Local and General.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 10 August 1906, Page 2

Local and General.

The Government intend to recommend the Home Government to allow Messrs Duncan and Mills, retired Ministers, to retain the title “ Honourable.” Mr Richard Phillips, an old Waipawa resident, died at the local hospital on Tnesday last. The deceased, who was 86 of age, had been in feeble health for some time. The remains were removed to Waipawa yesterday, where theyk were interred. ' 'X For the year 1905-6, wool and sheepskin contributed £7,246,303, out of a total of £17,706,689 value of goods exported- Wellington is the leading port in the colony, Lyttelton, Auckland, Dunedin. Napier, and Timaru coming next in order. The cricket deadlock in Australia has frizzled out, the Association having removed the disqualification of six players on a slight penalty, and will admit four others on application. It is now probable an English team will be invited to visit the colonies next season. Attention is directed to Mr H. Christian’s replace advertisement. Mr Christian is tne agent for Osmonds and Royal Saxon Cycles, Enamelling in colours, repairing in all branches, and cycle exchanging are parts of the business conducted by Mr Christian at his Waipukuran works. Messrs Mackay & Co., auctioneers of this town, have found it necessary, owing to the increase in their business, to extend their auction mart, and a big addition will be completed for to-morrow’s sale, which starts at 1.30 p.m. To celebrate the occasion a free luncheon will be provided. Messrs Mackay & Co. have a good entry, including produce, horses, harness, ducks, fowls, turkeys, etc- Also, drays, coach, draught horse, and harness in the estate of the late Jeremiah Maher.

At the last meeting'of the Waipawa County Council, Mr Chambers, representing the Waipukurau Town Board, waited upon the Council with reference to the taking over of county roads by the Board. The position was clearly defined by the chairman of the Town Board, who went through the history of this part of the country. The matter received the consideration of the Council, and it was decided to grant the sum of £7O this year. The county chairman spoke strongly in support of the motion, contending that the Waipukurau Town Board, had not been treated fair in this matter.

The prospects of a railway to Opunake is causing a deal of controversy as to which is the best route, the contest for a terminus lies between Stratford, Hawera and Eltham. At the Waipawa Football Club’s plain and fancy dress ball on Wednesday evening there were about 9G couples present, a number journeying from Waipukurau. The trophies presented by Messrs G. Hunter and R. Coneys were on view. A man named John Hempanstad died suddenly in a whare near the Longlands Station, Hastings, on Tuesday. He had complained to his mates of feeling unwell, and shortly afterwards had a fit of vomiting, when he ruptured his heart and died. Two shops in Emerson street, Napier, were destroyed by fire onTuesday last, and others damaged' by water. Those burnt were F. L. Derbyshire (tailor), and Mrs Phillips (fruiterer). Hannah. & Co.’s boot shop and Reardon & Wright’s (tailors), were damaged by smoke and water. There is no clue as to how the tire originated. The following reply has been received from the Acting PostmasterGeneral by Charles Hall, Esq., M. will be of interest to our readers : —“ In reference to your letter of the 16th ultimo, urging that the work of establishing a telephone exchange at Waipukurau be pushed forward, I have the honour to inform you that the necessary poles have been ordered, and will be supplied as soon as possible. When they come to hand, the work will be proceeded with.”

Mr S. K. S. Tipping, land agent of this town, reports the sale of the remaining sections in Mr 8. F. Logan’s allotments on Racecourse road, this week. Mrs McKenzie purchased two, and Messrs R. Scott and H. Thoudy one each. By the disposal of these the block of eight sections have been got rid of in a fortnight, which must be considered very satisfactory. We understand that a good demand still exists for suburban lands, there being still' enquiries for land at a fair price. Mr G. H. Stevens, advertises in thia issue that he is prepared to book a limited number of sittings of White Leghorn eggs at 10/6. With the development of the poultry industry in New Zealand, the breeding of birds of recognised strains is daily becoming of more importances The White Leghorn, as a laying strain, is amongst the best in the world,, and Mr Stevens has secured stock from the best known breds in England, besides which he only keeps one breed. Another advantage is the fact that returned infertile eggs will be made good. An inspection of the stock is invited.

