THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 20 February 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Council of the Rifle Associations of Australia has cabled an invitation to a British team to visit the Commonwealth this year.

The number of private motor cars on the Masterton Showgrounds on Wednesday was 740. This was twenty more than last year.

A daring theft has occurred at Paddingtorj (Loudon) railway station. A jeweller's traveller put down a handbag containing iT'j'iO worth of jewels in order to pay for his ticket. When he looked down he found that an empty bag had been substituted. There in vv flue to the robber. •

The "exhibits" produce) at the Palnicrston Supreme Court included a number of pieces oPpork from Ofaki, and although they hud been dried by some process,, they were not of a particularly .sweet smelling character, and were removed from the Court between times they ■were produced for identification by witnesses.

.Some idea'of the big pro/its that arc being .made by British cotton companies at the present time is conveyed by the recommendation of the directors

of the Fern Spinning <'o.. Shaw, near Oldham, to pay a final dividend of 3'Js per share and a bonus oi' £ls per share, making £lB for the half-year, equal to IfJU per cent per annum and absorbing ns.ooo. . 0..

.Sir Walter Buchanan, M.L.C., stated in the course of a speech in Masterton that the interests of the fanners were not always identical with those of the meat freezing companies. He mentioned that some of the shareholders in these companies also held shares in the shipping combinations. The "Bangitikei Advocate" is informed that the Glen Murray sheep station, comprising some 5000 acres. has recently changed hands. The transaction was on a cash basis, the price, including stock, being in the vicinity of £70,000. The purchasers are wellknown Taranaki sheep farmers'.

A Keform party gathering was held at Petone on Tuesday evening for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr E. P. Bishwortb, who contested the seat for the party at the last election.

Mr H. Baldwin presided, and the Prime; Minister (Eight Hon. W. F. Massey), Hon. Sir William Herries, and Eo2< TV, Nosworthy were present. Mr Masses; presented Mr and Mrs Risliwotta. with.

a tea service and Mr Eishwortli with a wallet. On his own and Mrs Bishwortb "s behalf Mr Bis&wortfc thanked, those who had honoured them. Sneaking at a reception Itl Perth

i W.A.). General Sir William Birdwood expressed his amazement at the Australian .soldiers' wonderful command of language (says the Sydney '•'Sun"). He had had one exceptional opportunity, he said, of learning for himself something of the Diggers' capacity in that regard. It was on a cold day in winter, and it was his custom to keep himself warm by running from battery to battery or from battalion to battalion. He m«i a soldier, who said. ,; lt is pretty cold.,sir," to which he re-plied, "Yes. bat the best way to ge* warm a CO run.'2 He set off. and the soldier ran alongside. After about a couple of hundred yards the man-raid: "When do we act sir''' •''Bum! I did not say ram; I ss ; -<l ! run!" exclaimed the "general ThSt ssttled'jhe soldier. an&'et once identified him a: an Aussie. The' g-enersl heard z wonderful ftorr *£ laaguage

We remind our readers of the sale of household furniture, etc., to be held on behalf of Mrs Huthwaite at bur residence, Waercngu road, to-morrow. An advertisement giving full particulars appears elsewhere.

The Levin Borough Council has been informed that an electric .Harm installation will be put in at the Bath street railway crossing. This was the scene a few weeks ago-of a very narrow escape from a collision between a train and a motor ear.

A clearing sale of household furniture, all in splendid condition, will bo held on behalf of Mr YV. Tompsitt (who shortly leaves to take up residence in Wellington) on Saturday, March 6th.

The state schools in tiu; district reopened yesterday, when the attendances, on the whole, were satisfactory. At the local school Miss Lambert litis filled the vacancy caused by the transfer of Miss .LJurbiish. Miss Wehipeihana, of Ohuu, is on the stall as a probationer.

