PROVINCIAL CENTRES

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 817, 14 May 1910, Page 6

PROVINCIAL CENTRES

(Prom Our BoacUl Oorroflpondent«J — -frMASTEFtTOH. 1 The Masterton School Committee is not deterred by the action of the' Wellington Education Board, which recently decided that what is known as the "Nelson system" of religious instruction' could not be introduced during the hours set apart for secular education. At its meeting on Thursday evening the committee resolved, after considerable discussion, to request the board to permit the Nelson. system to be introduced to the Masterton School. Halley's comet was seen to distinct advantage in Masterton yesterday morning. Shortly after fonr o'clock the sky was perfectly clear, and the luminous tail of the comet stretched out at an angle in great length, apparently encompassing the oarth.,. It resembled, for a time, the searchlight of a war vessel. The planet Venus was also very bHUiant. Mr. William Cragg, who has been in business in Masterton for a number of years as a tobacconist, died last evening. Decoased, who had . been ailing for a considerable time, ■ was a native of Invercargill. When a younger man ho resided in Blenheim and Wellington. He was twice married, and leaves a widow and five children. • The roll number at the Masterton District High School is now 612, at the sido school 17S, and in the secondary classes 66. . , .Mr. Hwang, Chinese Consul.at, Wellington, will deliver a lecture at Pahiatua.on May 20 on the "Civilisation of China." Tho Masterton Homing Pigeon Club is apparently a very live institution. A healthy rivalry exists among the members, and some very fine birds aie being bred in tho district. Eleven lofts are competing for the championship internal race, from Blenheim. Mr. W. H. Jackson, who succeeded Mr. W. T. Grundy (now of Clyde Quay School) as headmaster of tho Masterton District High School, will' shortly complete twenty-one' years'' service in his present position. Advantage is to .be takon of the occasion: to present him with a suitable memento. . A meeting of bid pupils of the school is being con.vened to make arrangements for a presentation. hand of Death has laid low qaito a number of residents of this town of late. Six deaths have been' ; recorded during the last eight or ten days. WOODVILLE. A meeting of Woodville residents in-' terested in the arranging of services on the day of the burial of the late King' was held on Thursday evening. HisWorship the Mayor occupied the chair. It was agreed to ask the local ministers to arrange tho order of service. Invitations are to be issued to the school children to attend the service, and those accepting 'ore to meet at the Main School grounds at 10 a.m. on Friday next. The band is to be asked to provide the musical part of Ijhe service. • The arrangements will be similar to those carried, out at the service held at the time of Queen Victoria's death. CARTERTON. The South Wairarapa Poultry Association have been advised by the North Island Association that tho dates applied for, July 13 and 14, clash with those asked for by the Hawera Society." As the latter society are holding their exhibition in conjunction with the wintor show, the local association has been asked to either select the week before or after the above-mentioned dates. Mr. and' Mrs. Henry Ackorman, who were married at St. Mary's . Church, Bridport, England, on-May. 11; 1860, .celebrated their golden wedding at Parkvalo this week. The aged couple are still hale and hearty. ...

Mrs. Grant, postmistress at, Glad-istone,-has returned homo from her annual holiday, which she enjoyed at Christchurch..

■ At a meeting of the Loyal Heart of Oak Lodge of Oddfellows, it was decided to place on record a vote expressing the meeting's sense of the great loss which the Empire has sustained by the death of King Edward. VII. It was further decided tliat as many of tho brethren as possible attend in regalia to take part in the memorial service. .. ■ ■ ' OTAKI. A sitting of the S.M. Court was held before Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., yesterday, when Annie Knocks, for refusing to quit licensed premises, was fined £2. The case Joseph Smith (Acclimatisation Socioty) v. Charles Crabbe, for fishing in the Otaki River without a license, was .dealt with, the S.M. reserving his decision. Robert Nicholi (a Native), for common assault on one William Webber, .was fined 10s., without costs. For breaches of the Flaxmill Award, M'Donald and Bovan were fined £2, and costs 6s. A quantity of ordinary civil business was also transacted.