Local and General.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 24, 9 March 1906, Page 2

Local and General.

:0: At the mart to-morrow Mackay and Co. sell furniture, sundries, etc. The firm also holds an unreserved sale ol new -English bicycles. Licensing election nonces appeal* m our advertising columns. Mr C. W. Mitchell advertises a coal and wood yard to let. In our advertising columns Mr C. W. Seymour has something important to say about bicycles. He is agent for various makes, and guarantees good value. New and second-hand watches and jewellery will be sold by Mackay & Co. to-morrow, at the mart. Mr P. Barrie, of Waipukurau store, has just concluded a successful clearing sale, and is now opening new autumn and winter drapery and clothing.

Licensing elections take place on Tuesday next. The Parliamentary electoral roll will be the basis for voting. Among the ten gentlemen nominated for Waipawa district is Mr C. C. Smith, son of the Hon. W. C. Smith, M.L.C., who stands as an independent candidate. He was no'ninated by three Waipukurau electors.

At the forthcoming New Zealand Exhibition, it is proposed to erect a building in which the various arts and customs of the Maoris shall be illustrated, and to obtain from the North Island fifteen Maori men and ten women, all expert in different branches of old arts, to afford illustrations. A small fortified pa will also be built. Poi and haka dances will be given by natives of those tribes which are most proficient. [Why don’t they resuscitate the cannibalistic art, and give ’em somebody to eat ? Phis would astonish the new-chum more than anything.] On Wednesday a child of Mr J. Nelson fell into a bath of hot water, and was rather severely scalded. Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes intends to stay a few days with the Governor at Takapau. The Wairarapa Times understands that, subject to a suitable income to Miss Levin, whose long services to the Wangaimoana household are well known, the estate of the late Mr John Purvis Russell is devised to a niece. Mrs H. Gaisford, of Orinni It will be administered by the Public Trustee.

The addition to Mr G. Lomas’ establishment, in the shape of a large and well-lighted vehicle showroom; is now complete. Mr J. Winlove was the contractor. A number of vehicles are on view, Mr Lomas being agent for a large manufacturing firm.

At the Town Board meeting a hearty laugh was raised at the expense of the worthy chairman. When considering the stray stock question, among other entries in the poundkeeper’s book the chairman read—“ One red cow ; owner, W. A. Chambers.” “These people ought to be prosecuted,” said he. The Duke of York’s reception on arriving in New Zealand was a tame affair compared with the greeting accorded the N.Z. football team at Auckland on Tuesday. Twentytwo of the team returned by the ’Frisco mail steamer Sonoma, aud Auckland turned out to welcome them. After landing a number of speeches were made, among the speakers being the Premier and the Mayor of Auckland. In the evening a banquet was tendered the team. The whole proceedings were very enthusiastic. Mr Booth’s factory has just turned out a rather unique vehicle, to the order of Mr Beddingfield, of Matarnau. It is a four-wheeled expressed, with adjustable cover, and may be used as a milk and firewood cart, a butcher’s cart, and a family carriage.

In anticipation of her marriage with the King of Spain, Princess Ena of Batteuburg has been baptised in the Catholic faith.

We have to acknowledge receipt of tickets for Wallingford and Waipawa sports and Dannevirke and Waipawa races.

The pushing on of the service road from the Main Trunk railway works (north end) to Makatote, in order to convey thither the viaduct material, and the putting in hand of a middle section near Raetihi, have had the effect of establishing service road connection over a great portion of the ninety-mile gap between the railheads north and south. It is expected that by November there will be service road communication right through, and that coaches will be able to convey passengers over the gap. It is understood Mr L. Sharpin is returning to the local post office to resume duty. Apparently It was found he already knew All they can teach at Oamaru. The first white man who slept on the site of Wellington, Mr Thomas W. McKenzie, on Tuesday celebrated, in robust health, his seventyninth birthday. He was thirteen years and a day old when the Adelaide entered Wellington harbour, exactly sixty-six years ago. Mr Harris, photographer, leaves for the South Island next week on professional business, and will be absent for some time. We regret to bear of the rather serious illness of Mrs Gow. Mr O'Donoghue’s shop will be completed next week. The building comprises a commodious double shop and three dwelling rooms. Mr Chambers was the architect and builder. Says the New Zealand Times :— The licensing committee elections are exciting little more than a languid interest throughout the country. In a number of districts there will be no contest, it being agreed either that the old committees shall be re-olected or that “composite” bodies, giving fair representation to license and nolicense views, shall be chosen. In Napier and Hawke’s Bay districts the no-license party has been content to allow the elections to go by default —the old “moderate” committees being re-elected without opposition. Sydney Town Hall organ is the largest in the world, 128 stops. The Wellington organ, just opened, comes twelfth on the list, 72 stops. It cost about £5OOO, and its tone is magnificent.

’’MThe bowling meeting convened for last night fell through, only a few persons attending. Some of those interested had not returned from Dannevirke. The proposal to form a club seems to be meeting with little luck. There are a good number willing to become members, but they won’t attend meetings. If an energetic secretary were appointed to shake up things it is believed the club couid be successfully floated. There is room, desire and capital enough for a club here. It is said that the owner of the ground that was sought for a green has raised the price; but there are doubtless other plot- suitable which can be procured at a reasonable price. We do not think the proposal to form a club will be allowed to drop. The Bank of New Zealand was the largest exporter of wool last year, sending away 33,121 bales. In a circular it is stated: As prices now stand at a high level, it would perhaps be considered over-sanguine to expect them to advance further, neither would it be in accordance with the general opinion to look for any serious decline. If, therefore, nothing unforeseen happens, prices will probably remain about where they are.

The Waipukurau Road Board met on Tuesday, there being pre-sent—-Messrs P. Gow (chairman), Huggins, Williams, and Groome. General business was transacted, and the agreement with the I'own Board was signed. Payments to £2l 13s 9d were passed.

The troubles that beset true love in high places might serve to make us commoners a little more contented with our lot. The storm of dissent against Princess Ena’s marriage with the King of Spain from people who are not even on the visiting list of either of the parties shown no signs of subsiding ; and the cables are still burdened with protests from interfering persons against the marriage. However, the new Secretary of State for Home Affairs, Mr Herbert Gladstone, show's a praiseworthy intention to curb the impertinence of people who regard the marriage as of paramount importance to themselves. . M r Gladstone very properly declined recently to receive a deputation from the Protestant Alfiance; and it is to be hoped that the lesson will have its effect.

Jir Another aspect of the dreadful publicity that envelopes the acts of royalty is found in a recent issue of the London Times, whose Paris correspondent on January 17th sent this remarkable message to that journal: —“ There is now reason to believe that, although tne betrothal of Pincess Ena of Battenburg to the King of Spain is not yet an accomplished fact, there is great probability of its shortly becoming so.”” Interpreted, this meang that at that date the King of Spain had not yet proposed, though he intended to do so, while when he did propose, the fair Princess had made up her mind to accept him. This must have been encouraging reading to both lovers ; but it must have tended to make the actual proposal a mere tame official proceeding.

Mackay & Co. report the sale of two quarter-acre sections with a building for £l6O, also a quarteracre section with building for £220.

“ Why the All-Blacks Triumphed,” and story of their tour. Price Is, postage 3d extra. D. Ann and; Bookseller.—Advt.