HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8720, 21 January 1907, Page 3

HALCOMBE.

(Ffom Our Own Correspondent.) It was with regret I heard of the illness of Mr Callingbam, of Stanway, who, I am informed, has suffered much with a kidney trouble, and who on Friday last was removed for treatment {o a private hospital in Palmerston, »nd I hope soon to hear that the inevitable operation has been successfully performed, and that we may expect soon to tee him in robust health. On Wednesday last the members ot our Tennis Club and the children of the -Presbyterian Sunday School, topettier with their parents, teachers and friends, indulged in the pleasures of a combined picnic at the river side, ine special object of the racquetty contingent was to say au revoir to the popular members of the Miugaroa prune family, who this week leave for Cambridge, where the son and brother is recuperating, and where the family propose staying for the next twelve months, when their many Halcombe {riends hope they will all return much benefited by the change. I understand that during the absence of Mr Bruce the management of his farm will be in the capable hands of Mr Allen Hogg. - A meeting of our School Committee was held in Mr Pnrkiss’ office on Saturday. The Chairman stated that 40 new desks had arrived, and that the committee was charged with the carriage of same, and it was resolved that as the committee nas short of funds the Education Board be requested to refund amount paid. Headmaster Strnchan reported that £l- - the net result of the school concert, and it was felt that the thanks of the committee were especially due to Jliis Lynch, Miss Pleasants, their pupils, and all who assisted in producing such a satisfactory result. On the suggestion of Mr Strachan it was decided to spend the money on the purchase of new readers, book presents fur the scholars, and the school picnic, which will be held in the recreation grounds on the 28th instant, when besides the ordinary sports and juvenile junketing the books will be presented. The arrangements in connection with this annual function were [eft in the hards of Mr Stnftshan and the secretary (Mr Adam). _ Mr Otto Wisknowski, who had supplied gravel for school grounds to the value of 15s. declined to accept payment for same, t nd was cordially thanked for his generous donation to the evcrlimited funds at the command of th com oittee. A very marked change of temperature has taken place since my last letter. The heat of the preceding week was such that a fig leaf would have teen pronounced ample covering far 1 comfort; during the last four days an overcoat did not feel burdensome and Jres were needed for the full enjoyment ot the evening pipe and paper. As Staff Sergeant-Major Dovcy is due in camp on the Btli of February, !us inspection of our Rifle Club is pranged for the 27tk of that month at i p,m„ when all members are directed lo be on the range. As changes are Eminent and as the existence of the Club may depend on the muster, I rould urge all to obey this call to pms. A holiday tripper just returned from tbc West Coast told me that he was there introduced to a “white Chinasun.” The explanation that followed touched me on the sensitive and I pass it on with the hope that those who are Terry-fled by the predicted yellow flood may place it to the credit side of their tccount with John. When Long Tick fas storckeeping a wrecked worker, with, a sick wife and family, got into his debt to the depth of thirty pounds. i surfeit of such customers induced hong Tick to relinquish business and like on road-making. A joker who hew the circumstances, and also that the husband was in the hospital and the wife and family destitute, told the (i-storekeeper that the man had returned with “whips of money” and that now was the time for John to collect his “thirty quid.” The pick and shovel were laid aside and the creditor tramped many miles to the debtor’s diggings and there discovered that he had been hoaxed and that the woman md children were sick and starving. Then Long Tick retraced his steps a wiser and sadder man and the nest day he sent a cart loaded with provisions to relieve that sorely distressed family. When charged with this act by burly, bsarded and “ broken-up ” Britishers, Long Tick thus excused it. “ Missus ely, schelen cly, me cly, sish Lis-e-nies no bellv glood.” White! you say h Well, l am a race puritian down to my boots hut to that celestial I take 'off my hat and bowing say, “Put it there Long Tick —Heathen Chinee, Japanec, Soudanee —all the same to me. You’re the sort of yellow clay that makes the brick ”