PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 896, 16 August 1910, Page 2

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Oar Sioclal Oorresponacnti.) ■. ■ • ■ .-» '. '— . PAHIATUA. A' sub-cuniiuUteo hus been appointed In conjunction with the Pahiatua Central Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to carry out further agricultural oxperimonts in this district under the supervision of Mr. G. de. S. Buylis... _' The Government Orchard. Instructor, Mr..F. E. Nottage,'will give a demonstration of pruning and spraying fruit trees in Mr. John Hughes's orchard this evening. Mr. Nottage wilL also deal with the latest methods of emulsifying oils with' water. The demonstrations will bo conducted under the auspices of tho Pa. hiatua Central Branch of the New Zeli. laud Fanners' Union. - Tho Pahiatua-Akitio Agricultural and Pastoral Association have' decided to hold a ram fair in connection with their forthcoming show, uud the following subcommittee has been appointed to' niake the necessary arrangements:—Messrs. C, Avery, W. Mitchell, J. E. Hewitt, 1 , . Whito, T. V. Girdwood, W. E. C. Tyleo, K. .1. M'Lennan, T. Boyd, W. D. Taylor, an.! AY. J. Collins. .The management, of the Drill Hall Skating Kink has decided lo hold. another children's skating' carnival (fancy, dress and poster) on Tuesday, August 30, when a number of novelty races will be added to the'programme. This exhilarating vmstime has "caught ou" here, especially with the little ones. Tho Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister for Agriculture, has telegraphed the. secre-' tary of the Pahiatua branch of the .-New , Zealand Farmers' Union.- (Mr. J. A. Walsh) intimating his intention of being present at the "social" and dance whsca is to be held under the auspices' of th< branch on AYednesday, August 2i. The membership of the l'ahiatua-Akitio Agricultural and Pastoral Association is rapidly increasing. At; the last monthly meeting the following were elected members:—Messrs. J. Kerrison,. •Aγ. , Corbett, J. Bird, J. Hennessey, T. Hodgine, J, Hislop, L. E.. Hill, T. AVhitta,-A. Ker« lison, J. H. Hampton, S. MacLeod, T. H. Murray, M. M'Kinlay, and A. Watson.

, WOODVILLE.

. Mr. Stanton, who has been carrying on work in' connection with the / pastorate of .the Woodville Methodist Church, ie returning to Wellington to resume mis«, sion work. 'Prior -to the■ close of Sun' day morning's service, which was the occasion of Mr. Stanton's farewell address, Mr. J. Harding, on behalf of the' congregation, spoke very highly 1 of the work dono by Mr. Stanton and presented him with.a purse of sovereigns. ■'■■■■ 4 :. The Mayor has promised-to preside at the Rechabite Anniversary Meeting, which will celebrate the 75th year of the order and the 32nd of the local Tent. '

' SHANNON. , :>,

Iu the report of the: local Presbyterian Church for the year ended June 30 itjia stated that there were forty-tour membera in fifll communion at the close of tho year. There had been a gain of seven members, in spite of the fact that several Presbyterian families had left the 'district. Special reference- was ruado to , the death of' Mrs. ]3. Law, "whose kindlysympathy and unselfish spirit will live in tiie memory of those .who were privileged to know her." During the year increasing numbers had attended tho services, especially the evening services. A Bible Class had been carried .on with satisfactory results. .'A special. . debt, of gratitude was due to- the Ladies' Guild, through. whose efforts the. church . had first been cleared of debt and ,the-. buildings had been.painted and the paths asphalted., ' The church managers . reported that receipts for the year, including tho balance in hand at the-,beginning'."of Hie year, amounted to ,£l7B Gs. 3d., and the expenditure was .£l2l 7s 7d., leaving a credit balance of .257 Bs. Bd. The secretary of the Sunday School (Mr. W. E. Gundy)' reported that 28 children wero attending the school. During the; year Mr. Schmidt had resigned tlio superintendentship>>"aud Mr. W. Clayton had beeii ' appointed. in his ' place. Reports were also received and adopted from the choir and Ladles' Guild.. The guild had a credit , balance of••B47-5s'/ , -2drin" handrThe following members, were .elected ,to, tho Management •"' Committee:—Messrs. " E. Law, P. Oag, J. Cameron, M. Eyrio (all re-elected), and Messrs. T. ; Hensinan, J. Galland, and-W. E. Gundy...:-Tho>Session nominated to the ■ congregation- Messrs. W. Clayton and J. Ryrie- as members eligible for tho eldership. Special reference was made to the assistance given by Mr. Gundy in the , conduct of[ the services. Through his valuable aid., it had been possible to hold two \ Presbyterian, services .every. Sabbatb, Session accorded'him its heartfelt tlianks.

The Levin Y.MIC.A. :havo at last decided which side they will take in their debate with the local Literary and Debating Society, which' will take plate at Levin on August 31. They will 'move: "That tho Imperial Government cannot maintain the two-Power standard." Their team will consist of Messrs..' Janrieson, Niell, and Parker. , . . ; ;

OTAKI. '

A meeting of the tManakau Debating Society was held on Friday night, when, Mr. M'Baiu delivered an'interesting.address on "Ireland." ~:r ' •"■,':,;" Mr. Commrick,. tablet' ixrtor at Maualtau, has been transferred to.- Ngaio. . The annual meeting ot'i the-Otaki'.Lawn Tenuis Club, was held on...Friday ing, Mr. W.'.H. Siracox presiding. The following .officers ..were . elected:—President",. Mr.' Simcox j; vice-presidents,. Messrs. .Simcox, and U.,L.,Hartmann; hon. secretary; S. Goldsmith;., "com- , mittec, . Misses O'Kourke and Simcpx, and Messrs.' J. Bncchus, H.' . Nicolson, '.'T. M'Call,. and' I' , . Penn j auditor, Mr. S. Simcox. It was decided to open the season on Octoucr 8.