THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1922. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, 27 February 1922, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1922. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Wanganui police received news on Suiurday that the wbare of a Maori named Hnulapa at Taringametu, 1-J miles from Taumarunui, had been entered and a safe broken into some time tween Inst Monday and Thursday. The sum of £ISOO is alleged to have been stolen, the money including £l-3 in sovereigns. £4O in silver, and the balance in notes. Iw is not generally known that a rooster can swim (says the Foxtotr Herald), but several people in the vicinity of the wharf the other day were surprised vo see a young eoekrel giving a demonstration of his _ aquatic powers. The rooster had come across the river from the other side, probably to answer a challenge, or to settle in a new harem.

An indication of the way in which some young fellows have been hit by the slump, was given in a letter received by a Waikato local body. The writers stated that through inability to pay interest, -rates, etc., they had been obliged to leave their farm near Te Rami. They held a sale, however, which did nor realise the full amount of the bill of sale. Two .lays later they walked off the place leaving between £I2OO and £I6OO behind, every penny of which they h.-.d put into the

"We have received from the publish ers. through Messrs Cordon and Crotch copies of the Grand anS Yellow Mags zincs and Weldon's Journal and Chii

dren'a Dress, the two latter being well-known fashion publications. The Grand and Yellow Magazines.. a_s usual, contain a fine selection of reading matter by some of the best-known writers of the day. and will be found full of intere«t. The fashion journals, which contain a number of useful patterns. find a place :u every household, and the latest numbers show that they are more replete and up-to-date than ever. Hoots and shoes will b«s mceh cheaper ia Oraki this year at Irvine's. We ■trill be able to give you a better selection. ax£ maxry liiie« sat less than iowa prices. Try our sandals, cheape«t and best. Polish, two tins Is, at Irvine'£ Shoe Store, Otaki, — A<lvt,

A former postman of Patea was fined £2 and costs at Wanganui on Friday for failing to deliver a letter addressed to a resident:

It is reported (says an exchange) that the New Zealand Government has sold a large quantity of wheat to Japan at 5s Id per bushel.

There were, approximately. lo'OO bales of tow, hemp and wool in the sheds of Messrs Levin and Co., at Foxton, which were destroyed by fire on Thursday morning.

Light vain showers were general along the Coast, districts yesterday afternoon, and between 2 and 3 o'clock Otaki experienced quite a refreshing fall.

To facilitate stocktaking Harold Cockrell's premises will be closed all day on Wednesday, March .Ist, and orders wanted for that date should be placed previously.

In the course of his summing up in a motor collision case heard at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, Mr Justice Chapman remarked that he had tried more than thirty collision cases. Cases 'of this class, he said, occurred too often.

Considerable excitement lias been created by the reported discovery of a rich find of platinum in the I'ukemaori district, which lies in the neighbourhood of Tautapere, in Southland. It is slated that an old European prospector and ;i Chinaman have been gelting the metal in payable quantities for some time past, but recently they struck a pocket representing un-dreamt-of wealth.

A motor-car which started off on its own account while standing outside an hotel at Cambridge tlie other night, through the brakes not having caught, careered down and across the main street. The car then collided with the verandah supports of a butcher's shop, tearing the pole* out of the ground i» spite of their concrete foundations. The car, which strangely enough was little damaged, narrowly missed two pedestrians.

At the annual meeting and social of the Otaki Band on Thursday evening last, the bandmaster. Mr (Jliku Hap - -la. remarked that the band which 1..' teok from Otaki to the Cbristehureb contest in 1901 comprised 3H members. and the Woolstoii Band at the same contest had 42 p layers. Otaki won the quickstep competition, and was regarded as one of the three best bands at the contest. Mr Hapela added thai he was not afraid to have taken that band anywhere, as he knew what they could do.

A Public Service regulation invite* officers to submit suggestions having tor thoir object improvements in the methods of work which will tend to increased efficiency and economy." Mates the report of the Public Service Commissioner. "During the past year very few suggestions of practical value have been received. It is somewhat surprising in a permanent stall' of over 7Uo<i officers that during the past year unsy two suggestions (both from the Printing and Stationery Department) were received by the Commissioner which were considered worthy of adoption. Of the number of suggestions received, a large proportion, though of merit, and in some eases quite ingenious, were found quite impracticable. It i» fieli 'list in some case.- officfirs d«~ fer in»tkiug suggestions in vie.w ot the possible unfavourable view likely to be taken of same by their controlling officers, particularly in those cases where the suggestions are in the nature of improved or more economical or efficient working of departments. Ev-

ery encouragement, however, is given l.v tin.' Commissioner to suggestions of

merit, and those which will prove of benefit in improved organisation or cffieieticy will be specially noted for consideration when promotion is offering."

A Lanze separator, practically new is advertised for sale.

A competent person is prepared to undertake housework of any description by the dav or week.

The Borough Council is inviting ap plication.- for the position of lam]. lighter, ranger end sexton.

Barrett's far everything in the bott line. Only the best leather and best workmanshipj no delay, lowest prices. Once tried, always tried. —F. Barratt, Duostan Street, 6taki Railway.—Advt.