PROVINCIAL NEWS. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.)

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 253, 18 July 1908, Page 11

PROVINCIAL NEWS. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.)

PALMERSTON. Tho Beautifying Society has decided to interview the Borough Council in order to define more clearly its position. At the Gorgo Bridge preparations are being mado to drive tho iron bark piles for tho first span, and immediately tho steel cords and.other material arrive—and thoy aro expected any day—the crcction'of tho first span will be proceeded with. The weather is bitterly cold, and slight falls of snow are reported in the back districts. . . At tho ladies' meeting in connection with tho Plunket nurse, Lady Plunket in nominating Mrs. Staff-Captain Henry to the committee, paid a high tributo to tho work of the Salvation Army amongst the poor. Thursday evening, Mr. R. Homblow, a candidate for tho Oroua seat, addressed tho electors at Ashhurst. The candidate referring to the recently-erected Pohangina Bridge, characterised its erection on the . prsent site as a grave public scandal. To reinstate the bridge in its present site was imposible, and, according to tho most reliable authority, tho wholo work will have to be repeated, and tho bridgo erected on the site originally suggested by tho local engineer and others. The question arose whether tho Government having made the blunder should not bear the .whole cost of re-construction. Tho unfortunate settlers of the rough Pohangania Countyj with everlasting slips' to contend with in the rainy season, are now heavily rated, and if this extra burden is to be borne by them it will mean a hardship that many will not be able to bear. The candidate also dealt with tho position of many scttjers in the baok-blocks, and made an assertion that owing to fires and drought last season be was in .a position, from personal observations, to state that there is not nearly the same number of, men employed in the districts as was the case last year. MASTERTON. HUNT CLUB MEET. ,A very successful meet was held by tho Wairarapa Hunt Club at Akura on Thursday. The throw-off took place at Mr. Chas. Holmwood's property, and the hunters, which included some of the best horses to be found in the Wairarapa, were taken over some stiff country, and had to negotiate about sixteen fences. A halt was made at Mr. R. Buick's ■ residence, where tho visitors wore entertained at afternoon tea. Every obstaclo was cleared by the field in fine style, and accidents were an absent feature. The list of huntsmen who followed the hounds is as follows The Master (Mr. W. H. Buick), on Dick Turpin; the. Huntsman (Mr. Harold, Welch), on Caroline; honarary whip (Mr. C. J. Bennett), on Diana; Mr. C. F. Vallance, on liata;. Mr. Herbert Welch, on Moonlight; Mr. B. Vallance, on Garry; Mr. R. Buick, on Kiwi; Mr. T. M'Grath, on Tattoo; Mr. H. Douglas, on Hakaj'Mr. A. Watson, on Traylock; Mr.: P. Mason, on Valima; Mr. T. Hood, on Mounted Rifle; Mr. R. Welch, on Gun Metal; Mr. J, Floyd, on Jess; Mr. J. Scott, on Trustee; Mr. N. Douglas, on Ataranga; Mr. E. J. Williams, on Prospector; Mr. W. D. Watson, on Yeast; Mr. J. -Douglas, on Robin; Mr..W. J. Yeraon, on Tui; Mr. E. Pelling,. on Lady Kulnine; Mr. August. Hompa, on Eclipse. After a good run, which consisted of about .sixteen-fences, a check was made at Mr. Robert Buick's house, when light refreshments were served, which were thoroughly appreciated.. The next meet will take place at Martiiiborough to-day, and on July 25 the hounds will assemble at Tenui. At both theso runs largo gatherings are anticipated. Tho Masterton Hospital Trustees are considering the advisableness of making provision for a diphtheria ward at tho Masterton Hospital. There is at present no special accommodation in the hospital for diphtheria cases, and.the matter has been brought under tho notico of tho Trustees by Dr. A. Hosking. 1 ■ , ■ At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday (says a Press Association message) the following motion was carried:— That the Minister for Customs be written to, and urged not to make any increase in duty on foreign timber, as it is considered (1) that 2s. per 100 ft! is quite sufficient to protect industry; (2) that an increase, in duty would imposo hardship on the majority of tho population of New Zealand, conferring- a benefit on a few millers and mill hands only; and (3) that if any furthor assistance bo given to millers, it should be in the way of cheaper failway freight. . EEILDING. The Government has granted £350 for' the crection of a school at Rangitaua on the Main Trunk Line near Ohakune. The persistence of the Wanganui Education Board in declininig to tako a refusal in regard to a buildiiig for tho Dunolly school, has been rowarded. Notification has been received that £280 has been granted for tho work. ' : Tho Rev. W. F. Stent, curate at St. Johns, Feilding, who is removing to Hawera, has received a' number' of presentations, includ-' i)i£ one from the members of the Ministers' Association, of which he was secretary. The ordinary meeting of tho Borough Council was attended by Mr. Trewin (Mayor) and. Councillors Cobbe, Bromwell, Richmond, Goodbeherej Bartholomew, Fitzherbert, Tolley, and West. The Manawatu County Council wrote asking support on a deputation to tho Premier to request larger borrowing powers for bodies, and Councillor Fitzherbert was appointed to represent Folding. For kcrbing and | channelling Kimbolton Road and Street tho tender of Messrs. Pulling and Lord (Feilding,) at £1053'1-ls., .being tho lowest, was accepted. PAHIATUA. After a (ino day on Thursday, tho weather took ' a change in the ovening, a heavy southerly squall breaking over the town shortly after eight o'clock. Yesterday was very rough, and was probably the coldest felt so far this season. CARTERTON. Jlr. W. B. . Chennells, District Official Assignee, presided over a meeting of creditors in tho estate of C. H. Gayfa at tho Court House yesterday. The debtor was present-, anil- explained his position. It ■ was decided,'on the motion of Mr. H. M'Phie, seconded by Mr. G. W. Diller, that the debtor pay £100 within two years, and be recommended for- his immediate discharge. The weather is wintry and seasonable. Tho Tainuis • and Maungarakis are clothed with anow, and hailstones and sleet are frequent. ; . ' OTAEI. The Rev.'H. T. Stealey, Anglican minister, will preach farewell sermons throughout the district to-morrow, having decided to devote tho' evening service to his congregation at Otaki. During Mr. Stealey's three years' stay hero ho has done much for tho Church. His' generous gifts in this direction are well appreciated, and his departure from thi' district will mean a serious loss not easily to be filled. Mrs. Stealey will also bo missed as sho has worked energetically, cspecia'ly among the younger folk in the district. A bachelor's ball is' on the tapis, and tho young me.i of tho town aro displaying a deal of enthusiasm. The function will probably bo held next month. Yesterday the weather, was wintry—gusty, with occasional showers, and cold. ' ■ .WOODTILLE. A ploasant ovening was spent on Wednesday last in tho Borough Council Chambers. Tho .members of tho Firo Brigade had invited the Councillors to a friendly card match, at which the majority attended. His Worship the' Mayor made tho presentation of sovoial Imig-servico medals, gained by. memben of the Brigade!.

