LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3723, 3 November 1906, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Mr M. H. Walker, who has been laid aside with pleurisy, was able to get out for a short time on Thursday. It is interesting to note, in connection with the 109 deaths in Wanganui from the Ist January to the 30th September of this year, that 76 of the deceased persons were males, and but 33 females.

The services in the Methodist Church to-morrow will be conducted by the Rev. J. Southern. The subjects for the day will be, morning, “ Asa’s Prayer” ; evening, “ The Farmer and his Ground, Rocky and Thorny Soil.” The choir will render the anthems “Come, oh come” and “The Ford is good to all.” His Excellency the Governor has remitted the uuexpired portion of the sentence that was being served by Mrs Harriet Drake, and she was released from prison on Wednesday evening. Mrs Drake was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment with hard labour on December 24th 1902, having been committed for trial in the previous August on a charge ot manslaughter in connection with the death at Otaki ot one of her children.

MrE. D. Stair, a Detroit millionaire, who recently visited England, would, perhaps, best like to be known as a newspaper man. Journalism was his first love, and although he speedily abandoned it for theatrical management, when he “made his pile” he returned to the newspaper world as proprietor of the Detroit Journal. Mr Stair’s influence is felt by millions of people, many of whom have never heard his name. In partnership with Mr Havlin, of Cincinatti. he controls the supply of dramatic amusement to virtually all the popular-priced theatres in the United States and Canada — about two hundred of these places of entertainment being under their joint direction.

Mr Alf. Phaser, town clerk, who went to Wellington at the early part of the week, successfully arranged the loan for furnishing the new library building. Messrs Sutherland and Rough have opened up a stock of furniture in their premises, Centre of Commerce Buildings. This enterprising firm has made the premises very up-to-date and the public is cordially invited to inspect the stock.

The Borough Brass Band on Thursday evening last discoursed a programme of music, to demonstrate their feelings towards Mr and Mrs Haywood, for their kindness and past support. Mr Haywood, who was absent at the time, has since written to the Secretarj r enclosing £1 ns 6d towards the band funds, and expressing pleasure that the Band should thus show their appreciation of his previous help. At the present time there is a gentleman in Napier who has in his possession the death certificate of his son. About an hour after receiving the certificate the father noticed the child (newly born) move, and took measures to preserve life, with the result that the little fellow, now 2J2 years old, is to be seen, the picture ot health, in Napier, toddling along the street after his lather or mother.

Foxton presented a very deserted appearance yesterday. Most of the townspeople took advantage of the fine weather and cheap railway excursions and visited the Palmerston show. Others, again, braved the bad road in vehicles and on bicycles to get a whiff of the briny. By the way, we understand /200 was voted by the County Council for putting this road in order, but apparently the amount has not yet been spent.

An interesting announcement was recently made by Mr Edison, the great American scientist and inventor, to the effect that he has discovered a means whereby electric power can be poured in a metal container of such exceptional lightness that it will be possible to fit all kinds of vehicles, which hitherto have not been so fitted on account of the weight and cost, with their own motive power. It is considered extremely probable that the existing system of electric traction will be revolutionised by this discovery if it can be made commercially workable. Mr Geo. Nye, a resident of the Manawatu District for over 60 years and who has been bedridden over a year at his home in Foxton, delights to meet old friends and converse with them. He takes a keen interest in Foxton affairs and for many years served the borough faithfully as a Councillor and occupied the Mayoral Chair for three terms. His connection with the Public Works Department and his progressive nature made his services as a Councellor invaluable. In fact 1 his advice is now sought on many questions affecting the welfare of Foxton. We express the hope that Mr Nye may again be restored to comparative good health.

The glorious willow that stood for upwards of 40 years at the foot of Bluff Hill, Ophir, to the mark the historic spot which payable J gold was first discovered in Australia, now lies prone across the once golden stream. During recent floods in Rewis Ponds Creek the loose wash dirt in which the tree stood was carried away, a new chum fossicker having given the flood a tearing-place by cutting a race close to the root of the willow. Apart from its value as an historic landmark, it is stated by one who knows the r.oble willows that front the waters of Bathurst and Peel, that this willow was the noblest of them all—and its fail will be a matter of lament.

A misunderstanding led to an amusing incident at Christchurch Magistrate’s Court. A certain case was under consideration, and the Magistrate made reference to an order for prohibition pending in the Supreme Court affecting the same case. While making this observation his gaze rested upon the countenance of a portly and well-known citizen, who occupied a seat on one of the spectators’ benches. This gentleman, confusing two ideas, and imagining a personal reference to himself, immediately jumped up and protested that no prohibition order had been issued against him. He continued to protest until he was induced to leave the Court.