LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3763, 2 May 1907, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

The recent rains have caused the creeks and rivers throughout the district to flood.

The building trade still continues brisk in Foxton. Several new dwellings are to be started this month.

The complimentary dance tendered to the ladies and gentlemen who assisted the Foxton Borough Band to carry out the recent bazaar, was fairly well attended. The heavy rain was responsible for the non-attendance of a great number of ticket holders. A really enjoyable evening was spent.

At the inquest on Caroline Cress, licensee of the Wairau Valley accommodation house, the evidence showed that deceased had been slowly poisoned by chewing tobacco. The habit resulted in her death in twelve months. A verdict of death by nicotine poisoning, self-administered whilst of unsound mind, was returned.

The shooting season opened on Wednesday fast. Earge numbers ot sportsmen had made elaborate arrangements to camp out on the banks of the numerous lagoons in the neighbourhood, but during Tuesday night the rain fell in torrents, and continued almost intermittently yesteardy and last night. Although the weather spoilt the carefully-laid plans of a number of sports, it did not prevent a large number from defying the elements, all of whom were fairly successful. Guns can be heard cracking all over the district, and great slaughter is taking place. It is reported that the special committee of the German National Agricultural Society appointed for the investigation of . the best fertiliser for the improvement of the yield of apple and other fruit trees have reported that the best average normal fertiliser should have the following composition : 10 parts nitrogen, 5 parts phosphoric acid, 15 parts potash, and 15 parts lime. It is pointed out at the same time that in order to obtain reliable results it is necessary to carry on experiments over a long series of years. In this respect experiments on fruit trees differ from experiments in ordinary farm crops. With the latter the results are apparent in one season, while with the former the first fruit crop may evince little sign of the good obtained from the increased nourishment, and it is only after several years that the trees begin to respond in a satisfactory manner.

Among the rare occurrences which marjc connubial bliss is the celebration of a diamond wedding. Such has been the experience of the Rev. T. Fulljames and his wife, who on April 17th (says the Auckland Herald) completed sixty years of marital felicity. They were married at Chichester, England, in 1847, and came to New Zealand in 1863. After living in Auckland and at the Thames for many years, they are now residing with their daughter at Taukau. Mr Fulljames is a cheerful old gentlemen, ninety-two years of age, who has lived under five reigning Sovereigns, and his intellectual faculties are still unimpaired. His wife is still active and bright, athough eighty-three years old. Their family (living) consists of one son and three daughters, and numerouslgrand-children and great grand-children. The aged couple received many congratulations on the memorable occasion. * There was a sad scene at the Auckland Police Court the other morning. The Star reports that an educated man, Henry John Atkins, was brought up for sentence. In the course of a statement Atkins said that although many convictions had been recorded against him, the offences in themselves had all been of a most trivial nature, committed on the impulse of the moment, at times when he had been drinking, and there was never the slightest suggestion of premeditation on his part. “ For such trifles as an umbrella, a belt of ribbon, a pair of boots, etc., I have spent the best years of my life in prison. That life is, I feel, fast drawing to a close —at the most I can only have a few more years to live. I implore your Worship to give me this last one chance of living usefully and honestly in striving to retrieve my lost character, and make some reparation to those I have wronged —not intentionally, but through my weakness and follies.” Excessive drinking, a habit acquired while a student in Germany, had been the curse of his life for the last 20 years, his social, moral and physical ruin, but if his last prayer was granted, the remembrance of his Worship’s mercy and compassion would give him strength to resist every temptation to touch drink again, and would keep ,him in the straight path. His Worship said that it was perfectly clear that it was his duty to send Atkins to the Supreme Court to be dealt with under the habitual Criminals Act. There were no less than 21 convictions against Atkins for larceny. For Bronchial Coughs take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. 1/6 and 3/6.

Mr Fred Foley, wizard and entertainer, writes us that he intends paying Foxton a visit on Saturday, June 22nd. Madame Emma Earaes, the prima donna, has secured a divorce from her husband, Mr Julian Story, at New York.

The Bishop of London, the Rev. Lingett, and other Nonconformist ministers, have begun a crusade against the exhibition of living statuary.

