The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “TE ORA MOTA IWI.” FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1902.

Motueka Star, Volume III, Issue 125, 24 October 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “TE ORA MOTA IWI.” FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1902.

Mr H. E. Gilbert, of the local office has received the following- communication from Mr Sc P. Stevens, Chief Post-

master at Nelson —“ X have to'ihf6i*in you that the tender of the Sounds and Golden Bay Steamship Company, Ltd., has been accepted for one y ear for a weekly Mail Steam Service between Wellington and Motueka, each way, from the Ist November next to the 31st May 1903, and a fortnightly service between the Ist June and 31st October 1903, on the conditions already advertised. Passenger fares are to be 15s single, and 22s 6d return ; and the freight rate 12s 6d, per ton for all lines.” The advantages of this direct steam service to Wellington, the need of which has been felt for some years past, must be obvious to all. Our exports have been mounting up steadily year after year, and although the Manarca and Te Kapu catered for the trade, their visits were most uncertain, and besides causing great annoyance, often resulted in considerable loss, through the perishable nature of the produce. Under the contract entered into residents will have the advantage of a regular weekly service for the busy season, for the conveyance of passengers, mails, and cargo, for at least one year. It was urged at several meetings held in connection with the project that the contract should provide for the steamer visiting Motueka twice each week or three times a fortnight, as the volume of business warranted it. If it should so happen to be the case, and we trust it will, the owners of the Manaroa can be trusted to look after their interests and make special trips to relieve any aggregation of cargo consigned to Wellington or other outside ports. The present contract for twelve months is evidently considered by the Government to be of an experimental character ; if it is proved the trade is sufficient to employ a steamer calling twice a week the Postmaster General will make such a provision when calling for tenders for mail services throughout the colony at the end of 1903, when better boats, with more accommodation for passengers and cargo will be utilised. In any case the community as a whole have reason to be thankful the interests of the settlers have been studied in this matter and that they will now receive some direct benefit from the taxes they are called upon to pay as residents of New Zealand.

Mr W. J. Mofintt has definitely decided to stand for the Motueka seat. He will address the electors at Wakefield on Monday evening, and visit other centres of the electorate before the day of poll. Mr George Hogben, M.A., Secretary for Education and Inspector General of schools, arrived in Motueka to-day in order to confer with the local authorities as to the school attendance during the fruit and hop picking season. A meeting of the Motueka Ping Pong Club was held last evening, when it was decided to wind up the season with a social evening amongst the members in the club’s room on Tuesday next at 7 p.m. The estate of the late John Savage, painter and paperhanger, of Nelson, has been sworn at .£9,952.

The Motueka Mounted Rifles will hold their annual encampment about the first week in December. Sergeant Major Roberts, the new instructor, will be present. In the list of names of those who passed the musical examinations, recently held at Nelson, published in our last, issue, the name of K. Lloyd was accidently omitted. We understand the majority of those living in this district are pupils of Miss Hornsby. The election of a member for the Motueka Riding of the Waimea Council will be held on the 12th of November, Nominations must be left at the house of Mr G. H. Budden at or

before noon on the 3rd November. Mr H. A. Tarrant is Returning Officer and nomination forms may be obtained from him. Mr Thomas Pattie left Motueka last Tuesday in order to be present at the first meeting of directors of the Cooperative Distributing Company, whose headquarters are at Wellington. The raspberry pulp Syndicate which carried on operations in Motueka last season, has decided to ship the balance of its pulp now stored here to London. Mr John A. Findlay, manager of the Motueka Co operative Fruitgrowers’ Society, has kindly consented to superintend the shipment of the pulp. The Whakarewa Cricket Club will play a Motueka team at the local cricket ground to-morrow afternoon, commencing at half past one. Ngatiraoti also plays Upper Moutere to-mor-row. Excellent progress is being made towards the completion of the large shop for Messrs Everett Bros, and the contractor expects to be able to hand over the building Avithin a fortnight. The factory at the wharf is also assuming shape, and a start is to be made shortly with the new premises for the Bank of New Zealand. Mr Budden’s section has also been cleared and the piles placed into position. In addition to these structures we hear of over eight shops and residences which are to be erected in or near Motueka.

There will be a special meeting of the Motueka Borough Council on Tuesday evening to consider the question of naming the streets and the advisability of properly lighting the main thoroughfare of the Borough. The lambing throughout the district notwithstanding the late severe, changeable weather, has been most satisfactory and we hear of several farmers whose flocks have produced one hundred per cent. It is intended to hold a sacred concert in Motueka, in aid of the Methodist Home and Foreign Mission funds on Christmas night. A good selection of sacred vocal and instrumental music is to be given, and as the object is a laudable one the public of Motueka and neighboring districts .vill no doubt give practical countenance to the entertainment.

A concert was held in the Pangatotara school loom on Wednesday evening, the object of which was to supplement the fund for the purchase of an organ for use during divine service held in connection with the Methodist Church. There was a very good attendance of residents and a considerable number of persons accompanied the choir of the Motueka Church who rendered valuable assistance. The programme included two anthems by the Motueka choir, songs by Misses Lammas, M. Delaney (2) Duncan, E. Drummond, Messrs Y. Rowling and J. King, and quartettes by Mrs Canavan Miss Lammas, Messrs Canavan and Boyes, Mr King replacing Mr Boyes in the second one. Miss Duncan also played an organ solo. At the conclusion the Rev. W. Wills explained the object of. the gathering and moved a vote of thanks to Mr Palmer for his services as Secretary of the organ fund. At the invitation of Mr Wills about a dozen residents of Pangatotara egreed to contribute a small sum each week towards the organ fund. A like compliment, at the call of Mr John Alexander was paid to the visiting choir and Mr Wills and acknowledged by Mr Boyes, who hoped the choir would pay another visit shortly. The proceedings were brought to a close by singing the National Anthem. Dawson says the prettiest sewing machine he ever saw was eighteen years old, with short sleever, low neck dress, curly hair, and two dainty little feet.