THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JULY 14, 1910. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 14 July 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JULY 14, 1910. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

* The Convent .School, which has been closed for a fortnight for holidays, reopens to-morrow. On account of peace celebrations all championship hockey matches for Wednesday next will be "off." Austin James Simpson, » single, man. aged 37, a traveller of Ellerslie, fell from a, train at Remuera on Friday night. His body was terribly mutilated, both feet being severed. Simpson died on the way to the hospital. The Otaki Dairy Co.'s factory is to be closed for ten or twelve days to allow of a general overhaul of plant and the installation of increased engine power, the re-bricking of the boiler, and the replacing of one of the churns by a more modern one. The Racing Conference and the Country Racing Conference, which met last week, passed resolutions in favour of the reinstatement of, the double tofalisator. A resolution to a similar effect was put to the Trotting Conference and was. carried unanimously.

Arrangements are nor.- well in hand for the bowlers' ball, to be held at Brights l Theatre on Wednesday, and judging by the number of tickets already sold there should be a large attendance. Trie floor will be in thorough order, first-class music has been obtained, while supper will be one that should be highly appreciated. There is a great scarcity of butter in Oiaki and district just now. The Otaki Dairy Co.'a factory is closed down for the time being, in order that improvements may be effected to the machinery, and additions made to the plant, consequently the main supply locally has been cut oil", and as other concerns have difficulty in supplying orders there is likely to be a very great shortage in this district for a week or two.

At Friday night's meeting of the Wellington City Council, Cr. Norwood (chairman of the Milk Committee) said the committee was investigating the proposal to buy a farm, and already had one farm of 1000 acres under consideration. This; was valued by the Government at £75,00(1, although it would only, sustain 400 cows in constant milk. He reminded the Council that this winter's supply had been abnoramliy low, but he predicted that normal conditions would be restored a month hence.

I The attention of our readers is direned to a leaflet from the International Correspondence Schools, issued with today 's paper. Now that the great war is won. there is -a great demand throughout Xew Zealand for technical instruction. It is a rjoriec-able fact that returned soldiers are taking a keen interest in this matter, they clearly recognising the important part which technical education is to play in the commercial and trade war in which the British Empire will now have to engage. One of the great advantage* of studying with the I.C.S. is that the student tan study in the quiet of hit "own ; home, using, to advantage spare hours which would otherwise probably be wasted.

! In business bold advertisement ; . Is payable and wise: '] It benefits' both those whe read And those who advertise. Thus gasping mortal* in distress Discover in the daily press That they relief and health assure By taking Woods' Great Peppermint Cnxe.

The average life of a large airship is estimated at three years, which makes them more expensive by;,far than steamships. , . H.M.S. New Zealand is expected to arrive on the coast of New Zealand on August lSth. The itinerary of the ship is now under consideration.

A stag, which was recently purchased by the- Wellington Acclimatisation Society from Dunedin, has been rdaced at the deer farm at Paraparaumu.

Mr O. Hughan 's large garage and Mr Pitcher's cycle depot at Carterton were destroyed by lire on Friday. The former's loss will be between £3OOO and £4OOO, and the latter's is estimated at £2OOO.

Preceding the Peace celebration comes Stiles and Matkeson's big peace •carnival to toast, as it were, the occasion. At this monster sale will be offered all seasonable goods at extraordinary low prices. Read Stiles and Mathcsbn's advertisement 'in this paper.

Mr E. 3S*. Lancaster, of Otaki, brought back with him on his return from service an interesting souvenir in the form of a glass float, one of many used for keeping afloat submarine nets. It is about four inches in diameter, and when in use is enclosed in a .mesh work on the top of the net. The floats are invaluable for the purpose usci.

Keep down the cost of living: Buy your bt>ots locally. Button boots, grey tops and patent fronts, all sizes, 20s; ladies' and maids' strong lace boots, with plate on heels, for dairy or school, IDs (id; laco shoes with patent cap, 15s (id; genes' shooters, 20s; nailed 21s 6d; gents' strong fom tights, 235, 30s. A trial solicited.—lrvine's Shoe Store, Otaki.—Advt.

New Plymouth Borough Council has decided to instal a 3J-ton electric vehicle, with tipping gear, for metal carting, and plso.a one-ton "electric" for miscellaneous work. Heretaunga Dairy Company (Hastings) is also installing two electric trucks of the sam« type for the collection of cream. All these vehicles are equipped with the Edison storage battery.

