The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Ora Mota Iwi." FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1903.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 183, 22 May 1903, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Ora Mota Iwi." FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1903.

For the first time in its history as a nation, Great Britain will, on Monday next, celehiate Empire Day. For very many years the 24th of May has been observed as a public holiday, and wnen the good Queen, in whose honor it was observed, passed into the Silent Land, it was, after much discussion, agreed that the date should be peipetuated either as Victoria or Empire Day. Eventually the last mentioned name was fixed upon and proclammations were issued both in the Old Country and in her many possessions throughout the world, asking all loyal British subjects to observe holiday on Empire Day. The people will, no doubt, assemble at central spots in their own localities, when the flag will, or should be, saluted and opportunities taken to deliver short addresses on the British race, the freedom and advantages enjoyed by all subjects, its supremacy both on land and sea, the magnitude of its territory (largely added to in South Africa, within the past twelve months) etc. In our own particular locality it is proposed to assemble the scholars attending the Motueka Borough Schools at 9.45 a.m, when the ceremony of hoisting and saluting the flag—the Union Jack, after which the National Anthem will be siin<r and cheers called foi the King. It is then proposed to run (<up the New Zealand ensign and sing the first and last verses of the New Zealand Anthem, composed by the late Thomas Bracken, which »ve publish in full in another column. Addresses on topics suitable to the occasion will follow, so that the children and their parents and friends, who are cordially invited to attend, may look forward to a profitable and enjoyable i time.

Mr J. Delany has been appointed dog tax collector and pound keeper foithe Borough of Motueka. A final reminder is given of the social to be held in Mr Thomas Macmahon's Kiln, Riwaka, this evening. In the future Messrs Gray and Parker, the well known dentists of Nelson will visit Motueka on the second Monday and Tuesday in each month instead of the third as has been the case for the past eighteen months. Clients and the public will do well to make a note of the alteration. His Worship the Mayor has received advice from Mr Stevens, postmaster at Nelson, to the effect that the Motueka telegraph office will be opened permanently from seven to eight o'clock each evening. The funeral of the late Edward Goodman took place on Thursday afternoon and was attended by a number of settlers from all p~arts of the district. The burial service was read by the Rev. Mr Reader. The Nelson Football Club will play a cup match (junior) with the Riwaka team next Monday at Riwaka. The players will come over in the Tasixian, which is advertised to make special trips on Saturday and Monday. There is some talk in Nelson of forming a syndicate to lease the mud flats from the Motueka Wharf Board with a view to reclaiming the same and cutting it up into suitable grazing blocks.

A cribbage match, eight a side, was played in the Oddfellows' Hall last night, between members of the Riwaka Lodge of Oddfellows and the local lodge. ' The games resulted in the defeat of the Motueka players. Captain Wirr.sett, of the Nelson Fire Brigade is evidently a punster, although it is possible he has not discovered the fact. At a meeting of the Brigade last week a presentation was made to Mr Charles King, ex-captain, and in the course of his remarks Captain Wimsett said, "All the members ot the Brigade had felt the •wrench when Mr King'had telt compelled to resign/' We presume the members also coupled Mr King's name with a toast of some sort and that he hosed the assemblage with a flow of eloquent words. It goes without saying that after the proceedings the company did not reel homewards. Better hook it now, before we meet with a plttg.

Owing to the prevalence of infectious dis-ase in Oamaru and the many absences from the school, it has been decided to give the usual midwinter holidays now- -a month earlier than usual. Envelopes of the value of |d and Id are now being impressed by the Postal Department with a newly struck die bearing the King's head, and it is expected that they will be issued for sale to the public shortly.

It will be remembered that shortly after the dispute in the Auckland furniture trade the workers decided to start a co-operative factory, and as an outcome of the decision the town and Country Furnishing and General Cooperative Stores, Limited, has been registered with a capital of in .£1 share s .

O ring to a block of floating ice in the Niagara River recently, only a thin sheet of water trickled over the American falls. This curious phenomenon has been without a parallel since 1848.

In sentencing a prisoner named Wray, who had been a member of one of the New Zealand contingents, MrJustice Conclly observed that it was rather mortifying after hearing so much oi how the men sent to South Africa had distinguished themselves, to find that some of them were habitual thieves or persons of bad character. A piece of flannel damped with Chamberlain's Pain Balm and bound to the affected parts is better than any plaster for kjme back or pain in the side or chest. Chamberlain's Pain Balm is a linimeut that has no superior. One application gives relief, Try it A, Manoy sells it.

NEW ZEALAND HYMN. God of nations ! at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet ; Hear our voices, we entreat ; • God defend our free lanS; Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war ; Make Her praises heard afar ; God defend New Zealand. Men of every creed and race Gather here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place ; God defend our free land ; From dissens ; on, envy, hate, And confusion, guard our state, Make our country good and great ; God defend New Zealand. Let our love for Thee increase, May Thy blessings never cease, Give us plenty, give us peace ; God. defend oui free land ; From dishonour and from shame Guard our country's spotless name, Crown her with immortal fame ; God defend New Zealand. May our mountains ever be Freedom's ramparts by the sea; Make us faithful unto Thee ; God defend our free land ; Guard her in the nation's van, Preaching love and truth to man, Working out Thy glorious plan ; God defend New Zealand. Thomas Bracken