Local and General.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 11, 30 January 1906, Page 2

Local and General.

:o: Applications, to close at 5 p.m. on Monday next, are invited for the position of clerk to the Waipukurau Town Board. Particulars pertaining to the office may be had from Mr G. H. Graham, actingclerk. Mr C. H. Harris, photographer, will open studio in Waipukurau on Monday next, for two weeks only. Those requiring portraits should make early arrangements, to avoid disappointment. Mr Harris’ work is highly spoken of. The Town Board meets next Tuesday morning. It is expected the Road Board and Town Board will discuss matters with a view to adjustment. 2& We understand Mr Chambers has prepared plans for a new town hall at Takapau, under instructions from Mr Sidney Johnston. The hall will be commodious and up to date in every respect, and acetylene gas will be installed. The Australian bush fires are dying out.

The Ellwood Company performed to a fair house at Waipukurau on Saturday. The three children possess exceptional musical talent, and their playing and singing were greatly appreciated. Miss Ellwood’s singing gives promise of a bright future, though care will have to be taken that her voice be not over taxed and spoilt before it. “sets.” Master Ellwood’s violin solos showed the true artist; some difficult piec s were played, but there were over the heads of most listeners, who would have more appreciated less classical compositions. A number of animated pictures were shown, the humorous ones causing considerable laughter. “ I endeavoured one -night to make a speech without referring to the Premier, and it was like trying to make chicken broth without chicken. There was no substance in it. He is so iuterwined with our public life that you cannot deal with it without dealing with him.” —Mr Fisher, who is evidently coming round. The Hon James Carroll and some friends have been the guests of Mr de Pelichet, Muugatarata station, since Saturday. Mr Carroll went on to Wellington yesterday. The bachelors of Wanstead intend holding a ball on February s 16th. Mr W. De Lacey is secretary to the committee.

Government has acquired the Mangatoroto and Mangawhera estates, Auckland, containing 3500 acres, for close settlement. King Alfonso of Spain (says a cablegram from Paris) is at Biarritz visiting his intended bride, Princess Ena of Battenburg, niece of King Edward.

At a horse sale the other day a certain gentleman bought a certain horse, which he thought would be a good match for one he could buy in another township. And thither he went to procure the other half of the match. But he discovered that he had already got it at the sale. The speculator certainly struck a perfect match !

Messrs Dobson are about to build two residences on their property near the racecourse. Two or three more houses are contemplated in the same locality. The proposed Labour Parliament has been abandoned, and the conference of premiers is postponed till next year. Mr A. M. Brodie, the N.Z.F.U. vet., will visit Takapau on February 26 to 28, Waipukurau on March 1 and 2.

A lady upward of a hundred years old, from Ashley Clinton, is now staying in Waipukurau. Miss Lousley, of Balclutha, has been appointed an assistant teacher of cookery under the Hawke’s Bay Education Board.

While stepping off the train at Waipawa yesterday Mr E. Marsh dislocated an ankle. He will be laid up for a time. Mr A. Mclntosh has resigned his position as general manager of the Bank of New Zealand. Mr A. Michie has assumed the duties of ac tin g-gen eral in anage r. Recently one of the docks at the local railway station was sent away to be repaired. A new clock was returned in its place. A plague-infected rat has been caught in Sydney harbour. Maoris, especially the women, are proverbially fond of children, and, further, authorities tell us that Maoris can die at their own will if they make up their mind to do so. A native woman named Matiria Raroa, under arrest for alleged child-murder, died in the Napier hospital last week. The death was probably due to starvation through remorse. We have to acknowledge receipt of a tieket for the Woodville A. and P. Show ; Mr Rowe Fennell secretary. Record entries have been received.

Mr Fred Sutton, an old Hawke’s Bay settler, died last Friday, aged 70 vears.

While bathing near Sydney, a man named Dobson was seized by a shark and killed. The annual picnic of the Dannevirke, Weber, Ngapaerueu and Waitahora branches of the Farmers’ Union will beheld at Mangatoro on February 21st. Claims for a share in the bonus to public libraries should be sent in this month. The annual sheep returns show Hawke’s Bay at the head of the list of the colony with 1,012,311. Mr T. S. Williams, of Tuparoa, is the largest individual owner, the sheep on his two stations numbering nearly 90,000. “Dearest,” passionately exclaimed the visiting youth, “you have led me to ador —” “ Good,” interrupted a voice from the stairs in relieved tones. “Now, ,1 hope you’ll open it and go out.” The manager of the Fruitgrowers' Cooperative Society informs us (Bulletin) that sales have been effected in the Auck - land district amounting to £2668 for new season's packed fruit; this includes 10 tons of blach currants, which are sold a price that should return about 3d per lb to the supplier in cases on the wharf. Also, that the society can place 6 tons of gooseberries for members at Id on the wharf,