The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Ora Mota Iwi.” FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1903.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 177, 1 May 1903, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Ora Mota Iwi.” FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1903.

We understand last month (April) was a record one as regards the volume of business transacted at the Motueka wharf. Eight marriages, six births, and five deaths, were registered by Mr Tarrant during the month of April. Mr W. C. Gilbert, dentist, of Nelson, will pay a professional visit to Motueka about the 9th of May, and may be consulted at Mrs Rumbold’s. It is notified elsewhere that Messrs Neale and Haddow, Nelson, have for sale crushed barley, which is capital food for fattening pigs.

Mr J. Buller Saxon, of Nelson, arrived m Motueka on Wednesday night for the purpose of surveying and laying off the proposed road on the western side of the Motueka river from Mr Holder’s ■to i the Graham, a distance estimated to be about eight or nine miles. The construction of this road is a preliminary step towards the erection of a cart bridge over the river* at Alexander’s Bluff. The work is expected to be completed in about three months, when tenders will no doubt be called for the formation of the read, which is to go round the side of the hills. We are indeed pleased to publish this information, because it is a proof that the Government is going to fulfil its promise to our worthy member, Mr Roderick McKenzie. Nhe open air concert held in connection with the Mounted Rifles camp on Wednesday evening was well attended by the public, and a pleasant time spent. Songs were rendered by Mesdames McKee, of Wellington, and F. Batchelor, Mr Kirwin (2), Troopers S. Rowlings (2), and Cousins. The String Band also contributed selections. At the conclusion Captain Deck thanked those present for their attendance, and also the band.

" r- ' n lTTe Motueka-Riwaka bridge is at present unsafe for all traffic exceeding one ton in weight, the joists being broken in no less than three places. To avoid accidents, Mr Littlejohn, the County engineer, notifies that persons driving or riding across the bridge faster than at a walking pace-will be prosecuted. If the request is not complied with, Mr Littlejohn will be compelled to close the bridge until the repairs are effected. *“ The steamer Waverley landed a cargo of coal at the Motueka wharf on Thursday for dessrs Hewetson and Senior. She returned to the Coast the same evening with a full load of produce.

It is a well known physiological fact that men and women after they have teached and passed the allotted span of ife are more ready to recall and relate j events which took place when their I brains were vigmous and the memory | receptive and strong than those which have happened within the past month or so. As with human beings, so it is with some of the newspapers published in the colony. For instance, the Nelson Colonist, on Tuesday last published a report of the Riwaka Collie Club’s trial which took place on the 11th of April, fondly hoping that by stating it took place on “Saturday last” a discei ning public would take the statement as gospel. Why, the man with the scissors could have clipped the report from the Motueka Star of the 14th and published same without money and w thout price—aye, and without acknowledgment for that matter. Good old grandmother ! Threshing operations are being carried on throughout the district, the tallies being remarkably good. *We hear that fourteen acres of barley grown by Mr Robert Staples yielded eighty bushels per acre. It is not often that a wild pigeon visits Motueka nowadays, but one was found by Mr John Fowler in Everett Brothers’ shop this morning. An attempt to capture it failed as the bird succeeded in getting into open air, and the energy displayed by the staff in throwing stones at the birdie was spent for naught. A giant sunflower, probably the largest ever grown in the colony, has been raised by Mr Lawrence G. Duncan, of Brooklyn. The plant, was 6ft 4in in height, measured Bin round the stalk, and the flower was 211 inches in diameter. Mr Duncan is noted for his fine specimens of pumpkins and melons and now he stands first chance of wearing the belt for the champion l sunflower.

The local Debating Society held its first meeting of this year’s session on Wednesday evening, when there was a very fair attendance, in spite of counter attractions. The first business of the evening was the holding of the annual meetsng and the election of officers. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of 13s sd. The officers for the ensuing year are :—President Mr Harris, Vice Presidents Messrs H. Everett and Moffatt, Secretary and Treasurer Mr Wilkes, Committee Miss Hughes, Messrs Gilbert, Rufnbold, Reader, and Johansen. The debate of the evening was, That novel reading, as at piesent practised, is harmfnl. Mr Harris led in the affirmative, and Mr Moffatt in the negative. Messrs Gilbert, Jordan, Wilkes, Rumbold, Reader, Johnstone, and Johansen also spoke, and a most animated and well contested debate ensued. Unfortunately time did not allow of the debate being finished, ten o’clock finding Mr Moffatt in the midst of his reply. The success of the first debate augurs well for the future of the Society, and many pleasant and profitable evenings are expected. The next debate will be on the question, That 1 ace meetings should be abolished. It will be held on Friday evening, 15th May. The new School Committee will meet for the despatch of business on Tuesday evening instead of on Monday, when there is to be a meeting of the shareholders of the Motueka Fruitgrowers’ Association. A heavy draught horse, now running in the paddock of Mr F. Fry, Riwaka, is advertised for sale.

Today is the tentn. anniversary of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon’s accession to the Premiership. The average duration of New Zealand Ministries prior to 1891, was sixteen months; there being 26 Ministries in 35 years. The longest tenure of office in that period were enjoyed by the Stafford Ministry*, three years and eight months [Octoder 16, 1865 to June 28, 1869] ; Sir Harry Atkinson's, three years and four months [October 8, 1887, to Jan. 4, 1891] ; and the Stout-Vogel Ministry, three years and one month [Sept. 3, 1884, to October 8; 1887]. Mr. Seddon,s record is nearly as long as the three together.

For Influenza and Gold in the Head take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s 6d.

A general storekeeper named Norton, in the little town of Converse, Indiana, U,S., about sixty miles from the capital, has stirred up the whole countryside for miles about him by his decision to run his shop “as Christ would run it.” He refuses to sell tobacco, and when the profits of any day reach 10s he sells for the rest of the day at cost price. He gives away 200 loaves of bread to the p x>r each day, and those without money receive groceries free, while others who can pay a little get them at cost price. The result is that Norton’s shop has attracted people from all the places near by, to the detriment of other dealers, who bitterly complain. The run on the shop has been so great at times that the police have been called there to keep order, and the authorities asked Norton to modify his methods, or they will be obliged to take summary measures. “Brandy and soda is all very well To drive a bad headache away.g J But it won’t cure a cough, as many can tell, Who have tried the right stuff and can say; The only thing they have found any use When colds they have had to endure, Is that which soon sends such ills to the deuce, Some — WOOD'S . GREAT PEPPERMIAT CURE. *** Subscription to MOTUEKA STAR — Three Shillings and Sixpence a Quarter which may begin any time For Children's Hacking Cough, at night take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure , Is 6d and 2s 6d.