A message from Halifax states that the steamer Grampian struck an iceberg off Newfoundland. Her bow was damaged and several of the crewkilled, but there waa no panic. The captain prevented a,similar disaster to that which overtook the Titanic by turning the ship's bow on to avaid * glancing blow. The Grampian was able to proce««l. ; • ;••% "-Jj According to a statement, made by Hon. VV. D. S. ; Mae Donald to a Labour deputation, the question of State ownership will corne up very prominently in the next few months. The Minister said lie would be preparing a mining bill which he hoped wotiM be made-law. One of his .schemes was to advance money to miners to work small mines on their own account, possibly in co-operative companies.

It was pointed out at a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Industrial Association that a shipment of coal from Greymouth was delayed between four and five days on account of the bar, and that the city of Wellington was on the verge of being liglltless

.•Mijl flrelcss. It therefore behoved the association to urge most strongly upon the Government to takj the noccss:iry taps at whatever cost to complete the Otira tunnel to enable Wellington to be supplied whatever t*c state of the bur "light bo at Greymoutb or elsewhere. It was deride 1 to direct the attention of the Pr.jgresr League to the nrgec: necessity for an immediate completion of in? tuanel.

"Sn Fcilding we are pestered by all the thieves and spielers in the eountry, I think, when we have a meeting there." said Mr J. 11. I'errett at th» Bacing Conference, He went on to Bay that these individuals engaged motor lorries and drove to the coarse, where they pulled up outside and adorned the fence, using most objectionable language to anyone who attempted to interfere with them. After some discussion the conference decided to ask the Minister of Justice to afford clubs a measure of protection against such individuals as those mentioned by Mr Ferret t.

There were only about " dozen persons present at the Otaki Beadingroom on Friday night last, when Mr Frank Penn gave a paper dealing with the culture of roses. Mr Byron Brown occupied the chair. Mr Penn dealt with the subject from a practical point of view', giving advice a* to the preparation of the ground, planting; manuring, and general cultural hurts. He also gave a practical demonstration of the pruning of roses, several trees being pruned before the audience, and the seasons given for tin style of prun•ing adopted.. Ail present appeared much interested, and many questions were asked and answered. Mr Penn was thanked for his paper and the chairman for presiding. Mr Wesley Knight, in response to a request of the meeting, agreed to give a paper on the culture of fruit trees, and also to give a demonstration of the pruning of sane, on Friday, 25th inst. These gatherings are being held with the object of increasing interest in horticulture generally, and it seems a great pity that more people do not avail themselves of the opportunity of adding to their knowledge on such interesting subject*.

There is every prospect of the Peace Celebrations j a centre being held under conditions the reverse of pleasant as far as weather conditions ' are concerned. Even if the day? are fine, they are almost sure to be bitterly cold. However, it may be taken for granted that this will,not deter loyal Kew Zealacders from taking part ia the vartotw functions, and everyone will be oat and aliout on the memorable days. An excellent • safeguard in ca*e of bad weather is one of our sntart Trench Coats for lads and youths, selling at from 50s" to SOs. They are every bit as; good as they look. GEO. rOTOOS, LTD., Manners Streeij Wellington.

i-a.tieulars of the Waikanac stock tale for Wi-nesd-ry aio advertised.

Messrs Bills and Moore are advertising shirts, which for value and quality are unsurpassed. They are of good colours and natty designs and styles.

■ All willing to assist with the singiug at the combined thanksgiving service at Otaki are invited to attend a final practice, to be held at Blights' Theatre to-night at 7.30,

, A young engineer of Mastcrton claims to have discovered a process by which nearly 50 per cent could be saved in the fuel used in the propulsion -of locomotives. The process has- beeu tried upon a traction engine, and has proved eminently satisfactory.

Bootmaking.—F. Barrett wishes to notify tho public of Otaki and district that he has resumed business as boot and shoemaker. Old and new customers please take notice. Address: Duustaii Street, Otaki.—Advt.

On andwfter to-day Mr J. P. Johnsou, dentist, w.ll visit Otaki on Mondays, and may l.e consisted at Mr Mackenzie's Th.' latter will visit the town as usu-'il on Thursdays. Particulars are advertised.

Qrclinrdisis and others requiring spray compounds—and now is tho time to spray ; —should send to Mr B. A. Nicol, seed 'merchant, of Wellington, who stocks all required iu that line, and sells at reasonable prices. Mr Nicol makes a specialty of seed potatoes. See advertisement elsewhere.

More light and more ironing at less expense! The Kerona, a marvellous lamp, inaugurating a new era in illumination, will give 15 hours on a pint of kerosene, while the Imperial benzine iron will iron for 3 hours for less than Id. Guaranteed.—Full particulars J. C. Better, Otaki.—Advt.

On Saturday afternoon last Mrs 11. Witchell (secretary of the local branch of the Bed Cross Society, entertained some twenty children, who had assisted in various ways in Bed Cross work during the war. The children were regaled with a splendid afternoon tea, and indulged in games, etc., having a delightful time. Mrs Witchell's happy idea was a great success, and the gathering was a memorable one for the little workers.

