LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 443, 19 December 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr Dinnie, Commissioner of Police, paid a visit of inspection to the Foxton Station on Thursday, and departed yesterday.

The Rev P. J. Mairs will conduct the service in the Methodist Church to-morrow morning, and Mr H. Baker will take the evening service.

The auction sale of Mr Jupp’s household furniture and effects will commence on Wednesday next at i p.m., and not 2 p.ra. as previously advertised. Included in the handy little diary Mr Healey, chemist, is distributing to customers, is a bona fide accident insurance policy, which upon payment of 6d entitles the holder to insure against accidents. A Wairarapa beekeeper states that the severe drought of las summer has so destroyed the roots of the white clover that the present season will probably be a poor one for honey production.

Allan’s Entertainers appeared in the Public Hall on Tuesday evening last to a fair house. The bill of fare consisted of animated pictures, more or less interesting, juggling feats and a vocal item. The audience didn’t go into ecstacies over the performance. We are asked to inform prizewinners at the recent show that they will be able to obtain prize money and certificates upon making application at the .secretary’s office, on or before Thursday next, 24th inst., after which date the office will be closed for the holidays.

A large meeting of the Liberal party at Carterton last night presented Mr Hornsby, the late member, with a purse of 250 sovereigns. He announced his intention of remaining in the district and going into business, leaving the selection of the next Liberal candidate to the people when the right time came.

Those who have not yet placed their orders for Christmas Cards with the HKRAbD office should do so at once. We have a few specimens of our English stock left, chaste design “ Happy Day ” series 8s 6d per dozen, “Auld Lang Syne ” and “ All Good I 'Wishes ” series 6s 6d per dozen 1 . These prices include the purchaser’s own greetings. Plainer designs from 3s 6d dozen.* The weather in interim has been very 'late, says the Moinjf fda Chronicle, the thermp me t;er ranging from 130 to lre sZihg point. During the last ■week the district has been visited by hot, scorching winds, warm and cold rain showers, and finally with a fail of snow, showing the mountains in their winter garb. Frost, which invariably follows snow, blackened the potato crop, and nipped the flowers and fruits.

A curious instance of luck in spite of omens to the contrary occurred at the recent Woodville races. A Napier young man who was about to visit them, was offered by his fiancee, as a present, an opal ring. He declined it, as it was bad luck to accept a ring from a lady, and especially an opal ring. The lady insisted-- He wore the ring, and won at the races. He now believes ip ladies’ gifts/ and especially in the virtues of . opal rings.

A considerable amount; of annoyance was given gratuitously in ; be small hours of yesterday morning hv the prolonged screeching (or smoother term thatimayeb®-] applied of the Quettb of ts-j South’s sirefb writes a dent. All thl&'vtes done to acquaint one steamer was going Several to

A rose show at Mastertou last week returned a net profit of £,X]. Mr M. E. Perreau has purchased a donkey with which to amuse the children visiting the seaside.

The first Christmas and New Year greetings to reach us from our contemporaries is from the Feilding Star. We reciprocate. South African newspapers generally welcome the recommendation of Lord Rosebery’s Committee in favour of the appointment of colonial Peers in the House of Lords.

The Foreric, which left San Francisco on November 20, is bringing 2x6 bags of American mail for New Zealand. The steamer should reach Auckland to-day. A newly-wedded couple arrived at the Sanatorium the other evening. It leaked out that they were on their honeymoon. They were serenaded in the usual time honoured custom.

Mr M. E. Perreau has a splendid assortment of Christmas confections in stock, and Father Christmas would do well to look in when making his purchases for the the children’s stockings. We acknowledge with thanks, a very pretty picture wall calendar,' “ Heavenwards,” from Mr A; Osborne, tailor, Main Street, also a calendar from Mr P. H. RaeHoward, local agent for the Victoria Insurance Co., Ltd. The annual report shows 189 Rhodes scholars in residence at Oxford, including ex-scholars, who are remaining for further studies or as Fellows and Tutors. The Times says the Rhodes scholars have gained a respectable but by no means overwhelming list of distinctions.