A very painful accident occurred ] to Mr B. D. Harkness, of Te Horo, yes- j terday. He was unloading wood when \ he slipped from the cart and dislodged ! a piece, which fell on one of his feet. 1 severely injuring it. He was brought to Otaki for medical treatment, and is now reported to be doing well, although ! the injury, naturally, is very painful. i

Some big laud deals have recently taken place in To Awumutu district. Mr IT. Strawbridge's farm at liairini has been sold to Mr Harrison, of FeUding, fur a price in the neighbourhood of £25,000, and Messrs Gould and Ham's farm at the Kawa has been disposed of to Mr Mournd, of Palmerston North, for " a sum approximating £2S,OUO.

When called to serve on the common jury at the Supremo Court at Pulmerston North, Samuel George Fcclc failed to answer to his name, and Mr Justice Hosking intimated Ihat he would impose a lino of £2 L'< unless cause to the contrary was shown. Subsequently Mr Feek appeared at the Court, and on tendering a satisfactory excuse his line was remitted.

"That arrangements in connect ion with tho Prince of Wales,, so far as they concern the schools, be left in tho hands of the executive in conference! with tho chairman and secretary of the School Committees' Association, ami of the Headmasters' Association,"! was the wording of a. resolution' adopted on .Wednesday by the Board of Education.

At. the request of ;: Palnicmotv North committee a census uas laUen throughout the City of Auckland on a recent. Sunday to ascertain the total number of persons who attended the churches of all denomination*, and the number who took part in the harbour and seaside excursions. The churches claimed 17. pet cent of the population; but the diiy being very aine, the ecaside called L'S per cent. In the course of a statement to a "Poverty Bay Herald" representative concerning the frozen meat trade. .Mr Sliunat» -aid In considered the position most iin.-uti-fnctory, ami thttt. Mr Massey v.:i- far too optimistic with regard to the shipping facilities lie pointed out that Whnkntanc and Toko< man: Bay work- ha I been allocated (•nly one boat t,j Joed this month, lifting lOjWl'.i carcases each, uol more than a week or ten day,' work. The correspondent of ihr London "Times'" at Paris, conlirins the possibility of u revival of the- crinoline, which will bo include.l in the spring dress parades of leading fashion hou>es, with other amazing and ecccntri<; garments, such as Turki.-b trousered evening gown- and gown-- of Chiue.-e lacquer design. 'XT- majority of evening gowns, however, will be distinctly Greek in line :md drapery -kirts will be and tighter than •'At Vi o'clock in the morning taey the Arbitration Court. Wellington, referring to waitresses' tea room privileges at tho U.I.C. "A: U.*> they have a second raoraing tea, because their dinner is late. At - p.m. they get a big dinner. Afternoon tea B. at 3.3'J or thereabouts, and at -j o'clock, they have tea, of cold meat, salad, et.-. The place close-: at 5.30 o'clock." "They laust spend most of tieir time at meals." remarked llir: Honor Mr JusUco Stringer. i hear that a very attractive colour scheme has been worked out for tho.-.e o: our warships which are to serve oa foreign stations, says "Clnbrnaa 3 ' in :;•■ "Ball Mail Gazette." The sloops oi duty in China and New Zealand arc !■• be painted white, with grey upper . v. rks, as tire the light cruiser- oa the C ; na station, serving la the K --. Indies and lied Sea are to be p: inted white,; with primrose-yellow funnels, masts, and yard-. A more prosaic garb Is oruere-i for similar \ Niseis on the North Amcrko, We-tladiis, and African station.-, which are U be painted grey ail over. The shooting season bids fair to be. good this year. Tho season will Open on April "Br, the TLar-lsy U-fora Easter, and Will tloss or: May ZUI. The Xauiereinkati County, which has been closed for raany years, iviil tie reopened for the taking ol ,; - ■■' ::;; " Y' 2txT - For the deer (SaiAer; stalking season HorowLecua has ':■•'?- added to '■ . •: list oi counties in which Sambsii deer may be taken. The garae iboorisg ,-ea-o-! will open on -May Bt. closing on I. July 31st. Th« imported z* .- only ;o j hr- saken under v Hen -•• '-■-'.■ ■'■•■■ eotfc j pheasants, hares. Cal't-Titiaii :•.,■: Aits- , Iralbia ij-jaii. while tie :■•' •• gam:; izz teaae 'czrits-z.:'.-''- t.-j say rnrcc-t Ijcni-the-niakers, ■ With hi b-r >.:■:■ h xn£&> he will be able to re: >il ali list? - xvinc'i cioi StOie. Otall—Advt. <,

The new State school building at Foxfon is expected to be ready for occupation in about two weeks' time. The cause of delay has been the shortage of timber. The light-lingered gentry of Foxton have paid frequent visits to the school gardens. The name of the hist visitor, however, has been secured, and a court case will result.