■ The tenuis club daiice was largely attended, and, as usualj the arrangements wero very satisfactory. Mr. J. Clark, who has managed the Oxford Road Creamery .for some years past, is to be transferred to the Wanganui district. ' . The No-License Council, which met at Pahiatua; on Friday evening, decided on the publication of a No-License paper, to be issuod fortnightly. . Tho Presbyterian congregation has given a call to the Rev. Gardner, of Gisborne. HUNTERVILLE. A Press Association message states that at the Hunterville Court yesterday, before Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., a settler named Henry M'Cutcheon was, .on ■ information by Stock Inspector Dalgleish, fined £5 and costs £2 12s. for hindering informant in the execution of his duty.' The offence took place at Hunterville saleyards on May 12.' Defendant had a line of steers for sale. The inspector requested the withdrawal of one animal which had a lump on its jaiiv, pending further examination, and defendaut used threatening and abusive language. The charge was laid under Sections 12 and 18 of the Stock Act,' 1893. • EKETAHUNA. An. unusually' large numbpr of swaggers have passed through .the district during tho past, few weeks.'.. ' The Eketahunaf'Chamber of Commerce has feided not to agitate further-in the matter of 1 tho proposal to merge tho Alfredtan portion of tho Masterton County into the Eketahuna County till the settlers themstilves take the matter up more energetically. At the ordinary meeting of. Court Makakahi, A.0.F., the following officers were installed for tho ensuing year:—C.R., Bro. F. Wise; P.C.R., Bro. Nicol; J.W., Bro. Cittadine;> J. 8., Bro. J. N. Carter; J. B. Bro. Barnard; secretary, Bro.'T. Bedding. Bro. Bedding tendered, his resignation as a trustee, and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Bro. W. B."Matheson, subject to his approval.' : • I In answer to a ■ request that a sum of £250 be placed on the Estimates for the construction of a bridge on the Kaiparora-Mount Bruce Road, the Minister said tho urgency of the work "had been, noted for consideration when the estimates of the Roads Department, for the current year aro being compiled. Au interesting football, match, Veterans v. Eketahuna Club, was ,played on Thursday, in aid of tho funds of tho Eketahuna publio library. The latter won.'by G points to 3. In order to cope witlil.the increasing business at the Eketahuna,,Post Office the Department recently found it necessary to add considerably to the building._ ■ A new wing in brick has been erected, which will be open for public use ip the course of a day or two. ■ . ..' . Owing to the scarcity of orders, it is that tho , majority of sawmills cutting in this district mil be compelled to close down for a - couple of months. FEATHERSTON. There were over fifty couples present at' the social held on Thursday evening under tho auspices of Loyal Unity Lodge. Tho interior of tho hall was tastefully decorated, and tho floor was in good order. Music was played by Mrs. A. Burt (piano), and Mr. W. Sorerisen (violin), extras being played by Mosdames H. Wickeus and H. W. Waters. Messrs. G. Machon, S. Murphy, J. A. M'Carty,- and M. B. Tait woro M.C.'s.