THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1919. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, 22 December 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1919. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to the Christmas holidays, there "Kill be no issue of the “Otaki Mail” on Friday next (Boxing Day). A poll was token at Wanganui on Friday on a propoal to borrow £140,000 for tramways plant and extensions. Tho proposal was approved by a two to one majority. It is said that the defendant in a recent action in one of the courts is likely to pay dearly for an admission he made in his evidence. He said that he was a bookmaker, and that his income was £4OOO a year. The sequel is that he has received a demand from the Income Tax Commissioner for £753 tax. Wellington continues to be the healthiest city in New Zealand, according to the “Gazette.” During November the proportion of deaths to the 1000 of population in the four chief centre-e was as follow's: —Auckland 0.90. Wellington 0.87, Christchurch 1.09, Dunedin 0.90. The total number of deaths in Wellington for the period mentioned was 65.

“I believe in punishment —at least, I do now,” said Bishop Julius, amidst laughter at the prize-giving ceremony at Christ ! s College. “Punishment, however, I look upon as a confession of failure on the part .of the man who administers it.” Laughter, mingled with loud applause, particularly from the College boys 2 greeted his lordship's remarks.

Wa are fitting round rubbers free on ladies’ footwear until the new year. Just arrived new lines in suede, patent and glace shoes. You will want a pair for the holidays, and you will save money by buying from us. Inspection invited. Irvine's Shoe Store, Otaki. — Adv-t.

There was an appreciable knot of dusky and yellow faces on the Hahquo’s deck as she came alongside the Queen’s Wharf, says the “Auckland Star.” The purser’s list showed a total of 25 Hindus and 15 Chinese on the steamer. On her last trip here the Maheno brought 12 Chinese, and the Paloona, from the Western Pacific, brought five Hindus and four Chinese, thus making the last influx the heaviest of the month. Statistics show that a total of 137 Hindus and 130 Chinese arrived in Auckland since January last.

“The housing question is a matter of great importance to farmers,” remarked Sir James Wilson at the annual dinner of shareholders in the New Zealand Fanners’ Co-operative Distributing Company. “Farmer- must realise that good accommodation for the workers must go on. Harried workers are more likely to remain if provision is made for housing. We do sot want the old-time ’swagger,” feat

the family 1 men, and we must provide decent homes for them. He sates he was very pleased to see the: the dairy companies right up to the Wes: Coast hud been building some fine residences fed their employees, and surrounded them with tries garden;.

The Foxton Racing Club has donated twenty-live guineas to the proposed peace memorial at Foxton.

Wo acknowledge the receipt of a nice pictorial almanac from Messrs Bills and Moore, of Otaki.

Levin is to have a Mardi Gras carnival in February, funds raised to be used in beautifying the township. At the Foxton S.M. Court Leu Freeman was lined £3 for supplying Maoris with liquor on the day of the Maori election.

During the past few days Mr Pres-ton-Tkomas has sent one hundred cases of plums (Evans Early) to the Wellington market, and received the splendid price of 13s per case.

Xotiee is given by advertisement that the Otaki auction mart will be closed from Wednesday next, fifth inst., until Friday. January 2nd, for the Christmas holidays.

Messrs Kirk and Harper announce that their offices will be closed from Tuesdav (to-morrow) evening until January 13th, for the Christmas holidays.

Some details of the train arrangements for the Christmas holidays axe advertised in to-day’s “Mail.” Fuller particulars may be obtained on perusal of booklet rc holiday traffic, obtainable gratis at all railway stations.

Usually there arc very few patients at the Otaki Hospital at Christmas time, but this year the hospital is very full, and the staff is having a busy time. Every effort is being made to ensure the patients having as happy a time for Christmas as possible. Public notice is given that the special roll of the Otaki Gorge North Bank special rating district is open for inspection at the offices of the . Horowhenua County Council. Objections to the roll can be lodged within seven days after the last day of - the deposit as advertised.

Elsewhere Mr W. J. Diaper notifies the public that he has disposed of his Te Horo business to Mr Harold Jones, who will take over the management as from December 31st. Mr Diaper thanks Ins patrons for past support, and solicits a continuance of same for his successor, Mr Jones.

