Local and General.

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 16, 29 November 1904, Page 2

Local and General.

Hokianga Mounted Rifles Volunteer Corps has, it is reported, been disbanded. Mangonui has now one of the most aotfvfcient post and telegraph offices Auckland.

Our readers' attention is drawn to an advertisement which appears elsewhere, notifying the sale of township sections at Opua.

Mr. and Mrs. Bunkall, the popular storekeepers at progressive Herekino, celebrate the opening of their now hall with a hall on December 9th.

Mr. J. Blackburn, lately Government linesman attached to the local office, leaves per s.s. Wellington to-morrow at route Cor Western Australia.

The many friends of Mr. R. Brereton, who is at present confined in the Auckland Hospital, will be pleased to hear that he is progressing favorably. We regret having to report the death through jaundice of the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. D. Penman. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents.

A terrific gale of wind and rain struck this district yesterday. No serious damage has as yet been reported. The scows “Excelsior” and “Tramp” luckily arrived before the gale reached its height. Prompt action and presence of mind on the part of motorman Bach saved a little girl’s life in Auckland last Thursday. Bach grabbed her, whilst - in front of his car, by the hair of the head, lifted her off her feet, and eventually on to the ear. who at %■ Mangonui S.M. Coifrt on August 12th was committed for trial on a charge of indecent assault, has been sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment, his Honor remarking that young children should he protected from offences of this kind.

The high price of wool at present ruling has brought joy to the heart of our local growers. Witli gum at ruinously low prieos, the increased price of wool will help to maintain our value in exports. Last week 50 odd bales of wool were shipped per s.s. Wellington. . The Agent-General cabled on the 22ud instant from London:—Hemp market very firm, good general and active demand, price for New Zealand hemp, good fair Wellington, grade on spot to-day is £3l 10/-._. January to March shipments £3l. Price of Manila hemp fair Current grade on to-day £4O.

We liav» space for a detailed account of the wall held in the Masonic Hall, Mangonui, last Friday night, for which beautiful weather prevailed, there was a large attendance, many beautiful dresses, capital music, a good supper provided, dancing was kept up until daylight, and altogether a most enjoyable time was spent.

Whilst reading “What the Papers Say,” in our “ Observer ” (N.Z.) of November 26th, we notice that we have been rechristenod the “ Wanganui Times.” Which reminds us of similar mistakes made frequently in addressing mail matter intended for Mangonui. “W” instead of “ M ” in such cases means a fortnight’s difference in delivery. We are thoroughly in accord fitith a resolution passed at the last meeting of the County Council, re securing old rails for the purpose of laying down a tramway line from tho Kaitaia road to the stone-quarries. If the resolution is given effect to, the problem of economically metalling all the roads in that locality should be speedily solved. A beautifully illuminated address is to be presented to Mr. Houston, M.H.R., by councillors and ex-councillors, in recognition of his long and valued services as Chairman of the Mangonui County Council, Mr. Houston haring been a member of that body for 25 years. We understand that the presentation will be made at a public function. Mr. W. Webster, one of Maoriland’s oldest and earliest settlers, died last week at Hokianga. Mr. Webster arrived in the Colony in 1839, in connection with Mr. Gibbon Wakefield’s colonisation scheme, and brought out a saw-mill plant, and was the first colonist to start a saw-mill in New Zealand. His brother Mr. John Webster joined him two years later at Hokianga. Dr. Logan Campbell was then at Hokianga. Mr. Webster was at Hokianga through all the troublous timb of Hoke's war, 1845.