THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 22 March 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

result of clearing up the town, and we hope the Board members will be prepared to assist their officers in seeing that Ibc by-laws are enforced. As a further result of the “Otaki Mail's-'-’ remarks, the town has been visited by

a prominent representative of tin Public Health Department, who. we understand, will put in a report to tin Board. It remains to be seen what suggestions this officer Ims to make, but let its hope that the publicity given to this matter will result, in an im-

; proveruent in the sanitary conditions of | the town, the enforcement of reasonaide condition? with respect to new buildings, and the demolition of unsightly “'hacks” that are an eyesore, and a real menace to the health of the town. Improved Telephone Facilities. The new underground telephone cable system now being installed in connection with the local telephone exchange will be sufficient to meet all likely requirements for a great many years, as the new pipes being laid are each capable ox carrying three hundred pairs of wires’. The present .-witch- ' board is full, and will not admit of ihc~ | addition of a numlrf-r of prospective I new subscribers, many of whom have 1 beu waiting some consideral.de time for j telephone connections. It. i~ under'stood that a new switchboard will be available almost immediately, and that other improvements will be made, thus making the local exchange right up to date, and capable of meeting the requirements ox the town and district for some time ahead. In these strenuous days, when time is so valuable, the telephone is looked upon as a necessity —not a luxury—and is just as necessary in the home and on the farm as in business premises. When the improvements in contemplation are completed a very considerable number of new subscribers will be added, and it i- practically certain that the telephone hours will then be extended. “He Laughs Best Who Laughs Last! ’ ’

Foxton people—at least a portion of them —are nearly tickled ro death over the latest development in connection with the Foxton school piano, which has agitated the minds of the residents of that peaceful town for many months past. It will be remembered that tbeFoxton School Committee purchased a second-hand German piano. .Some of the zealous patriot- of tho town raised n hubbub over the matter, reeling ran ’•'err high, and eventually th- a. - ;- r .g -trunttsi wa- hurled gv ".-ec-y xrctu the precincts o: the school. The matter engendered vea’ bltvrr.c-’-i among rod den■ - who were hitherto g:eat friend-, wagtrs were offered, the dispute *":t mane the burning question r ' the acir exciting electhiu of school tcsinlitees ever held it* the district, »sd tie serenity of tie town generally

was greatly disturbed. However, a brand-new “British” piano was secured, at aii expenditure of ninety sovereigns, t<i replace the wretched article “made in Germany,” and the loyalists of the'- town heaved a sigh of relief, feeling that the disgrace hitherto attaching to the community had been wiped out. Recently a Palmerston North pianoforte tuner went to Foxton, and when he opened up the elegant instrument. labelled on the frontispiece “Raymond, London,” discovered it stamped through and through with the inscription “Koehler, Berlin.” The news spread like wildfire, and is being greatly enjoyed—especially bv iho.se who were accused of disloyally during the recent dispute. We would suggest that the Foxton School Committee send the instrument to the destructor, and have a new all-British piano made to order in Britain, under the personal supervision of a representative of the committee! Paraparaumu Horticultural Show. During the . war period the Paraparaumu Horticultural and Industrial Society discontinued holding its shows. Now, however, the Society has been revived, ami will hold its Autumn Show at Paraparaumu on Wednesday next. This Society had a most successful commencement, its first few shows being most creditable, and we hope that Wednesday’s exhibition will be cptite up to its predecessors, and that

the public will accord their hearty support, both in competition and iu attendance. The Paraparaumu district is one that is admirably adapted for horticultural pursuits, liven now a great deal is done with flower, fruit and

vegetable growing, but. the industry is as yet in its in fancy, and, with proper care and attention, should develop into

a most important one, seeing ihc suitability of the soil and climate for the

growth of flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc., of all kinds, and the proximity of the Wellington market. Apart from the purely business aspect, horticulture is one of the linest and most fascinating of ail hobbies, ami deserves every encouragement. We hope residents of all parts of flic district, will rally round the Paraparaumu people, and help to make Wednesday’s show an unqualilied