DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2003, 10 March 1914, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTJ.NGH FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Our Sneciol CorrtsrondentJj NAPIER.. A big attempt is being inado.to properly organise tho Rugby Union clubs this season, and mako the game predominate in Huwke's Bav. Already tliero 'are indications that there will be far more, teams in the- competition this winter tihnu thero was last season. Mr, C. Sigley, of tho. Gisbornc Post Offjce, lias been transferred to Napier. Mr. C. Devlin,, tho cyclist, who left Texas on May 1, 1012, on a cycling tour of the world, passed through Napier on Saturday. In the annual race for the Coc-ner Cup which took place on Saturday between t'lie Napier and Union Rowing Clubs. Napier vron by two lengths. The Hastings Borough Council is moving in tho direction of making taxidrivers pass an examination before issuing licenses to them. The following officers have been elected by the Napier branch of the New Zealand Veterans' Association: Patron, Mr. K. D. D. M'Lean; vice-presidents, Major Gaseoyne, Colonel Goring, ami Lieutenant-Colonel Sandtmann; committee, Major Cliickcr, Messrs. W. Hislop, J. Hannay, D. Fox, and G. Tronson; secretary, Mr. E. C. Stevens; treasurer, Major Chicken. The subscription has been fixed at Gs. per year. Mr. A. Duncau, of Hastings, is visiting- Wellington. Mr. 0. W. Eden, of Hastings Post Office staff, has been transferred to Waipiro Bov. Mr. Hany Sinclair, of Hastings, left yesterday morning for Auckland, where he is to be married. Tho Rev. Father O'Connor, of Napier, left yesterday morning for Christehurah, where he .will spend threo weeks with his parents. ' Tlio County Council yesterday decided to purchase an up-to-dato road-making plant through an Australian firm, at an approximate total cost of, £2010. Tlio County Council have accepted atender for metalling tho Tula Tula Hill deviation, and the work is to bo put iu hand immcdintely, so that it ivill bo ready for traffic by tho winter.

TAIHAPC. The- prizes for tho best essay on tho Rangitikei A. and P. Association show by boy or girl attending any district school wero won as follows: —Essay by girls: Gertie Timbs (Taihano School). Kssay by boys: Timothy Kearins (Tniliapo School). Tho prize awarded in each cuso was £1 Is.

In connection with the- suggested establishment of freezing works at Taihape a meeting of farmers has been'arranged to take place at Taihapo on March 18 to discuss the proposal. Portions of the Mangaohono Block, totalling 3500 acres, havo been -Bold by the Native owners to Mr. G. L. Shaw, at prices ranging from 13s. to £5 17s. Gd. per acre, the total purchase money being about £7000. A meeting of Native owners discussed a propositi to sell the land Gome time ago, but no agreement wus then arrived at. A meeting of Natives was held at Taihape on Thursday, and on. Saturday it was announced that 3500 acres of tho block had been sold at stated.

The death occurred at Taihapo on Saturday of Mr. J. "W. Little, father of ?>. G. K Little, nt the age of 73 years. Deceased arrived in Taihapo only s'x months ago, and had , bceu ailing ever . i SUicc.,,,He recently underwent an operation, 'aii-tf appeared to bo making tcood progress for a week or two, but later became worse, and passed a\raj\ Dr. E. C. Barnett, secretary, of tho Tiiihape branch of tho New Zealand Reform League, haa received word from the Hon. A. L. Hcrdman to tho effect that he is unable, owing to pressure of other engasome-nts, to accept an invitation to deliver a pre-scssioual address at Taihape. . . A rink of Taihapo bowlers, consisting of Messrs. Wrightsou, Varnain, Neaglo, and Evans, will visit. Foildiiw on Wednesday to compete for the Hum Challongo'Cup. lu'tlie championship smcclcs on tho Taihapo greon on Saturday Hosketh defeated James by '21 to 11. ; A ferret measuring 22 inches from nose to the tip of the tail was shot by a local settler on Friday.. In connection with the proposed M-pier-Taihapo road, Mr. Guy Lansley Shaw, manaeer of Mangaohane Station, states that the settlers on the Hawko s Bay side favour the Pukekaliu route. In'hie opinion, the work of connecting tho two roads and bridgimi the Ttansytikei River could bo accomplished by the expenditure- of £4500.

IYIASTERTON. A man named William Ladbrook was arrested on fcuturduy ou a charge of having stokm a sum of money, a watch and chain, and other articles from William Jamiuson. Tho accused was brought beforo Justices yesterday morning. Ho pleaded that ho had been drinking, and did not remember having taken the articles. As tho informant did not press the charge, the accused was convicted and ordered to como up for sentenco when called upon. An enjoyablo social was held by tho Mastertoii branch of tho Wellington Drivers' Union on Saturday evening. Mr. H. B. Braggins occupied the chair, and representatives of various unions wero present. ' During tho ovening a number of toasts wero honoured, nnd wore interspersed with songs and recitations. • At a meeting of members of tho Masterton Mounted Rifles, held on Saturday, it was decided to place memorial stones over tho graves of two deceased members of the corps, who are buried in the Masterton Cemetery.

The XVairarapa polo team loft for Hawke's Bay yesterday. A son of Mrs. W. Corlett, of Bannister Street, fell from a ladder and sustained a fracture of the leg.

Much regret is expressed locally at tho death of Miss Bliza Cole, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Henry Cole, one of the pioneer settlors of this district,'which occurred at a private- hospital in 'Wellington on Saturday. Tho remains of tho oightecn-year-olcl daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Welch, fit Hastings, formerly of Maalerton, wero interred in lie }lastorton Cemetery on Saturday. News has since been received that the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Welsh has tlictl in tho Napier Hospital from scarlet fever.

Tin; annual meeting of the Master' ton Professional jMusiniaiis' Association was held on Saturday owning, _ Mr. Spwicw Comptan was elected president, .uul Mr. A. 13. Wallace secretary and treasurer. It was decided to send a letter to Mr. Purcell Webb, thniikiiif, him for his interest in the association since its inception.

Mrs. H. X. Wood, Mrs. B. Tarrant, and Miss Tarrant,■,of Masterton, wero ainoiiK the priw.-taWrs at the Carterton Show on Saturday. \ The Mastertoii A cricket team eommonceil a match with Mastcrton B on Saturday. Tho latter went first to the wickets, and compiled 101. When stunms were drawn Mastcrton B had lost four wickets for 30. CREYTOWN. Tho Ocoytown Horticultural Society •met on Friday last, and set up flic- necessary committees, etc, for tlii) show to be hold iii May next.