LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1065, 4 July 1912, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A meeting of the Foxton Borough Council will be held on Monday next, at 7.30 p.tn. Business ; To receive tenders for iron fence, consideration of correspondence re Cook street extension, Municipal Association conference, report of Health Officer re cemetery, water supply (Suggate), water supply (Climie), re purchase of office typewriter, and general. There was a very good attendance at the Coronation Hall on Tuesday evening, when Mr J. Blascheck and Miss Wrightou gave one of their pleasing entertainments. Although they were the only performers, the audience was treated to a very diversified programme, which included musical monologues, charactei studies, humorous songs and impersonations and sketches, etc,, in which both Mr Blascheck and Miss Wrightou displayed exceptional talent. Throughout the performance was first-class, and was greatly appreciated by the audience.

An intelligent dumb guardian of citizens’ property, in the shape ui a small iox terrier, can be seen any night in Queen Streets (says the Auckland Herald). “Spot,” as he is called by the constables, trots up to the police barracks shortly before 8.45 p.m. every night, where the night duty men “line up." As the men are marched oil to their respective stations, “Spot" trots soberly along with them until one particular beat in Queen Street is reached, when he drops out and accompanies the constable deputed to work that portion of the city. During the night "Spot" indulges in an occasional rat hunt, but never by any chance deserts the beat. When daylight comes and the night duty men are relieved, the dog returns with them to the barracks, and after receiving a meal, disappears until night again. A curious thing is that nobody knows where the intelligent animal comes from. It is not a case of devotion to any single constable, as whoever is in charge of “Spot’s beat” is always favoured with his company. The dog is au excellent judge of time, and never by any chance arrives at the barracks late.

The annual sittings of the Civil Court of the h'oxlou Debating Society will be held this evening, in the Presbyterian Hall, when Judge Randall will preside. The first case is a breach of promise action, which has excited a good deal of local interest. Miss Gwen Cuiry is ' claiming £S OO damages from Mr Adolphus Harris for breach of his promise to marry her, and also .£ls° f° r loss ol moneys expeuded in preparing for the wedding, loss of engagements, etc. The plaintiff has retained Mr J, A. O’Kell as her solicitor, and the defendant will be represented by Mr Homeless. The clerk of the Court, Mr W- Fibley, has ad details arranged. All persons snmmouerl for jury service are expected to be in attendance at S p.m., and must report to the Court usher, Mr Punt Lee. We have a full slock of grocery, ironmongery, crockery, glassware, cutlery, stationery, produce, paint.., oils, leads, etc. jT. Runnier.PERREAU’s refreshment room is the ideal place for fish suppers, etc.

Lobby gossip has it that either Premier Mackenzie or Sir Joseph Ward will be appointed to the High-Commissiouership. Mr T. M. Wilford is also credited with aspirations to the position.

A curious breach of promise case was decided at Brest (France) on May 3, resulting in the plaintiff being awarded 2s 6d damages. Both parties have married since their engagement was broken off, and the defendant, who is a customs official, pleaded that the lady had lost nothing since she had married a richer man than he was. '

The court decided that although the lady had suffered no moral damage she was entitled to some reparation for material damage owing to her preparations for the marriage.

Replying to a question of Mr E. Newman, M.P., the Prime Minister stated yesterday that the same facilities as are given to town workers of securing freehold homes upon payment of ,£lO, under the Workers’ Homes Act, are available for workers in the country. As soon as there are six or more applicants in the particular locality, and suitable land was available for the purpose of workers' dwellings, the Government was prepared to consider favourably the applications with a view to the erection of dwellings.

All the members of Parliament vvbo attended the caucus meeting in March when Mr Mackenzie was elected I eader have received a letter from the Prime Minister stating that Mr Mackenzie has done his best to carry out the important work entrusted to him. He makes a personal appeal to the party to sink all personal grievances and stand solid in the present difficult situation. He promUes to call a caucus meeting in tee ••vent of Mr Massey’s defeat a:;-: plate himself and his colleagues ip the hands of members to deal with as they think fit. Thus the Cl’uha Leader ; Is it a coincidence ? Constable Tracey and the Rev. Mr Blair were together many years ago at Port Chalmers. Mr Blair got a call to Queenstown ; the constable followed him. Later, Mr Blair was invited to Clinton ; again the man in blue was on his tracks, and settled also in Clinton. Some years ago the constable was transferred to Leestou. and now Mr Blair returns the compliment and follows. Mr Tracey can evidently see the joke for on the day after the decision of the Leeston people, Mr Blair got a telegram from bis old friend somewhat as follows ; “ Glad to find we’re again to work the parish together.”

Mr W. H. Field, ex-M.P. for Otaki, was entertained by a large number of his supporters at a banquet at Mahara House, over which Mr J. M. O’Connor presided. Speeches expressing appreciation of Mr Field’s record as a politician, and in other capacities were made by Sir James Carroll, Messrs J. Stevens (Palmerston North), Venn (chairman of the Horowhenua County Council), Gardner (Mayor of Levin), Bond, A. Richards, P, Bartholomew, Tocker, Hunt and Freeman. A letter praising Mr Field’s services to the Liberal party was received from Sir Joseph Ward. A very acceptable programme was given to which items were contributed by Sir James Carroll, Messrs E. J. Hill, Borneo Gardner, Corvil, Calder and C. McLaughlin. The catering was first-class, and altogether a thoroughly enjoyable time was spent.

