RANSITIKEI-OROUA NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20038, 23 March 1914, Page 6

RANSITIKEI-OROUA NOTES.

MANGAWEKA'S NEW ENGINEER

THE MANAWATU GORGE.

SCENE OF SEVERAL ACCIDENTS

ANOTHER DRILL HALL FOR FEILDING.

FEILDING CRICKET ASSOCIATION

PRIZES FOR BOYS' SHEEP-

JUDGING

PLEASING CEREMONY AT BULLS

MARTON FIRE BRIGADE.

(From our Travelling Reporter.)

MARTON, Mar. 21

Mr HoAvlett, the new engineer for Mangaweka Town Board, has commenced his duties. Manawatu Gorge was tho scene of several accidents during the week. It appears that first of all a mob of cattle and a flock of sheep met, and before the passing could be effected three valuable beasts went over the bank and were killed. Soon after this, a motor bike just escaped falling to the bottom of the gorge. A couple of days afterwards a man was driving a mob of sheep, when a motor cycle frightened the horse, which jumped over the edge into the bed of the gorge and was killed. The last was the case of a motor-car which stopped on Domain Hill. When the driver jumped out to crank up, the car ran backwards over the side of the hill, landing across the Domain fence. The car was considerably damaged. Feilding is going to have another Drill Hall. The old building belongs to the Manchester Rifles; the new hall will be owned by the Defence Department. At a meeting of the Feilding District Cricket Association, Mr J.. O. Hare's resignation as president wa* accepted, and Mr W. Power was unanimously appointed to the position for the remainder of the term.

A meeting of the Feilding Chamber ol Commerce was held to consider the rumoured cutting out of the Feilding stop oil the IMam Trunk line, and it was decided to ask Mr D. H. Guthrie, M.P., to interview Mr Hiley, General Manager of the Railways, about the matter.

In connection witft the boys' agricultural camp at Almadale, competitions were (held in tho Judging of Romney sheep* and also the cattle. Messrs. J. Knight and J.. Coz-pe have given awards as follows in the judging of Romney sheep: —H. Stewart, Ist praze, gold medal ; F. Ellerm, 2nd, silver medal; and J. Kitchen^ 3rd, silver anedall—all of Feilding. The medals-were the gift of Mr John Qobbe.

A pleasing ceremony took place at Bulls High School yesterday, when Mr. Henderson, who is about to leave, was presented by his pupils with a handsome writing-case, while the scholars of the primary department give ham. » travelling rug. Until a permanent appointment is made, Miss Mexbam will act as relieving teacher. The Palmerston High School Board concluded its inquiry into the charges Drought by Mr Lundie against the administration of tho High School, last evening. The Board decided to give Mr Lundie' three months' notice of dismissal.

The following were prize winners at Khnbolton £>now : — Weight-guessing (sheep weighed 971b.): Messrs. Jb\ Kaelin and H. Smith each guessed the exact weight. Cyclometer-guessing (39 miles 176 yards), Mr R. Mcßeth guessed 36 miles. Seed-guessing (number of seeds in pumpkin, 207), Mr Frank Nesdale guessed 205. Nail-driving competition for ladies, Miss Birohley and Miss Oliver tied. Nail-driving for gentlemen, Mr. Stackhouse. Hat-trimming for men, Mr Stuart Baddeley. At the 35th. annual meeting of the Marton Volunteer.Fire Brigade, presided over by ex-Captain .Gronn, the follow ing officers were re-elected for the incoming year: Superintendent, J. H. McDonald; Lieutenant^ I». Miles; secretary, L. Mclndoej treasurer, F. R. H. Bzuce. For Foreman No. 1 } R. Anderson; and for Foreman No. 2, J. Mainwaring and J. C. Woollomas were nominated. Three yea-ns' certificates were presented to Firemen J. Miles and J. C Woolliams and ex-Fireman H. Wysocki. A most enjoyable evening was spent in social intercourse, and in addition to. a big toast list being honour■ed, songs were rendered by Messrs S. J. Gibbons, J. Byrt, H. Dudley, H. Sherriff (encored), W. McEwen. J. Hannan, Dv Gow, W. NichoJas. and E. H. Wing. !Mr F. Lound gave a most enjoyable cornet solo, and Mr W. Barrett a recitation that was greatly appreciated. The accompaniments were played by Messrs Su J. Gibbons and H. Sutcliffe with considerable efficiency. In reply to Mr. Cooper, at the Palmerston Magistrate's Court, during the hearing of the objections" to the classifications of the Manawatu-Kairangia River Board lands, Mr J. F. Pratt stated that during the last twenty or thirty, years the Manawiatu bridge had been clown four times. These occasions were in 1884 or 1885, 1894, 1897, and 1902. The biggest break was in 1897, when the period during which .heavy traffic was suspended extended over two wool seasons and one grain season. Light traps could cross the bridge, however. After 1897 an extra span was put on and one in 1902, .'

The west coast appears to be teeming with fish just now, and some big catches are reported. Sea fishing •at Hokiia beach, Levin, has been particulai--ly good, and one report states that line fteU.-iig for schnapper has been most exciting. Many good catches have been made, while netting in the surf has be«i: above the average, but the reco'd for the season (and probably for t);e beact) was made by Mr A. Palmer and his two boys, of Weraroa, on Monday. In one haul they netted 615 kawhai. An onlooker describes the scene <is

"s.ntply glorious," seeing the net bei.2g haulc! in absolutely crammed to brsaicing point with the fish. He obtained Mr Palmer's permission to count Qitnu. end the figures were 615.