The annual meeting of the Otaki Bulb Society will be held in the library on Tuesday cvning next at S o'clock, when the annual report, etc.. will be read, and officers elected. It is hoped till interested in bulb culture will attend.

The summer sale at Messrs. Stiles tied Matheson's, Ltd., Levin store provides a splendid saving opportunity. Bargain lines arc advertised in blouses and millinery.

The body found in the Manawafu river on Sunday has been identified as that of William Henry Goodall, a sun of Mr T. Goodall, 84, Peterborough street. Christchurch. Deceased was a returned soldier front the Australian Forces, and was about .'C> years of age. He disappeared a ntoiith ago.

The summer has been an exceedingly dry one in the Hawke's Hay district, and feed is very scarce jn nearly every part of the province. In that extensive piece of country between Takupau and Waipukurau the paddocks are practically bare, and stock is almost starving. Around Hastings light rains a tew weeks ago relieved the situation somewhat, but still rain is wanted very badly, or stock owners will suffer very severely.

The Auckland papers are growing critical. The. "Herald" says: "Sir William Berries has deserved well of his party and his country, lie would do well to be content with flic honour which has been conferred upon him by the Crown and to join his colleague, sir William Fraser, in retiring from office." The "Star" asks: "Is it necessary thai the man to whom tho country looks to reform the Public Works system should be 'an experienced Minister ' 11:1 ;t-t who i- Caere suitable in the present Cabinet? Sir William Fraser and Sir.lames Allen are ruled out, and Sir William Tlorries is impossible. Sir Cram-is |., H j. s aide, but unsuitable; Mr Guthrie, litis not had a great deal of experience, and does not seem to have the ucess.iry (pialilications; and could anybody seriously suggest Dr. J'liinare.' The only other Minister with experience is Mr Massey. and we hope he is not thinking of i,iking over the Department even temporarily." A correspondent signing himself "Keep Vour Hair On," writes as follows to the ".New Zealand Time,-" em the subject of tho increased price in the. cost of haircutting: "Plainly the hairdressers and tobacconists of Wellington have taken a leaf from the book of the lobacco manufacturers, who set them a good example recently by further increasing the price of lobac-o. The public has :. remedy in the matter

..; higher prices foi tobi o, and that lion) Uespe--tal.de foi II loot- . . me . Tifavouiiildy when I suggest '■■ th. i,i to j.rote-! against th" action of hairdressers |,y lelting then hair grov . JJut why not.' How pic.ture..<pje we would ail look with i'.ck- flov.ing gracefully over collars and down our buck-, and how blank the hairdresser, would

