LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 4 August 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

p A herd-testing association has been started in .Levin, and success is assured. Of recent date the Levin cemetery has been visited by unprincipled persons and wreaths, etc., stolen. The police have the matter in hand. Messrs W. and A. Anderson have purchased Mr Sharman’s farm at Iha- , kara, Levin. The latter is a representative hockey player. The Koputaroa flaxmills have recommenced operations, while the Shannon mills arc also running again, but operations have been interfered with owing to the bad weather. I ‘ The New South Wales Government proposes to introduce an Anti-Profiteer- - ing Hill, particularly aiming at the control of the prices of imported articles.

The estate of the lute Sir Samuel McCaughey, New South Wales, is valued at £1,500,000, of which £3,250,i- 000 is bequeathed for educational, to e ligious, and charitable purposes. A o total of £OOO,OOO goes to the Sydney it and Brisbane Universities. The Auckland branch of the Ainal- £ gnmated Society of Railway Servants passed a motion urging its executive to demand increased wages of 2s Cd per g day, in consequence of the increased , cost of living, also condemning the proposal to establish compulsory milir fury training camps.

3 It is probable that the regular Fo.v-----v ton trade will be resumed towards the 6 end of next week. The Kennedy, which y is to maintain the service, is at present 0 completing her overhaul on the Patent e 'dip. This work, it is estimated, will - e take* only a few days, and the vessel r will then be examined by Mr Signal d (Levin and Co.’s superintending en- ’* gincer). If found satisfactory, she will ’' commence running in the Fox ton trade d next ween, is

it Factory managers in the Wairarnpa jj district who arc installing new inachinir. erv in anticipation of a successful a dairying season, are experiencing great .. diinnulfv iu procuring the necessary I{ j plant. A‘ ‘ Watrarapa Age” xepresen,g tative was informed that great anxiety 1( j is. being felt in more than one factory ( ,} at the approach of the dairying season, i • c which commences at the end of j

it August. » ’’ A young man natned Ralph David 3 ; "Matthews pleaded guilty at the Web ' iington Magistrate’s Court to a series '*■ of thirteen charges of theft of suit cases, luggage, overcoats, boot- and 0 other personal belongings from various a hotels in the city, between Bth and 23rd - July. Chief-Detective Boddarn said 14 that the man was a returned soldier, and an absentee from the Otaki Hos- ° pita!, where he had been receiving *' medical treatment since-bis return to e New Zealand. Apparently he had cornc n to Wellington three or four weeks ago," and had embarked on a career of crime. Unfortunately Matthews had been be--fore a Court several times previously. ’’ Mr SC. Page, .S.M.. convicted the aci! cu-std on the first charge, which conn censed the theft of a suit ease and eon* 5 tents, valued at £ll 10*, the property 3 of Elizabeth "Moorhouse, and sentenced him to not more than two years’ reformative treatment. On the other counts ' Matthews was convicted and dis-

charged. ‘ j It seems as if the dreams of ages is \ to come true, for they are to burrow ■ * under the bed of the Straits of Dover, ' and ride under the sea by train. The Channel Tunnel is corning at last. The 1 proposal is to drive two parallel tabes, each 3 8 feet in diameter, through the . grey chalk which forms the bod of the ! a sea, with crofts tsrsnelx at even.*, 200 i yards or «o. The mate rial will be dug v out by revolving cutters working in p steel shields, which will support the matter overhead aS they advance. Tfffe o; material, excavated trill he brought out v of the tonne! by rapidly revolving end- 3; less belt s. The entire plant will be electrical, and a. huge power "-tatioa w will be erected in Kent, around which will grow up 3 mode! terra for the (■': workmen and their families. The en- aE tire work will cost, it is estimate d, be- ,5 tween 20 cud 23 million pounds, and ; B will last five veers or perhaps eight. The tunnel completed, trains starting v . from a new terminus at Charing Crwi, - a * will par* from England, travel for. 30 ■or 40 '.zainuies in. the tonne!, reach tjj France, and then run to the principal t , centres of Europe. . j.„

Otaki’s peace celebration committee 1 will meet at tho Town Board office to- t morrow night at S p.m. The Levin stock sales arc advertised for Tuesday, while the Tc Horo sales 1 will take place ou Wednesday. Par- * ticulars are advertised. t No loss than four butchering firms were represented at last Wednesday’s Otaki stock sale. Bidding throughout 5 was spirited, aud iu many cases very keen. The monthly meeting of the Management Committee of the Horowhenua ‘ County Patriotic Association will be 1 held at Levin on "Wednesday afternoon 1

next. The Horowhenua Horticultural and Industrial .Society has decided to hold * its annual Spring Show (Rose Show) 1 on Wednesday, November 19th, and its ' Autumn Show on. Wednesday, March 17th next. “If the money spent ou liquor in New Zealand during the past few years had been put into building societies the housing problem would have been solved,” was a remark by .Mr W. B. Mathesou at his meeting at Mastcrtou. Bootmaking.—lT. Barrett wishes to notify tho public of Otaki aud district that 110 has resumed business as boot and shoemaker. Old and new; customers please take notice. Address: Dunstan Streot, Otaki.—Artvt. The French Government has purchased tlic American army’s immense war stock iu France, including 50,000 motor cars and 50,000 motor lorries, for thirteen hundred million dollars (£2<io,000,000).

