HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8999, 12 November 1907, Page 3

HALCOMBE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The 6th instant was duly observed here, and "Guido" Fawkrs in offigy visited many households. I never saw the original nor bis photo, but can well understand Hint our artists l«y figure which I saw "staudiu' up all by his self was n gross libel upon tho appearance of that familiar Yorkshire tyke who conceived tho original plan of reforming tho Lords.'King, and Commons, by blowing tho lot sky high. On November sth, IGOS, Guv was discovered, match ia hand, ready to put his diabolical scheme in force. He was iirst tortured and then publicly executed on January iilst, 160 G. Judging * from tho facsimile of his hand-writing, G. F. was not an export caligraphist, but his attempt to sign his naiuo after his terrible torture resembles the meaudorings of a spider upon paper after it has been rescued from an inkwell. Though I have no sympathy with tho methods of such would-be reformers, tho appearance of those marks conjures up tho sickening horrors perpetrated for God and Justice in those bad old times. Six hours' steady rain on Sunday morning freshened tilings wonderfully, and tho late, sown crops will bo much benefited, while the growth of grass is such as to gladdon tho hearts of dairymen and farmers generally. Mr-.W. Gray, M.A., who is so well aud favourably known through this education district as recent Chief luspootor of our schools, when addressing the Presbyterian Assembly in Wellington on the. 7th instant said "the chargo had been made that they (our schools) were Godless and irreligious. That chargo was untenable and untrue; such was not tho fact. Had lie time he should enter a strong argument to show that a very largo element was contributed to tho religious upbringing* of the children of the Dominion by these so-called secular institutions " Such straight talk from au export of Mr Gray's kuowledgo and lengthened (21 years) experience should allay tho fears of those alarmists who recognise only one form and moans of imparting religious ius traction.

x\u interesting letter wo recoutly roceived from Mr Dick Thompson was written in Mr A. Williamson's London office. Both these esteemed correspondents are ox Halcombo storekeepers, and the lattor's late pen pictures of London parks and pleasure resorts make me long to look onco more upon England's beauty spots. Reading an artiulo in tlio last number of the Review of Reviews upon the history of tlio Australian country press development and protection, and which contains a long list of ahlo promoters and strenuous workers for reform, I was interested to find tlio photo and press record of Mr A. J. Fraser, a one-time visitor to Halcornbe, his sister, now Mrs W. Dompsey, being then resident lie re.

Of Mr Fraser, who is manager of tlio Press Association, with headquarters iu Syduoy, tlio author writes iu flattering terms, and concludes a review of his press career witli tlio statement that he is the best known and most popular pressrnau in Australia. Mr Fraser is a native of our Dominion, and was a protege of the late Mr Gillon, through whose assistance the youth's feet wore placed upon tlio first step of the ladder whero a young man of Mr Fraser\s ability and perseverance takes hold of himself and climbs the rest of the rungs. As a sou and a brother Mr Fraser was high in my esteem many years ago, hence my pleasure in his progress and interest in these press comments.

On bohalf of the Halcornbe iuvalid I acknowledge with thanks the reciept of a large parcel of stamps collected by Wairarapa sympathisers aud kindly forwarded by my old friend Mr A. McMinn.