An advocate of prohibition was solemnly expressing the wish that all alcoholic liquor was at the bottom of the Tarra, when someone suddenly ejaculated "Hear, hoar." The prohibitionist was so elated by the ferver/cy of the interjeetor that after a sentence or two he said, "i would like to know the name of that gentleman." There was a deep pause, during which tho modest interjeetor drew himself deeper into his overcoat. The pause was end«d by a wag at the back of the hall, who, in a confiding voice which could bo clearly heard throughout the building, said: "I'll tell yon his name after tho meeting. H.J's a diver! "

We all take a hand. The barber cuts. The grocer deal?, and the old maid goes alone; she tries to get a partner, but no one will prop, »nd she's euchred every time. The butcher play* a plucky game; he plays for the steak and never loses his block. A baker never plays for fun; he needs the dough. The navvy plays with spades and the policeman with clubs. The lover plays with hearts, but he so Often has to use diamonds to take a trick. The baby is a constant reminder of cards. He's the joker, and bis mother's queen of trumps. If the little joker plays a crook game the. queen promptly takes him, raise* the right bower and, trumps his act.

Mr J. W. Whelan (Government orchard instructor) visited Manskau and Otaki on Saturday last, and gave demonstrations on the pruning of fruit trees, at Major Taturn's and Mr F. Kjlmistcr's orchards respectively. There was only a very small attendance at Manakau, but a good representative gathering at Otaki, though the weather was most unfavourable. Those present were keenly interested in Mr Whelan's demonstration, which should be of very great value to those engaged in orchard work. Mr Whelan not only showed the correct methods to be adopted in pruning, but gave reasons ff>r his methods, and explained things mo»t lucidly.

The problems in connection with demobilisation are no numerous, and often so unexpected, that the Defence Department is constantly revising and extending its regulations, it welcomes the assistance and initiative of all its officers, no matter what their rank, as the following extract from the latest Headquarter; instructions will indicate; —"lf any regulation now in existence with regard to demobilisation or civil re-establishments of soldiers appears to prevent quick, smooth, and efficient administration, and thereby acts diiadvantageously to the soldier, it should immediately be brought to the notice of the Officer Commanding District, and submitted by him to General Headquarters for transmission to the Department concerned for coasideratio* of its revision." Discussing the question of the heating at- the Old People's Home at tie last meeting of -the Hospital and Char- ' stable Aid Board, Mrs Gill complained of the manner in which the home was j heated. .She said the inmates? would I not «;OBiplatfl openly about-it as they j were afraid of acquiring a reputation j for being unruly, and she Lid to adopt a. ..diplomatic- manner to.get &ny information as to their need* out of them Kef erring to the visit jag committee's rounds, she remarked that the two gen- | *tle»aen_ associated with her on the committee' dealt with the'eotrs'aed pigs outside while she dealt with the human being* inside. (Laughter.) She drew a coli pleturc of a 'large hall with bare wails without even a "God bless our home" on them. It was unfair to draw a comparison, as one member had done, between.Ms hou*e and tbe.home. There were tea or twelve beds in one big bare i room, and (added Mris Gill, ahrid laugh,tex) there whk not two in "the beds.

The ekairmaa of the Otaki Town Board asks the business people to observe holidays on Saturday and Monday ceit for the Peace Celebrations.

At an inquest held at Waikanae on Saturday last on the body of the old man, James Cooper, found dead in his whare, a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. Details of tke inquest will appear in our neAt issue.

Owing to the Peace Celebrations, the next meeting of the OPiki Literary and Debating Club will not be held until Monday, 2Sth inst. This next meeting will be a children's evening, for which a sub-committee has arranged the following competitions:—Spelling bee, 12 selected words; pianoforte*solo; best drawing of an animal; sight reading, easy test; recitation, own selection, not to exceed 30 linos. All of these competitions are restricted to children of 14 years and under—children* who have not. previously competed at any public competitions. In each section a first prize of 5s will be awarded , A competition will also be held for adults—the best local conundrum.

A hoax was perpetrated in London recently on several hundred people who had purchased tickets for a matinee, which, it was stated would be held "at. the Holbern Empire in aid of limbless soldiers and sailors of the great war." The first intimation which the management of the Kmpire had of the affair was the assembling of a crowd of people early in the afternoon. The vi«tims of tho hoax accepted tho situation philosophically. Some had purchased tickets on April Ist. The fraud appears to have been carried out by a man dressed as a private, and wearing a blue hospital band on his sleeve. A jgood. many more victims presented 1 themselves at the Holborn Empire the following night.