The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Oranga Moti Iwi." FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1902.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 59, 7 March 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Oranga Moti Iwi." FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1902.

The wharf returns published in outlast issue were for the month of February, and not January, as printed. A mob of sheep, between 2000 and 3000 in number, passed through Motueka this afternoon on the way to Canterbury, from Takaka. The monthly meeting of the Riwaka Road Board takes place this evening. Mr Wilkes, M.A., the new High School Assistant Teacher Arrived in Motueka by Coach on Monday evening, to take up his duties ; and was present at the committee meeting on Tuesday evening. Mr Wilkes proposes to take, as boarders, a few High School pupils, from outlying districts, and this doubtIsss attract t~> this school some who have not hitherto announced their intention of coming. The meeting called by His Worship the Mayor to consider the question of presenting the Premier with a testimonial prior to his departure for Eng}\,nd lapsed, only four persons putting in an appearance Mr W. G. Murray, chief Surveyor for Nelson, arrived in Motueka last night for the purpose of inspecting the protective works at Gliver's overflow. Mr Alfred Edwards,, who acted as supervisor informs us that the work -s. been completed. J'* Attention is dra.vn to the advertisement from Mr J. A. Chisholm, practical optician and watchmaker,, of Nelson. Having had twenty nine years experience in the different branches of his business Mr Chisholm can be relied upon to give satisfaction ; as a practical optician his services are frequently required by those whose eyes need artificial help. At the Committee meeting held on Tuesday evening the Head-master mentioned a project which he shortly will attempt to carry out: that of procuring a Honours Board for the school.

In the past quite a large number of scholarships have been gained by Motueka pupils, and it seems a step in the right 'direction to have their names and successes perpetuated in the above form. This would bean object lesson to pre sent pupils and an incentive for them to hard work in order that they also might have their names inscribed on the Board. The membeis of the comivittee expressed the opinion that the project was an excellent one, and although nothing was officially done, yet Mr Harris will receive very hearty support when he takes the work in hand.

Instances of the friendships which are formed between dumb animals are numerous; the one we witnessed is worth recording A goat and a horse were depasturing in the same paddock. There was no formal introduction, but as the sense of bashfulness gradually wore off "William" "broke the peace" by giving timely aid to the horse when the bot fly had stung it, the irritating spot on the leg being gently scratched by the goat's horns. Such thoughtfulness was not allowed to go unrewarded or unrecognised for later on both animals were seen near the hay which had been stared in a shed, the horse with a mouthful of the fodder. — and the goat nibbling some ot it. The noble animal had a contented look and an expression which seemed to say "It all belongs to you, Brother Bill."

Nominations are invited by the Returning Officer, Mr Tarrant, for the two vacancies in the Motueka Borough Council caused by the resignations of Messrs Rankin and Tarrant. They must be lodged with the Returning Officer not later than noon on the 12th instant.

In reply to enquirers with reference to the proposed butter factory at the Moutere we are informed that a start will be made under very favorable conditions. Already the milk from over 100 cows has been guaranteed, and it is estimated the number vill be more than doubled in the near future.

That detested weed, the blackberry, even, is not wholly a curse, for during the last month we have heard of families making as much as from 15s to 20s per day in picking the fruit for the local wine merchant, who has been giving l|d per pound for it. All day long traps, be seen on their way to the stores with casks of fruit, and altogether the crop must have realized several hundreds of pounds, the whole of which is paid for the picking, for there is no need to cultivate the blackberry.—Takaka News.

The Wellington Post says: —The, Masterton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, which came into existence with a flourish of trumpets, and was going to revolutionise everything and everybody, is now stated to be languishing. A month ago the meeting lapsed, and on Saturday there was hardly a sufficient number of members present to form a quorum. The following are the rates of pay in the N.Z. contingents : Colonels 255, majors 235, captains 21s, subalterns 15s—all with 5s per day extra in the field : regimental non. corns. 8s 6d, sergeant majors and q.m. sergeants 8s saddler and farrier sergeants Bs, sergeants 7s, corporals, farriers and saddlers 6s buglers and troopers 5s — seven daj T s a week. •' I left my husband's death notice here this morning," said the widow.

" Yes," said the bright clerk in the publishing office of the Daily Squib. " Now," continued the widow, "I want you to add to the notice ' Gone to rest,' in- an appropriate place." " Yes madam," replied the bright clerk ; and the next morning she read : " Gone to rest in an appropriate place.