T. Longboat, a Canadian Indian, beat Dorando, the Italian long-distance runner, in a twentysix miles’ race at New York in 2 -yi hours. Dorando was distressed at the twentieth mile. On entering the twenty-sixth he fell in a heap and rolled off the track. Longboat finished very fresh and alone. Mr H. L. Michel, who contested the Westland election against Mr T, Y. Seddon, M.P., received a number of presentations at Hokitika on Wednesday. He was given a purse of 300 guineas (exclusive of 100 guineas presented at Kumara a few nights ago), a silver entree dish, a silver-mounted oak salad bowl, and a silver-mounted writing desk. He announced his determination to stand for the seat again at next election. Settlers and business men along the Manawatu Railway were very anxious for State control of the line, but now that the State has acquired the property they find that they were better off under the regime of the company, at all events in regard to rates on goods and fares on certain days. They used to benefit by the competition between the Government and the company, which is now a thing of the past.

HMr E. Healey has a large assortment of perfumery very suitable for Christmas presents. These goods are not put in the window, as they are apt to deteriorate with exposure to the sun. He has also smelling salt bottles in great variety—all salt bottles purchased here are filled tree of charge. Mr Healey has also the best assortment of hair brushes in Foxton. Inspection invited.*

In order to afford facilities for the transmission by telegram of Christmas and New Year’s'greetings speeial printed forms may be obtained at the telegraph office for use on and between the 18th and 24th, and the 27th and 31st December. Such telegrams will be delivered at the principal telegraph offices on cards bearing views of New Zealand scenery, etc. At other offices telegrams will be written on ordinary forms. A uniform charge of 6d for each telegram will be made, provided the address and signature do not contain more than eleven words. If, however, the text as printed is varied in any way, or other words added thereto, the telegram will be treated as an ordinary one, and charged ,fnr accordingly, *■ ' '

Yhere has been a wonderful evolution in postal arrangements

v. ilhiu the last few years. Formally, as many can well remember, postage rates were high, delivery was slow and uncertain, and did not extend beyond the cities and the larger provincial towns. Now, however, postage rates are low, and wherever a half-dozen houses are located, there is a postal authority and ' a daily service. This development in the postal system has made it possible for country residents to have practically the same purchasing privileges as their city friends. We in the can now have the stores jof the cities brought to Our doorfy We can order by letter from good, reliable houses, and within a very few days, the goods will ]be brought to us. Messrs VeitUM und Allan, who have one of the largest establishments in Wellingtou, incite residents of this district to shpp with them through the hiedium pf the post. They have (every facility for prompt attention to orders, and will use every, care in the! selection of the goods! sent; .•■'and, moreover, should| anyorae ordering by mail find thdt ttfey have not got exactly wanted, Messrs Veitch without any decfucreturn moneys paid There could bemo fairer than. this.^■^howS j Veitch an^^^Bkdve

A public meeting is advertised to take place in the Racing Club’s office on Monday next, to receive the animal report and balance sheet bf the Manawatu (Foxton) Racecourse Trustees. If sufficient inducement offers, Mr Johnston advertises that he will run a. |oach from his stables at 3 a.m. on Christmas morning to connect with the special train to Wellington at Levin. The train leaves Levin at 5.10 a.m. The <• Carnarvon Presbyterian congregation will be merged Into the Bulls charge after to-morrow. The Rev Mr Aitken will conduct final services there to-morrow. Services at the local church will be conducted by Mr Billens of Palmerston North.

We are asked to state that the Yerex Studio has received such encouragement during the past fortnight that it will not now be closed as intimated in a previous issue. As the work is equal to- city productions, it is hoped that residents will support local industry.*

The 1 Charles Edward went ashore at the end of the Wanganui breakwater on Thursday, She is leaking -slightly. Her cargo of coal has been discharged and it is anticipated she will be refloated at an early date. The scow Ururoa, coal laden from Newcastle, is also ashore atiout a mile south of the entrance.ito the port. An invitation to visit the Xmas Fair which opened at the Bon Marche on Saturday appears in another column. Great interest - was shown by the numerous buj-ers on Saturday, but possibly the chief excitement centred round bibuses and millinery, of which there are beautiful stocks of new goods, and the prices are tempting.^

At about half past ten on Thursday mornipg a nine-roomed house situated between Himatangi and Bainesse was totally destroyed by fire. The house was owned by Mr Whishaw. of Feilding, who had purchased,.. jt recently from Mr Brightwell.’ Mr Brightwell had intended moving out within the l next few days and had all his furniture, <■ etc., packed. Very little was saved from the fire.

