PALMERSTON NORTH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9121, 22 June 1908, Page 7

PALMERSTON NORTH.

MOTES AND COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent)

JUNE, 20. Being now practically in the middle of winter, naturally one expects things to bo a bit on the quiet side. Aa is to be expected, business is not quite so brisk, but I fancy when tradesmen come to compare the volume of trade with the first three weeks' of June uf last year, it will be found that even business is not so slack after all. Musically and socially we have had two quite notable events—the rendering of MendelsFOhn's famous Oratorio, "Elijah," and the arrival of His Excellency the Governor to take up his residence in Pnlmerston North. The Supreme Court concluded its sittings in Palmerston on Wednesday. One coincidence struck me, and that was that two newspaper men were in trouble. It is seldom that we get two libel actions on at the same time. The law of .ibel is such that editors are particularly careful", and it is quite a rave occurrence to see a scribe rrjulcted in damages. In the .present cases, Mr Hoben came oil' the fit Id with flying colours, while Mr J. K. Hornblow, of the Foxton Herald," settled the charge brought agii: a: him by a Mr Hamer, of the same town, out of Court. • The storm in the football world of Munawatu has subsided and the matter of the rent for the Showgrounds for the English match en July Bth ha 3 been settled—i erh ps n>t alUgether to the satisfaction of the Kug- [ by Unionists, but certainly to tie gratification of all level-headed business men. The majority of residents interested blamed the A. and P. Association for making what was deemed an extortionate charge for the use of its ground, but when the f : u:ts were placed before it the Committea unhesitatingly came to the terms offered by the New Zealand Rugby Union. Then the Management Committee, instead of at once closing with the A. aid P. Association, it made an attempt to have the game played elsewhere. But, luckily, the New Zealand Rugby Union, to which the matter was referred, had men with business acumen at its head, .'ind the match is to be played at Pdlmcrston North. The Oratorio, "Elijah," was produced here on Wednesday List. The Opera House was packed, onfy standing room being obtninablu down snirs, and as the charges ranged twin 10s down to 2a, the Hospital, j for which the entertainment web given, should benefit considerably, j It is anticipated to the extent <f \ over £2OO. Among the audience j there were visitors from all over the | district, even from £0 far away i s Wairjirana. Speaking Eu a visitor j from this latter district—a gentleiran | whose musical opinion is worth a g< od I dual—he'told me that he liadhetrd "Elijuh" rendered in Wellington and Chi'istchurch, and ho had no hesitation in sayiim that the Palmertton production was much the belter cf | the three. j The National Dairy Show, whL'h ■ will open on Tuesday next—the cpsnirg csremonv is to be performed by Hia Excellency the Goverror, at 12 noon—is'naturally attracting a great deal of attention. The total entries in the various divisions show a substantial increase on previous year.*, and the whole of the extensive buildings will be filled. Since last Show five thousand square feet of space have been added to the exhibition hall to accommodate the poultry, but such a large number of entiers have been received for this section that more space will Le reqiured.