Mr Gyles will continue his addresses in the Gospel Hall, opposite the State School, to-morrow evening, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

We remind members of the local Chamber of Commerce of the annual meeting which takes place in the Borough Council Chambers to-night at 8 o’clock. Cash and deposit, notes amounting to more than were found in the house at Worcester, England, of Henry George Munro, who died in great poverty, and who had been assisted for years by charitable people. A coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “ Natural death.”

In conversation with a music publisher recently, Pope Pius the Tenth declared himself wellsatisfied with the progress of the rehabilitation of the Gregorian chant in the Catholic Churches. At the same time he significantly asserted that he \vas not in favour of the complete exclusion of all church music other than the Gregorian ; all he asked was that there should be nothing worldly.

Our Moutoa correspondent directs attention to a matter which we commend to the County Council engineer. He writes as follows: “One thing out here that needs immediate attention is the cross road known as Burr’s road. Something should be done either in the way of a bridge, raising the road, or else mending the banks, for during flood times this part of the main road is a continual menace to settlers. Several accidents having already happened, fortunately not more serious than capsises, though on each occasion the horses were rescued with difficulty and the vehicles had to be left till the flood subsided.’’

A rare matrimonial event, says a Home paper, was the marriage on the same day of a mother and daughter—Mrs Gleadowe, widow of the late Mr George E. Y. Gleadowe, C.M.G., and Miss Gleadowe. They were married respectively to Mr Charles P. Fisher, of the Indian Forest Service, and Mr Robert Blundell Goodden, late Royal Fusileers, son of Colonel Goodden, of Compton House, Dorset. Some years ago, in Wanganui, says the Palmerston Standard, a mother and daughter were married on the same day to father and son, and that is a little more rare still. Doubtless many Wanganuites will remember the event, all the persons being still living.

The Rev. Otho Fitzgerald, who filled the office of vicar of Holy Trinity parish, Lyttelton, during the absence of the Rev. Canon Coates, has relinquished the position after a year of very successful work. He declined to accept a farewell presentation, and at the annual meeting of parishioners, a resolution of appreciation was carried by acclamation. Mr Fitzgerald, in acknowledging the resolution, said that he wished to explain why he would not take a presentation. He thought that the whole idea of presentations was wrong, especially in connection with church work, and that the idea of getting a presentation in return for everything one did tended to make people lose sight of the reason why they should do things —because it was their duty to do them. In its quarterly issue for March, Night and Day has an absorbingly interesting story to tell about Dr. Barnardo’s Homes which it represents. It speaks about a family of 8.600 inmates admitting from below the poverty line eight or nine boys and girls every day, and comprising cripples, incurables, babies, deaf and dumb and blind and helpless among its varied flock. No wonder that it needs money—money for the victualling, clothing and countless needs of a big town ! This is the month of emigration, when the Homes send off to Canada their spring party. Some 350 boys and girls, carefully chosen for health, for intelligence, and for industrious habits have gone forth, bringing the grand total up to 18,994, of whom, it is the Homes’ proud boast, that 98 in a hundred have proved themselves worthy and successful colonists. The magazine reports a busy year and its figures preach eloquently and surprisingly as to the need which still exists for rescue-work such as Dr Barnardo’s Homes have carried on for forty years. 2,091 permanent admissions a year means an unthinkable amount of childsuffering alone ! The general contents of Night and Day are informative and interesting, and the illustrations, from photographs, are illuminating. The Naval Branch has had a ship given to it. A new Branch Home has been opened at Clapham. Sir Gilbert Parker,M.P., and the Bishop of London speak strenuously in favour of the work. The Bishop describes the characteristic of the Homes as being “ No red tape.” A volume of “Tales for the Homes” (price 55.) has just been published. There are many points of suggestion and detail which deserve attention from all who love the children. A free copy of the Magazine will be sent gratis on application to the Head Office of the Homes, 18 to 26, Stepney Causeway, London, E.

