DISTRICT NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 123, 25 May 1908, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

IN THE WAIRARAPA. [Br TEtEGBArH. — Special to The Post.] FEATHERSTON, This Day. There is talk of the local squad of rifle volunteers disbanding. It appears that the squad, which is a half company of the Greytown Rifles, have been upset through, a communication received from the ruling quarter. The letter has been considered, and a reply sent. If the response is not in accordance with members views, they will in all probability disband. The Citizens' Ball which is being promoted hero is to help to provide funds for defraying a part of the cost of alerations just effected to the Town Hall. Like many local bodies, the Town Board has a lot to do with a little income and it has hit upon this plan as a means of raising a little towards the expenditure on the hall. The improvements consist of extensive alterations to the supper, room. A very forward crop of mangolds i& to be seen at Ahrakoaka, not far from Greytown. The ladies of Maryborough aro mak ing an effort to form a Basket Ball Club. A strong gale ranged in Featherston an Saturday, and at times small pebbles were flying in all directions, making it exceedingly unpleasant for thdse who happened " to be walking along the street. MASTERTON, This Day. Tho Hospital Saturday and Sunday celebrations were favoured with fine weather, except Saturday evening, and the result was a fairly substantial sum raised. The Rugby Union generously allowed lady collectors free entry to the football match, and all day the crowds in the streets were canvasEed by members of the ambulance corpb. Yesterday afternoon a grand "procession of lodges, bands, and fire brigades and fire police marched to the park, where Mr. J. B. Keith (chairman of the Hospita Trustees), Mr. P. L. Hollings (Mayor), Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P., and Mr. H. J. O'Leary (chairman of the Friendly Societies' Council) delivered addresses. Knox Church held a hospital service in the evening, the offertories going towards the hospital Sunday fund. The result, with Government subsidy, will be about £165 added to the hospital funds. MANAWATU MATTERS. OTAKI, This Day. Mrs. Robinson, wife of Mr. S. Robinson, died at the Otaki hospital yesterday, afler a» short illness. Miss M'Cleland was yesterday presented with a handsomely-bound Bible, as a token of esteem from her Sunday School scholars, prior to her leaving the district. PALMERSTON N., This Day. The Manawatu Savage Club held its first korero on Saturday night, over 300 | being present. The initiatory rites wer performed by a troupe of Wellington braves under Savage Dykes, and the programme they provided was greatly I appreciated.

The English footballers were driven down to Papawai yesterday by the> Rugby Union, where they were the guests of the natives, and were entertained in the runanga house at afternoon tea. They were welcomed by a Maori attired in native fashion, accompanied by two girls in white, who gave a dance of welcome. A short programme of dances and music followed, in which the visitors, to whom the sight was quite novel, took *.a keen interest (telegraph? the Press Association). Much amusement was afforded by a youthful and good-looking member ot the team being inveigled on the stage during a haka, where he was requested j to sit with a Maori cloak flung round him while the dance proceeded. Towards the end a young girl advanced, knelt down by his side, encircled his ! neck with her arm, and at the finish gave him a hearty kiss. His comrades I j vociferously encored this act by shouting ' iin unison, "He wants more." An ad- j dress of welcome was presented, which is to be framed and given to the' team. Mr. Harnott, the manager, was presented by Tamahau Mahupuku Kingi with a handsome mat and Kilt. Ono or two other members were also presented with articles of native attire, and the visitors went away greatly pleased and interested by their first glimpse of Maori life. There was also a large attendance of Europeans from Greytown. To-morrow, at 2 p.m., at their roonu, Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co. are holding an unreserved sale of household furniture, removed for convenience of Bale. Amongst the articles to be submitted are a 6ft sideboard, dining table, engravings, wardrobe and chest of drawers, pair Japanese vases, single and double bedsteads, bedroom furniture, kitchen utensils and sundries. There will also be offered desk, office books, and cyclostyle copying prese, besides an incubator and brooder. Tho furniture will be on view to-morrow morning. A benefit "social" will be held in the Kilbirnio , Hall on JyTecujfisdar eveainjE. ,