HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9423, 20 April 1909, Page 5

HALCOMBE.

From Our Own Correspondent.

It was a happy thought that prompted our school children to congratulate the Premier of the Dominion upon the offer of a Dreadnought for the defence of this and other lands of the Empire. The telegram was signed by Arthur Palenski, Herbert Heusen,. Annie Thomas, Bessie Maaagh, Lynn White. Cyril Bradbury, Ellen Heneen, Kate McSiioy and Maggie Adair, to which the Premier promptly replied;— “l am very pleased to receive your telegram and thank you all for your congratulations on the Government's offer of a battleship for the British Navy. Kindest wishes to yon all.” Mr George Heappy, who left us a few days, ago with the avowed intention of entering into an important contract, has now returned, accompanied by his selected partner to whom we tender a cordial weclome and wish her and her husband - all the goods the gods can provide to equip them for life’s great work, and continuous happiness. On Saturday night a considerate neighbour [kindly called to inform me that there was a Inaatio at large and when I reflected that I had been a prisoner for a week, I at once felt relieved.' Questions elicited the following facts. A man strange in ap-. pearance and manners had held up Mr W. Diffey, with his horse, cart and cans on the Mangaone-Makino Road and with book in hand" had forcibly urged their reformation and fervently prayed for the speedy salvation of- the whole outfit. The police were informed of the occurrence and are. I am told, of the opinion that this highway evangelist is the unfortunate escapee who is wanting and wanted. Our young ’men and maidens are indulging in pleasurable anticipations which will, no doubt, be realised on the 7th May, when they will be present at the Cricket Club’s social and dance.

Members and those who intend to become members of our Rifle Olnb will meet for practice at the range on the 24th inst., when I hope to see the 1 muster that will warrant the continuance of this useful institution. Judging by what I can learn of the situation I think that military training while being made compulsory will also be rendered less costly and much more interesting to members of Defence Rifle Clubs, It appears that the whole system of stationary target practice, which now prevails, will be altered to shooting at moving or stationary objects, amid changing scenes and under the conditions of actual fight. ■ Only those, I think, who were in touch with Victorian sport fifty years ago will be specially interested in the recent death of an old “bookie,” and to them such press notices as I have just seen of the man will convey no information as to his methods of making money during at least the early portion of his “successful business life.” So it was that when I read that he was rich, hospitable, generous, popular and always “paid up” I remembered the long ago, and how wealth seems always to lend a golden halo to the heads of all professions. I have no desire to speak ill of the dead, but in the interests of the living I wish to remove such adornments as are apt to attract the thoughtless and to show some of the things that should repel those young men who otherwise might be disposed to emulate such “successful men.” As stated in these “notices” this man was not a “lucky digger,” but he was a man of many ways, and was not to be beat, so he proposed to his mate that they should leave the duffer and work a golden claim in town during the Xmas holidays. , The tools needed for this purpose were packs of certain cards judiciously distributed, and which coaid be used by them as opportunity offered. The new claim panned out better than expected and the “mate” was more than satisfied With the first “wash up”, and knowing the dangerous nature' of the ground they were working chucked the job. But not so the “bold hero,” who. despite rumours of curious events went on his way to fame and fortune. Then it was said that certain horses and their owners were his puppets and that he was not a fit and proper person to be a member of the great J.O. From this was born that “Argue Scandal” and the Leviathan laughed and spouted and remained master of the deep black sea. That he also early graduated as a master of arts the following I think will show:—The Ovens district had developed a champion pedestrian, Melbourne’s best was matched against him. The budding big bookie was after the “boodle” and came up with the city contingent prepared to back the “cert” and break the bush banks. “Plank it down” said the country cousins, and “we’llcover it.” Sunday intervened before the great event. Our artist is not now so sure of the situation [so be goes to the home of the local “ped” for information, but he only asks for a drink. The runner’s sister treats the stranger with a choice of liquids, and he informs her that he has come from Melbourne to witness the muoh-talked-of contest and wonders who will win. The girl has not the slightest doubt her brother must win. He’s a wonder and can run rings round the fleetest footed man in all Australia. The visitor respectfully doubts the statement and oonfidentally tells the “townie’s” time. The enthusiastic bush maiden’s heart is touched and her tongue is let loose as she triumphantly declares that her brother can do the distances in ——, and with this information—the most reliable—and which I know was thns obtained the wily one departed. Smart? Well, yes, bat that’s hardly the name for such practices. Those who know of Dickens and what manner of man he was will appreciate this:—When Charles Dickens was in Washington he met one morning on the steps of the Capitol a young congressman from Tennessee whom the great novelist had offended by his bluntness. That morning Dickens was in great good humour. “I have,” said he, “found an almost exact counterpart of Little Nell.” “Little Nell who?” queried the Tennessean, Dickens looked him over from head to foot and from foot to head before he answered, “My Little Neil.” “Oh,” said the Tennessean, “I didn't know you had your daughter with yon.” “I am speaking of the Little Nell of my story, ‘The Old Curiosity Shop,’ sir,” retorted Dickens, flashing. “Oh!” said the imperturbable Tennessean, “you write novels, do you? Don’t you consider that >& rather trifling occupation for a grown-np man?”