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Motueka Star, Volume III, Issue 129, 7 November 1902, Page 3

The Dunedin correspondent of the Wellington Post says As the day'' of election approaches the interest in the local option poll increases. So far as Otago is concerned there is every indication that the contest will be the bitterest that has taken place under the existing licensing laws. The Prohibitionists are girding their loins for a supreme effort, and I venture thus early to pi edict that the no-license banner will be hoisted in the electorates of Mataura, Clutha, and Bruce. In the Taieri the moderates will win, but by a narrow majority. Oaversham will declare for continuance by a considerable majority, and I incline to the belief that Chalmers will also vote the status quo ; but Waikouaiti andOamaru are almost certain to declare for nolicense. In Dunedin itself, though the prohibitionists are very sanguine of carrying the poll, I think they will have to be content with securing a reduction of the existing licenses. An old Dutchman had a boy, of whom he was very proud, and he decided to find out the bent of his mind. He adopced a very novel plan by which to test him. Slipping into the little fellow’s room one morning he placed on his table a Bible, a bottle of whisky, and a silver dollar. “ Now,” said he, “ ven dot boy comes in, ef he dakes dot dollar, he’s goin’ to be a beesinez man ; and ef he dakes dot Bible he’ll be a breacher ; ef he dakes dot whisky he’s no goot—he’s goin’ to be a drunkart,” and he hid behind the door to see which the boy would choose. In came the boy, whistling. He lan up to the table, picked up the dollar, and put it in his pocket; be picked up the Bible, and put it under his arm ; then he canght up the whisky bottle and took two or three drinks, smacking his lips as he went out. The old Dutchman poked his head out from behind the door and exclaimed : “ Mine gracious —he’s going to be a bolitician !” “Although you voted against it, I suppose you took the stuff?” was the inelegant way an Avon elector put it to Mr Tanner, M,H R., after the candidate had answered his question regarding his voting on the proposal to increase members’ honorarium. Considerable laughter greeted the remark. The candidate stood up to answer the question, but when the laughter subsided he remarked that it was probably best not to take any ’notice of the question. The lambing on the large stations throughout the Hawkes Bay district averages 80 per cent. Owing to scarcity of feed, the cows in some parts of the Waikato have become thin, and are not looking wellThe proposals of the South Australian Government to increase the land tax by a farthing, and to reduce the income tax exemption to XI2O, have been carried.