Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1918, Page 2

Polling day for the Wellington North bye-election has been fixed for February 28th.

The Town Clerk, Ross, notifies in this issue- the dog registration fees for the Borough of Ross.

Notice appears in this issue of the election of members of the Westland Licensing Committee; Nominations close on 2nd. March.

The Canterbury Education Board invites tenders in this issue for the purchase of the Woodstock School residence and 5 acres of land.

The “Guardian” four paged supplement supplied to our readers with this issue is another very attractive and interesting addition to the week-end reading.

The members of the Military Appeal Board are f the range from Christchurch to-day, and a sitting of the Board will be held in tlie local Conn, house on Monday at 10 a.m. i The fine show of flowers in Macandrew Reserve and its general appearance is continually the theme of admiration aild approval.' At presen,, there is a particularly fine show of asters, the blooms being very fine both in size and color. Dahlias, phlox drummondi and antirrihum are also making a brave show.

Acting under the doctor’s instructions, the Rev. T. N. Griffin, of the Dunedin Methodist Church is applying to the coming annual-conference to he made a permanent supernumerary. Mr Griffiin has been in the active, ministry 38 years, having entered it under the Wesleyan Conference, England, and continued it in New Zealand since 1882 since which time lie has laboured hi several circuits liotb in the North and South Islands.

A youth, Roy Green, residing in Arotonga Avenue, One-three Hill, was admitted to the Auckland Hospital on Saturday evening suffering from shattered hands, the result of an explosion of chemicals. Green, who is a wireless student, 19 years of age, was carrying out an electrical experiment in his home when a spark ignited some gas. Two fingers and the tip of the thumb were blown off the left hand, but hope is entertained regarding the saving of the right hand, which was badly injured.

“Will you, if returned, fight and vote for the repeal of the Conscription Act, aiid the repudiation of the National \ Debt, making it possible foi the present generation to pay their owi war expenses, and save unborn generations from being exploited by the thieving that is now going on?” asked “Comrade” Dowdell, at Mr Brandon ► meeting at Wellington. “Ladies and gentlemen,’’ said Mr. Brandon, “I don’t think that you will expect any man of sense to answer such a niece- of tomfoolery.” (Applause).

There is a wave of juvenile offence: against law and order about, Auckland at present. On Monday practically the whole of the Police Court business warconcerned with these very youthful offenders, and the young defendants ranged in ages from tell to ninetee" years. Most of the trouble was due to thefts from shops, which had teen broken into while the owners were away. One youth seemed to have a penchant for opening letters sent to the post with money—cheques—inside, and another, the youngest of all, was haled from a settlement near the headwaters of the Waitemata on account of his mischeivous tendencies. In almost every on© of these juvenile cases the trouble was traced to the home—or, rather, the lack of home influence—-for all of them were to all intents and purposes free of home and parental restraint.

At short notice yesterday afternoon a number of representative gentemenmet at the Overseas Club, and extended a welcome ba’ck to Mr. S. G. Ferguson who had just returned from Australia. Mr. Murdoch, speaking on behalf those present, expressed pleasure at the safe return of Mr. Ferguson, and stated how pleased they all were to know that Mrs Ferguson had improved n> health. He congratulated Mr. Ferguson on his unopposed return to the Westland County Council, during his absence, and wished Mr. and Mrs Ferguson long life and every happiness. Mr. Ferguson expressed his' gratefulness to those present for their kindly welcome and good wishes. He was thankful that he had been able to bring Mrs Ferguson back safely after her critical illness, and was glad to say she was continuing to improve. Air. Ferguson said he had been honored in his absence by the ratepayers of the Okarito Riding in being returned unopposed, and he was much indebted to his many friends for the interest they had taken on his behalf during his temporary and unexpectedly long leave of absence: Mr. Ferguson went on to the political struggles he had witnessed, in Australia', especially in connection with the referendum. He spoke, also, of the sporting proctivities of the people, and the way in which horse racing was catered for. Concluding, he expressed hi s great 7 pleasure at being hack again in Westland and amongst his old friends of forty years standing. Before the complimentary gathering dispersed, a verse of the National Anthem was sung.