PAHIATUA NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3074, 19 December 1908, Page 6

PAHIATUA NEWS.

(From Our Resident Reporter.)

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL TO MR J. C. COOPER. A DISTINCT SUCCESS. THE PAHIATUA SEAT. MR COOPttR WILL AGAIN OFFER HIMSELF, Friday. The complimentary social tendered to Mr J. C. Cooper last evening in the Drill Hall, was a huge success, over six hundred people from all parts of the district attending the function. The social consisted of vocal and musical items, short speeches, etc., the tollowing ladies and gentlemen taking part:—Songs —Mrs Osborne-TiJly, Misses Tuliock (2), Robins, Richardson, Burgess, and Messrs Gant, J. Sturton, F. G. Milne, Eccleton, J. J. Boagey and White-Scott. The Chairman asked that no encores be given owing to the lengthy programme, but the audience insisted on Mr Gant's return, and after loud applause of quite two minutes duration he again appeared. Miss All?n rendered a fine violin solo, and a violin duet by Miss Allen and Miss M. Malcolm •was well received, while Mr Johnson amused the gathering with a humorous recitation. About half way through the programme, the Mayor, who presided. staled that several gentlemen were present who wished to make a few remarks, and he a3ked them to be as brief as possible, and not to "deal in politics."

Mr Martin, tbe Opposition organiser, stated that the next best thing to winning a seat was to be able to take an honourable defeat, and this Mr Cooper had done. He was sorry he was not allowed to speak on politics, as he had put a wet towel round his head, and had drunk a strong cup of coffee so as to be able to speak on a few points that had been overlooked at the recent elec tion. He considered the Chairman had subjected him to the "gag" clause. However, be hoped' everyone would put political differences aside for the evening, and he sinbarely hoped they had not seen the last of Mr Cooper in politics. That gentleman had made quite a host of friends by the manner he had conducted his campaign, and ne wished to tender to Mr Cooper, on behalf of the Opposition Party, the sincere thanks f<w the good fight he had put up for their side. Mr Buick : M.P. for Palmerston North, said he was pleased to see so many ladies present, as it showed it was almost a certainty that Mr Cooper would be returned at the next election. He himself had stood and been beaten, and had had a taste of the S3cond ballot. He honestly thought his own committee, the hardest working in New Zealand, as there were more votes polled at the .second ballot than the first. He hoped they would organise at once if they wished to put Mr Cooper in the House three years hence. He believed he was the best hand in the North Island at .making short speeches, and he was giad the various speakers were limited to a few words. The Mayor (Mr Crewe) then asked Mr Cooper, on behalf of his committee and the Pahiatua and district supporters, to accept a purse of sovereigns as a mark of the esteem in which he was held.

Mr Cooper, on rising to return thanks, was received with applause. He said he could only say that ha would rather deliver a dozen political speeches than stand and thank the Chairman and all those present for their attendance this evening. Many were aware that the handsome gift was given him to help to pay his political expenses, and che sovereigns would very soon be in circulation. (Applause). He would like to say he had never received better treatment from a Chairman than from the present Chairman, in any of his travels through New Zealand, as Mr Crewe not only protected the speakers, but the people from the speakers. This was not the only political contest he had striven to win, having stood for th* Masterton seat, when he had the-misfortune to be on the losing side. Since the present election, people had said to hira,"lf you were only on our side, we would have put you in," (A Voice: "So we would") but he believed in sticking up for principle, and when he thought a thing was right he would stick to it hard and fast. (Applause). He would offer himself as a candidate at the next election, but they should select the very best man available, and when they got l.old of him, run him for all he was worth. He had no special claim on the people, and if a better man were selected, wouH do his utmost to help his return to Parliament. He wished to heartily thank his committee for the excellent ■work done during the last campaign, and one an all for the many kindjseßses shown to him. Telegrams from Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, and several M'a.P. were received, in which they regretted their inability to be present, and wished Mr Cooper eery fuccess. At the conclusion of the programme, as many as could be seated adjourned to the supper room, where

a most tempting supper had been laid out, Mesdames Bolton and J, Tuliock and the Misses Tuliock, Bolton, Arrow and Warren attending to the arrangements in the afternoon. Full justice was done to the repast

The Hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept going with merry vim until about 1 a.m. this morning, to music kindly supplied by Mrs T. Hubsand, the Misse* Allen, Warren, Tuliock and Mexted, and Mr Hutton, Mr J. W. Starton making a capital M.C. The accompaniments for the singers were played by Misses Allen and Burgess, and Messrs Haigh arid Ulrich.

The committee desire to thank the ladies and all others who helped to make the social undoubtedly the best Opposition function ever held in Pahiatua. A word of praise is also due to the secretary (Mr J. Brechin.)

THE AKITin COUNTY COUNCIL. A meeting of the Akitio County Council will be held at Pongaroa to-morrow (Saturday). There will be a deficit of two councillors owing to the S.M. Court's decision on the Pongaroa Riding. The S.M. -(Mr W. P. James) struck four names off the roll, that had been added in ink, after he had signed the roll, and an election for two councillors for the above Riding will be held on December 30th, 1908. Applications will also be dealt with for the position of Clerk (£l5O per year) and Overseer (£3OO per yearV. GENERAL ITEMS. A horse, attached to a gig belonging to Mr E. Whitcombe, bolted from Mr McCardle's butcher's shop yesterday afternoon to half-way up the Kaitawa Hill, but did not do any damage to the gig. The post card views of Pahiatua, tinselled by Mr Thomson, our local bookseller, are finding a ready sale. Mr Thompson, having run out ot several views, is arranging for turther supplies to be printed. The general prospect here for the Christmas season, from the storekeepers' point of view, is looking well, and some houses are already reporting good sales. A horse belonging to Mr Fred Wills fell down an old well this morning, a depth of about 16ft. Several willing hands, a strong rope, and block and tackle, soon had the animal above ground again. apparently none the worse for its mishap.

The Telephone Exchange will be open for the future between the hours of 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. There is a slight improvement in the condition of. Mr D. McGrath, who met with an accident the other day.

As an inducement to Pahiatua residents to buy their Christmas footwear from him. Mr J. R. Carpenter announces a special discount of from 15 to 20 per cent, for cash orders during the next week.