APITI.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 829, 16 March 1909, Page 4

APITI.

m VALEDICTORY AND OTHER j MATTERS. 5 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 10UR OWN COURESPONDENT.A Mr Albert Martin, who has bet-n managing tho Table Flat creamery for tho season, is shortly to leave the district for the Argentine itepublic. j.ue manager of lie local butter factory tendered him a banquet at his residence on Saturday evening last. In a neat speech the manager spoke in the highest terms of Mr Martin's character, and stated that ho was a most capable and .thorough worker, and was sure he was voicing the feelings of all present (which included tho staff) when he said he deeply regretted Jiis departure from the district. At this stage, Mr H. Walls, of tho Ridge Road creamery, presented the guest with a handsome hanging barometer as a token of the esteem m which he was held by the members of the staff. . , , Mr Martin, responding, said, he iliad spent a very pleasant time in the district, and wouHd leave it with many pleasant memories. The usual toasts were drunk. Mr Gilberot favoured the company with some splendid phonograph selections, Mr H. Walls gavt a recitation, and Messrs Perry, Guy, and Edward Melton sang solos. The social to celebrate the opening of the Good Templars' Lodge was held 011 Thursday, when a goodly num. her of friends and members attended. At a preliminary meeting of the Lodge, live new members were initiated and four candidates proposed, which promises well for the Lodges' future. Bro. Guy was in the chair. Another case of scarlet fever is reported, but of a very slight nature. Tho necessary precautions are being tii ken to prevent further spreading. The services of the Methodist Sunday School anniversary, which was hold 011 Sunday, were largely attended. The preacher was Mr J. Dillon, of Palmerston. Special singing was rendered by the choir. On Saturday evening the town was illuminated by several sheets of lightning, accompanied by thunder, and steady rain then set in. Residents who forgot to turn the spouting I rom their tanks will have a fine sulphuric flavour in the water the result of the recent eruption of Ngauruhoe. As Apiti has been long wanting a governing body of some description, to promote general j>rosperitv it has Ijeon thought desirable to form a Chamber of Commerce. Last week several of the residents met and formed a Chamber. The following executive jvas elected: President Mr I. O'ConiK'U ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs •'. Vile. J. H. E. Decke; Committoi\ Messrs Rumbokl, Fieldes, McKay, Gibson and Russell. Some importam business was transacted. It was decided to Jiold tlie meeting the first Monday in every month. The Chamber desires the co-operation of the farming community. The Rev. J. McKenzie, who has boon, the Presbyterian minister here lor the past eight years, is leaving tho district for Shannon ' at tho end of the month. He is to be succeeded by another minister of the same II a mo.