WANTED—A TOWN HALE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 3 December 1907, Page 2

WANTED—A TOWN HALE.

The want of a properly appointed public hall in Foxton cannot be denied. The appointments at the local public hall are, to say the least, very primitive and the accommodation both for professionals and the public, far too limited. Travelling companies have, time and again, urged us to publicly ventilate this matter. We feel that public opinion is with us in the pronouncement that a new and up-to-date Public Hall is urgently needed for Foxton. It is very doubtful whether a Hall will by built by private enterprise,' so thae we must turn towards the Borough Council and ask some progressive member of that body to move in the matter, failing that, a public meeting could be called to discuss the subject. The Council possesses an excellent site for a municipal hall whereon the old library is situated, at the corner of the Avenue and Main Street. An up-to-date building sufficient to attract some of the best professional companies on tour, could be erected at a cost of about Under the Municipal Corporations Act, the Council can borrow the required sum at an exceedingly low rate of interest. It is questionable whether the rate which would have to be struck to meet interest and sinking fund, for the loan would have to be collected, because the revenue derived from the building should be almost sufficient for that purpose. We hope, now that the project has been set afoot, that everyone who has the welfare of the'town at heart, will do something towards bringing about the object in view.

Sunday was Queen Alexandra’s birthday, when she reached her 63 d year. The N.Z. ensign was flown at the local Post Office yesterday, in recognition of same. Watchorn & Stiles have just received a direct shipment of Panama hats bought at job prices. Tnese will be offered while they last at from 12s 6d to 21s.* Mrs F. Hooker desires to thank the Misses Neylon through the medium of the Herald, for painting the large mirror on view in Mr Hennessy’s window, to be disposed of at the forthcoming Catholic Bazaar.

The reputation of the Economic dressmaking department is too well known to need comment. Mrs Hamer has made arrangements which will enable her to favourably supervise this department during the coming season.* Prince Bulow, in the Reichstag, was warmly appreciative in reference to the Kaiser’s reception in England. He attributed the past estrangement of Britain and Germany to a mutual misunderstanding. Each accused the other of objects and ideas which did not exist.

Sir Joseph Ward has received an intimation from London, stating that Mr Hall-Jones would sail for New Zealand on the 13th hist. The message intimated that Mr Hall-Jones was in good health. The Corinthic is due to arrive in Wellington on January 28th.

The Auckland members of Parliament, who returned home by way of the main trunk railway, state that there is no reason to doubt that the line will be completed by the end of next year, although there will be no time to spare and a great deal depends upon the time taken to complete the Makatote viaduct. The Western Star notes the immense amount of damage in Riverton district caused by the small bird nuisance. Systematic poisoning is carried out in the country, but a prohibitive by-law makes the borough a prolific breeding ground for thousands of birds. Such fruit and vegetables that have not been stringently netted have already been turned into sparrow, and the juicy pea is in a fair way to become extinct. The Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, was a passenger by rail yesterday en route to Auckland, where he goes to decide upon a site for the new Auckland Post Office. The General Manager for Railways, Mr Ronayne, and Mr Jno. Campbell, Government architect, accompanied Sir Joseph. The new site for the Post Office will be, in all probability, the present site of Kidd’s Commercial Hotel.

Readers of Queen Victoria’s letters will note perhaps one singularity of the Queen’s English. “The news are good.” To her ‘ ‘ news ’ ’ was always plural. It was the last touch of German memory of “ Nachrichten.” The great purveyor of news — Baron de Reuter —shows the same plurality of view. But the ordinary Englishman’s “ news ” is singular—sometimes very much so. Yet he persists in regarding “riches” as plural, though it comes from across the channel, and is merely “ richese ” naturalised.

The doctors of Paris have decided that, beginning next year, Sunday visits to patients shall be treated as night visits with double charges. The only exceptions will be visits to patients already under treatment. Dr Leredde, who initiated this movement to secure Sunday as a day of rest, says he is quite certain that Parisians will very soon get used to the change. He said ; “ Our new rules are intended to free us from needless visits. If patients know that they will be charged double for a doctor’s visit on Sunday, they will, unless they are really ill, refrain from sending for us until the next day.” More evidence of the übiquity of the New Zealander is furnished by a recently - returned Wairarapa man. During the visit to Switzerland, Mr Feist ascended the Sonnenberg, in the Alps 1 and on the topmost peak met Miss Dowdeswell, of the Morison Bush school, Greytown. Sittingat lunch in a restaurant in London one day, Mr Feist was accosted by a gentlemen on the opposite side of the table with the remark, “You have had a better lunch than this fora shilling in New Zealand.” How do you know I’m a New Zealander?” “Oh,” was the reply, “I’m a New Zealander myself, and I notice you are wearing a fern leaf top,” alluding to a greenstone charm with fern leaf on Mr Feist’s watchchain.

A disease of a very mysterious nature is reported to be appearing among many flax swamps in the island. It is not the ordinary fungus which attacks the leaf, but a sort of wet rot, which sets in at the base of the leaf, and, in many cases, affects the whole ran. The first appearance of the disease is the leaf turning a bright yellow. It ultimately dies. Possibly the trouble may be the result of the abnormally wet spring. Whatever the cause, the disease is of such a nature and its extent is so great that it demands full investigation.

