THE OTAKI MAIL. Published. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1919. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 12 March 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1919. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Whitamu/Ltd., and Poplar Co.'s mills (Fo.vton) closed down on Saturday for an indefinite period. Rifle snooting is being revived at Te Horo, and tlie Hautero Club .has again a strong membership. Some interesting matches have been fired of late.

The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital and-Charitable Aid Board will be held at Palnicrston North to-morrow (Thursday). It was stated at Saturday's meeting of the Horowhenua County Council that one Ohau lad had collected so far .this season no less than <IOOO odd small birds' eggs. Beryl May Gertrude White, daughter of Mr P. White, station holder, T-s.no, near Eketahuna, aged thirteen, was thrown from a horse on Sunday afternoon and had her neck broken. It was stated at Saturday's meeting of the Horowhenua County Council that during February £8741 had been collected in rates. The Council now has a credit bank balance of £3309.

The clerk (Mr Goldsmith) reported at Saturday's meeting of the Horowhenua County Council that during 1916 some 87.1 dogs were registered; in 1917, 755; and ia 1018,. 509.

AVant of rain has been severely felt in the Tokomaru district, and in several instances water for domestic purposes has.had to be carted a considerable distance.

The Kuku Co-operative Dairy Co. still continues to make rapid strides, and at the present time has over fifty suppliers. The last grade note of the cheese manufactured was 93.

A great crowd participated in an enthusiastic send-off to 1200 New Zcalanders at Southampton aboard the Willochra. The Mayor wished them God-speed and hoped New Zealanders would retain kindly and affectionate memories of the Motherland.

The Christchurch City Council has decided to raise a loan of £150,000 for the purpose of carrying out extensions to the electric lighting and power scheme, and installation of a stand-by plant to obviate a repetition of the trouble caused last winter, when snowstorms brought down the Lake Coleridge transmission lines. Among the latest additions to the picture gallery in the Council Chambers at Levin is an enlarged photograph of Cr. G. A. Monk, the present chairman of the County Council. It is pleasing to note that photographs of all past chairmen now hang in the Council rooms.

I We understand that the proposed : picture theatre in Levin is to be built on the corner section opposite the post office, to the order of Mr C. Bell, and not a "Wellington syndicate as reported in various papers. Tenders are shortly to be called, and will close at no distant date. The structure, which will be in concrete, will be up to date in all particulars, and should prove a decided acquisition to Levin. Says the "Levin Chronicle": The farmer who disposes of his holding at what he thinks a good price sometimes finds himself in the position of a fish out of water. When lie commences to look round for another farm he becomes aware that it is not so easy to get hold of something as suitable as •''the old place." There are number.-. of instances of farmers having bought back again at enhanced prices and were the wiser men for the experience. An of this sort cost a fanner in

■' e s F- • +';a saza pf £3OO recently. j this district ._ -.- . t • which he willingly parted ■*».. * P. lis old farm again.

Tie Bed Cross shop, to be held in Hannah-'s Building on Saturday nest should he well patronised, as the display fit goods for sale will be a tempting one. The management is working hard, and it behoves others to do their best, and-supply material for •.the sale. Old furniture, nick-nacks. jams, produce —in fact, anything old or new—will be gratefully accepted. If eoe sold during tne day an auction sale will be held, when .bidding will, no doobt. be fast and furious.

- Bootmaking.—F. Barrc-tt wishes to notify the public of Otaki and district that he has resumed business as boot and Shoemaker. Old and new customers please take notice. Address: PunstES Strest, Otaki.—Adrt.

A mild case of diphtheria is reported from Oiiau.

Violets are now being picked in several quarters in Otaki. There are, however, insufficient to place on the n.arket.

Clergyman . (giving out weekly notice): "The preacher xor next Sunday will be nailed upon the church door. '' Te Horo branch of the Farmers' Union intend to try meeting by daylight, the next meeting to be held at 10 a.m. on April 1-ith. Mr A. E. Minton has on hand soma lovely go-carts, ideal styles, easily manipulated, and a comfort and plea-sure-to baby and mother. The additions to the Oliau State school are practically complete, and will be ready for occupation in the course of a day or so. I Anderson's advertise, in a replace advertisement in this issue, dainty hand-made laces and insertions. Ladies should carefully read the adv...-.:i, ement, and note the bargains offering.

