PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1223, 4 September 1911, Page 3

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents.)

PAHAUTANUI. Oil Wednesday evening last, at tho Judgeford schoolroom, Mr. James Pearce gavo ail evening of readings and recitations, mostly on the comic side. During the interval Mr. Bndd sang and accompanied himself on the banjo. The literary part of the evening closed with tho'reciting of the "Beggar's Prayer." A short dance concluded the proceedings. Tho proceeds nro in aid of tho local school prize fund. Jlr. Pearce has offered his services for another evening in tho samo cause. As showing the vigilance of the polico in the Powelka hunt, several young people driving homo from tho football at Porirua in" the small hours of the morning were stopped and carefully scrutiniscd,

FEATHERSTON. A meeting of the local Debating Society was held on Friday evening, when impromptu speeches were given by Members, tho subjects being: "Hope," "National Sentiment," "Daylight Saving, "Liberty," "Memory," "Equality," "Hereditary Titles," "Strikes," "Fraternity," "Sympathy," "Marriage." . The subject for debato at next meeting will be: "Does civilisation increase happiness?" The return contest between tho Carterton and Featherston Societies will take place at Carterton on September 11. The subject has not yet been chosen. Members of the Liberal Football Clnb, which won the junior championship for this season, were entertained at a dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Tullj', of tho Empire Hotel, on Thursday evening. Tho cup donated by Messrs. Payno and Thompson was also presented to the club by Mr. J. M: Nicholls, secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Union. Tho rainfall for the past month was unusually light, only 2in. being registered at tho post office gauge, as against 4.21 in. for tho corresponding month last year. There were 13 days with rain, the maximum being on August 7, when 0.36 in. was recorded. ■ Vital statistics for Featherston for August are:—Births, 6; deaths, 2; marriages, nil. There remains about «£7O to collect before the proposed swimming baths can be commenced. A meeting will be held to-night to consider means of raising this amount.-

OTAKI. The monthly sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held last week, when Charles Nees, dairy farmer, of Manakau, was proceeded against for offering for sale adulterated milk. Defendant pleaded guilty, he having samples of teste given him, but could in no way account for water being in the milk. Mr. A. D. Thomson, who presided, imposed a fine of £2 with cost 9 iEI 19s. John Brennan was charged with supplying Natives with drink, and was fined £.1, with costs lis. 6(1. Fred Nicholson was ordered to pay to Geo. GallagheT the sum of ,£3 155., in default 14 days' imprisonment. Two civil cases went by deThe quarterly sitting of the local licensing bench was held last week, tho only business being the application of a transfer from Mr. Bishon to Mr. Thompson in regard to the Paliautanui Hotel. The application was granted subject to affidavits of advertisements being filed.

FEILDING. Sixteen births, ten marriages; and four I deaths were registered in Feilding during j August. Most of the schools in tho "Wanganui education district broke up for a week's holiday on Friday. _ • The permanent employees of the Feeding Borough Council luada a presentation to Mr. T. F. Randall (retiring borough engineer) on the eve of his departure for Australia. The Mayor (Mr. E. Goodbehere) on their behalf' presented a handsome silver-mounted drawing set, suitably engraved, aiul in doing so said that, during Mr.. Randall's two and a half years' service, he had won the esteem of '.the employees. The Town Clerk (Mr. A. J. Geary) also referred to Mr. Randall's, work. Rain is badly needed m tho Waituna West district. . Members of the Waituna Gun Club journeyed to Rewa last week to meet a team from Huntervillc, and suffered defeat by 12 birds. The drv weather experienced is enabling farmers to push on with ploughing much earlier than usual, and many settlers are putting in dams to provide against another dry summer. Tho Waiata Crenmery has begun running, and the number of cow-s supplying the creamery this season will be far in advance of the number for the past few seasons.

GREYTOWN. The military ball held here on Thursday night proved a great success. The floor and music were excellent, and the ladies provided a capital supper. Colonel Tate and Major Charters were present, and some hundred couples graced tlio floor.

.HASTINGS. A meeting of tlio cominittra of tho Hawko's Bay A. and P. Society was held yesterday morning, the principal business being the consideration of the proposal to purchase'new grounds. Mr. A. H. Russell presided. A special sub-committee submitted its report, which showed that a number, of blocks of land had been placed on offer. After visiting these grounds, the committee had decided to recommend tho purchase of Messrs. Nelson Bros.' property,' bounded by the Wai-koko-Ivaranui Road, Tomoana Road, and tho railway, as the most suitable, and in every way fitted for a showground. Tho area was 41 acrcs at illOO per acre, and about seven acres at .£125 per acre. Tho report was adopted. The chairman and Messrs. D. A. Baxter (treasurer), F. A. \yi\liams, and J. H. Coleman, were appointed to go into tho financial aspect of tho question: The chairman remarked that lie wanted to mako it perfectly plain that tho proposal was only looking to tho future, and that the society's shows would not be held on the new grounds next year, or the year after. Therefore thore was no need, at present, to go into the question of the erection of buildings. The Hastings Borough Council this week accepted the tender of the General Electric Company for tho principal portion of its electrical scheme, and of the same firm for JC1094 for the supply of pumps. The work is to be completed in seven months.