The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Oranga Moti Iwi." TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1901.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 37, 17 December 1901, Page 2

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Oranga Moti Iwi." TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1901.

In anticipation of the wants? of his numerous customers ; and according to the usual custom, Mr A. Manoy has opened up a large assortment of goods of all descriptions suitable for Christmas and New Year presents. Ev &t y department has been liberally replenished and there is a stock to select from to suit the taste and pockets of the most fastidious. Christmas and New Year cards, which are in much demand

at this-* season of the year, are to be seen in«g-reat variety. The display is a really first class one and well- merits inspection by the residents of Motireka and adjoining districts. Mr J-. IT. MacGarthy, representative of ttie Wellington Art Studio,.- is at present'in <-Mdtueka for a short stay. Me has soto©< excellent enlargements,, ■which tjhe>-publj.e are invited to inspect this evening' morning at Brougham's -Post Hotel■ The firm has a reputation for superior work, and those desirous; of securing enlargements cannot do better than visit Mr MacOarthy. Raspberries -now' being retailed in Motueka at "the'rate of 3d per lb. ■Che gathering of the-berries will be in

swing after holidays, wnen some hundreds of pickers will be at work. OEhose who have from ten to twelve acres to gather are experiencing some difficulty in getting hands. The Bishop of Nelson has requested all the clergy in the Diocese to hold, on Sunday next (22nd Dec.) special .•services with prayer and intercession T.o Almighty God, for the restoration of peace in South Africa. In giving notice of the above, in St. Thomas' Church, on Sunday last, Mr Johnston exhorted the members of his congregation to join with him, and with thenbrethren tinoughout the colony, in asking our Father in Heaven to restore to us again the blessing of Peace. The portions of Scripture selected for next Sunday's sex-vices are -.—Morning Prayer, Lesson Deut. VIII., or I Chron. XVII. Lesson Romans XIII. Evening Prayer, Lesson Isaiah XI., or Jov. XVII. 1-11. Lesson Hebrews XII. 1-14. There will be -special Psalms and Hymns for both services.

After paying all expenses in connection with the late conceit and Christmas Tree, it has been foun'd that a sum slightly over LI 2 has been added to the fund for renovating and painting the Motueka Wesleyan Church. The result is very creditable to those who worked towards the end in view. "What we want in Victoria is the meat tax." said one candidate. "Yes, we want a meat axe for the likes of you," put in a frank elector from the body of the hall. "I didn't catch the point of the last observation," said the candidate. "No," said the elector, "we'd have t j use the blunt erlge to you." In addition to the names mentioned of those ladies who assisted at the children's tea given in connection with the Wtsleyan Sunday School on Wednesday last we are informed that Mrs Chapman helped in every way to make _tlie gathering a success.

We regret to have to chronicle the death of Mr John Staples wdrich took j dace at his residence, High Street on Monday. The deceased, who was nearly ninety years of age, was a, veiy old c uonist, having arrived "in Nelson on the! Ist February, 1842 in the ship Fifeshire. He shortly afterwards came to Motueka and engaged in various occupations, chiefly sheep farming, at which, he was very successful. Of a retiring^disposition, the late Mr Staples took no part in public affairs, but demoted the whole of" bis energy to his jp&n affairs. He was able to take physical exercise until a few days ago, when he took to his bed, sinking gradually, and passing away peacefully. The deceased, who,was married four times, leaves a grown up family of three sons, Messrs John Staples (Wellington) Robert Staples (Motueka) and James Staples (Otaki). The funeral is announced to take place to-morrow afternoon, leaving the residence for the old Cemetery at half past two o'clock. A meeting of the trustees of the Wesleyan Church was held, on Friday deal-with tenders, sent, in 2®£-tthe_-renovation of the church. It

was agreed to accept that of Mr C J. Bartlett, the price being .£32 ss. The work is to be completed within one month from the time the contract is '.signed. »4 The Wellington Navals intend ! spending a week under canvas in Queen Charlotte Sound at Christmas time.

The wharfage accomodation at Greymouth is inadequate for the trade being now done and steps are to be taken for extending the wharfer. Business generally (and the timber trade 'n particular) is very brisk there.

I On Friday last (Dec 13th) the au.nual Treat was given by Mrs Mules ,to the children at the Whakarewa Orphanage. In the morning Mrs 'Mules drove down with Miss Johnston, and at once set about preparing the Christmas Tree in the large bay-win dow of the dining-room. The Tree was very artistically got up, and in the evening, with its many lights, looked both bright and pleasing. As it rained throughout the day the children had their games in the playshed, Mis Mules, Mrs De Castro, and other ladies taking part in them. After tea all, including the visitors, assembled in the dining-room for the evening entertainment. In his opening remarks, Mr Johnston referred to Mrs Mules' great kindness in giving, yeai by year, a Christmas Tree to the children at the Orphanage. Under the leadership of Miss Allport, some of the children sang a number of hymns and songs in a way that elicited hearty applause from all present. Mr Collins also added no little to the evening's enterj tain merit by his songs and by a very beautiful address he gave. When the tree was dismantled and the prizes distributed, three hearty cheers were given for Mrs Mules, the kind friends in Nelson, who had contributed to the Christmas Tree, and for Mr and Mrs Haycock, Miss Allport, and Miss Haycock, after which the children sang, " God be with you till we meet again." The usual monthly meeting of the Motueka Borough Council will be held this evening.

