LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4362, 19 January 1909, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr J. Salt, who has taken over the Manawaru Smithy, is a tradesman (if j wide experience, having had somo 25 years in connection with shoeing and smithy work. Doubtless Mr Salt will ' receive a fair share of public patronage, ) and his knowledge gained by practical experience, should stand him in good stead. Read his new advertisement in this issue.

Mr J. B. Starky, of Morrinsville, has generously donated a ten guinea cup for the Piako Mounted Rifles Mounted

Scouts’ Competition. The kindnoss of Mr Starkey is much appreciated, not only by members of the local corps, but by the whole regiment. Mr Starky is an old volunteer from the Canterbury district. The competition, which will be by fours, will take place in the vicinity of Te Aroha. The “ Coromandel News” of Friday last, has the following: -Mrs Hedge and family left for Te Aroha on Wednesday last, whither Mr Hedge preceded them about a fortnight ago. On Tuesday Mrs Hedge was the recipient of a mark of esteem from the choir of Christ Church (of which she has beeu a member for about 12 years) The presentation was made by the Vicar and was in the form of an Autograph Album, suitably ininscribed and containing the autographs of the members of the choir. Mr and Mrs W. E. Smith left for Te Aroha, yesterday, overland. Messrs Hedge and Smith have acquired a business at Te Aroha The Railway Department annouce extra express trains between Aucklai d and Thames. The Ohinemuri Horticultural Society’s Show takes place in the Criterion Theatre, Paeroa to-morrow (Wednesday). The bowling match, Thames versus Paeroa. played on the Thames green on Saturday, were closely contested. When all the cards were in it was found that the local players had secured a majority of five points. Mr B. Spitz, having sold out his stock, had to leave for Auckland by express to replenish his wares, and will re-open on Thursday with a complete new stock of drapery, etc. Mr F. H. Haselden, the Opposition candidate for the Thames seat, has commenced his campaign, and is meeting with every encouragement. A movement is on foot to hold the

weekly half-holiday on Saturday instead of Wednesday afternoons as at present. At the present time we are somewhat divided, several factories employing a good number of hands, take Saturday. On Sunday afternoon Messrs G. Bygrave and P. Collins discovered an old man named William Kirk, lying in the ti-lree alongside the road near the Waiorongomai Hotel. The old man, when found, was in a semi-unconscious state, and in a very emaciated condition, being only skin and bone He was carried into Mr Collins’ house and later on brought in to Te Aroha to the Grand Hotel. Dr. Axford considered the poor fellow was in a dying condition, and prescribed for him. He remained at the hotel Sunday night, Mr and Mrs McSweeney did all they could to make him comfortable. He was taken to the Thames Hospital by Constable Mackli yesterday morning, being conveyed to the station in the ambulance by Mr W. B .Maxwell. Kirk remembers eating a banana on Thursday, but everything since is a blank. Had he put in another night in the open, j the chances are he would have died.

Wise indeed are the resolutions adopted unanimously by the representatives of all the wholesale trade and nearly every member of the retail trade, in connection with the Auckland Brewers, Wine and Spirit Merchants Hnd Licensed Victuallers Association. We publish the resolutions elsewhere in this issue. . Their interests might also be assisted if they were more careful in their selection of workers during election time. There are some men who —by their everyday actions—do more harm than good to a cause.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Te Aroha A. and H. Society took place in the Secretary's offi'-e on Satur ■ day afternoon last. There was a very good atterdance, Mr J. B. Thomas (President) occupied the chair. A good deal of business and preliminary arrangements in connection with the approaching Show was transacted. Judging from the present outlook the show promises to eclipse its predecessors.

Mr Murphy is pushing along his Ken-rick-street bridge contract as quickly as possible under the circurrstances. In the construction of the bridge a certain amount of Australian hardwood is being used. Mr Murphy sent across the ocean and received the timber back, in good time. Contrast this with having to wait close on four months to get the locally grown article, totara, waiting for which means a loss of something like £2OO to Mr Murphy. Yet these same timber merchants are crying out for protection! Another attempt was made to wrest the Challenge Buckles from Messrs McGirr and McKee, but the holders easily defeated the challengers, Messrs Spooner and Salmon, the board showing 32—14.