The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, December 21, 1909.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 701, 21 December 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, December 21, 1909.

Mr E. G. Allen, ex-M.P. for Port Chalmers, died on Saturday afternoon. Mr C. E. Bird notifies that all accounts owing to him and not paid by January 31st, will be sued for without further notice.

Mr Baillie, of the Bank of New Zealand, advertises for private sale a horse, trap and harness, dinner wagon, chairs, hall stand, etc. See advt.

A full report of Miss Nellie Laing’s wedding, which takes place at Woodville to-morrow, will appear in Thursday’s issue of the Heraed.

We are in receipt of an appropriate Christmas card from the local post office staff. On one of the inside pages (opposite the greeting, which is a la telegram) is a group photograph of the staff. We heartily reciprocate the “ message.” “ Selling like ripe cherries,” is an old phrase to express brisk demand; it is particularly expressive of the French and English flowers now on view at the Bon Marche, Palmerston. Will you see them to-day?—C, M. Ross and Co.*

During the year ended March 31st, last 157 totalisator licenses were issued in the Dominion, the number of days on which racing was held being 307. The amount invested on tbe totalisator by the public was ,£1,834,333, and the percentage paid to the Treasury was ,£27,964. During the four weeks ended November 13th, 73,724 first class and 366,276 second-class passengers (total 440,000) were carried on the North Island main railway lines and branches. The figures for the corresponding period of 1908 were First-class, 67,840; second-class, 206,502.

Arthur E. L. Bertling basissued a writ at Wellington claiming damages from John Norton for certain alleged reflections on him in regard to his conduct of the Zoo at Newtown Park, published in defendant’s newspaper. The case will probably come on in February.

A fortnight in a training camp will be a considerable tax on the industrial time of the recruits for the reserve, says the “ Timaru Herald,” though it would probably not be objected to'if the young fellows were well prepared during the rest of the year to reap full advantage from it. But very little can be done in twelve half days. This proposal is too great a concession to football and the summer games, and suggests that the thing is not being taken seriously. Mr Baillie’s many friends will regret to hear that he has been transferred from the Foxton branch of the Bank of New Zealand. He does not at present know where his next place of residence will be. Mr Witchell, who has been relieving, will take up Mr Baillie’s duties. Not only the Bank’s clients, but all townspeople who have come into contact with Mr Baillie will regret that he is leaving us, and we can assure him that be and Mrs Baillie will carry away with them the very best wishes of their Foxton friends. Mr Baillie will also be missed in cricketing circles as he was the mainstay of the Foxton club, and it was owing principally to his excellent batting qualities that Foxton were able to annex the championship during the past season.

The local shop windows are decorated with Christmas goods. The Hkkaj,d will not be published on Saturday next (Christmas Day), Mr W, Adams, late master of the local school, is spending his Christmas holidays in Foxton.

We direct attention to M. H. Walker's replace advertisement appearing elsewhere in this issue. We understand) that the local business places will close on Saturday and Monday next. Mr. Parkes, watchmaker and jeweller, notifies by advertisement that he makes, on the premises, all descriptions of rings, medals and chains.

At last week’s meeting of the Wanganui Presbytery, the Rev.,G. K. Aitken was licensed and raised to the full status of the ministry. The monthly meeting of the local Masonic Lodge will be held this evening at 8 o’clock. Business : Passing. Visiting brethren are cordially invited to attend. The average attendance at the local State School for the quarter just ended was 288 and for the whole year 263.24. This attendance entitles the school to the services of another teacher.

Lord and Lady Plunket, who will shortly leave Palmer ston North, entertained a large number ot guests at a garden party at “Woodhey,” the Vice-Regal residence, on Saturday last. We were shown a nhe wedding ring made locally by Mr Golder, who informed us that he is prepared to manufacture 011 the premises any description of rings desired by clients. The Methodist Sunday School anniversary services were held on Sunday last. The Rev. C. A. Sim, of Wellington, was the preacher. .A special feature of the services was the excellent singing by the children.

“I am satisfied that public opinion is dead ripe for putting the Maori on exactly the same footing as the European, for taking away his special Parliamentary representation, and for giving him the same control over his land.” —Mr T. E. Taylor. The Chairman of the local school committee and Mr George Coley have donated an Honour’s Board to the local State school. This board will contain the name of the scholar showing the most proficiency each year. The many friends of Mrs Austin, sent., will regret to hear that, acting on medical advice, she underwent a serious operation in Auckland last week. We received word last night that the operation had been successfully performed, and that Mrs Austin was making a satisfactory recovery. Mr Hahepa Wiremu (Arthur Williams) is making an effort to renew the old Maori Church at Matakarapa across the river a little above the town. Already he has been promised subscriptions totalling upwards of £SO. Mr Williams is arranging to have subscription lists left at the various stores in town for persons who desire to subscribe to the oqject. We have been asked by a correspondent to direct the Inspector of Nuisances’ attention to the fact that shop litter is being swept into the ’ gutter in Main Street, and subsequently allowed to blow about the street; also that a number of back premises urgently require inspection ; also rubbish fires are allowed to be lit without authority, and one or two other matters which had better be laid before the Borough Council. During the discussion on the Estimates in the House, on Saturday, on the Department of Agriculture vote of ,£184,581, the Minister replying to Mr G. Pearce, said that the Poultry Export Departments were to cease to exist, and that in future they would be carried on to assist in local trade in a way that would make them pay their way. The Government poultry farms were now working on the credit side.

One of the most energetic and public-spirited men on this coast is Mr B. R. Gardener, Mayor of Uevin. He possesses sufficient energy to propel a locomotive. Under his guidance, our neighbouring borough has gone ahead by leaps and bounds —it has progressed beyond all expectations. His time is given up almost entirely for the public good. In our opinion, the electors of Otaki would find an ideal representative in Mr Gardener,

In the legislative Council on Saturday morning, Mr Miller presented the Speaker (Hon Mr Bowen) with a set of silver plate for his daughter in connection with her approaching marriage. Hon. Mr Findlay and Hon. Mr Milder paid a high tribute to the prominent part Mr Bowen had taken in politics and expressed the best wishes of the Council on his own and his daughter’s behalf. Hon. Mr Reeves and Hon. Mr Paul also spoke in a similar strain and Mr Bowen made a suitable response. At the meeting of the Trustees of the Foxton Racecourse, held yesterday afternoon, there were present: Messrs John Kebbell, H Thynne, J. Whyte and Frank Robinson. Mr John Davis was unavoidably absent, but forwarded an apology. Amongst the business submitted, was the consideration of the annual report and balancesheet, which stated that there had been no changes in the trust. Regret was expressed that the Club has not seen its way to erect a tea kiosk for the various reasons given, which the trustees consider justifiable under existing circumstances. The voted by the trustees is still at the disposal of the Club.