“The worker in New Zealand must realise that if he wants to gel on he must be industrious and thrifty, and must mako a certain amount of selfsacrifice, so as to ensure his future comfort and tho welfare of his children,” said Mr IV. B. Mathesou at Mastcrtou. To-niglit a Sbakcsperean evening will bo held in connection with the Literary and Debating Club, at the Druids’ Hall. The arrangements are iu the capable hands of Mr Byron Brown, so that a pleasant and profit able evening should be spent by members.

Attention is called to an advertisement on our fourth page, inserted by Messrs Wardell Bros., the well-known city merchants. This firm is making a special oiler of best quality Hour, for tho month of August only, at 30s (id per 2001 b sack. Price lists of groceries will be supplied free on application. More light and more ironing at less expense! The Kerona, a marvellous lamp, inaugurating u new era in illumination, will give 15 hours on a pint of kerosene, while the Imperial benzine iron will iron for 3 hours for lets than Id. Guaranteed.—Full particulars J. C. Rotter, Otaki.—Advt. The coal question in Auckland remains serious. Many large businesses and householders’ deliveries are strictly limited. The Gas Company is working on a “hand to mouth” basis, and prior to the arrival of the Waipori from Newcastle this week, its supply was almost exhausted. Tin*, tramways, on the other hand, are well stocked with coal.

1 The record price for the coast: for sheep was secured at the Otaki. stock sale ou Wednesday, when Messrs Dalgety aud Co. sold, on behalf of Mr A, J. Podcvin, of Otaki, a line of 120 fat wethers at 555; 4d. The animals, bought by Messrs Moore Bros, aß j the Te Aro Meat Co., were certainly very fine, and 1 caused keen bidding. The Tjrtce of 3D." secured by the late Mr John Davies, of Koputaroa, some considerable time ago for his large Roscommon* has, previous to this sale, been unbeaten.

Admiral Jcllieoe,.replying to a wcl- , come at Gladstone, said that Australia t meant real business in preparing to I defend her shores by the setablishmenl/ jof naval bases. He hoped that the »ea ! power which was absolutely vital for j the future of Australia would be gencr- ' ally recognised- Australia offered & f temptation to her neighbours, and an* t less human nature altered people would) want to come over and take this glorious country. It would be necessary to have a strong navy, backed by the ; British Fleet, to-.stop them.

Major Addington has offered the j local Horticultural Society two very . handsome cash prize -—first £2 os, second £J 15* —for the best kept cottage gardens in Otaki town and dis* § ' triet area. The Society's Committee,® at a meeting on Friday night, accepted I the kind offer with thanks, and it was; f, decided to consult the generous donor *4 regarding the condition* before same j' were printed in the schedule. Major I Addington’s object in restrict ing the gardens competing to the Town Board's : area was to encourage the towns* 1 people to take more interest in their : gardens, and “thus to improve the ap- - pea ranee of the town itself. It is to be ' hoped that his offer will have the tiesired result. We would suggest that * owners of. cottage gardens should be* ’■ stir themselves and put their gardens 1 in order, with the object of entering.jpfor this competition, jt

The Tarsnla Tramping -Club held it*h adjourned meeting on Friday night 1 (say- the “Post”), when a draft coo- j •dilation and set of rules were submit*.l ted and adopted, and a number of iz'-'v.' ,l number* were enrolled, r The following’ officers were elected;—President, Mr W. 11. Held, H.P.; vicc-prvi-idcat*. Sdewra 11. F. roa Haast and Jj. C. ••ton; secretary and treasurer, Mr •Vtffen; guide, Mr Y. W. Vowler; oraramee, Mc-ssts D, Koggard, A. C. Clifford, Thomas, and Gritten; boa, isiditor. Air -Terrau. It was indicated 1 hat. the dab intended so take a live merest in the suppression of the "caching rtosv taking place is the re erves, and the protection of the flora ad fauna of the district. Various tag- ' :c*tioj)s have .been, made for z&akizg be eaistieg roads afep to the public,., ! 2 d for the betteraeat of tic existing J «r and equipsaeat. ■ j 1

Victoria has sold three thousand tons of inferior wheat to Japan at (is lid. Farmers can secure a 95s oily canvas riding coat for S3s. This reduction in price is made at Stiles aud Mutheson’s great sale. See details in the advertisement in this paper. Tho directors of the Bank of Australasia have decided to increase the war addition to the salaries of its staffs from 10 to 25 per ceut. “Farmer,” Waikanae, advertises 283 acres of freehold laud, near Waikanae, for sale, either in one block or in three, to suit purchasers.

