PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1324, 30 December 1911, Page 10

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

» (From Our Special CorrosnondenUJ PARAPARAUMU. Unsettled skies notwithstanding, n large number of visitors have been patronising this summer resort. I'or J-'hrist-ina-s tho various churches wero beautifully decorated. Tlie "carols at St. Paul's on Christmas Jivo were quite a Yule-tide feature. ~,,,• Tho Wharerna Rillo Club lield their Boxiiift Day gala. The prize-winners were as follow:-C. Whiting, 03 oil' tho rile, set of gold studs and links; D. D. Hyde, 112 Messrs. J. Smith and Son's trophy; C. Dowsott, case spoons; K. Lynch, case of spoons. The ladies' match for tho Cordukes Bowl has been postponed until January (i, owing to tho weather. Amongst visitors hero at present are.— Jlr. and Mrs. Bcnnio (Wellington), Mr. Elder, Mr. Robertson, 51.P., Mrs. Robertson, 51r. Dnrcy Ryder (Kakariki Station, Jlauko's Bay), and Jlr. W. Oliphant (Kakariki, Napier).

SHANNON.

There is a good deal of water in local swamps, and it is quito likely that some of the .flaxmills will be unable to start stripping, owing to scarcity of green leaf. Jlr. tf. 11. Uibb, at ono time Presbyterian missionary here, has returned to Wellington, after" a holiday spent locally. _ Grass seeding has started hero. Owing to tho almost incessant wind most of tho summer crop is said to be light. All tbo lluxmills in this district havo closed down till after the New Year. Tho old Shannon Post Otlico has been handed over to the town n.s a Coronation graut, and will bo utilised as a library and reading-room. Mr. W. A. Woodgcr, of Pctono, is relieving Mr. Tuoliey, tho slatioimiaster, who is on holiday leave.

CARTERTON.

The unsettled nature of the weather is liaviiuf a damaging effect upon harvesting operations, and a largo quantity of hay is down and crops in tho stook, no progress being able to bo rnado on aecoimt of tho wot weather. It is the intention of tho Carterton Band lo play out on Saturday evening and afterwards to mako their carolling tour, which tho rain prevented on Christmas _ Eve. Bain fell early this morning and towards noon was replaced with sunshine. Early in the 'afternoon another chango occurred, and at the time of writing it is still raining.

WANGANUI.

A severo storm was experienced in Wangnnui last night, heavy rain and hail being accompanied by vivid lightning and deafening claps of thunder. Many gardens and orchards suffered severely. The fruit crops were very much damaged.

HASTINGS.

Considerable interest is being taken in the meeting of the two light-weight boxers, Alf. Gault, of Auckland, and Cook, of Sydney. The struggle is to occur at tho Princess Theatre, Hastings, on the morning of New Year's Day.