LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, 15 March 1922, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Palmerston North resident who erected a house two years ago at a cost of £IOOO, sold it recently for £I3OO.

Arrangements are well forward for the Catholic social on Friday evening, and a thoroughly enjoyable time is promised. • ..

-•The newly-formed Wanganui Kabbit Board has commenced operations, and has two gangs of men at work, one at Wangaeliu and the other at Turakina.

A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by Walter Adrian Langley, labourer, of Tokomaru. Among the principal unsecured creditors is the Otaki Dairy Company.

A meeting of members and all interested in the Old Boys' Football Club will be held in the Taiuui meeting house this (Wednesday) evening at S o 'clock.

The Otaki Band has been engaged to play at a big sports gathering at Plimmertun on Easter Monday. The Band’s services are also being sought to assist the Weraroa queen in Levin Mardi Gras on Friday evening next.

Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., informed a “Mail” representative during his visit here last week-end that the recent session of Parliament was a very strenuous one, and was as severe as any of the sessions during the war.

Wairarapa intends sending a strong combination lo the athletic meeting to be held at Otaki. Rose, the mile champion, expects to make the trip, while Hall hopes also to be present, but there is at present a doubt as to whether he can get away.

There is the keenest competition at the Wellington wool sales. Prices are on a par with February rates; if anything, a shade better. There is practically no super fine wools in the catalogues at the opening of the sales, so there is little or nothing for America, but Bradford and the Continent are active.

The Maori population of New Zealand is still growing, and, more significant still, the proportion of children among the Maoris is increasing. These facts arc shown clearly In the official returns of the census taken last year. The coloured people under the control of the New Zealand Government, in eluding Maoris, Cook Islanders and Samoans, now number 103,291.

It is stated that a youth who was before the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North recently is a clever female impersonator. Whilst awaiting sentence he often sang in a high falsetto voice, much to the amusement of the police. It is related that on one occasion he successfully impersonated a female domestic servant in a private household for about a week.

A blackfellovr named Frank .Solomon. employed a» a printer s devil at the Times Office. Darwin, was charged ot the local Police Court with wounding his lulira by spearing her in the stomach. The founded gin was unable to appear, and the case was adjourned. Accused is a son of King Solomon, the autocratic ruler of tin* Larmkca. Tribe, who was noted for his saute and gentlemanly conduct. Evidently his son flirt not follow suit.

Asked whether the tightness of money had resulted in more debt cases passing through his hands, a solicitor stated that he had not noticed any increase, but latterly the position had been the reverse. He attributed this to two factors, namely, that the slump had taught people to be much more economical. and had also taught retailers not to give so much credit. The manager of a Wanganui retail linn says that in his business they were now particularly careful as to the persons they allowed on their books.

The importance of having the teeth seen to and kept in good order cannot Jte overestimated. It has been said l>y those who know that no person can remain a good comet player unless he retains his natural teeth. Recently one of the most promising players' in New Zealand, who was much devoted to his art, had all ills hopes dashed to the ground because he was told that, through Inattention to simple measures of preservation, tlie whole of his teeth would have to be extracted to save him from continued 111-health. He stuck to his teeth as long as he could, and it was onlv when his health became very bad that he submitted to the doctors advice.

<iHadfield is a wonderful sculler,’ ’ .aid Mr Veiteh, M.P., of Wanganui, to “ .-Mail” representative during the former’» visit ’last week-end. Hadfield wu< not forced to show his' best form l in the championship race, and us. capable of much better things. He had .strict! down to Training again, and wa; certain to put up a great race against Faddon. Whichever way tne contest goes, Hadfield would not dis-

grace himself. Mr Veitch added that Xew Zealand had produced three worldwide champion scullers—a great achievement —and to maintain our pres-

tige he thought single scull racing should receive more encouragement, so that the sport would bg tifken up by mdre ftf the voang men than it was present. ‘ . _ Buy your boots in Otaki =a*e money/ Cents’ greenhide shooters, 295: strong working , boots. toe a ~ heel plates mailed), 24b, 27= M, 3pr, ladies’ glace court, to clear at 20s; p*f tent court, good fitting, 27s 6d: girls and boys-’ strong school boot:_ town prices: large tins poii'h- two for iri a Irvine’s Shoe Store, Otaki.—Advt-

Feed in the Wairarapa district at the present time is very plentiful, and the milk yield has proved a record.

A reminder is given of the meeting to bo held in the Council Chambers this evening to consider the formation of a Surf Club for Otaki.

A witness in the Ditrgaville Court said that he had never tasted whisky, but he had smelt it on the plaintiff. His Worship wanted to know how he know the smell of whisky, if he had never had anything to do with it.

A young man named George Dunn was arrested at Foxton ou Saturday, on a charge of theft and wilfully setting fire to Mr Perreau’s shop at the seaside on tile oth inst. Accused was remanded. > .

The trade slump has affected all and sundry, even the news vendor not escaping. One of the latter fraternity informed the “Mail” yesterday that business was fiat, stale and unprofitable. In the good days, it was not unusual for him to dispose of £1 worth of papers and magazines in half an hour ou a train, but a whole day ’s takings did not average that now, so that the commission on sales was pretty small.

The Otaki State School kindly supplies the following meterological notes for the mouth of February: There were only five days with rain during the month. The total for the month was .61 inches. The heaviest day's rain was .27 inches on the 27 th. Dry though the mouth was, it was not so dry as February, 1921, when only .34 inches fell. The average rainfall for February of the last IS years is 2.28 inches.

Music lovers in Otaki and district are being particularly well catered for in the special features for Saturday nights: Next Saturday Miss Averil Hope, a young soprano from Christchurch, will sing. During the war she gave her services constantly for the Bed Cross funds, etc., also for the soldiers in camps, hospitals, am] sanatori urns, where she was always hailed with delight. Mr Rac Crichton, an established favorite here, will sing such popular songs as “Mountains o’ Mowrne,” and “My Beautiful Hawaiian Love.”

Mr A. Billens, photographer, of Lo vin, secured a fine series of photo

graphs of Saturday’s swimming carnival at the Otaki beach. Orders for photographs may be left with Mr E. M. Mosley, Otaki, who will submit proofs to those interested.

Barratt’s for everything in the boot line. Only the best leather and best workmanship, no delay, lowest prices. Once tried, always tried.—F. Barratt. Duastan Street, Otaki Railway.—Advt.