PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1209, 18 August 1911, Page 8

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

iFtom Our fipccial Correspondents.) ■ 0

FEATHERSTON. Tho first annual ball of tho local Jro brigade was held on Wednesday night iu the Town Hall, and was attaaded by over 2UO people. Tho arrangements were excellent, and tho gathering was a decided success. . l r or many years past tho annual meetings of members of the Wairarapa Racing club have been held at Greytown. At the meeting held there on Thursday it was decided that next year the animal meeting should lie held at the racecourse. The report and statement: of accounts for the past year were adopted, and the retiring officers were re-elected. SHANNON. The following ollicc-beorcrs were elected and installed by Bro. J. l'etterson at a recent meeting of the Hope of Shannon Lodge, 1.0.G.T.C.T., Sister L. Butt; V.T., Sister Ivy Hook; organist, Sister K. Wickliite; secretary, Bro. C. F. Exallj F.G., Sister Enid Butt; treasurer, Uro. J. AVickliifc; M,, Bro. Buckmau; G., Bro, J. Mitchell. Mr. J. B. Rettcr has purchased Mr. Spark's carrying business. With tho inclusion of Foxton in th« Otaki electorate, this constituency will havo an increased number of voters of those who aro employed or connected with tho llax industry. Tho current opinion hero seems to be that the inclusion of tho Manawatu port will materially assist the candidature of Sir. J, Robert* son, who is nominated as Labour candidate by tho Manawatu Flaxmill Employees' Union. At tho same time it is not unlikely that Mr. C. G. W. Monckton, tho Reform party's candidate, will also dertvo considerable support from fhis portion of Mr. Newman's old electorate. Tho ltcv. Mr. J. A. M'Kcnzie occupied tho chair at the weekly meeting of Iho local Literary and Debating Society on Tuesday night. Mr. 'J'. I'i. .M'Millim gave a reading which members,afterwards discussed. Tho rest of the evening was taken up by impromptu speeches, which' included the following:—"The happiest time in my life," Mrs. Laurvig; "That party loyalty is carried to extreme," Mr. E. J. Judd: "Who is to be tho next Prim® Minister?" Mr, R. Law; "The turning-, point in my career," the Rev. Mr. M'lCen-:-.ie; "If I was l'rimo Minister of No*-, j Zealand," Mr. Gardiner; "That there, is necessity for a new party in Dominion I politics,'" Mr. M'Millan: "That .lack is | as good as- his master,'' Mr. Hinsmaiu ! Next Tuesday evening the subject of do- ' bato is "That tho establishment of a ! Stato Bank would be to the advantage of tho Dominion." Mr. Clayton will tako tho affirmative, and Mr. 'Gardiner will oppose tho motion.