PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 2631, 5 August 1908, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.)^ ■, . PALMERSTON. A, house occupied by ex-Detective Maddern in Waldegravtf Streot lias been destroyed by firo. At tho District Court, in bankruptcy, before District Judgo Haselden, yesterday, Kent Collins applied for liis discharge, which was suspended for six months. R. T. Wearne was publicly examined. • Mr. Gilruth passed through Palmerston yesterday en route for K.imbolton, where he is to deliver ail address prior to the Earners' Union banquet. A good deal of discussion is taking place amongst local enthusiasts regarding tho prospects of the Tracoy-Rollo boxing contest which is •to be held to-morrow . evening. Rollo is putting in some useful work, and appears to be equal to'tho occasion. Discussing the prospects of the match he stated to our representative that it would bo a willing go, as lie recognised in l Tracey an opponent'who could give a splendid account of himself. ■ ■ . ' ;

The first performance of the local amateur dramatic society passed off successfully last evening. There was a good audience, and appreciation was expressed by fiequent outbursts of applause.

, ' MASTEItTON. Mr. R. Brown, of this town, who is compiling a history of tho Mastorton Trust. Lands Trust, which will bo in a way a history of Masterton itself, expects to completo his work- in about six months' time. Amongst his illustrations is a photographic reproduction. of Queen Streot, or, as it was then known, Bridge Street, in 1865. Bridge Streot in those days must havo been remarkably ragged, "something like , the newly-cleared bush traOks of the present day. Tho houses were more huts, of the most forlorn kind, straggling through tho bush clearing and stumps, and the road was an linmetalled, uneven track ,of the most primitive kind. Two of the houses of that day are still standing whore they stood forty-three •' years ago—a tribute :to tho excellence of the timber. Of these two habitations one is known as Foist's'old shop and the other as Neo's smithy.- , ■ _ The frosts.this winter (says a Press Association message), have been much more ,frequent and : severe than during the winter of 1007. Since Juno 1 32 frosts, have been recorded, against 22 for the corresponding period last year. The severest frost thi3 winter was. fourteen degrees, and last year eleven degrees.

•FEILDING. : _ Passengers 'by the up express from Wellington yesterday witnessed a rather alarming accident just this. side of tho Bunnythorpe railway station. A lady was riding a horse along the road when 'the animal took fright at the train • and - - bolted. .Tlio, lady was thrown, and with her foot caught in the stirrup was.dragged-some distance along tho road. ; Tho . passengers were, ■ however, greatly rolieved .when they saw'tho lady;get. up after her foot had slipped from the stirrup and. walk after the horse.'. '

: Clayton; who is to'succeed Mr. Mathesou as manager of the Eeildihg branch of' tho Bank -of Now Zealand, leaves Wellington to-day. Ho will be accompanied by Mrs. Clayton.

' It is to be regretted that sheep-worrying still continues (says, the "Star's" Apiti correspondent). Several more valuable sheep have been lost. ' Systematic efforts will have to be made to, get rid of the stray dogs. ■ .The usual meeting of tho Wang,mm Presbytery was held in Feilding yesterday. There were present tho Revs. Gunn (Moderator), M'Cully; Morton, Budd, Hutson, Ross, Hall, Evans, Ryburn, Gorton, Jolly, "White, and Jupp, and Messrs. M'Farland, Thomson, M'Doiiald, . Scott, ■; Bishop,' Mackenzie', and >Aitken. It was agreed to. transmit tho'overture the placing of! women missionaries on the beneficiary, funds, of the assembly. The Revs. Rybnrn and.Hutson were appointed to appear in support of tho overture. The Rev. R; Ryburn reported 011 Eastbrook, , and. stated 'that, a-now church' was opened there last monthi