THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, 9 January 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlic rainfall at Dumiuvirke kist year totalled 30.4 in. It was the lowest fall for a decade past.

The vital statistics for l'eilding last year were: Births 205, marriages 77. deaths 63.

4 preliminary notice relative to Mr John Kiliick’.s sale to be held at Paraparaumu strife i s advertised. .Suits that wear a* -' veH aml look as pood as the best tailord lll^0 c^otkt * are featured in the stocks §tilcs and Matheson, Ltd., Levin. It p.' V£ men to send to this splendid store for clothes.

Nine Wairarapa boys arrived in Palmerston during the holidays, having walked over the Mount Hector track from Oreytown. Thejj camped at the huts provided for tourists, and arrived at Otaki in three easy days. The New Zealand Railway Department invites application from candidates eligible for appointment a 3 junior porters and traflic labourers to the permanent staff of the Department. Details are given by advertisement. A friend of mine (says Mr Harold Beauchamp) placed an order for a Rolls-Royce in England for 1921 delivery. This was booked at the minimum price of £3IOO. Within a week he was advised that the price had advanced by £250, and when notifying him the manufacturer gave the buyer the option of cancelling his order. He elected to take the car on the supplier 's terms.

The colossal task of returning our men from overseas to their homes has almost been completed, only two transports now being on the water, and these vessels will accommodate practically the whole of the remainder of the men who have yet to return from over-

seas. After the arrival of the Kigoma (next week) and the Ruapehu any farther men who have to be repatriated will return on the ordinary passenger ships.

On the motion of Mr Murdoch, a committee was set up by the Palmerston North Hospital Board, at yesterday's meeting, to go into the whole matter of salaries for nursing staff and officers, and to report to the Board in time to allow the Boatd to make provision for any necessary changes when framing next year’s estimates. Mr Murdoch expressed the opinion that the probationary nurses were not receiving anything like sufficient remuneration for the arduous duties performed, and other members were underpaid also.

What man is mere who has not whilst in a desperate haste to kec-p an appointment experienced the annoyance of having to wrestle with a tie that is difficult to adjust. It will not slide, in fact it absolutely refuses to budge. Such a situation is a strong incentive to indulge in impolite expressions. An effective way of obviating all this has been found by GEO. EOWLDS; LTD- of Manners Street, Wellington, whose latest shipment include:-. a choice selection of Mitchell iLic-tsiy ties. The latest and tmaiteit —sea them.

The monthly meeting of the Horowlienna County Couneil takes place temorrow. -

Vella’s shearing team, which established a world's shearing record at Taihape last season, failed in a recent attempt to establish a new record.

The matron of the Otaki Hospital desires to acknowledge with thanks receipt of a New Year’s gift of one guinea from Mr Joe Wall, for the Otaki Hospital. The official count, of ears parked at the Stratford races, irrespective" of taxis and private ears outside the course, was G 75 on the first, day and 595 on the second.

A visitor to a Maori farm up north noticed that all the pigs had their tails cut off. “What is the reason of that?’’ he enquired. “What, you no know that,’’ said the native, “by korrv that my earmark.’’ The tender of Mr C. 11. Williams, Otaki. for conducting funerals for the Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in the Otaki district, was yesterday accepted by the Board, whilo the tender of Mr .T. W. Clibson. Levin, was accepted for ration* in Levin district. No tender was received for rations 5* Otaki.

Tho price of new boots is prohibitive in many families, and in consequence it is advisable to have old boots repaired. Take them to P. Barratt, who makes them as new with the best of leather and workmanship. Don’t, delay, send your boots and shoes at once —F. Barratt, Dnnstan Street, Otaki Bailway.—Advt. The “Dominion” understands that the Prince of Wales will probably visit New Zealand about April next, and will remain in the Dominion for about a month. If tfiis is done, it will be impossible for the members of Parliament to visit Samoa before next session. Thus the visit to the island will probably be postponed to next year.

A “kitchen tea’’ was tendered to Miss P. McClcland at Mrs Kilmister’s residence, Otaki Railway, on Wednesday, when there was a large attendance. The gifts received were numerous and varied, while tho afternoon proved most- enjoyable, several vocal and instrumental items adding to tho harmony of the gathering. The Imperial Supplies Department of New Zealand has paid out to -list December £1 15,353,802 on account of produce. The largest items are: Frozen meat £41,597,105, cheese £16,554,756, butter £6,815,1(15, scheclito £174,197, wool £42, .*522,697/ freezing companies’ s.lipc wool £5,361,845, sheepskins £2,358,305, hides £/-55,063, other business £1,735,836.

