PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 774, 24 March 1910, Page 9

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Socclal Carreesondents.) • ' —* . FEILDINC. A special confcrcnco is to bo held between tho members of tho Feildiiig •Technical School Committee and representative farmers to discuss tho proposal to establish classes for the study of agriculture. , Mr. G. de S. Baylis, of the Agricultural Department, is to give a lecture to farmers in Feilding shortly on experimental agriculture, particularly with regard to the improvement of pasturo land. Wool-classing instruction in connection with tho local Technical School is to-begin,in tho first week in April. Mr. John Rankin, who has just resigned tho position of town clerk, left for Wellington, yesterday with his family. Duncdin will be their future place of residence. Mrs. Smale, of Blenheim, and Mrs. \\. H. Stevenson, of Rarotonga, are on a visit to Feilding. A mooting is to be called shortly for the purpose of inaugurating a chess and draughts club. .The Mayor (Mr. Trewin), who. lias been in office for four years, will probably again offer himself for the Mayoral chair. ■ Pastor Swinerd gave a very interesting lecture in the Baptist Church thi« week on-his experience as a missioner in- the backblocks settlements of New Zealand. Ho leaves Feilding next week for his_ new. sphere of work in the Oxford district, Canterbury. OTAKI. ' A slight shock of earthquake was felt here : at about G o'clock on Monday evening. ■ • '■ . The visiting and local Natives held a dance in the Otaki Town Hall on Monday night, when the building" was crowded;' . ' . . : LEVIN. The Presbyterian Sabbath Sohool anniveTsary is to be celebrated on Sunday next when the Bev. G. ,K. Aitken, of Foxton, will be tho- preacher at the morning, afternoon, and evening services.' The annual picnic is to be lield at Mt. H. Y. Newport's paddock, Kawhiii Road on Monday. -.The'* monthly meeting of the Levin School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present: Messrs. J. Malcolm' (chairman), I. Hook, S. Hall, J. Davidson, and J. Robertson (secretary); It was reported that the two new teachers, Miss Tonkinsoii and Miss D. Stuckey, are to commenco duty on April' 1. Some discussion took place on the withdrawal, by the Education Department of the grant of 9d.. per-.scholar, .which meant a loss of some £17 to the Levin Committee. Tho secretary stated that, but for the rovonuo from the concert promoted last December and the subsidy, paid thereon, the committee would have gone out of office' next month with a debit balance. As a cheque for £11 14s. 6d., the amount of the subsidy, had now been received, the comimtteo would have a credit • balance instead, [t was agreed to leave the matter to the annual' meeting : .or householders next month for s an. expression ofDpinion; '■ • It is anticipated t/ltat a credit balance iyill result from the school picnic hold last iveek. -When tlie accounts were being paid 'some, of the recipients generously ;ave discounts, and'this has caused a argor, balance than expected. It-is ioped : that the committee will coniinuo -these outings annually, as it ias been proved that they can bo run ,'ery/successfully.! ' . WOODVILLE. "[The-annu'at. meeting of the Woodviilo Football! Club was held, on ■ Monday evening.. ;Tho officers elected for the soa son were as'.'.follow '.Dr. Mules; ..president, Mr. H. Crawford; vice-presidents, Messrs. Boyen, J. Nicholas, J., Murray',. and - M'Cabe; secretary, Mr. \V. 'Stunner; treasurer, Mr. A. Rosenberg. . Good business was done at th v o festival lieH at the Drill Hall this,week, the sum of ,£44 being taken. It. is estimated that the whole proceedings will net about £100. . .'■ '.-.■'.. ■'■\. CARTERTON. The business people of Carterton have decided, to keep, thoir shops open as usual on Saturday. The majority were in favour of closing,.thus enabling their employees to 20 away for their Easter holidays,- but the minority on this occasion evidently ruled. Mr. ;T. Reid, postmaster, made his annual inspection ,at Tβ Wharau this week. ■ .. .. ■''■.'.■ The portion of the footpath in High Street which has lately had cohcreto kerbing erected around it is now to be asphalted. ', It is tho borough's intention to do a,little work in this direction each year as funds permit. ■ Information comee to hand from tho various gangs of men who are conducting tho poisoning operations on the fw £ oast , of South Wairarapa that the rabbits are taking the bait readily. It is satisfactory, to note that the settlers, are .working in unison with the btocfc Department. The present poisoning will.not bo completed until well .into tho month. The autumnal rams then mako pollard poisoning futile. If settlers were to use the gun after a very successful poisoning season they would find it" to their advantage as it is well known that some rabbits will not take poison under the most favourable conditions. Hence a good man behind a gun is of some value in clearing out these "old stagers "

CREYTOWN. A largo number of members attended tho annual meeting of the Groytown Volunteer Fire Brigade on Monday evening last. Captain It. Workman was in the chair. Tho report and bal-ance-sheet were read and adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows •— Captain, R. Workman; first lieutenant, W. dates; second lieutenant, T. Fisher: 1 hrst branching A. Haigh; second branchman, A. Cole; f-.irrl branchman, H. Irotman; fourth branchman, ET Skeet; secretary, H. Haigh; treasurer! i±. Olifent. Previous to the meeting a few competitions were run off, and these resulted in A. Coo winning tho chaU lenge cup, which ho will now hold for the next twelve months. T. Bilby ran a' good second, and wins a badge.