THE OTAKI MAIL. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1922. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, 8 November 1922, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1922. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The monthly meeting of the Otnki Borough Council takes place to-morrow night. An installation ceremony in connection with, the Masonic Lodge will be held this evening, and to-day visiting Masons indulged in bowling. Dr. Atmore has offered a lovely trophy for points prize for needlework at the coming flower show, while Mr E. Looser offers a valuable prize for the children. Both trophies are on view at Mr H. Cockrell’s shop. The Otaki bridge has been thoroughly inspected by the County engineer, Mr \V. X. Anderson, who report.- the structure to be in a very dangerous state, no less than forty planks being broken. Repair* *.re to be effected as soon as possible. Member- of the Otaki Bra." Band last Slight visited the residence of -Mr ■J. Fielding, who has been ill for some time, and played a number of selections. The music and thoughtfulness of members were fully appreciated. Horticulturists and lovers o: the beautiful in flowers who visited the Palmerston show this week were fortunate enough to see a rare specimen named the Bird of Paradise. The stalk of the flower is not unlike that of a ifly. and uses to a height of about 3ft (fin. The head or the stalk containing the Lloorn then tails ovet to almost right angles, and from it ’he flower burets lorth in the shape oi a beautiful bird about to take night. T:ucolouriag is in gorgeous and delicate tints that blended In perfect harmony and was greatly admired by ail who saw it. Since 1916 the production oi coal in New Zealand has shown a steady docline. For six years prior to that, the average yearly output was 2,145,507 tons, and the average importations 364.447 tons. Since that date, the average yearly production has fallen to 1,920,663 tons, a decrease of 224,884 tons, and the average . importations have risen to 147,433 tons—an increase of 82.956 tons. The figures for 1921 show production to have fallen to 1,809,095 tons, or 336,412 tons below the average for the six years prior to 1917. This is the lowest annual output since 1906. Importations for 1921 show the huge record of 822,459 tons.

A youthful Scottish townsman cf the little town of Darvel, Ayrshire, ; is well pleased about a hoax he per- , petrated in the district, which caused j a temporary stampede to a supposed | hidden treasure trove. It seems ihat a piece of paper was found containing- a message in faded writing to the effect that many years ago the writer had buried a hoard of gold near Darvel. The exact spot would be found indicated on a chart which, it was stated, was hidden in a cranny of an old bridge. Some young men found the chart, and soon a large crowd of men and women, armed with picks and shovels and other implements, were feverishly -digging in an old quarry near the town, this being tlie spot indicated on the chart. The work continued a whole day, but late in the evening, when excitement had reached a high pitch, the searchers received a message that the story of hidden treasure 'had originated with a hoy, who had prepared the papers, browned them before a fire to make

them look old. anti then hidden them. Summer is here again, and if you require a pair of white shoes, we have a large selection of tenuis, walking, bowling. or cricket boots and shoes at town prices. Try Irvine’s Shoe Store, Otaki. —-Advt. A roll of lino, is advertised as being lost. .Mr AAo H. Field. M.P., will address Munukiui electors to-night at 8 o'clock. A reminder is given of the prohibition meeting to be held in the theatre to-morrow night. Mr McClure will address the electors at Paraparatnnu to-morrow night, and the Te Horo electors on Friday. Members of the Te Horo-Otaki branch of the X.Z. Farmers’ Union are reminded of the meeting at Te lloro to-night. Messrs Bills and Moore advertise choice lines of hosiery and gloves tit tempting prices. A gent ’s bicycle is advertised for. Prime meat will be sold at the Otaki ]

11L5I J i ItIMUUJ IV" . 1 On account of the Levin races on Wednesday the next Otaki stock sale will be hold on Thursday. Kith. Mr C. I. Ha fitness, Independent Kefonn candidate, will address the electors of the Upper Hutt on Friday, and those at Muhunoa on Saturday. The Otaki Horticultural and Daffo- j dil Society'.-, spring show will be held on Tuesday, when it is expected there will lie a lovely display of dowers, etc. j Entries close on Monday. ! Messrs McDougall Bros., Ltd., are [ making a complete clearance of all I drapery stocks, and bargains arc plentiful. It is the firm’s intention to stock only grocery, crockery, and ironmoncrerv.