THE HUNTLY PRESS PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1914. Local.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 16 October 1914, Page 2

THE HUNTLY PRESS PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1914. Local.

The schools will re-open on Monday morning after the week’s holiday. Mr Math' l '.vs supplies the following vital statistics for the quarter ending 30tli September, 1914 : Births, 27 ; deaths, 6 ; notices of marriage, 5. The majority of the counsel and those engaged in the Commission of Inquiry left by Friday night’s express or by the first train on Saturday morning. The transmission of mails from the Dominion to Austria, Austrian Agencies, Germany, German Agencies and Colonies, Hungary and Luxembourg, is suspended in the meantime. During the week there has been something of an exodus of the town. Many left for the West Coast, and a number for Hikurangi and Waihi, while others found work at Pukemiro where development is proceeding apace. The question of explosives will be submitted by the Minister of Mines to the arbitrament of experts who, seeing that 500 are idle because “ permitted ” explosives are not to be obtained in New Zealand, will do their best to lessen the prevalent local unemployment. ! We 1 ave to acknowledge receipt of the patriotic song entitled “ Mrs Tommy Atkins,” the words and music of which are by Mr C. L. Flemming, A good example of the sporadic verse and music consequent upon the out-break of the war, Mrs Tommy Atkins ought to win its way into more than general -favour. On Wednesday the Hon W. Frazer, Minister of Mines, stated that he would consider the advisability of making arrangements' for an officer of his Department to visit Huntly in order to receive- on the spot applications from the widows of those who were killed on the 12th ult. for the benefits they are entitled from the departmental fund which amounts to some £7OOO. The successful tenderer for the erection of the Bank of New Zealand to be erected in Huntly is Mr. E. Morris. The building, which will be in brick, is expected to be commenced at once. The tenders were as follow: - L. McKinstry, £IB7B : J, H. Edwards, £IBO4 ; Snelxßros., £1696 ; Ash and Leahy, 1693: J. T, Benson, £i4so ; E. Morris,. £1352. The tenders of Messrs E. Morris and L. McKinistry for the same structure (in wood) were £ll7B and £1698 respectively. Since the disaster the town has become abnormally quiet, and the stoppage of the mines lias made the position more acute. A. number of mining employees, thinking that a speedy resumption of work could not be hoped for, left for the West Coast Hikurangi, Waihi, and other centres during the week, while others .sought and obtained employment at the Pukemiro mine. The exodus, principally of the younger and the unmarried men, lias been large;, hut as soon as mining operations begin no doubt they evil! return as speedily as they departed. Quite an exchange of wit occurred during the recent inquiry. Describing his ideal of what a Chief Inspector of Mines should be, Mr Napier concluded with the statement : “He should not be a “ Reed, ” shaken in the wind. ” Mr Dowgray “ His (Mr Napier's), law may be right, but his theology is not.” Mr Wilford : “The Devil can quote Scripture when it suits him.” Mr Napier: “Oh you are one of the Devil’s own, too. ” Mr Wilford : “ This reed was not shaken by your wind. ” Mr. Napier: And our case was not affected by your gas!” The Wireless Garrison in Samoa showed their sympathy with the victims of the recent mines’ disaster, by sending through Mr E. V. Ralph a cheque for £22 10s. together with the following letter: “On behalf of the officers and men of the garrison of the wireless station near Apia, Samoa, I beg to hand you herewith the sum of £22 10s to be applied to or for the benefit of the wives and children of those killed and injured at Huntly. Our first mail from New Zealand only arrived on September 27, and all were greatly shocked at the disaster which had taken place in our beloved province. The wireless garrison is composed of a detach- 1 ment of officers and men from 3rd Auckland Regiment, and naturally the news of a - ilamity I id near home earns as a tramen- 1 dous shock to us. Pl ease convey ' to'the afflicted ones our deepest ! sympathy in their trouble.— 1 J. B. Neely, cap!: •ia command- ! mg the wireless d dichment, 3rd, 1 Auckland Conmny at Samoa.”