PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1269, 26 October 1911, Page 5

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Special Correspondents.)

» . FEILDING. Mr. J. Knight, of Fcilding, is taking three aged Southdown rams and two fourtooth Southdowns to tho Carterton Show this week. Tho same breeder is just lauding three Southdown ewes, winners at tho Royal Show this year, from England. A sjiccial meeting of the Borough Council was held this week, when tho necessary resolution was passed Authorising the council to tako a poll of ratepayers on tho proposal to raise a loan of ,£IO,OOO for the installation of electric light in the borough. The Fcilding and District Ministers' Association met at Woslcv Parsonage, Hanson, this week. Present:" Revs. P. \V. Jones (chair), Cule, Sharp, Mackie, Daniel, Budd, and i'owlos. A letter was received from tho Wairarapa Ministers' Association suggesting aitiliation. It was agreed to supply certain information asked for. Tho election of officers for tho new period resulted as follows:— Rev. G. Budd, president; Rev. H. Daniel, secretary. Mr. Banks has begun tho work of erecting the Apiti Catholic Church building opposite the Presbyterian Manse. Dr. Morrison has been elected president of tho Apiti Tennis Club; Messrs. Allwood, BloomiieJd, Matthews, and Cowan, vice-presidents; Mr. H. Bennett, secretary and treasurer. These officers are also to be the committee, with Mcsdames Morrison, Vail, Bnrne, Cross, and Allwood as the Ladies' Committee. Messrs. R. Pratt, Elliott, and Carruthers were appointed a Selection Committee. FEATHERSTON. The election of a member to represent tho Featherston and Jlartinborongh town districts on the Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board will take place on November 8. Nominations closo on Wednesday, November 1. To-day a holiday will bo observed hero in honour of "People's Day" of tho Wairarapa Show. Thero are likely to be contests in threo of tho county ridings of tho County Council at tho election to bo held on November S. It is understood that one of the members of the council will retiro at the end of tho present term. OTAKI. Speaking at tho Whitanui Flaxmill, Mr. Byron Brown said:—During tho last twelve or fifteen years the Arbitration Court has given to Labour an increase in wages of 20 per coat, to 25 per cent. Has this increase enabled men to purchase more or save? It is more than doubtful. Tho fact is, that with tho increase in wages our democratic and Liberal Government has come along with its surtaxes, its ad valorems, and its preferential duties, and the manufacturer has come along with his combines, increasing tho cost of foodstuffs, so that Labour is no bettor off for all its better wages. A firo caused some excitement here on Saturday night. It appears that somo drapings, etc., in the shop window of Messrs. Bell, Moore, and Carpenter (lato Byron Brown, Ltd.), camo in contact with a gas jet, and very quickly the window front was ablaze. Several people who were on the scene worked hard to subduo tho flames, but, as these efforts seemed unavailing, attention was directed to tho removal of the stock. Mr. Harold Cockrell, however, secured a firo extinguisher, and eoon had tho ilames under control, thus saving a large building and extensive stock. Had the building been burned it is rather probable that tho shops adjoining would have been destroyed also. Otaki has no firo brigado and no high pressure water supply—in fact, there is shortage of water. It is hoped that this event may cause residents to realiso that the town should bo converted into a borough, and not be governed by a County Council or Road Board. The damage by the outbreak is estimated at XIGO, but this is covered by insurance. Mr. C. A. W. Monckton, Reform candidate, addressed a large audience hero on Monday night. Ho received a good hearing and, at the conclusion, was given a vote of thanks and confidence. The official opening of tho Otaki Bow. ing Club took place on Monday afternoon. Among tho visitors wero representatives from tho Hataitai and Kel-bui-no Clubs. Mr. W. B. Smith, president of the club, opened tho season with a short speech, and Mrs. Smith then rolled the first' jack.