Local.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 31 July 1914, Page 2

Local.

Weasels are reported to be j numerous in t'l3 Kimihia neigh- , bourhood. r The members of' the Town and • Road Boards had an “off” v day at their last meetings, the c business being meagre and not 1so important as usual, g

The impressions of a Huntly three-year-old on noticing a hail storm for the first time were conveyed in the following words — “Mother, Mother! come out and see tho sago falling !” The erection of the new residences of Messrs W. Aston and J. Kerr, in Hakanoa street, are nearing completion. Mr C. C. Porter is the contractor for the one, and Mr J. V, Johnson for the other. The Minister of Mines, the Hon. W. Fraser, has informed Mr E. A. Jones, secretary of the School of Mines, that his parliamentary duties will prevent him from opening the school and attending the function proposed While in Wellington Mr J. P. Bailey will interview the Ministers concerned on various matters connected with the interests of the Town and Road districts, and with the School of Mines. Work in connection with the eastern approach to the bridge is being prosecuted with vigour, and at the western end a large gang of men is engaged in raising the the enbankment so that the former awkward grade may be avoided. Numerous applications have been received for the post of consulting electrical engineer as advertised by the Town Board. The applications have come from all parts of the North Island. Several cases of scarlet fever, scarlatina and chicken pox having been reported to the Health Department, Inspector Bennett has of late been obliged to pay more numerous visits than usual to the mining town. Mr Benson’s contracts are making progress of a most satisfactory nature. The School of Mines will be completed shortly, while the residence being erected by the Taupiri Co., for Mr W. Wood, Manager of the Extended mine, will not take long to finish. Saturday’s football, which was confined to a scratch match between Huntly and Taupiri, did not arouse much interest. The sides were incomplete, the play suffering accordingly. The visitors proved victorious by a small margin. The handsome trophy presented to the Ohinewai Gun Club by the Colonial Ammunition Company is at present in the hands of Mr J. McKinnon. The prize,— a handsome rose bowl —will be competed for on the club grounds shortly. Mr H. A. Clinch is now prepared to supply sittings of eggs from pure bred and prize winning strains. In former years the demand has exceeded the supply, so that early application will be necessary on the part of those who desire to obtain the eggs at the low prices offered. Dr Bedford, of Dunedin, addressed a meeting held in the supper room of the Miners’ Union Hall on Tuesday evening on “ The Economics of the Liquor Traffic.” The attendance numbered about forty. Mr W. R. Leather presided, and the customary vote of thanks was moved by Mr E. W. Sheeraff. As will be seen from the report of the Town Board meeting the Public Work* Department has decided t ) protect the sides of the subway by a facing of bricks. The side; of the cutting will slope back to the edge of the footpath, thus making it neceSuiry far ail v; icali:* traffic to proa ed through tin catting. On returning from his visit to England it is proposed to give “King” Te Rata a right royal

welcome. Between 2000 and 3000 natives are expected to take part in the festivities, which will be held at Mercer, and which will include a “dress” ball. The Hon. Dr Pomare, it is anticipated, will be present as representative of the Government. A man named Joseph Graham received a very severe blow on the head on Wednesday while working in his hord in the Extended Mine. A fairly large piece of coal falling from the roof struck Graham on the head, inflicting a very nasty wound necessitating the seven stitches which wore inserted by Dr. Macdiarmid, sen. Owing to the recent bad weather. the Huntly Band has been unable to give the promised instrumental concert on the West side of the river ; but, with favourable climatic conditions, it will come off on Sunday aftern >ia. By special request Bandm is ter Wentworth will play “Mary of Argyle” as a cornet solo. Messrs McKinnon Bros, had bad luck luck last week in losing their valuable brood mare, Hesper (Loch Ness-Dreamland). It appears that the animal got entangled in some barb wire with the result that blood poisoning set in and caused her death. Hesper was at one time associated, with the race track, and won some good races for the late Mr Donald McKinnon. Hesper is tho dam of Marshal MacDonald, Rimlock, Hemis- , phore, and other untried, but i beautiful youngsters —the big upstanding two-year-old Penury, . colt catching the eye as one j likely to earn distinction as a < galloper in the near future. •

Mr J. Elliot will hold his usual fortnightly sale on Saturday afternoon. The wages to he paid to-day by the Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd., to its employees amounts to £3830. Mr J. P. Bailey left for Wellington last Saturday in order to attend the meeting of the executive of the County Council’s Conference. The Hon. J. Allan, Minister of Education, has sent the following reply to the chairman of the school committee in reply to the committee’s wire re the proposed Waikato Education District : “ Many thanks for your telegram. The bill is now under consideration by Parliamentary Committee.” The minor mining accidents of the week which have been confined to the Extended Mine, are five in number, the following being the list Messrs Charles Carter, sprained lumbar muscles; Harold Bond, bruised side; Robert Jackson, sprained thigh ; Eric McAneny. injured foot , and John Wesley, junr., hurt knee. The dancing class conducted by Messrs Clay and Tarawhiti was held last night, and, despite t-he serious nature of the weather, there was a capital attendance, the members of which thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Next Thursday night they propose to hold “ a long night” when refreshments will be provided and the latest dances, including the Tango, will form the programme.