OTAKI NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1966, 24 January 1914, Page 9

OTAKI NOTES.

Thursday was a close holiday, and, iii consequence, the town was desorted. Tho Anglican Sunday School picnic attracted a number, while tlie tennis match, Victoria College v. Otaki, won easily by the former, drew a fair number. The bowling green was practically deserted, many bowlers being in Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, who are leaving Waikannc for England, were entertained on Thursday night, and presented with tnementoes of their stay in this district.. Tho I'araparaumu creamery has changed hands, the Otaki Dairy Company being the purchasers. The Health Department sent' 1 up an officer to investigate the creek that crosses Waorenga Koad. Mr. B. R. Gardener (Mayor of Levin) is still in a critical condition. ■' „.

Senator Root, to whom tho . NobelPeace Prize has just been awarded, has a way of his own with interviewers who have not mastered the subject they aro talking about. At a time when there, was a dilficult situation between America and China ho received in his offieo at Washington a group of newspaper reporters who plied liim. in- turn • with questions. Tho first few wero sensible, 'arid had evidently boon thought, out carefully. Following these came a number that were obviously creations of. the moment. Tho Secretary's expression changed from interested curiosity to weariness, but 110 never lost his gravity.. Tho last man in the line said to him, ".Mr. Secretary, I ain informed that tho President is very tired of ■ Minister Conger, and is going to get rid of him." "Alii" replied -Mr. Hoot, with apparent iclief that t-ho'.secrct was out,."you have, discovered that at last, have you'?''./ "Yes; and now . could ,;*mi toll 1110 whether Mr. Conger will be dismissed, or simply superseded ?". "Neither. Tho' President, with careful regard for Oriental etiquette, will send him a poisoned letter." When at tho head of a Depart--, liient, Mr. Hoot was very different from those Cabinet Ministers whose accessibility to anyone who comes along has aroused the admiration of so many English visitors to Washington. '■ Oiie.day -a* prominent Senator entered tile : piitechamber and strode confidently up to the closed door of tho inner office, *' A negro messenger blocked the way... f'l want to see the Secretary,", declared the. Senator in an imperious tone, "['lease' give me your card," said the messenger,. "I have no card." "Will you kindly write one!'" "\\*!iy, you know.- n.e— Fve been coming here a dozen ■years:I am Senator Blank, and I am in 'a hurry; I shall have to leave this .office' inside of five minutes." The messenger, was very respectful in his manner, but. smiled as he answered: "Yes, sir; r but: if I should go in there and announce, vou without a card, I should have .to leave this office before, you-W'culd.'^^j^