LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 28 November 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A rosary awaits an owner at this office.

Mr John Stevens thanks the electors by advertisement elsewhere in this issue.

Dorando and Hayes have been invited to participate in an An- - tralian Marathon race.

Mr J. A. Hanau, M.P., for vercargill, denies a statement that has been circulated to the effect that he intends to resign his seat in favour of the Hon R. McNab.

At the Dunedin Supreme Court George Edward Smith, for ill-treat-ing his sister-in-law, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, and Charlottle Elizabeth Smith, his wife, to 12 mouths. The services iu the Methodist Church to-morrow will be conducted in tiie morning by Mr A. J. Arnold, and in the evening by the Rev. P. J. Mairs, whose subject will be “ Shame.”

To-morrow is Advent Sunday, the first day of the penitential season before Christmas. There will be two celebrations of the blessed sacrament (8 and rt a.ra.) iu All Saints’ Church.

The Presbyterian Church services to-morrow will be conducted iu the morning by the Rev. G. K. Aitken, and in the evening by Mr H. Billens, of Palmerston North. Madame Clementine, whilst attempting the “William Tell” trick with a rifle at the Middlesex Music Hall, fatally shot her assistant, Eee, the man on whose head the apple was poised. Madame Clementine was arrested.

Dorando, the plucky little Italian who, though first in the Standium, was disqualified in the Marathon race held at Eondon in connection with the Olympian games, and Hayes, the American competitor who gained first place by virtue of Dorando's disqualification, ran a Marathon race in New York, and after a splendid race Dorando, won by sixty yards.

Sleeping in the garden is much recommended by the medical profession for nervousness and insomnia. Although we are agreed about the healthfulness of a maximum supply of oxygen by day, people do not yet sufficiently realise the great beneficial results to be obtained from an abundant supply during the hours of sleep.— Country Home.

A unique photographic group to be taken in New Zealand was that in which “Bill” Squires (Australian boxing champion), W. Webb (world’s champion oarsman), and R. McKenzie (the giant advance agent of the “ Kilties ” Band and first-class athlete), were taken together in Wanganui last Sunday.

The Government had 56 followers in the late House, but this number, with the second ballot for the Bay of Plenty still undecided, has been reduced to 46. The Opposition, on the other hand, has had its forces increased from 18 to 25, while to the one Independent of the late House several have now been added. The Government majority over Opposition and Independents combined is still a large one, but it is very much less than the three to one majority which it had previously enjoyed.

Is a promissory note a security for debt ? The question was raised during the course of legal argument iu a civil case at the Master ■ ton Magistrate’s Court the other day. Counsel had stated in argument that a promissory note was no security, when the Magistrate interposed : “ Do you mean to say that a promissory note is not a security?” “Most certainly I do,” replied counsel. “ I have never heard of it as such. It is merely a promise to pay—to fulfill an obligation, and does, not extinguish a liability.” His Worship answered : “It may not be a good security, but nevertheless it is a security.” The Hemp Committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce presented a report to the council of the chamber on the subject of preventing outbreaks of fire among cargoes in ocean-going .steamers, and especially ou a recommendation that the Government should appoint inspectors to supervise the stowage of cargo, the expense to be met by a charge upon shippers. The committee in its report suggested that the onus and expense of inspection should be thrown upon the Harbour Boards and the shipping companies, who should be empowered, by legislation if necessary, to appoint inspectors with full legal power to act. The council endorsed these suggestions, which will be forwarded to the Government.

Here is another election story, and this time a true one (saiys the Auckland Star). A poll-clerk, new to the business, and apparently more at home on a racecourse than when engaged in clerical work, was laboriously thumbing his roll and marking off the names of electors as they recorded their votes —when, he did not happen to miss them. After a very busy quarter of an hour, his deputy turned and inquired as to how he was progressing.. “Oh! all right,” was the nonchalant reply. I’m only seven or eight behind.” Naturally this was. met with a remonstrance, and for a few minutes pages flew and the pencil was applied industriously y then came a whisper to the deputy returning officer: “ It’s Jill right, mate; I’ve naught ’em. J/m Ifeding now by thrcje t ”, ( '

Persons are warned against trespassing on Mr Walter S. Carter’s property at Moutoa.