A noisy scene occurred at the Ckautauqau at Levin on Saturday night, when a portion of the audience took charge and demanded encores. The management stood firm, but not before unpleasant scenes occurred. Owing ot two waggons of a g> ods train becoming derailed at Longburn on Monday night, the New Plymouth mail was over two hours late in reaching Otaki, and exactly two hours late at Wellington. To-day's surprises at Stiles and Mathcson's are embroidered white voile blouses at reduced figures. These dainty blouses are quite now just v landed from overseas, so our advice is get in before, they sell out. Call.

'■ At yesterday's meeting of the Hutt County Council the assistant roadman reported that a quantity of the Council timber had been stolen from various .places. Enquiries will be made with a view of bringing the "culprits to justice, ■' A garden party and sale of produce, sweets, etc., will-be held at Major Tatum's beautiful grounds on Wednesday in aid of the Manakau Anglican Church. Arrangements for the function are well in hand, and success .is assured.

' The Methodist Conference has made ■the following alteration;; to stations approved:—Auckland: Birkenhead, P. J. Cook; Morrinsville, E. Cotton; Eltham, J. A. Hosking: South Wairarapa, B. B. Gosncll; Wcstport, W. A. Watson;. Temttka, F. T. Harris. At the Hui't County Council meeting yesterday accounts totalling no less than £Mi.j is were passed for payment. L "'as explained by the clerk (Mr F. J. France) thai the amount included a levy due to the Hospital Board.

The Otaki File Brigade's pyre!! will be sounded to-night shortly aftct seven o'clock, and anyone hearing it need have no cause for alarm. Later, a bonfire will be in evidence, and the .engine tested. It is hoped all members of the brigade will be at the station punctually at 7 p.m. / Persons travelling on trains should beware of sneak thieves. An ex-Otaki solicitor who had occasion to nave! to Hawkc's Bay last week left an '..; tsive trench coat unattended £o; v. few minutes. When he returned the coat had an old one h. •.'. its place.

I Tie following amcmm-oiu to tae ["sliding scale" of sub-crip-ion to the I Farmers' Union is suggested by le Horo branch:—"Thai the minimum subscription be 12s Gd or: a capital value up to £2joo, and increase at the rate of 2s 6d for each additional £SOO !of capital value, without fixed maximum.

| , The action of the executive committee of the Te Horo branch of the Farmers' Union re new objects and I platform met with favourable com-' ' ment, and was formally approved by ! the branch last Monday night. It is I anticipated that tie acceptance of i those by the Union as a whole will iead to a greatly extended membership. Mr Harry Smith, a resident of some 30 years at Manakau, was found dead in hi* whare at North Manakau yester- , day. He had not been seen since Sun- ' day, and feaTs were aroused as to his safety. Investigations were made, and his hut broken into, when he was found. Deceased, who lived by himself, was an old man, who had been in ill-health for ; some years past. The danger of cyclists'following Mr ; Smith's motor bus and'suddenly eriierg- !

ing without taking proper precautions, was demonstrated, at Otaki on Monday evening when a cyclist, through his own t.houghtfulne;?. measured his length in the dust, he being-struck by a passing car. He was-fortunate in not "hsving limbs broken and a mangled machine to fell the tale. It was stated at the Farmers' Union meeting at Te Horo on Monday night that sometimes stock brought: to the local saleyardrfor sale was taken Lome without having been c-ffeTed. owing to an nl-arranged order of sale. Attention was also called to the condition . Of the yards and the want of.further -»«6:iz<iodstiOß for stock, horses, etc. .„. ' —•»« appointed to confer ' A committee __ l ~. _ r^ with the firms concerned, and rej£..' l ■ a future meeting. On behalf of John S. Swan, a writ .- has "been served onihe Eev. Father j Mahoney, parish priest, Wellington Central, claiming the sum of £650 damages for alleged slander said to hare ences concerning the finances of St. Patrick's Ball" and St. Mary's of -Angels Chores in BonkoiikStrcet. Claimcertain repair work ia, tig- se'i'ol,-. .

