THE HERALD. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1921

The census returns for the borough of Roxburgh is as follows:—Males 211. females 186; total 397. The following were elected as a school committee for Tawhiti school district : — A. Armstrong (chair), D. Lyons (secrctary), P. A. Haig, J. Galviu, A. Jopson. The recent census for the town of Clyde—males 152, females 170; total 322. The figures at the last census were—males 185, females 185 : total 370, a decrease in the five years of 48; 33 males and 15 females. Last Monday saw the opening of the shooting season. Several local sports got early off the mark, some leaving at 1 a.m. Monday morning. Ducks are plentiful and very active, Some failbags (30) are reported while others had very little luck. The coiled ion taken up by (he nurses at the football match Returned Soldiers v. Civics on behalf of the Duustsn hospital realised £5 10s 7d. This with the Government subsidy will amount to quite a respectable figure. Golf made a start for the season last Saturday afternoon, when about 20 playing members with a few friends were present. The games took the form of mixed foursomes Miss Bodkin and Mr It. Ross proving winners. Afternoon tea was served which made the afternoon complete and added to the pleasure of the outing. Some splendid merino rains, forty in number, have been imported into the district by Messrs Bodkin Brothers, of Galloway. Competent judges who have seen this lot speak very highly of them. Mr T. Whelan. of Roxburgh, has also purchased six fine Corriedale rams out of the flock of J. A. Johnstone's Bushv Park farm, Palmerston. In connection with the Alexandra Sports Club we have been asked several times if members who are not actually taking instruction in the classes formed by the club would have the right to use the boxing gloves, etc.. belonging to the club. We are informed that any member may put on the gloves if he cares for a friendly " spar " piovided that he does not deprive the Instructor of the use of gloves for pupils whom the club guarantee instruction. The club is making arrangements to lay iu a good stock of gloves so that there should always be plenty available for a member who takes ihe whim to get rid of his surplus energy iu a few •■ straight lefts." The proposed Co-operative Society for Alexandra and district is taking shape aud is likely to become a practical reality in the near future. At ■ the meeting on Friday evening last, the committee appointed to go into the matter, recommended the adoption of an offer from Mr A. Ashworth. This offer was to the effect that Mr Ashworth erect at his own expense a suitable addition to his present produce store, with necessary fittings, lie to be responsible for the management of the co-operative store (subject to the authority of the committee) and all overhead expenses thereto, in return for a commission of 12i percent, on the landed cost of the turn over. The committee to supply the capital for the purchase of stocks : all sales to be strictly on cash payment with order. Other details were included iti the proposed arrangement, which if endorsed would be properly and legally drawn up. The meeting seemed to favour the proposal and about 40 persons have already signified their intention to join.

From (ho attendance of members at the opening night of the Alexandra Sports Club last Wednesday, it is obvious that Alexandra is not behind the times in its appreciation of boxing as a sport and as a healthful physical and mental exercise. Supporters of the club were present in force and .watched with keen interest the work of the pupils who enrolled iu the class for instruction in the noble art. A start was made with the one set of gloves on hand, but more are now available and each pupil will receive a good night's instruction'. At present Wednesday night is the club's practice night but probably later on, two nights a week will be devoted to the class. The instruction given last , week was the elementary '• shape," hits and guards, and as each pupil is taken individually by the instructor, proper allowance is made for the progress of the more quick pupils. The story of a woman who fought with men as a man is "The Hell Cat" a Gotdwvn photo-play production to be screened next Saturday at Hull's Pictures. A thrilling and absorbiug story with the wild western life and scenery as the setting. The supports include a comic and topical. The serial not coming up to the standard expected, Mr Hull has ordered it to cease, and is arranging for a better to take its place. Until the new serial arrives extra pictures will lie added to the programme and for Saturday first two educational films in codlishing and granite quarries will be screened in addition to the ordinary programme. These should make a varied , and interesting programme.

The Labour candidate in the Patea by-election polled a very small vote, yet he was the only one of the three candidates who increased the vote for his party. Comparing the receut by-election with the general election in 1919, it is seeu that 1403 votes less, were cast on this occasion. The reform candidate E. Dixon on this occasion polled 2615 while at the last election the two Keform candidates polled 3420 being a decrease in the Keform rote of 805. The Liberal candidate W. Morrison polled last week 2335 and at the general election he polled 3021, a decrease in the Liberal vote of 686. While the Labour candidate L. MTlvride polled on this occasion 546 Totes compared with 458 at the general election, an increase in the Labour vote of 88.

That advertising pays, is fully recognised by all successful business' men and if the advertisement is free so much the better was demonstrated recently. Mr Geo. Marshall, of Earnscleugh, noticing a paragraph iu the Otago Daily Times stating that the special reporter of the Auckland Star had commented in his paper on seeing ripe figs as far south as Ashburton, promptly wrote to the Star informing the editor that had the reporter come two or three hundred miles further, to the Alexandra district, he would not only have seen ripe figs, but ripe grapes, tomatoes, almonds, peaches and other delicate fruits grown in the open, of a Quality surpassing those grown anywhere else in Now Zealand. Mr Marshall also informed the Aucklauders that our climate with a rainfall of from 12 to IS inches per aunum and its exhilarating air is an ideal place for the jaded Aucldander to recuperate from the effects of the weeping skies and humid atmosphere of the Northern City. The Star published the letter but the joke is now on Mr Marshall who spends ids spare time iu the unprofitable occupation replying to people asking for particulars of places they can obtain for a few months sojourn, or permanent residence.

The name of W. Hinton appearing in the list of members of the Farnseleugh School Committee supplied to us. was an error, the other member was Mr Fred M'Carthy. The rainfall for April was 90 points, making 286 poiuts for the 4 mouths. For the corresponding months of last year the rainfall was 277 poiuts. Nine degrees of frost were registered last night.