Mr P. Barrie, agent for Yates* Reliable Seeds, advertises in thigissue that the new season’s seeds have just come to hand. The importance of good, reliable seeds is generally recognised by the public. Yates’ seeds are know throughout the Australasian colonies as of first-class germination. The system: under which this firm works ensures to the purchaser that he can rely upon the stock supplied. Mr Barrie has increased his order this season, and farmers and others in the neighbourhood have no occasion tosend to outside merchants, as theirrequirements can be met at P,. Barrie’s Waipukurau House, in the main street. Up-to-date varieties’ of seed potatoes are also held in* stock. The Waipawa County Council’s overseer reported as follows at their last meeting on the Ruataniwha Riding -Several of the roads in this riding have been damaged by the flood. The metal on Blackburn Valley road has beea washed off for several chains, caused by the overflow of a branch of Onga Onga creek, and until this creek isstraightened through Mr Mackay’s paddock this road will not be safe.. I also understand that the boon on McLeod’s road has been broken in the centre. Temporary repairs have been affected until I can deal with it more effectively. But the. greatest damage this district has 1 sustained from the flood, in the Tuki Tuki river, has been the undermining and carrying away of : three and a half chains of themain Forest Gate water race. This occurred at the end of new traffic bridge and was caused by set in of the whole of the river against this point, and to rectify it will mean fluming, that is, driving a row of piles aud building a culvert on top for a length of three and a half chains, which I estimate will cost £5OO. A stone netting; groin will also have to be built toturn the water off this point; three chains of groiu will be required,, cost £45. It was agreed to plant on McLeod’s land. Mr Mackay to be asked how much he would he would contribute towards strengthening stream through his properiy. Willow planting to be done to protect the motor bridge. The Tuki Tuki river to be diverted in order to erect a groin. It was resolved to send a copy of the overseer’s report to the ratepayers in the Forest Gate Water District,, asking how they proposed to meet the necessary expenditure,

The farmers at Onga Onga have decided to purchase the flour mill there for £5OO. A first offender, on a charge of drunkenness, was charged at the Police Station this morning, before a local Jus', .’c .', and convicted and discharged. A junior football player was sus* pended bv the Canterbury Rugby Union till the end of the year for striking another player in a match on Satoabay. A license to mine for copper in the Woodville district was granted at a sitting of the Warden’s Court to Joseph Thornes, of Auckland. The area applied for is 320 acres. Peter Clark, a young mail-car-rier, while riding on the ranges at the back of Thames, was thrown from his horse and jambed against a, tree, frecturing a leg, the bone protruding several inches. With marvellous fortitude he secured his horse, remounted, and rode to where help was available at a mining camp. He was then carried by relays on an improvised stretcher to Thames.

Work on the Main Trunk Railway line at Ohakune was greatly retarded during July by wet weather. So writes the correspondent of a Taihape newspaper. Week after week batches of men continue to arrive at the construction works (from Wellington chiefly). Some are kept at repairing the roads between Pipiriki, Raetihi, and Ohakune. The roads are still in a deplorable state, and traffic is nearly at a standstill. Owing to the abnormally high rates charged for carting and packing, some of the storekeepershave practically ceased to receive consignments of goods. The correspondent learns, however, that the Government is about to give the use of its drays to cart the stores as far as possible, the storekeepers to manage afterwards as best they can. This will be a boon to the workers, whe now have to carry their own provisions from the township-

An appalling shipwreck has taken place on the South East coast of Spain. The Italian steamer Sirio bound from Genoa to Buenos Ayres, struck the Harmigas Shoals, eighteen miles from Cartagena, and sank stern first within half an hour. There were about 800 immigrants on board, and between 300 and 400 were ■drowned. Terrible scenes were enacted. The Italian emmigrants completely lost their self-control and fought with knives and revolvers to gain possession of the lifebelts and boats. They completely overcame the officers and crew, who ■were trying to save the women and children. The sea was quite calm at the time of the accident. A number of fishing boats put out to the scene, several of which were soon overloaded with imigrants and sank, drowning both the shipwrecked passengers and their would-be rescuers.