Watchorn, Stiles and Co. guarantee their navy prints to wash. They have just received a shipment of about 60 pieces direct, ptices 6d, 7 and Bd.*

We understand the Secretary of the Foxton Sub-Union will convene a meeting early next week of all those who hold lists in aid of the McEwen fund, to consider the best means of investing the fund. Bank Cashier This cheque, madame, isn’t filled in. Madame —lsn’t what? Bank Cashier —It has your husband's name signed to it, but it does not state how much money you want. Madame —Oh, is that all? Well, I’ll take all there is.

Dr Bakewell, of Auckland, ridicules the fasting craze which has seized upon certain Wanganui people, wuo claim to go without food from 10 to 24 days, and yet go about their ordinary work as usual, and feel all the better for abstaining from eating. The doctor issues a challenge to Mr Lloyd Jones, an advocate of the fasting system. He says : —“ Let us take a horse, either a diseased horse or a healthy one. If the latter, his value is not to exceed ,£25. Now, if Mr Lloyd Jones can keep this horse in good condition for 25 days, doing his ordinary day’s work, on nothing but water or water and lemon juice, I will pay for the horse and it shall become the property of Mr Lloyd Jones. That gentleman must undertake, on the other hand, to pay for the horse if the experiment fails, and to pay any fines or submit to any terra of imprisonment that may be inflicted for cruelty to animals.” An extraordinary scene was witnessed at the Third Avenue Theatre, New York, which is noted for melodrama, and, according to the critics, for atrocious acting. It was in the last act, where the villian, after trying the patience of the audience for three long hours, essayed to die in the usual fashion. Then, for the first time, the audience began to cheer. Laughter and cat-calls became general, and the “dying ” villian, named Robinson, waxed wrath. For one, two, three minutes, Mr Robinson stood it. Then he sat bolt upright in bed. ‘ ‘ Say, give a fellow a chance, won’t you?” he yelled. The gallery shouted in glee. This was too much for Mr Robinson, and hopping out of bed, he strode to the footlights and bawled, “Ladies and gentlemen—l know there are some here—l want to appeal to your sense of fairness to stop this disturbance. We are here to deliver the goods, and I know we can if we only get a chance. But how do you suppose I can die if you keep up this racket ?’ ’ The jeers turned to cheers, and Mr Robinson strode back to bed, covered himself with the sheet, and “ died ” as his lines required him to do.

“ Night and Day,” the quarterly official organ of Dr Barnado’s Homes (National Incorporated Association) has again reached us. This number, published in September, includes a summary of the annual report and an illustrated account Of the forty-first anniversary meeting. The Homes are now caring for over 8000 children, and eight or nine fresh cases are admitted daily. Nearly twentythousand young emigrants have been sent out to the colonies by this great organisation. On September 12a party of 236 boys and girls set out for Canada ; the cost to the institution for so sending away each child is .£lO. Along the front of the head offices, in Stepney Causeway, Eondon, is the motto of the homes: “No destitute child ever refused admission. ” The excess of expenditure over income last year was ,£BI4O 8s rod. Comfortable and prosperous people in our own happy Dominion may have the privilege of assisting to maintain an institution that is continually saving their destitute brethren in the cruel cities across the sea from a life of crime or starvation.

The Tone Hand for December, Australia’s monthly magazine is to hand, and it is an excellent number. On the cover B. E. Minns, supplies a summery subject, with a girl ready to take her “dip” from a boat. Another striking piece of colour work entitled “Sleep,” is reproduced as a frontispiece from a picture by Bernard Hall. The third of the “Australian Felix ” series is entitled “ The Most Important of our Products,” which is its manhood. Alf. Vincent continues his “Vagabonding in Asia.” There is an article on the Felton Bequest, with pictures from the art collection ; the Genesis of the Bulletin is continued ; some samples are given of the Australian beauty quest; there is an article on ‘ ‘ Reversion and Thorougdbred,” some more exposures of quack cures, and a fine selection of literary articles and poems. Chief amongst the works of fiction is the new feature, a virile serial, ‘' The Big Five, ’ ’ by Ambrose Pratt. Other stories are contributed by E. Dyson, C. A. Jeffries and others.

The vital statistics for Foxton for November are births, 6; deaths, 2 ; marriages, i.

A committee meeting of the local Horticultural Society was held in Mr M. Perreau’s rooms last night, and was well attended. Mr W. Bock was appointed auditor, in place of Mr Peterson, resigned. It was resolved.to insert advertisements in the show catalogues. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Aitken, Baker, F. Woods, and the Secretary, was set up to allot prizes in the various sections. The committee will meet next Monday. Other matters of minor importance were discussed, and the meeting rose.

An assault took place at the rear of the Manawatu Hotel last night, at about eight* o’clock, when, it is alleged, two local residents set upon one of the employees of the Manawatu Hotel, and gave him a severe mauling. The police have the matter in hand, and the case will be heard in the local court at an early date.

Fears are entertained 1 for the safety of a motor boat, which left Collingwood yesterday for Farewell Spit Lighthouse. Eighteen passengers are on the boat, including Mr Bean, postmaster at Colling- f wood, his son, and a cadet named V Robins- It it is believed that the X*' boat has either swamped, or been - > driven to sea.