A pianist employed in a Paris cafe was fined £2 a few weeks ago tor a novel Irevenge. The proprietor of the cate noticed that after he had refused to give the pianist an increase of salary the number of his customers dwindled rapidly. It was only when all but one diner deserted him that he discovered the pianist had been inflicting Chopin’s “Funeral March” on the audience nightly. The pianist ; pleaded that he played according to the mood he felt in after his re-; quest had been refused. i r

In’ to-day’s issue will be foyind details of the train arrangements made by the Department for the Christmas holidays. It wiff' be observed that l the usual excursion tickets are to be issued on the different lines'* while the arrangements for thfe Manawatu and Ashhurst races should prove very satisfactory for those intending to journey to these meetings by train. The management have spared no effort to cater for the convenience of excursionists and the traffic promises to be exceptionally heavy.

The services to-morrow in All Saints’ Church will be taken by the Rev A. S. iunes-Jones, vicar of St. Joha’s'Chufch, Feilding. Some years ago Foxton was in the parish of Feilding, arid under the care of the Rev Innes-Jones. Many of the older residents will remember their former vicar, and it is hoped they will give him a hearty welcome by attending the services. The special services in the All Saints’ Church for ’Xmas Day will be published next week with list of carols and soloists.

“The country is nearly rotten with inspectors,said Cr Venn at the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday, while discussing the spread of noxious weeds. An inspector called on me a Sliort time ago, he continued, “ and II asked him why he didn’t go up ia the hills where the seeds of these weeds were blown from. He replied that it was too rough. ‘ didn’t go over some of the country out towards the beach, and to that he replied that it was out of his way; and that’s how they earn their money,” concluded the councillor in a voice that gave unmistakeable evidence flf bis feelings on the subject. 1 *: The first meeting of the newly elected managers bf the Presbyterian Church was held last night. Present: Rev G. K. Aitken (chairman), Messrs T. Henderson, Alex Speirs, Hornbhnyl, Clarice, A. McCall, Mowatt oM. Rae-Howard (secretary). The financial position was considered satisfactory and accounts passed for payment. A discussion took place in reference to' the erection of a,- Sabbath school and it was finally decided to take steps to erect the building. Other matters of minor importance were discussed and the meeting rose.

The annual rifle meeting for ■ defence and school \cadets will be held at Palmerston tNorth on Tuesday next. There; will be four matches, one at Isbyds, . two at aooyds and one at sodyds. There , will also be a champion teams match open to teams of 'five- from anydadet corps. Captain Gordon , of , jr tbe local school cadets, is taking,a ’* team to compete anq we wish them > success. The two flowing ;have, beeut by Cat^tijujk^

Three houses are advertised to let in Johnston Street. Recently a man was caught in the act of poking a lighted cigar into a monkey’s cage at the Newton Zoo, Wellington, and when remonstrated with he assumed indignation and questioned whether the cigar would hurt the monkey. Some peculiar food is tendered to the monkeys by children. A Post reporter witnessed the animals feeding off red geraniums, Apparently irritated by the immobility of the tuatara lizard, a callous, ill-favoured individual lit a fire of wax matches to make it move. A couple of small boys prodded at the wallaby with a penknife, in order to make it hop. A burglar who entered a house in Timaru on Monday night, met with a quite unexpected and very unpleasant surprise (says the Christchurch Press).. The lady of the house happened to be at home, and catching the intruder she very pluckily tackled him and gave him a really good thrashing before he was able to make good his escape. A. man was caught by Detective Fitzgerald the same night, and when he appeared before the court next morning he is said to have borne the marks of the lady’s ring where she had struck him on the face. Accused was remanded until Friday, The prospect of becoming Prime Minister for the Commonwealth did not disturb the equilibrium of Labour Leader Fisher. He hailed neither haudsom cab or motor-car when the Governor-General sent for him to form a Cabinet. He boarded a tram, walked from the slopping place to Government House, and gave Eis name as an ordinary visitor. When he was supposed to be racking his brains about the formation of the Cabinet, he put in the evenings fishing off one of the piers at South Meb bourne. An exchange says there were “few who were aware that the quiet, unobtrusive man in the blue suit was the Prime Ministerelect of the Commonwealth.”