FEILDING AND DISTRICT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4319, 30 March 1901, Page 5

FEILDING AND DISTRICT.

Special to the “ Times.” FEILDING. March 29. On Thursday evening the Manchester Rifles held their annual meeting. .Captain Barltrop presided, and all the mem. hers hut two were present. The balance sheet disclosed a most satisfactory state of affairs, the corps having a credit balance of £l4 on the- year’s working. The year was started with forty members; now there are sixty-three. There are five -representatives of the corps "(itli various contingents in, South Africa. Sergeant Fisher was re-elected secretary and voted five guineas for the past year's services. The Management Cominitte 9 was appointed follows: —Sergeants C. Aitken and M. Diamond, Corporals •R'cad.o and A. W. Parker. Privates Stewart, Guthrie .and T. Evans. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Staff-Captain G. Kirton for the very great and practical interest he had taken in the progress of the corps and the material assistance rendered. Captain Barltrop was accorded a vote, of thanks for the instruction imparted to the. noncommissioned officers’ class. ColourSergeant Milson, for sixteen years an active member of the 'corps, intimated his intention of retiring, and general regret was expressed at his decision. The forthcoming year promises to be the most successful in the history of the corps. , At Messrs Gorton aadl Sons’ sale today the entries were good, but bidding was dull. Sheep were scarcely up to the average quality, and prices were easier. There is a decided fall in the values of cattle. , . j’; v. .

Farmers in the Beaconsfield district desire the Cheltenham. Co-operative Dairy Company to establish a creamery there, but this is not likely to eventuate, as it is improbable that sufficient shares will be taken up to justify the extension -of -business. Besides, it would encroach on. the country which supplies the Rowa Company’s creamery, and. the former is sensibly canny about entering into such competition as would result. Farmers ins this district take little interest in the question of federation with Australia, but it is almost a certainty the majority would oppose it were a referendum taken, as it is believed that Australia only takes produce from New Zealand in time of drought there, and that no continuous benefit is likely to result from union. Mr H. Thomas. presented the Cheltenham Rifle Club with: a gold scarf-pin for competition amongst members, Mr H. Logie, late of Reefton, has been appointed postmaster at Feilding. and takes over his duties on Monday. It is ten months since the former postmaster was transferred from Feilding. During the interim, SHE. P. Cowles has been acting-postmaster, and he has deservedly become popular for his business acumen and obliging disposition. Mr F. Homer has sold out his interest in the Bumiythorp® Hotel, and Mr F. • ! Uis his interest in the Kimbolton Hotel. Mr P. J. O’Regan lectures here tonight on rating on unimproved values.