Mr C. f?. Clarke, the well-known Wellington poulterer, advertises for young geese, turkeys and dueks. Thoso interested should write Mr Clarke, stating price wanted. The rainfall at Levin for July was •l.DSiu. There were 17 wet days, while the heaviest fall (.SI points) occurred ou July 3rd. Friday’s (August. Ist) downpour, totalled nearly half an inch. Owing to Judge .Tones presiding at the Native Appellate Court in Gisborne, ihe sitting of tho Court which was to have been held in Levin on the sth inst. has been adjourned to the follow-

ing week. “How are we going to save tho £13,000 a year now wasted in hauling trains over the Rimutakaf” dramatically snid Mr Mathesou at Mastcrtou during a political address. “Walk!” was the laconic response from an occupant of the pit. (Laughter.) An increase in the price of motor spirits, to take effect from Friday, is announced by the Vacuum Oil Company. Kerosene will advance is per case; spirits (except peigoline) Is til per case, and lubricating oil from id to fid per gallon. 1 Sister Lewis lias now secured offices in Mr Harper’s building in Mill Rond, and may be consulted from 10 to 13 noon daily, except Sunday. Owing t« the restrictions in the railway service Sister Lewis is unable to visit all parts of the district, and therefore thosti who can should call on her at Otaki. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rotterdam corespondent says that Germany is sick of disorder. The old military leaders arc being welcomed back, ns the' only men able to enforce discipline. This favours the growing tendency towards reaction. It would be a surprise to no one if a dictator suddeidy arose who would be triumphantly hailed by the people.

There were twenty-three days of rain in the month of July—only eight days on which rain did not fall. The total rainfall for the month was 4.05 inches, t The heaviest day’s rain was .Odin on the 35th of the month. The corresponding month of last year had a fall of -L7oin. The average of July for the past fifteen years was 4.13 in, so that this year we hJkc had just about the average fall. ,

An Otaki soldier serving in Egypt recently sent a friend in Otaki a Cairo newspaper containing the report of a ’big military race meeting held at Heliopolis in May last, at -which New Zealand horses won 710 less, than three of the seven races, and scored a second also. A feature of the meeting was the exceptionally big dividend* paid. In the last race the winner paid tho enormous odds of 379 to 1, which is a. record for Egypt, and possible for tho ' world.

> The N.Z. Loan and Alrntantile Agency Co., Ltd., will hold a clearing 1 sal*, on account of Messrs August Bros., who have sold their farm, os Monday, Jltb inst.. as advertised. The dairy herd to be offered comprises 34 cows in full milk and 45 spring oaf vers, in addition a lot of young stock, will be submitted to auction, also pigs, horses, milking machinery, farm implements, etc. The cows arc said to be

a specially good lot. “ The Levin Fire Board has approved its estimates, which include expenditure for the year totalling'£3oll Iff* The principal items arc: Land and building, £1500; motor, £500; fire alarm ! and wiring, £400; equipment, uniforms, dii £lso; Interest and sinking fund, £lO5. The contribution.-, arc estimated at: Government, £SO; insurance companies, £2BO 35*; Levin Borough Council, £2BO 15*. Th# estimate* have been approved by the Government, and the Minister's consent ha* also been received to the proposal to borrow £2400. I The ‘‘ Hydney Morning Herald” say* [that owing to the failure of a largo jsneasurc of the usual winter rain.-, pas* f torn lists and wheat growers, in New [riouth Wale- regard the corning *«- Goa’s outlook a* gloomy. In many places pasture- are bare, aud heavy "frost* and cold* arc etmm ig severe suffering and lor* among the half-starved stock. The possibilities of a satisfactory wheat crop depends, upon the rainfall in the next few wrecks. Tn many districts there lx a oistinct browning off due to the drought, but the Kprifjjg rains may bring the crops forward. The only hopeful feature is a marked diminution is the rabbit pest, the result of trie drought, arid the extensive operalion, of trapper- who are taking adva* tuge of the high price for -kin* and the demand for carcase* in view of tke

dcame** of meat. To morrow should see a good content for the vacant scat on the Horowfci-r iia County Council, caused by the retire* meat of Mr O, V. Cat ley. There arc three eaadidatw, viz,., Mesaw ft«L Coley, lively,-* Maeiormli, and Thosm Henry tt'iadlcy, and each ha* a follow - ing of supporter*. Mr Coley ha* had cooMderabl* experience in road and bridge work in the Wairarnpa ard else* where; Air Macdonald ha* proved cncrk'ftie in anything he undertake*, while Mr Wiodiey ha* bad jrirv.'oj* i-xr*-rf-:ncc oa the CoanciL It is hoped all ■atejeyers will exercise their privilege 'f voting. The various, polling booths, - inch will be open from it a.m. to 6 can, art- advertised. Woods’ Great Peppermint Case. "or Chronic Chest Cotaplaiuts,

The grand concert to be held at Manakau on Friday night next, in aid of the improvements to the Tennis Glub ’s courts, promises to be one of the bet ever held at Manakau. The pick of the talent at Levin, Manakau and Otaki has been secured, and a capital programme secured,. The concert will he followed by a dance.