Crs Frankland and Austin were unavoidably absent from last night’s Council meeting. The Manawatu river, from the gorge down to the sea, is in high flood. Members of the local Masonic Lodge are reminded that an emergency meeting takes place tomorrow night.Mr J. G. Cox, one of South Wairarapa’s most esteemed residents, was on a business visit to Foxton to-day. Mr. A. Jonson has shown us some beautiful camelia blooms, which are very fine for this time of the year.. The Works Committee of the Borough Council intend to inspect the roads etc. in the Borough at an early date with a view to general improvements.

The new Council are to be congratulated upon the amount of business transacted in a short space of time at last night’s sitting. This augurs well for the future. The Borough Council invite applications for position of nightman at a weekly salary of £3, Duties to commence on June Ist. Applications close on May 20th. See advt.

The sanitary contractor gave notice to the Town Clerk this morning that he refused to go on with the work. The clerk has officially notified the contractor’s guarantors of the fact.

A phenomenal- rainfall of 2‘30 inches was registered at Masterton for 24 hoursending at 9 a.m. yesterday. This down-pour, the bulk of which fell last night, is the heaviest recorded for some years. It is still raining.

The highest flood ever known is recorded in Masterton. The flood waters are entering shops and dwellings at the north end of Queen Street. Settlers in the district are busy getting their stock to places of safety.

Railway communication between Foxton and Palmerston has been interfered with by reason of the flooded state of the permanent way between Oroua Bridge and Tiakitahuna. No passengers were taken by this morning’s train to Palmerston. It is not known how long it will be before the flood waters sudside.

Mr Ernest Ball, hairdresser and tobacconist, publishes some interesting , informatioh for ladies in this issue. He has engaged the services of a competent hairdresser from the Empire City, who is an expert in making up ladies combings. The billiard-room is still conducted under first-class management, and the hairdressing saloon is second to none.

John Allen, yonug man, nineteen years of age, while under the influence of liquor, threw a stone at a Chinese fruiterer named Chong Fong at Carterton on Saturday with whom he had an argument. The Chinaman was wounded in the forehead. Allen was fined 40s, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment, and bound over to keep the peace for six months. He was severely ‘ ‘ dressed down ’ ’ by the Bench. The anniversary services in connection with the Methodist Church will be held on Sunday, sth. The preacher in the morning will be Rev. Aitkeu, and in the evening Rev. Southern. In the afternoon at 3. o’clock a musical service will be held. Special hymns and anthems will be rendered. Mr Longworth, of Ashurst, will be the soloist for the day. Collections in aid of the Trust Funds. At last night’s Borough Council meeting, when the salary of the nightsoil contractor was being discussed, Cr Baker moved, and Cr Hennessy seconded that the Council go into committee in order to allow more freedom of discussion. The contractor was present in the Chamber at the time. Cr Coley objected to this procedure. He was of opinion that such matters should be fully discussed in open Council. However, the motion was put and carried, and Cr Coley thereupon by way of protest left the Council. Mr W. J. White, who is shortly to leave Wellington for Foxton, was on Tuesday presented by his colleagues of the Poneke Football Club with gifts for himself and Mrs White, (says the N. Z. Times). The presentation was made by Mr A. F. Wiren, who, as well as Mr Coffey, spoke appreciatively of Mr White’s service to the club. Mr White has been player, captain, secretary, and delegate for the club, and has been a football enthusiast during twenty-two of the twentynine years which he has spent in Wellington. At last night’s Council meeting, after the Mayor had been installed, Councillor Stiles said that before transacting any business he would like, on behalf of himself and the Council, to congratulate the Mayor on his re-election. During the past 12 months His Worship had carried out the duties of his office with ability and had served the ratepayers faithfully. He trusted that during the coming term the borough would prosper under his management and that Councillors would give the Mayor that support which the position demanded. Crs. Baker, Coley and Wilson also followed in a similar strain. The Mayor suitably acknowledged the kindly remarks, and hoped for a'prosperous year. Tell of the good of it, Say what you should of it, ; All that you .could of it, Say what you would of it; - Tell of colds cured by it, ■ (Good health ensured by it, 1 ((Long life secured by it-7-t.Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, 1,