The Wellington Suburbs district, which has been tor the most part a No-License area tor some years now, became absolutely “ dry ” last Saturday night. Up till xo o'clock on Saturday the public could have legally asked for supply, and after that any guests staying on the premises could have been served with “ fermented or spirituous lipuors,” but the midnight hour of Saturday called up the long drought. The two hotels affected were the Porirua and Paremata Hotels, two old houses that in the old coaching days were popular places of call. There are now no licensed premises between Wellington and Paekakariki. The reason for the elimination of the two licenses named is the recent alteration in the electoral boundaries, which brought Porirua and Paremata into the Wellington Suburbs (a No-License district). Not for a very long time has New York City witnessed anything livelier than the organised attack which a number of irate housewives last week made upon some ol the butchers’ shops on the Manhattan Island. Resenting the high prices that are now being charged for meat, and failing to induce the retail butchers on the eastern side of the island to close their shops as a blow against the wholesalers, the feminine force sallied forth determined to make short work of every shop it came across. Fifty women in all joined in the undertaking. They began by storming two shops, from which al! the customers were driven out ahd the contents of their baskets scattered in the gutter. All the meat exposed for sale was ruined, and both shops were nearly wrecked. The police bad the utmost difficulty in restoring order.

Grandpa sits in his easy chair, And talks of when he ‘was young’; He sings the praise of those bygone days, And the theme never tires his tongue. But if we talk of our modern times, And the things that are near and newer ; There’s only one thing whose praise he will sing, W. E. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. 1 Perreau’s tea rooms are admittedly the best on this coast,*

The Convent school is closed for the winter vacation.

The s.s. Queen of the South is due to arrive to-morrow from Wellington.

It is rumoured that a wedding of considerable local interest is to be celebrated shortly. The Mayor was present at the Levin elocutionary and musical competitions yesterday. All hope of getting off the wrecked steamer Star of Canada, at Gisborne, has been abandoned. Mr E- H. Clark, M-P. for Chalmers, states that he will vote with Mr Massey on the no-confi-dence motion, and expects Mr Massey to win by four votes.

The directors of the Kaitangata Coal Company refuse to recognise the Federation ot Labour in reference to labour conditions at their mine.

A very enjoyable social afternoon was spent by the Presbyterian Ladies Guild at the residence of Mrs Wtu. Ross yesterday.

The following vessels are expected to be within wireless range this evening : —Taiuui, Mauuganul, Mararaa, Hauroto, Westralia, Warrimoo, and Suveric.

Parliament spent yesterday on the debate on the wanl-oi-confi-dence motion. The general impression is that the Government will be defeated in the crucial division.

At yesterday's meeting of the Wanganui Education Board Miss A. L. Blake was appointed assistant at Marton Side School, and Miss Wood, fourth assistant, Foxton. Miss E. Smith, Foxton, wrote declining the offer of an appointment as assistant at Awahuri. The programme for Saturday night’s picture show appears in our advertising columns to-day. It includes dramas, comics and scenics ; also a Pathe Gazette and an industrial film depicting “ Money making.” There are various ways of making money, but this film shows the easiest way—at the mint. Messrs G. H. Bennett (sitting member; an 1 A' i. i'aomson have been nominated tor the vacant seat on the Wanganui Education Board for the southern district. There is a growing feeling abroad that a little new blood on the Board will not do any harm, but we do not think Mr Thomson is sufficiently well-known —although his ability is undoubted —to unseat the sitting member. The mock breach-of-promise trial which takes place in the Presbyterian Hall to-night, under the auspices of the local Debating Society, should attract a good audience. We understand some amusing incidents in connection with the amorous fair will be revealed. Judge, counsel, jury, court crier, and other officials have beeu engaged to see tne extraordinary business through. The sitting of the Magistrate’s Court held locally before Mr A. D. Thomson, S,M., yesterday, was a very short one* There was the usual number of cases set down foi hearing, but with one exception all had been settled, confessed, arranged for, or were struck out or adjourned. The only case heard was that of Coker v. C. A. Wallace, in which judgment was given for the amount claimed, 10s, with costs 10s. Messrs Eevin and Co’s, new coastal steamer Awahou, arrived at Wanganui this afternoou from Glasgow, via Suez, calling at Colombo, Singapore, Townsville and Newcastle —w here she loaded coal for Wanganui. The trip has taken longer than was anticipated owing to the various inferior qualities of the coal obtainable en route, Mr W. Signal, who supervised the construction of the vessel at Fullerton’s Yards, Paisley, accompanied the new vessel out as chief engineer. The Awahou after discharging her cargo will proceed to Wellington to be overhauled on the patent slip. It is anticipated that the vessel will lake up the Himatangi’s running in the Foxton, Wanganui, and the West Coast coal trade.

Try H. C. Easton ibr good Meat Only the best supplied.* For children’s hacking cough at night, Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, is 6d. 2s 6d.

Figure fitting in a clinging style is a feature of present mode: Underskirts to suit the fashionable style are advertised by C. M. Ross and Co., Palmerston North, in their advertisement to-day.*