THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1920. MAIL NOTICES.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 5 March 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1920. MAIL NOTICES.

A sitting of the Native Lund Court, which has been in progress since yesterday, hopes to finish to-day. Judge Gilfeddar is presiding. A bay mare and two geldings, now in the Otaki pound, will be sold on Monday, March 35th, at 12 noon, if not previously claimed.

A special meeting or' the Manakau branch of the Farmers' Union has been convened for Monday night next. As the business is important a full attendance is requested. At. the ordinary monthly meeting of the Otaki Volunteer Fire Brigade, to be held on Monday night next, the nomination of officers for the ensuing year will be reeoived. There should be a fuli attendance of members.

All members of the local Druid.-:' Icdlk should take notice of a .special stimaj'med meeting, advertised to be hC'S>lV*.n the 16th inst, to discuss the piop.Led increase in doctors' pence. Every member must attend the meeting.

Unfortunately a number of unscrupulous persons impose on the public by claiming to be returned soldiers, and securing assistance on the ground of alleged sickness or misfortune. One of these men passed through this district a few days ago, and made application to the County Patriotic Association for help. An enquiry from tin; secretary of that body brought: from the Taihape U.S.A. a telegraphed reply to the effect-that the man in question was on the "black list," and was an out-and-out impostor.

"What wo want in New Zealand arc more trees," said Mr E. S. Pees to a Palmerston "Times" reporter. That is what makes'England so beautiful. her wonderful trees. Not only should all the principal streets be planted, but there should be more abundant trees about the farms. In one town we visited a scheme had been inaugurated for the planting of a memorial avenue to the fallen soldiers. Each parent or relation prornissd a tree, and a plate at the toot recorded the soldier's name." Mr Pees considered that such a scheme might be successfully carried out in Palmerston Noith.

A public meeting has been convened by the secretaries of the Otaki Ratepayers' Association and the Peace Memorial Committee for Wednesday next, to receive the report of the latter (to the effect that the proposed municipal building scheme should be dropped, owing to lack of support), and to consider a new memorial scheme, emanating from the Ratepayers' Association, viz., the securing of a section of land in the town as a garden plot and rest place. As the matter is an important one, and it is most desirable that Otaki should do something worthy in this matter, a full and representative gathering is hoped for on Wedncsdajr bcxEj <g It does not appear to be generally known that there is a considerable amount of distress among the poor ol the city, and even in Otaki and district. Miss Simcox, who has always taken an active part in work among the poor, states that during a recent visiting tour of the poor q-uarters in "Wellington, she discovered that the poverty was quite appalling, and she has~"also ascertained that we have real poverty in our midst in Otaki—people who through iso fault of their own. ar« in very straightened circumstances. The epidemic carried off rsany breadwinners, and otherwise handicapped numerous families, while the frequent increases in the cost of living have pressed very severely on many. Fortunately, the great majority have enough and to spare., and for that reason we are confident that the.-? wiM gla'djy help their fellows who arc in v.-aiit. Elsewhere Mi>s Simeox stakes an appeal for old elothiag for gbor people in this district ind ia the city. ard we aie sere thai there will be as immediate £-d liberal lesposi-c. We iave jest landed a. tew Hjses of standardised boots.. Call ~ariy asrf secure a. pair. "'lrvine's Shoe Store,

During February rain fell in Foxton on eight days, with a total'fall of 3.90

inches. The maximum fall was on the ISth, when l.vOin fell.

It is reported that a perfect specimen of slate has been taken from an. extensive seam a few miles from Otaki. Experts say that it would make splendid roofing material.

It is reported that a Manawatu firm has bought out a butter factory near Dannevirkc and has guaranteed the suppliers 2s lid per lb for butter fat for ten years.

Men's and boys' clothes arc not so awfully dear as one would suppose. A glance at the sale prices advertised by Stiles and Matheson convinces us that just now one can be very well clad at small cost.

Notice is given by advertisement, that

all claims against the estate of tho late K. D. Harkuess, of To Horo, must be forwarded to Mr J. G. Uarkness, Wellington, on or before March loth, and all debts due thereto must be settled before March t-'lst.

At the last, meeting of the Foxton j State School Committee it was decided, < on the suggestion of the headmaster, to extend the luncheon recess from 12 noon to 1.15 p.m. The extra quarter of an hour will be added to the afternoon session. All interested are reminded that entries for tho Levin Horticultural Society's Show close, with flic secretary to-morrow (Saturday) at 8.30 p.m. We hope .1o sec the Otaki district well represented at the show, which takes place at the Century Hal!, Levin, on Tuesday and Wednesday next.

Chautauqua is now at Levin, and having a very successful session in a large marquee erected on the recreation ground. The general opinion is that tho talent of the performers is far scuperior to that which appeared at Levin last year. Splendid programmes Lave been presented, and the largo audience* have beeu delighted with the

Those who find difficulty to .secure coal ami firewood supplies will be in-terested-in the. Farmers' Co-op. Distributing Co.'s advertisement on our first page of this issue, in which they call attention to the blue flame kerosene stoves, which they have in stock. These stoves are easy to work, and give a maximum of heat on a* minimum consumption of kerosene. Tt is worth while enquiring re same.

A nearly new motor car was stolen at To Kuiti on Monday night. The c:it was parked with others outside Wirfh's Circus, and the magneto disconnected. The thieves evidently were experts, and connected up and got clear away. The owner, Mr Harrison, followed yesterday and traced the thieves to Ohura. The car was recovered at Matiere, and one of the two thieves

captured. A local settler «>' Wairoa county, when looking for limestone, found a large deposit, of calcium sulphate of gypsum. Several samples were nnalysd, and gave a return of 71.92 of sulphate. A plant, is to be put in almost immediately to work the deposit, for which there is a considerable demand. Probably a company will be formed. The find is within fifteen chains of a metalled road and accessible to motor traffic.

Sir William Frascr. Minister of Public Works, stated yesterday that he had arranged and given instructions that the wage* of the men employed on thfl Mnngahao hydro-electric works should be raised. The new raies would be l3i a day for men paid at shift rate-, and if the men would accept contract work the rates for the contracts would be computed on a basis of a daily wage.

The ranger of the Hutt County Council (Mr R. C. Dick) in applying for his expenses in cases 'in which he was concerned at' the S.M. Court at Otaki, was told by the magistrate that it would not be fair to grant them, and said if the Hutt Council allowed their ranger to reside at the Hutt he would grant no expenses, as it

was unfair to the defendants to have to pay for a man residing there. Mr Dick pointed out that he had to bring offenders to the nearest Court, but this appeal made no difference to the S.M., who considered Mr Dick's expenses should be paid by the Council out of fines imposed.

Although the cost of living fans increased, and the price of ales, wines.. and spirits gone np accordingly, Mr .1 H. Dudderidge, proprietor of the Faraisr Hotel, notifies elsewhere that he Ik- ■ decided to make no increase, in. charg '-, and that the best brands of liquor wilt be sold at old price.-, while speeh ' quotation? will be given for case r ts. All good- despatched from Otuki rill bo sent free to Ctaki railway. This -hotel now ranks as one of the 1 -t on the coast, and visitors to the township will receive attention at the hands of a capable staff. The Tariff is most reasonable, the cuisine is excellent, while the hotel is centrally siruaie£-

The price of new boots is prohibitive fn many families, and is consequence j ;it is advisable to have old boots re- - .paired. Take them to F. Barratt. who janaltes thern as new with the best of leather and workmanship. Don't delay, | send your boots and shoes at envi—F. \ Ea*r2tr, Denstan Street, Otaki Eafl- ' way.—Advt.