DISTRICT NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2109, 28 March 1914, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JOTTINGS FROM PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special CorrespofidetiU 5 PALMERSTON. At tho meeting of tho executive of the North Islam! Brass Bands' Association on Thursday a letter was received from the Gisboriie Band stating that bands with silver instruments- had tho advantage oyer those with brass, because the judging was done from a distance and brass soon tarnished in the rain. They suggested a role ti meet tho case. Consideration was deferred. It was agreed to permit the- Auckland Lodge of Oddfellows te hold a marching competition for bands at their annual celebrations on February 13, provided thfc data did not clash with that of the Napier competitions. The decision of Mr. Poynton, S.M., on objections to the River Board rating classification was the subject of a report to the board yesterday by Messrs, Cooper and Rutberfurd, tho board's solicitors. They expressed tie opinion that that part of tho decision which placed, rated properties from Classes A, B, and C into Class D was based oil an entirely erroneous - construction oi th<s Act. They recommend that, as there is no appeal front the decision, tho board's only course is to apply to tlw Supremo Court, under tho Declaratory Judgments Act, to interpret Section -9 of tho amending Act of last session. Tha secretary said that tho board would loss ■£300 in rates by tho Magistrate's do cisictfi. The board decided to instruct, tho solicitors to apply for a declaratory judgment. The board also decided to Jevy a general rate of 10-16*1. on lands in Class A, 8-16 d, in Class B, 6-16-1 in Class C, the rates being payable on March 31. On Thursday evening the- Rev. H. G. Kosher , and the 'churchwardens and vestrymen of All Saints' new church entertained the worknwn employed on the church at dinner. About 50 attended*

WANGANW. At the. meeting of the Eastbrook Association Football Club, the election' of officers resulted as fallows Patron, Mr. C. E. Mackay ■, president,' Mr. 3. T. Megan : vice-presidents, Mr. Watson and Captain Mercar; captain, Mr. j. licaley: viee-eaptaiii, Mr. .J. H. Cooper; secretary, Mr. U, Robinson. The meeting made -arrangements for the. Easter visit to Wanga.ttui of tho Wellington Thistle Club. ' ,

The annual meeting of St. Paul's Hockey Club was iiekf this week. Officers were elected as follow:—Patron, l!ev. J. D, M'Ken?>ie; president, Mr. M. Russell; captain, Mr. R., j\ London; secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. J. Marshall. J>

MASTERTON. The Very Rev. Dean M'Kenna, V.G., who lias just returned from a visit to Ireland and the Continent, was accorded an enthusiastic "weltome lioiue," He was Biet at the local railway station by a largo number of his parishioners, aiwl motored to St. Pat-risk's School, wfeero ho was greeted with cheers by tho children. Tho Bean, .who was visibly affected at the vtagni* Scent reception accorded him, feelingly acknowledged tho welcome. In the evening ho was entertained at a concert, and presented by His Worship tho Mayor, on behalf of' the parishioners, with a suitable address. The VicarGeneral,- in responding, gave a most interesting account o.f his voyage to and from the Old Country, situ! paid a warm tribute to the Rev. father Harnett, whom ho had left as Ijis locum tenons.

Tho championship .in connection with the Opaki liitie Club was decided on Thursday, wllcu the second field-day ivag completed. The winner of the eventwas Rifleman V. Swansea, who lias slio-t consistently throughout. Rifleman H. R. King was the runtiewip. The first match in tho competition was won by Rifleman V, I'east, the second and rifle, aggregate by Rifleman F. Bolton, and tho handicap aggregate by Rifleman A. Bceiham.

In tko Thursday championship cricket fixtures, Hockey A team defeated. ■Carterton B, and Carterton A iv® from Hockey B. -

Tlie Wairnrapa Amateur a Swimming Club concluded its season with ii 7oyds. handicap, event. There wcte Sis competitors, and the event was won on the touch by G-. .Perroam, who 'takes tho F.old medal for the most points during the season.

Two teams from the Wa-ipnkurau Polo Club will play matches with the Wairarnpa Chib on Tuesday and. Wednesday next, A trophy presented by Sir Walter Bticliatian, M.P., ivill be competed for. The Wairarapa teams will bo as follow:—A Team: Barton, Evans, 1). Riddiioid, Erl Williams. B Team: Strang Bros., Hughes, Ravfsoft, and Mace. Mr. G. R. Sykcs, M.P., has received a communication from Dr. Newman, M.P., suggesting that a joint request bn matle to the Minister of Public Works for a survey of the Rimntaka for the proposed deviation, Dr. Newman states that tlie people of Wellington are waxing enthusiastic over the projcct. The Masterfcon Homing Pigeon Club flew tlwir first young bird race, from Paliiatiia on Thursday-, The. air-line distance (36 miles) was covered in 57 HUirates. The event was won by Mr; tj. Wadhara's G'iUlic. . ' Mr. A. M'DonaM, of Kgakoiwi, Ims purchased tho property of Mr. D, Smith, adjoining the Ng-alconv.i Estate, and containing 3000 acres.

FEATHERSTON. , The Feathcrston Athletic Club's second annual sports were hold her© on Thursday, and wcvt? well attended. Good fields were the rule; in all the'_eveiits. Some of the results wore:—Fefttherstoii Handicap, 100 yds. (open): D. Diggius (oyds.).-' i; P. Murphy (9yds,), 2: H. M'Currf.!i (4yds), Fentiierston Hiitidieap. 220vds. (open): R. J. Duncan (20 vds,), 1: "H. M'Currnn (Byds.), 2; P. 'j. Murphy (18yds.), 3. 880 yds. Handicap (open): J. .Vyliane (40yds.), 1: D. j. Duncan (60yds.), *2; G. Tait (05yds,), 3. Mouthers' Bracelet- Handicap, '220 yds.: H. G-wiHiams (28yds.), 1; u. Tait [23yds.), 2: K. Donald (23yds.), 3, One Mile Handicap: J. Nyhane (90yds.), 1 ; J. Jarvis (70yds.), 2; C. Taylor (140 vds.), 3. Fcfrthfirston Hanc!i«ip/. 44.0 yds. (open): J. W. M'Kuin (10yds.), 1; 13.' Dig-gins. (30yds.), 2; C. V>", Martin (3a yds.), 3, Adance was held in the Town HaM in the evening. Messrs. Mark Maston and .W. I. Slmnby will leave Greytown this mcmiug for. Mount- Hector. From .there they will proceed to Otaki. OTAKI.

In consequence of milk being down, very little cheese is at present being dispatched from this district. There is also o, drop of tile sailago of itcuo.v, but shipments of sheep aiid cattle are frequently made. Much improvement has been road© to the local raceeowse in view of the coming meeting. Severn! important! sddi* lions have been made to the buildings, while tiio steepleehnso track has beefl kid off. Mr. Hirst Davis, of Maiwlwu, has imported some very fino specimens of Black Orpingtons. Mr. Harold Coekrell, i" view of his wedding, was on Thursday night prcgentiHl with a handsnnte clock, tlio gift of members of the Slfftliodist Church, of which Mr. Cockfell has howl a prominent member. 'Hie timepiece w,is suitably inscribed. A party of tourists, wider Mr. Hujjh Girnlostofic, is expected to leave Crcytown to-day for Otuki, via theruns,