Tobias Miller, found guilty of attempting to murder Finest Hight at Masterton, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in the Wellington Supreme Court. At a meeting ot-the Socialist party in Palmerston on Wednesday night, it was unanimously decided to put forward a Labour candidate at the next general election against all-comers. We have to acknowledge receipt of the annual report of the Department of Agriculture. The volume contains details of the work carried out in. the various divisions of this important State department, and every farmer should secure a copy. The hon. secretary of the Foxton Horticultural Association informs us that he has received, through Mr Percy M. Page, local agent, two special prizes from Messrs Sutton and Sons, the world famous seed merchants. These prizes have been allotted to the best collection of vegetables. The Feilding Star says:—The victory of Messrs Newman and Buick makes the whole of the West Coast from the Southern boundary of Palmerston electorate rignt up to the Waitara river (with the exception of the Wanganui patch) represented in the House by Oppositionists, who are also farmers. The convict Joseph Norman, who is charged with having assaulted Mr A. Armstrong, gaoler at Terrace Gaol, will not be bought before the Court until Mr Armstrong is able to appear, states a Press Association telegram. Mr Armstrong is still in the bands of the doctor, but it is expected that he will be about again early next week.

At the Manawatu County Council meeting on Wednesday several councillors complained of the excessive speed of motor cars and the utter disregard at dangerous curves by drivers. It was decided to again write to the Automobile Association and ask them to erect three danger signals—one on Awahuri road, one on the sharp turn on Mt. Stewart, and the other at Bulls bridge. The contest of an election appears quite as exhausting for the wife of a candidate as for the man himself. Just now (says the Wellington Post) there are three wives who are in private hospitals undergoing treatment for nerves. As their husbands have all headed their respective polls, and the strain is removed, their convalescence may be rapid! A pathetic circumstance was mentioned at the jubilee social in connection with the volunteer movement in New Zealand, which was held at Auckland on Friday evening. A letter was read from one of the old volunteers, Mr James Heron, the Herald reports, regretting that old age and its attendant feebleness would prevent him from being with the “ boys of the old brigade ” at the function. The letter was written on Tuesday last, and the writer died on Friday afternoon in his 93rd year, and just a few hours before the function vras held.

Perhaps the most interesting and remarkable outcome of the recent elections is the episode, of which more sholud be heard, between Mr Remington, the re-elected member for Rangitikei, and Mr Geo. Hutchison, a defeated candidate for Wanganui. When Mr Remington was speaking at his final meeting at Taihape, he referred to some remarks made by Mr Hutchison with reference to former contests, and said he was quite willing, if Mr Hutchison would put down for the election expenses, to give him a chance of seeing who stood best with the electors of Rangitikei. Mr Hutchison has forwarded a letter to Mr Remington, accepting the challenge, and stating he was prepared to lodge the £TS on Mr Remington’s resignation as member of the House of Representatives. Early last week (says the Northern Mail) all was going merrily at a very interesting wedding in a Northern township until the bridegroom was called upon to produce the wedding ring. In vain he felt in his trousers pocket for the missing trifle. Nothing could be found except a hole, through which the ring had evidently fallen into the high boot which is effected by young men of that locality. What was he to do ? “Take your boot off,” said the parson. The suspense and silence was painful. The organist at the priest’s bidding, struck up a The young man, ’sitting on the altar rail, removed his boot, the ring was found—also a hole in the stocking, which led the worthy divine to remark: “Young man, it’s time you were married.”

An American student of economics, Mr A. B. Leckenby, is at present staying at Auckland (says the Star). He was much interested in the recept Parliamentary elections, and/speaks in enthusiastic terms of the healthy, wholesome interest displayed by the people, and the utter absence of any of those scenes and '- evidences of coercion stnd intrigue which so often characterise elections in the •United States. “ Our politicians say it would be disgraceful to see women/f/ote,” said Mr Leckenby; “ butjffiere was nothing ful abjgat last Tuesday’s votiffgrit was aß'evelation rto TUc r and I stood outside the Star office on Tuesday/ niglvtv aQ d I enjoyed it fine.- I .wafted till the very last result was posted, and I never saw before such intense interest and I enthusiasm, .combined with good order, disan election crowd.”,

Mr Tom L. Mills, editor of the Feilding Star, is spending the week-end at Foxton.

