PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 907, 29 August 1910, Page 8

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Oar Special CorrosDondeutß.) . OTAKI. At last, after considerable delay, tho gas lamps in Otaki are in use, and give a light'which puts in tho shade tho old-time oil lamps so long in use. , Mr. and Miss Simcox won tho mixed foursomes on the local golf links, but as tho former had donated the trophy, he handed it over to the next best pair, Mr. and Mrs. Tolhurst. At Paraparaumu, on Thursday night, the local branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union held a reunion, Mr. C. Whiting, presiding. Mr; A. "M'Kay proposed* tho toast of "The Farmers' Union," giving an interesting resume of the'busi-. ness transacted at tho recent union conference at Marton. . Mr. 0. P. Lynch, a' member of the executive of the union, in responding to tho toast, endorsed certain of Mr. M'Kay's -remarks'.as to the abilities of fanners who..cook a. prominent part in the administration of tho union's business, and : said he thouglit.it a great, pity that more of such, men were not elected to the House of Representatives.. There was no occasion to go. to. the city, for country representatives when they had such, a fine lot of clever. farmers to select from. Mr. Lynch dealt with u number of the planks in the union's platform, and spoko of various matters that had- been discussed at last conference. Ho believed . the land tax an iniquity, while:tlie.system.of valuing the. land was.sadly at fault. .The Farmers Union had always loyally supported the Government in strengthening the defences of the Government, and they, had in the Farmers' Union Shield for rifle shots an earnest'of. their endeavour ,to foster the use of arms.' : He also spoke at some length about the Farmers' Union's atti•.tude with respect to the'.shearers' dispute. Several! other .toasts were honoured, and musical items, etc., "rendered; \ At a well-attended meeting of the Otaki Ladies' Hockey Club last week, Mr.- J. j.G. Stevens (president) presiding, it was decided to hold a "social" on September '6, when trophies presented'by'Mesdames Byron Brown, A. A. Bright, H. NicolI'son, J. G. Stevens, anil King 'will bo awarded. ..... ' .

i FEILDING. .

■ Ad effort is to bo made to. form; an ■ egg-circle in Feilding and particulars are bemg obtained from Mastertou. From the-farmers' point, of view everything is looking .very well throughout the Colyton district. Ploughing, stumping, and other spring ' preparations are being pushed forward, and farmers arctaking every advantage of the good weather., Stock are all ■ looking well and' lambs, -are .'already well in 'evidence throughout the district. Messrs. ;'E.,o'Meara and' Jas. Meehaii called on Mr. .1.. M. R. Lochhead (president of. the Feilding Bowling Club) and handed over the set' of bowls. belonging to' the late Father O'Mcara. They.stated that it was the wish of.'tho'priest that tho. bowls should be kept-, on the green for tho use.of visitors.. Iu accepting the bowls'. Mr. Lochhead referred in' feeling, terms, of Father O'Meara's long connection with the bowling club and the.general regret felt.at his death. .

'." CARTERTON.

,;Mr.' J. B. Merrett, of Christchurch, who is a keen poultry enthnsiast, and who is at .present in the Auckland district in the interest of egg-circles; is to deliver a.lecture- hero on -Wednesday evening next, the object .being'.to form au egg-circle' in Carterton! ■ Mr. Merrett assisted'largely in establishing, the cifclo now working. so successful in, Mnstortoii. '. The annual-meeting of-the local. United, Friendly' Societies' ''Council was held ou Friday Evening, Bro; J. 'M.. Nicholls being in the chair. The report and balancesheet, disclosing ■■ a small credit, was adopted. Officers, as under, ,wcre elected -.—President, Bro. G. Bowles; ■vicepresident;.'. Bro.' H. H. 'Armstrong; treasurer, Bro.'C.'J. De Lacey;- secretary, Bro. W. Tucker. Bro. C. D. Robertson, Wellington;* .wTbtei.accepting the -position: of delegate'upon the Wellington Council. It was decided to call-up the au--nual subscription. ~ V Mrs;-Mabsen and family, who havo resided here for a number of years, leave .shortly for Invercargill. . , ■ Among those who will take part, in the Catholic'concert here next week will be Miss. May O'Donovan, C.R.A.M.L., Miss O'Brien, and' some well-known 'Masterton singers. ... '