The Motueka Borough Schools break up for the Christmas holidays on Wed - nesday next. Mr H. Langford, who has had charge of the schools since MiMalcolm's resignation, leaves for his home on Thursday morning. In addition to the testimonial, appreciative of his services, which . the Committee intend presenting him with, we think it not out of place in these columns to testify to his ability as a teacher. During the short time he has been resident in Motueka, Mr Langford has gained the respect of all classes, and we take ihis opportunity of wishing him ever}' sucees in whatever sphere he uses his talents in the future.

A meeting of the trustees of the Wesleyan Church was held on Friday evening to deal with the tenders sent in for the renovation of the church. It was agreed to accept that of Mr C. J Bartlett, the price being .£32 ss. The work is to be completed within one month from the time the contract is signed. A sitting of the Warden's Court was held before Mr Wilson Heaps on Monday. An application by Mr Charles Lewis for a drainage area, Keif Creek and Baloon Hill, Cundy's Creek ; was granted foi 14 years. Mr T. G. Brougham appeared for the applicant. The Cambridge janitor proudly boasts that " he had heard all the 'Varsity sermons for over forty years, and thanked God he was a Christian yet !" We have to acknowledge the receipt, frora the Station Master in Charge, Nelson, of the last issue of the Time Table for the New Zealand Railways. The guide is very handy for those who . contemplate a trip North or South during the coming holidays. We are

also informed that, for the convenience of the public, copies, price one penny, may be obtained at the local post office. Only one civil case was set down for hearing at the Stipendary Magistrate's Court on Moiidtjy. The defendent had previously confessed ; there was, therefore, no business to be transacted. Mr Jacob Joseph, the well known Wellington merchant, celebrated his eighty-second birthday on triday last. We have to acknowledge the receipt of the Prize Schedule of the Golden Bay Agiiculturaland Pastorial Association Show, to be held at Takakaon the 10th January 1902. The patrons of the show from this locality are Messrs Manoy, Wratt, Hursthouse, R. Staples, C. Holyoake, R.Rankin, F. C. Batchelor, Motueka ; F. Holder, Pangatotara ; F. Benseinann, Upper Moutere. The schedule comprises 237 classes and upon looking down the list we notice the Society has succeeded in obtaining a large number of special prizes. Our Takaka friends are an energetic, selfreliant band, who deserve the hearty support and encouragement of settlers in this and neighbouring district. We hope to have the pleasure of beiri'* present on Show day. The police are strict in a well-known town south of Wellington. A man fell over a child's indiarubber ball in the street, and was " run in " for, playing football in a public thoroughfare.' The arresting constable has been made a sergeant. Free Lance. Wethers are being sold in Dunedin for 18s to 21s.

The N. Z. Times publishes a paragraph to the effect that the profits of the recent Manawatu A. and P. Show amount to <£l,3o<\

Up to the present, the Transvaal war has cost Britain 18,798 lives, and a hundred or two millions of monev.

Good sound bicycles can be bought in America for from between sixteen or eighteen dollars, or about .£3 10s each.

The palmerston A. and P. Association have paid off .£BOO of McHardy Bros', loan as a result of the recent Show.

The Wellington Operatic Society has a credit balance of .£296 besides assets comprising the wardrobe and scenerv of six operas. , An English tourist sruch a railway station, not a hundred miles from Greytown, recently. After the guard had removed several of the said tourist's boxes out of the van, the latter put his hand in his p< c>et, pulled out two pennies and handed them to the guard. " What's this for ?" asked the "genial "Joe." "Haw, me good man, it's--er—-haw tip, don't-cher-know," replied the tourist. According to latest reports the guard is sloavlv recovering. The Premier informed the " Ota go Daily Times" that it has not yet been settled Avhen police inspectors are to be retired in terms of the compulsory retire ment of officers over.sixty years of age. An objector to the tipping system in hotels states that there is a certain hotel in Manchester where the head boots paA T s the manager ,£2OO per annum for his job, and that he is able to clear between £7OO and £IOOO a year.

TheTe is a. prospect of an expor: trade in eels being opened up from Auckland. Mr A. Sandford intends sending to London on behalf of a Southerier about two tons of eels taken in nets at the mouths of the Thames and Piako rivers where they swarm in vast numbers.

The Westport News says: We understand that a. number of men in receipt of Old Age Pensions are at the next sitting of the local court to be subjected at a close, and perhaps unpleasant, inquiry concerning their: right to the pensions^.