When tho son and daughter of a neighbouring cow-cocky got. “spliced,” tho arrangement was that Ibey should reside with the bridegroom’s parents and help to work the place. The day after tho wedding I dropped in about cow time to have a pitch with the old man, and was surprised to see, the newly-wed* hard at work milking. “Didn’t they have a honeymoonl asked. “Honeymoon!” said dad. “No time to go honeymooning. But they ruisied two milkings.”

Two local residents, accompanied by a little bey, had an unfortunate experience while motor-cycling over the Packakariki Hill on Tuesday owing to the brake failing to act. The driver, preferring the hill to a deep and dangerous embankment, ran bis car up a siding, with the result that it capsized and "-off over twice. The driver and turn. jjj p sPjo-car were eonsideroccnpant* - we <Jical aid was roablv injure*, a- _ tficasing to note qnisitioae*. but it is , * that all nr* now doing well.

Grocers in Christchurch appear to have adopted a very effective method of rationing the very small supplies of sugar at present held in that city. A number are limiting sales to 21b

lot?, and then only to people who purchase goodi to a certain value. One large concern requires .a customer to purchase groceries to the value of 5s before it will supply up to 2!b of sugar. The idea (says the “Sun”) it to chock people going the rounds of the shops and purchasing sugar *t each. At yesterday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, correspondence was read front the Defence Depart o*s*t. formally handing over to the Board the motor ambulance which was subscribed for by the children of the Otaki district. borne discussion ensued a.® to what should be done with the ambulance, Mr Penn urging that it si ould be stationed at. Otaki. stating ti t Mr Bassett had kindly offered to lo k after the motor. A motion was t-.’dcd to the effect that the ambulance b stationed at Palmerston North, but tl. ,-i was afterwards withdrawn, and a r.- solution carried to the effect that the p..blie Health Department be asked to erect a garage at the Otaki Hospital grounds. Several members suggested that the smaller ambulance now owned by the Beard would be quite sufficient for the Otaki district, and that the larger ambulance v.suld prove more useful stationed at Palmerston North, where it would serve s. wide district. Probably a move in that direction wall be ma le at a future meeting.

At TTednesCay’* hockey conrerencs in Palmerstoa North it was stated a New South 'Wales hockey t«m would be invited to visit New Zealand this year. Mantwaiu and FeiMing .vou-d bo asked te 2nd a guarantee of £i -'

for a match—to be, played at Palmerston North, f»f course- The Maaawatn delegate *«H fee ~ ii Feildisg to tel? nice £l ; l'.ff FeUding delegate replied mat a FeJdiag had Veen aU*v*i to ret sin it* &** Ecwciaiton. ar.d bad f?*** match, they would ls~ guarantee without the c '~ '■*' * • k But after lie *«* s « 61 tee conference. iiM— - *> ; reildinr >or "**&-** guarantee, he w«W nor r- W nay hi. train fare Ing“Star.” y*

The Star Almanac for 1920. just to hand, ife almost valuable work. It contains a fund of information indispensable in every household, and is particularly useful for fanners. It is a combination 'of diary, i calendar, account book, etc., and contains a summary of postal and railway information, etc. If unobtainable at stationer’s, a postcard to Parkinson and Co., Hawcra, will ensure a copy being forwarded by post.

Shannon is peculiarly fortunate as regards electric power, owing to its proximity to tho Mangaliao electric works. Arrangements have been made whereby sufficient power will be available for Shannon’s requirements, direct from the Mangaliao works. A loan of £2200 is being asked for immediately for this purpose, and will doubtless be granted, and the Mayor of .Shannon hopes that the whole scheme will be carried out. and the electric light made ready for use in the town in a few months’ time. It is understood that a high pressure water supply can also be secured at Shannon at a very low cost, the water being obtained from the dams constructed at the electric works, only some three miles from Shannon. Shannon will be able to secure water and lighting under exceptionally easy conditions, and these facilities will confer a great boon on Shannon residents.

We nrc now showing a nice range of ladies’ tan footwear at less than town prices, in court, strap and lace styles. In stock, white cleaners in Bostock, Nugget and Pacific, also a line of gent’s greenhido working laces. Irvine’s Shoe Store. Otaki. —Advt.