Local and General.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 17 August 1906, Page 2

Local and General.

.O: A return compiled shows that large holdings are steadily decreasing in New Zealand. MrT. Y. Seddon, M-H.R, returned to Wellington from his electioneering tour on Tuesday morning.

A steamer has been thoroughly equipped by a influential London syndicate to search for diamonds on a unnamed island off the African coast.

Mr Bascand, organising Secretary, of the 1.0.G.T. order, is visiting this district with a view to opening a Good Templar Lodge. It is proposed to hold a public meeting on Wednesday next, a notification of which will appear at an early date.

A quite wedding was celebrated at the residence of Mr Boachem, Waipukurau, on Wednesday afternoon, when Miss Emma Clara Beachem was united in the bonds of matrimony to Mr William C. F. Shargo, of Onga Onga, where the newly- married couple will reside. The Rev. J. Pattison performed the ceremony.

Any device which has a tendency to lessen the burdens of washing day, is hailed with delight by the ladies, and many sacrifices in the shape of luxuries would be made were a device invented to do away with the laborious nature of the work. Mr P. W. Sampson, Waipukurau, is the agent for the O.K. washing machine, a machine which is calculated to stand any test made with it; in fact, the agent is so confident of this that he is prepared to allow a week’s trial of the machine before purchase. This invention has already got into the homes of many in this district, and many flattering expressions of opinion have been received from those who have installed them. Those in the larger establishments are most pronounced as to the value of the machine, and in no case where they have been given out on trial have they been returned. Mr Sampson is prepared to supply all particulars as to price, &c., on application to him.

The recent Bowling Club’s annual ball at Waipawa yielded a profit of £l9 2s to the club’s funds. Quite a commotion is reported from Taradale on Wednesday last, on which day no less than four weddings were solemnised.

Some 600 Chinese in South Africa, have applied for repatrition under the proclamations issued by the Home Government. Butter is fetching 13d per lb. in the Syduey market, the highest price for three years. There is a great scarcity of salted butter on the market.

The part of the Olrig Estate acquired by the Governmen for closer settlement purposes will not be available for ballot until March next, as the owners do not give up possession until then. There was a good muster of the members of the Mounted Rifles on Wednesday evening last, under the command of Lieut. Canning. After inspection, the men were instructed in general drill by Sergeant-Major Burr and the sergeants and corporals of the Company, a profitable time being spent.

There was a large attendance of buvers from various parts of New Zealand at the sale of horses on behalf of Mr Harding, of Mount Vernoon, at the Waipukurau Yards on Wednesday last. Good prices ruled, and nearly every line was sold. Yesterday a miscellaneous catalogue was submitted, but there was noticeable falling off in price and stock.

A meeting of the ladies of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was held in the school hall last Tuesday evening, when matters in connection with the social and sale of work were discussed, and the form of the function decided upon. It is intended to have parlour games and a programme of musical items, and the balance of goods remaining over from last sale will be open for purchase. Mr H. Hill, Inspector of Schools examined the Waipukurau school yesterday. Of a total of 187 pupils on the roll, 182 presented themselves for examination, which must be considered highly satisfactory. The lower divisions of the school, with trifling exceptions passed, and the inspector expressed htmself as highly pleased wi.h the excellent work done. The results of the higher standards will not be known for some time. The Hon James McGowan, Minister of Justice, was banquetted at Dannevirke on Wednes day, after performing the opening ceremony of the new Courthouse. In the course of his speech, the Minister paid a high tribute to the work done by Mr Hall for his district. A request was made that Dannevirke should be made a new magisterial district and that sittings of the higher court should be held there, but the Minister would not make any definite promise on the subject.

Mr P. Barrie, of this town, is about to make alterations to his business premises. It is the intention of the proprietor to extend the verandah in Church street for nearly the whole length of the building, so as to have a covered entrance to that part of the building used for ironmongery and crockeryware. This portion will be partitioned off and made into a millinery and ladies’ under-wear department. T his addition to MrBarrie’s business will be greatly appreciated by the ladies of the town and district of Waipukurau, and will fil along felt want. On Wednesday evening next the annual social in aid of the Catholic Church funds will he held in the Town Hall. This function has usually been held in connection with a concert, but this year it has been decided to separate them, the concert probably being held at some future date. A strong committee has the arrangements in hand, and patrons may depend on everything being done for their enjoyment. Special attention being given to the floor, it is, therefore, expected that the public will liberally support the social, seeing the object for which it is being heldMrD. P. Brennan is the secretary, from whom tickets should be procured at once.

Friction has existed for some time past between the Commisioners and the various committees set up to control Exhibition affairs, and matters have reached such a serious pitch that the resignation of most of the men composing the committees is proposed. It seems that Mr Munro, of the Commissioners appointed, has assumed the position of sole arbiter, and nothing can be undertaken unless the suggestions have passed through his hands. This has caused great irritation, and it is contended that such powers were never vested in him. It is expected that there will be a general washing of dirty linen, and that the necessary alterations will be made in the staff to ensure that the work will proceed in a business like manner. It seems that things are in a terribly backward state, and it is necessary that no time be lost.