Local and General.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 1 May 1906, Page 2

Local and General.

;O; — The date of the annual meeting for the Social has been altered from 7th instant to Wednesday, 9th inst. Notice is given that trespassers on the Arlington property will be prosecuted. Monthly meeting of*the 4Waipukurau Town Board takes place on Monday evening next. Mr C,W. Mitchell has purebred roosters and cockerels for sale. See advertisement. A notice in reference to amended railway timetable appears in another column.

The gale or high wind experienced here during Friday, Saturday, and Sunday appears to have been almost general throughout the colony. In the South a good deal of rain fell. Locally the dust was very thick ; the main streets were swept clean. Water is becoming scarcer.

In the course of an able sermon preached on Sunday evening, the Rev F. AV. Martin made feeling reference to the San Francisco calamity. The Wairoa school cadets have challenged Waipuk ditto to a rifle match, ten “ men” a-side, each team to fire on its own ground. The census of New Zealand was taken on Sunday night. The previous census was taken on March 3lst, 1901. On that occasion the population of the colony (exclusive of Maoris) was 772,719 persons, of whom 2857 were Chinese and 2407 half-castes living amongst and as Europeans. A census of the Maori population was taken during Feb., 1901, when the number of the native race was found to be 43,143 persons, including 3133 half-castes living as Maoris. Maori women to the number of 196 were returned as married to Europeans. The complete population, European and Maori, of the colony was, therefore, 815,862 persons. There are 47,117 Chinese employed in mines on the Rand. The East Rand proprietary mine has the largest number (5912).

A biiliard tournament between Waipukurau and Ormondville has been arranged to take place at Ormondville on 16th inst.; five men a-side.

Talk about the declining birth rate, says the Taranaki News. The other afternoon a local observer counted sixteen go-carts, perambulators, and mail carts pass the Devon and Brougham streets corner in less than ten minutes. Each vehicle was laden in the style approved by the Premier.

The Kitson light, under the su-

perintendence of Mr P. W. Sampson, was exhibited at the Bank corner, Waipukurau, on Saturday and following nights, a post having been erected for the purpose. The light shone with considerable brilliancy, illuminating the whole of the street, and nothing but favourable comments were made by the public. Dr Bryden Glendining, an old Napier high school boy, has been appointed physician to Princess Ena, the future Queen of Spain.

The Premier has received the following message from San Francisco :—“ Deeply grateful for your expression of sympathy. Business demoralised, communication difficult, no suffering,'sickness, or dis-

order. All people provided for.— Spreckels.” Mr Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands, bad charge of the ballot for Tamaki sections, held at Dannevirke, and was assisted by Messrs Taylor and Thompson, of the Lands Office. None of the local applicants were successful.

A man in a gig nearly lost the number of his mess while crossing the railway line near Mitchell's store. The horse appeared to baulk just as it came to the rails, and then went forward; the 1.30 train was approaching,and the engine escaped the vehicle by a few inches.

At Palmerston on Saturday a man named William Knowles shot his wife dead. The parties frequently quarrelled, and Knowles had been sued for maintenance.

The Circus is expected to arrive from Dannevirke by train to-morrow morning. It has done big business since leaving Wellington. For a first-class show the charges fixed are reasonable. The circus will not visit Waipawa nor Hastings, but appears for three nights in Napier. At the Martinborough sheep dog trials last week, the Huntaway was won by C. W. Thom’s Ben, and D. Ross’s Sweep second ; Long Head, G. Grant’s Tip 1, D. Ross’s Cash 2 ; Driving and yarding, G. Grant’s Bill 1, F. Jones’ Nigger 2. At Sydney the horse Hiawatha cleared a water jump of 31ft Binau Australian record. A resident called at this office to complain that potatoes are not only very.dear in Waipukurau, butthat they cannot be had, only one store having a few on Saturday. “It’s the bally blight’s the cause, I believe,” he added. Undoubtedly. B< st potatoes are quoted at £l2 per ton in Auckland, and £l3 in Wellington.

In another column the Hon W. C. Smith convenes a meeting of ratepayers to consider the lighting question. The meeting will be held at the Town Hall on Thursday next, Dr Godfray taking the chair at 8 p,m. Mr James H. Nelson, returning officer, inserts a Road Board election notice.

The Waipawa Rifles’ annual ba 1 ! will be held ou 24th May. Further particulars in next issue.

President Roosevelt has declined the Dowager Empress of China’s offer of £30,000 towards the San Francisco relief fund. The Mikado also offered 200,000 yen (£20,000.) To-day the Right Hon R. J. Seddon will commence the fourteenth year of his Premiership of New Zealand-

Members of the football club are requested to meet at Mr J. C. Simpson’s shop this (Tuesday) evening and also Friday evening to go for a run. As many members as possible are requested to be on the ground to-morrow, Wednesday, 2.30 p.msharp, without fail for a practice match.

The Governor will visit Auckland next month, and on Empire Day (May 24th) will unveil a bronze stat ue of Sir John Logan Campbell in Cornwall Park.

The Waipukurau Road Board met this morning. Present —Messrs P. Gow, Williamson, Butler and Huggins. By invitation Hon. W. C. Smita attended and gave an explanation on rating matters (details of which appear in next issue) e The question of forming the new Ngahape road was left over till all interested had replied to communications sent. Some general correspondence was dealt with. The overseer reported on various works completed and in hand, and the chairman also reported that he had inspected most of the work done, and made recommendations as to urgent work necessary. The racecourse road is to be proceeded with. Accounts amounting to £l3O 14s 6d (Russell & North contract £BO 2s) were passed for payment.