PALMERSTON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 452, 10 March 1909, Page 2

PALMERSTON.

Tlio Methodist Conferenco has finally decided that tho Rev. G. W. J. Spenco shall succeed tho Rev. J. J. Lowis as senior minister in tho Palmorston circuit, with his headquarters at tho Broad Street Church, and that tho Rov. T. T. Thomas, 8.A., shall succeed tho Rev. Hugh Beggs as juuior minister, with his headquarters at Cuba Street. Tho Rov. Mr. Spcnce has had a long and honourable career in tho Methodist ministry, and has occupied some of tho most important Mothodist pulpits in tho Dominion. At present ho is stationed at Grafton Road, Auckland. Tho Rev. Jlr. Thomas is ono of tho most promising of tho younger ministers, an eloquent preacher, and a man of forceful character. He is the son of the lato Rpv. T. E. Thomas, M.A., of Leeston. At present he is stationed at Daimevirke, whore his ministry has been attended with groat success. Tho Rov. J. J. Lowis has been transferred to Nelson—a circuit in which ho will havo lighter duties than at Palmorston, whoro tho strain of this largo district has been telling on tho veteran minister's health. Tho Rov. H. Beggs has been appointed to an important charge at Eden Terrace, Auckland, his splendid record in tho Cuba Street church having well-earned tho advance. Tho ministers aro duo in their new circuits early in April. Mr. C. L. Carr, who has laboured so successfully in tho Ashhurst district, having been accepted as a candidate for tho ministry, will also leave tho circuit to attend tho Auckland University, and a substitute for him has .yet to bo found. At a meeting of the Pohangina Rifle Defonco Club, Mr. J. J. Lynch presiding, the following officers wore elected for tho ensuing year:—Patron, Mr. E. Akers; captain, Mr. W. Hunt; vice-captain, Mr. W. Orr; secretary and ireasurer, Mr. H. Fitzsimmons. Tho following were appointed to tho committeo: Messrs. Hunt, Orr, Fitzsimmons, A. M'Donald and J. Thomas, and Sir. J. Coylo was appointed handicappor. Tho Firo Brigado received a call about 1.30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, a largo area of dry grass having caught firo in tho railway yard at tho back of Colo's buildings. Tho flames spread rapidly, and a pilo of railway sleepers in tho vicinity were soon in danger of ignition. A number of tho brigadesmen turned out. under Superintendent "Warner, ran out a lead, and quickly extinguished tho fire. Probato of tho will of William Rowlands, of Palmerston North, farmer, deceased, has been granted on the application of Mr. J. Pinncs to Isaac W. Lovelock and Emily T. Rowland, the executors named in tho will. Sneak thioves havo lately been raiding fowl yards, and stealing poultry. In ono case a fow days ago a fancier had several expensive birds taken from his pens. At tho last meeting of tho Kairanga County Council a letter was received from tho Department of Agriculture stating that, with regard to the spread of noxious weeds in tho county, tho inspector had endeavoured to get as much work done as possiblo without taking proceedings. Numbors of landowners tried to do their best to keep tho weeds down, but others, despite notices sent to thorn, did nothing. It was almost impossible for the officers of tho Department to know whero all tho woods were, and they asked tho co-operation of landowners in reporting any cases. Councillors .stated that the spread of ragwort and pennyroyal was* almost universal all over the district, and it was a menaco to tho land. It was decided to thank tho Department for tho prompt action which it was taking. Thoro is a very excellent crop of pennyroyal growing in a paddock on the Foxton lino, and sottlers consider that it should havo tho early attention of tho inspector of noxious weeds. Also tho Borough Council could, with advantage, instruct its workmen to grub up tho numerous patches that aro becoming apparent along tho shoop routes in town.