Mr Wesley Wool house is agent for the celebrated disc gramaphones and will be pleased to explain their merits to patrons.

Mr Yerex, photographer, notifies the public, per card in his window, that unless more liberal patronage is bestowed during the next fortnight the studio will be closed.

On to-day’s fourth page will be found a lengthy report in connection with the annual meeting of the Manawatu County Council, together with other interesting reading matter. -

The death occurred at Martou, on Thursday, of Mrs Joseph Northover, at the age of 56, The deceased lady, who suffered a long and painful illness, was a daughter of the late Major Neill, of Wanganui, and was widely known and respected throughout the district.

Victor Farrell; charged with having on November 17, unlawfully assaulted Constable Mullooley whilst the constable was in the execution of his duty, was fined £s> and costs res, at the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday.

Mr Byron Brown is being continuously urged by to move in the .matter of alleged irregularities in connection with the recent election, and letters from Shannon state that many leading citizens are willing to give evidence on his behalf. An appeal is to be made.

Addressing the younger section of his audience at lyimvood, Mr Tanner spoke of the importance of making the fullest use of the many educational facilities at present available to the young people. “ A good many years ago,” he said, “there was on the West Coast a young miner. He did his work as well as any one, but when the whistle blew for meal times he ‘ drew apart from his mates, for he always had a book in his pocket. The man’s name is J. W. Poynton, and he is now Public Trustee of New Zealand, with a salary of a year.”

A witness in an assessment case before Mr Justice Chapman, at Wellington on Thursday, admitted buying a certain hotel at Foxtou just before the recent licensing poll. “You thought it was going to be a near thing with the license?” suggested Mr Bell. “I did,” said the witness. “ And paid accordingly ?” was suggested. The witness preferred to express no opinion on that point. “You will fell more confident now,” said his Honour reassuringly.

Mr Alf. Fraser has been appointed Deputy Returning Officer at Foxtou for the Western Maori District, and associated with him will be Mr Napoleon Heta. The election takes place on Tuesday next. The local polling booth is the courthouse, and the polling hours will be from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m. The candidates are : Messrs Henare Kaihu (sitting member), Te Heuheu Tukino, Pepene Eketone, Hetna te Ao and Eruera to Kahu.

We take the following from the Otaki Mail: —The days of bribery and corruption in connection with the local option poll are evidently not yet past. It is stated on most reliable authority that a box was sent to the men working at the “ Moonshine” sawmill, Te Horo, a day or two before the" election. It waS opened, and found to contain beer, together with a number of pamphlets and cards, advising the readers to vote Continuance, and showing how to do so. It is probable that more will be heard of the matter in the course of a few days.

We would again remind , our readers that a very fine display of pianos and organs can be seen at any time in the shop pext to M r Patterson’s, chemist, and that these instruments are offered to the residents of Foxton and district at very low prices, and can be obtained on a new and exceptionally easy system of time payment. It is well worth one’s while to obtain particulars, and to see such a grand collection of instruments, containing among them a “Bechstein,” which is considered by eminent musicians the “king of all pianos. ” The makers claim that more Bechsteins are imported into Great Britain than all other makers’ put together. If you would save to do not delay, but go right away to-night. Pianos from £l7, all on special easy terms. Mr Wesley Woolhouse, the district manager, will, be in attendance, and cordially invites all.*

Martin Lund, a San Francisco diver, had a desperate fight with a large octopus while searching the hold of a sunken vessel. Soon after he had descended, the octopus seized his leg below the knee with a tentacle five inches in diameter. Almost immediately another ten* tacle encircled his thigh. The diver chopped frantically at the' beast with his knife, and signalled to be raised to the surface. Two more tentacles slid out of the darkness, one of which gripped Lund’s neck. The efforts of the men on the surface to raise him threatened to drag off his helper, ahef“ii»s.wa3 compelled’ to .them tp. desist, Lund, wlm-Md only his left hatld free, fopghx like a madman, hacki tentacles until, ne paiBaUy crippled the enemy. With A final effort the octopus drew Lut® to its mouth, and the diver reV peatedly drove his knife iqfo its head until it Was dead.-, x WS|K Lund was dragged to the sun|fl he was in a fainting The octopus was and was placed on exhibUj^^^H