look. For Hi.- main r of Ihai our beard's grow al-<>, and then we can dis,,,nse with tie,." Messrs Foid and Price, who l.a .0 taken over the motor and engineering iii-ine-s -o succc.--d'ully carried on for many year- by Mr N'. C. HoMauay in Levin, are both returned men with i' tench experience, -Mr Ford being at one t tin:'.' ehief motor mechanic in one of } the large branches of the navy. He ■ was also for many year-, with the wellknown firm of Anderson's, Ltd., oi ' Christchurch. while Mr Price ha- been in Levin for some considerable time | during which he has done valuable ' work. Their works arc thoroughly uj fo date, a large Stall of compcten! workmen arc engaged, and ail work turned out is guaranteed. Messrs Ford and Price are also agents for the famous Hupmobile, Overland, Hudson, and Esses cars, and stock various accessories of the latest patter:-, including an air-pump of approved design. The firm are also specialists in d^ry In reply to the resolution demanding the release of Alice Parkinson, the Minister for Justice (the Hon. J. G. Conies) ha-; written as follows■:—"I .beg to acknowledge the receipt of yonr letter of the sth inst., in reference to ! tho proposal to petition Hi-s Boys! J Highness the Prince of Wales in referfence to the release of Alice Parkinson. In reply I have to inform you that I am unable to depart from the decision ' of zr.y predecessors in office, that there are no grounds to v.;.rra;.i a reeon - nsendation being forwarded to tli= F-x----te-llency the Governor-General for Parkinson's discharge from prison. While I cannot se*j my ivay to recommend His JEicellecey 'the Governor-General to grant Parkinson a full and fi;-al di«- { session, to introduce legislation that, if passed, will allow this tad similar eases to be plapd under the jurisdiction of the Prisons Board. The question of relea=lng upon prob*tios pri- « fi/ai.-- sitoawd as Parkinson is will then be considered by the board, who will have full pov •■: > < adjttdifaie upon x \ f, . ..r... r ~...; r ,..... : i .--..: His Lx<-el- j :...,.-. ,j.... i,,,.,,. t ■_,, T -iWi,-r-i\ to release J tfera on probation , they dc«n -..<}■ j actio* advisable." The price of ;.-- h&si h prohibitive , -•.---.- z-.:"::'a' - - and in consequence ' ••v ; - : \:;;:z::,:\ ,ay.—Adyfc

Air G. Anderson will hold u clearing sale of furniture, etc., ou behalf of Mr John Maekie, of Kangiuru, on Wednesday next. Paritculars are advertised.

"I occasionally bathe my gums," stud an accused at the Supreme, Court. He immediately followed up with the explanation that the expression meant that he "occasionally had a spot."

*• Messrs Parker and Vincent, Levin, have a buyer for a section of land at Otaki, preferably near tho beach, with or without a house. Send fullest particuiars to Parker and Vincent, Levin.*

V town house without u chimney exists in Whangarei, gas and electricity supplying tho household needs iu the way of lighting, cooking and heating. A similar dwelling is in the course of erection.

The Taihupc correspondent of the

" Wangamti Chronicle" states that the Board of Trade has been holding an inquiry into tho reason for the recent rise in the price of bread, and the local bakers have been called upon h> show cause why the increase was made.

Messrs Bills and Moore have a fine display of summer dress fabrics, at prices that defy competition. The quality is of the best, and intending purchasers should call early and secure the pick.

A Taranaki settler states that a private syndicate with a capital of fclu.OOfJ is extensively assisting small -et tiers to go into milking near Unworn. Their operations tire extending rapidly, and the locality is benefitting by the facilities they are offering.

A. rather disturbing state of affairs was revealed at Hie last meeting of the Levin Borough Council, when it was reported that the coal stocks at the gasworks had got so low through the present dislocation of supplies that it had been necessary to borrow two dray loads from a. local dealer to keep the (own alight. Fortunately for the Council a truck of coal bound for Wai-

t>awa had to be cut off in Levin owing fu a hot box, and the town clerk with

tt keen eye to the main chance got in touch with the Westport Company with the result that the consignment found a resting place at (lie local gasworks. The outlook is a little brighter now ns regards further supplies, but Levin had .1 narrow squeak.

A somewhat sensational occurrence ■is reported from Greytown on Wednesday night, involving the death of a man named Thomas Maxwell Mcintosh, v. ho is well known in Masterton. It appears that Mcintosh went t 0 the township nl 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening and engaged a room at the Club Hotel. He retired to bed, apparently in good health and spirits. At 1.30 o'clock yesterday morning the inmates of the hotel were alarmed by cries for help, and Mcintosh was found on tho pavement in front of the building in

Brent pain, suffering from injuries apnarenfly su-taincd from a fall from -'•mo height. |i ;., surmised that the onforltiiiate man fell from hi. bedroom indue, while iu a state of somnam-l-olism. He was immediately conveyed " Gr-yt'jwn Hospital, where al! was dune that was possible to relieve him, but he tMVMfcI away during the day.