The go-slow policy in the coal mines is- strangling the cement industry, cheeking of the cement industry is stopping building; stopping building is creating unemployment, and unemployment will hit the workers very hard before long. Truly extreme labour is making a great country of New Zealand. —‘ 1 Eltliam Argus. ’ ’

A man arrived in Masterton from the backblocks recently with £S2. He put £3O in the bank and drew on it from week to week for joy rides to Carterton. On Tuesday he was found stark naked by the roadside suffering from delirium trements. He had £1 left after paying his fine at the Magistrate’s Court.

The price of new boot' is prohibitive in many families, and in consequence it is advisable to have old boots repaired. Take them to F. Barratt, who makes them as new with the best of leather and workmanship. Don’t delay, send your boots and shoes at once—FBarratt, Dunstan Street, Oiaki Rail-way-.—Advt.

The Matron of the Otaki Hospital desires to acknowledge with many thanks receipt of the following generous gifts for Christmas cheer for the Otaki Hospital:—Mrs Mcßeath. two guineas; Messrs T. A. King and Young King Quite, one guinea each. Further gifts for the same good object will be gratefully, received.

“Free rail, and, where necessary, coach or boat warrants, will be issued to patients in military hospitals to whom Christmas leave is granted. If these patients have not already a period of leave due under general headquarters instructions, these warrants will be issued in anticipation of the next issue to which, in due course, they would become entitled,” writes General Me Gavin in answer to the general secretary of the N.Z.R.S.

The faculty of observation was the cause of a smart capture on Thursday by Constable Ferguson, of the Palmerston police force. The constable was on duty at the railway station and noticed a small boy in the act of purchasing a ticket. The boy was questioned by Constable Ferguson and found to be an escapee from the Weraroa Training Farm. Subsequently the constable arrested him on a charge of theft.

Much enthusiasm was displayed at a meeting held in Hamilton last week, ,ays an exchange, regarding a proi osal to construct a lignt railway to

Ink up Hamilton and Kawhia. Mr J. i'arr (president of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce) pre-sidad, and among those present were Captains Ujinsey and Bruce, who made special investigations into the light railways of France. Mr Brace said it was estimated that 310 miles of light lines could be constructed for the same cost as 100 of standard gauge, or £I4OO per mile, as against £4OOO. The suggestion is that money should be borrowed under the Hallways Act. with the hope of obtaining a Government subsidy.

At a meeting of the Levin Horticultural Society the treasurer read a statement of the finances. It showed that the door takings at the show were nl6 Ss 9d. receipts from entries £ll 19s 3d, membership £35 sr, donations 221. The tea-rooms had "been very success!oh under Mrs Pink's management, and the takings were £’ f, s Sd, the expense? being only 17? 3d. Tne total expense to~da:e* had been £4S 10; (prize ' money £24); leaving s balance in hand of £43 10s to meet the expenses of the autumn show. The report was considered a very satisfactory one. The treasurer reported that the membership roll vs* a very strong one, and he mentioned that Mrs w. Jl- Clark had 'secured no less than id* new-member*, which mean: an income of £ls 7$ 6a to the society.

Final gift suggestions for tho men | folk are featured in Stiles and Matheson’s advertisement. Carnival prices rule throughout—all reduced. Read the announcement.

The following have been elected officers of the Horowhenua Educational Institute:—President, Mr C. F. Roekell; vice-president, Mr D. Forsyth; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr H. J. Jones; auditor, Mr G. tV. Kirk.

Captain Bax notifies that his hairdressing saloon and shop premises will be open till 10 p.w. from December 22nd to Januury 3rd. As there are three chairs customers will not have to waif.

At the last sitting of the Levin S.M. Court J. A. Collins was lined 10s, costs 12s, for boarding a train while in motion. Herbert Barns, Harry Drake, and Bishop Kirapi were, charged with gcligniting fish, and each fined £2, costs 245.

A Native boy, Matthew Kr.whao, recently seized a Ford cur which was left standing in Oxford street. Levin, drove it in the direction of Foxton, and ran foul of a mob of sheep. Luckily, no damage was done, and the car was driven back towards Levin. However, a dip in tho Healhcrlea road was responsible for the car turning a somersault. Kawhao escaped unhurt, and mado for hiding, but was unearthed by the police. He was later charged with appropriating tho car, was convicted and discharged, but ordered to be returned to tho Weraroa Training Farm. The car, owned by Mr Maurice Hunter, of Levin, was damaged to the extent of nearly £IOO.