A notice relative to wandering stock appears elsewhere. It is stated that between. 700 andSOO men will bo'affected by the closing of the flaxmills in the Tokomaru and Shannon districts.

A meeting of the Citizens' Committee in connection with the recent epidemic will be held in the Town Board office to-morrow night, when a letter from the Minister of Public Health will be discussed.

One of the chief attractions at the Red Cross shop on Saturday will bo a

doll's house, which has been given by Miss Calcott. It is beautifully finished, fully equipped with furniture, etc., and a prize well worth winning. Tickets

are selling freely. The Catholic concert and dance, to be held at the theatre on Monday night, is arousing more than usual interest.

First-class talent from Wanganui and Wellington has been secured, and a musical treat is assured.

An episcopal visit by seaplane was made yesterday by Bishop Cleary, who

started from Kohimarama at 7.30 a.m. and arrived at Ehiaottmu at 5.37, the distance being 6.5 miles. He intends to visit other coastal ports by the same means. Mr Hcrbsnian told his Chautauqua audience at Palmerston yesterday that on his return to America ho was going on a touT of four months to sound the praises of New- Zealand. Ho reckoned he could do this country about £IO,OOO worth of good in that time. The oldest living woman in the world, as far as is known lives in gosen. Sho is 134 years .of age, and her birth is substantiated, by records. She was a young -women when Napoleon swept over Europe. At the time of her birth Frederick the Great was still alive,

and the United States had been born , about eight years! ' Mr P. Fraser, the well-known memi bcr of Parliament; and organiser for : the Labour Party, has consented to j give, an address in Brights' Theatre jon Wednesday next at S o'clock. Mr ' Fraser will deal fully, with the labour I question, and no doubt will give an in- ; teresting and iistructivc address. It is I hoped there will be a large attendance. | Thus the "Grey Star": "The people I of New Zealand want coal, and they ! consider that it is the duty of tire Gov-

j eminent to see that they get it. Why ' does not the Government lease the | Siutc mine to the Miners' Federation ; for a term of years and allow the miners to work the mines under their | tswn management and conditions of j labour, the only stipulation being that ' the output should be as great as it ' possible!" j The first blind girl in New Zealand ! to pass the matriculation and solici- ! tors' general knowledge examination is : Queenie Eoussel, a daughter of Mr P. ; G. Eoussel, of Eemuera Road, Auck-

laud, whose success is announced in the published list of passes. Miss Eoussel is a pupil at the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, and sat for the examination with another, pupil, Mr James D. JlcGuirc, who also secured a pass. Miss Eoussel, who is not quite 17 years of age, has been blind since she was four years old, while Mr McGuirc, who is 18, lost his sight when quite a snail boy. Several male pupils of the institute have previously passed the matriculation examination. Miss Eoussel and Mr McGuire were coached for the examination by Mr David Outrim, 8.A., who is quite blind, and Mr Doric Algie, M.A., who is almost blind.

An old station hand in the Molong district claims to be Dan Kelly, "brother of the notorious bushranger, Ned Kelly. He has been closely questioned !.;,- the police, but they cannot confound )iis story. He declares that he and Steve Hart escaped from the burning hotel at Glenrowan while the police were closing in on Ned Kelly, just be-

fore his famous last stand. They succeeded ir. reaching Melbourne by coach, and thence went to India on a sailing ship as stowaways. Later they enlisted in the Indian Imperial Army for service in South Africa. After the war they returned to India. About two years ago Hart drowned himself in Calcutta Harbour, and Kelly sailed

again for Australia. He states that the bodies found in the hotel by the police v. ere those of two tramps who were too scared to reveal themselves to the police for fear of being shot. The man i,« enjoying a large amount of distinction or. account of his alleged identity.