HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9413, 6 April 1909, Page 8

HALCOMBE.

From Our Own Correspondent. It was with deep reg r pt we learned of the death of Mr A. G. Oarty, who was well known and much esteemed, in this district. Of delicate constitution, the deceased was possessing of a vigorous mind, which urged him to perform strenuous work. He was a man of broad views, and one who recognised the claims all have upon the Individual, and having a warm heart and generous disposition, he always strove faithfully to discharge what be considered his public and social duties. More of hia character are /needed in this and every country and his demise leaves ns perceptibly poorer in those attributes which build up communities and count for good. To those' more painfully bereaved we tender our Binoere|sympatby. The stormy state of the weather on Wednesday night adversely affected the attendance at the entertainment given in aid of our Literary and Debating Society. Those however, who risked a wetting, showed their appreciation of the various items that constituted an attractive programme, the concert portion of which consisted of pianp and violin duets contributed by the Christian Brothers, which were deservedly oncored, vocal duets, charmingly rendered by the Misses Oraine which werp also encored. The “True to Life?” songs by Mr Frank Pleasants met with the same battering reception. Miss McLennan favoured the audience with an artistically played piano solo. Miss Connie Morrison sang with her well known taste and ability. Mr J. Quarrie’s song was well received, and Mr Willoocks®won applause for the manner in which he recited a selection from Adam Lindsay Gordon’s poems. The accompanists were Miss Pleasants, Miss Morrison, and Mr Christian. The president ot the institution, when thanking the audience for their attendance and support, also warmly thanked the contributors, making special mention of the assistance recjeived from Misses Oraiue and- the Christian Bros., of Stan way. to whom the society was much indebted. He also directed attention to the fact that Halcombe was one of the very few centres in the Dominion in which it had • been gfouad possible to run a Literary and Society for a decade without a material break. The fame “Turn Him Out,” which concluded the entertainment was again well played, and was productive of mucb langhtqr, and the manner in which the characters were personated by this clever little company confirmed the first favourable impression of 'their histrionic abil i ry The adjourned meeting of our Do-

fence Rifle Club was held on Saturday night, Mr Buroham presiding. After expressing satisfaction with the Government proposed system of universal;military training and more liberal treatment and general encouragement of rifle clubs throughout the Dominion, it was resolved to open the shooting season ou the 34-th iusfe. Mr F. Pleasants was elected Club’s handicapper and Mr L. Pleasants armourer, the latter was also ; empowered to obtain the necessary material for targets and marksmen. After the practice meeting handicap competitions will be arranged for trophies, kindly presented by Messrs MoElroy and P. Pleasants. The Secretary stated that six young men had given in their names for election as members of the Olnb and he hoped that many others who aspired to become marksmen and defenders of their country would follow their good example. _ A meeting of the friends and political supporters of Mr O. O. Pleasants was also held on Saturday night. The convener, Mr John Morrison, occupied the chair, and expressed his appreciation of the strenuous though unsuccessful/ fights that the local and liberal'candidate had-engaged in at the last two elections, and considered that it would be a just and graceful aot for us to substantially recognise such efforts ou our behalf. Mr Buroham and others having warmly endorsed the obairma’s opinion, a committee consisting of all present was set up to can-' vass the district and forward the commendable object the meeting had in view. Tlje thanks of those present having been conveyed to the chairman, the meeting adjourned. Mr Silk, who with his wife, has jnst returned from a twelve months visit to the Motherland, tells me that the condition of things there among the working and unemployed classes is pitiable and beyond the conception of the otidnary Colonial who has been In contact with the well paid, well fed, self-respecting toilers of this country, and he is of opinion that drastic changes are imminent, as the masses are becoming conscious of their condition hud the power they possess to improve it. Some of the scenes of want, misery and general wretchedness he witnessed in Scotch closes and English, alums and which “ words failed to reproduce,” made me less proud of the land of my birth and more determined to do my little best to prevent the painting of such pictures upon this our country. At the International Aero Conference, recently held in London, the president, R. Wallace, K. 0., pointed ont that a law was necessary to give everyone a right to fly—-for at present, declared the King’s Counsel, no one has the right to fly across occupied laud. This being so—l would suggest that other acre owners together with myself remember when we notify the sporting public that “Any person without exception found with or without dog or gun, trespassing, etc., eto., should add—or flying over the same, will be brought to earth and their pin feathers pulled from their wings. On behalf of Mrs Haase I have to thank an unknown donor—(Marton) Miss Isola Goebel, Haloombe, and F. Mercer, Marton, for parcels of stamps received during last week. $