers aro coming from Carterton. Mr. A. Martin, or Otaraia, has imported a "silver Wyandotte cockerel from tho Moumahafei experimental farm. ■ The drawings for tho third and fourth rounds of the junior fixtures for tho Wairarapa Thursday Union championship are as follows: —June 25, Albions v. Liberals, at Grevtown; July 2, Liberals v. Rovers, at Carterton; July 9, Albions v. Rovers, at Masterton; July 16, Albions v. Liberals, at Carterton; July 23, Liberals v. Rovers, at Featherston. At a meeting held here on Tuesday night it was decided to make an effort to form a gymnastic club, and Messrs. Stewart, J. Higgison, and L. Benton wore appointed a committee to maM a canvass for members. Tho death took place on Tuesday of Mrs. Mary Steffert. wifo of Mr. H. C. Steffert, of this" town. Deceased had been ailing for some three years from an incurable complaint,'and had reached the ago of 64 years. She was born in Kent, _England, and'camo to New Zealand in 1877. She was tv.ico married, and loaves fivo children by tho first marriage.

C<DURT OF ARBITRATION. 1 ' - -♦ : INTERPRETATIONS OF AWARDS. Tho following interpretations havo been filed with tho Clerk of Awards :-fWELLINGTON BUTCHERS' AWARD. • Clauso 2 (b). —"Tho following shall bo tho minimum rates of wages to be paid to tho several classes of workers hereinafter specified that is to say':First shopman, £3 per week; second' shopman, £2 lOs N por week; first small-goods-man, £3 per week; all other workers employed in connection with the business, including shopmen, small-goods-men, carters in charge of hawking or order carts, and general hands, £2 10s. per week; riders out, if 'twenty-one years'of ago, £1 12s. 6d. por week." . Question. —Where a youth under 21 N years of ago is employed in' charge of a hfiwking or order cart, may the provisions of Clauso 4 apply to him, or must lie be paid tho rato fixed, by Clauso 2, irrespective of his.age ? Answor.—The provisions 'of'Clause 4 apply to tho youth in question, and his employer is not hound to pay him more than tho wages proscribed by that clause. \ : WELLINGTON COOKS AND WAITERS' AWARD. Clause 4.—" A week's work for all classea of hotel-workers covered by this award shall not'exceed sixty-five hours. Each employer shall bo entitled to arrango this hours of work according to the requirements of his particular business, subject to the following conditions: Waiters—Tho hours for waiters shall not exceed 11 hours' work per day, and shall bo worked between tho hours of 6 a.m. and 12 midnight as may bo regulated by tho employer.. Kitchen —Tho hours for cooks and kitchen-hands shall , not exceed 11 hours' work per day, and shall be worked between tho hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.,- as may bo regulated by tho employer. Porters —Whether night or day, twelve hours. Pantrymen —Tho hours for pantrymen shall not exceed 11 hours' work per day, and shall bo worked between tho hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m, as may. bo regulated by the employer. Where moro than sixty-fivo hours snail have been worked in any one week, 'overtime at the rato hereinafter specified :shall be -paid to tho worker for the time worked in excess of tho said sixty-five hours." ' , Quostion.—May tho stipulated maximum of the hours of work of any o'lio day be exceeded ; or is it compulsory that work must ceaso on anv day when, such maximum haa boen rcached? • Answer. —Tho limit fixed by Clauso 4 for each day's work cannot bo exceeded; even although tllo employer may be >c willing .to pay overtime for any work done in excess of. that limit. Thus an employer is not entitled to require a waiter to work- more than eleven hours in any one day. .