Local & General.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 653, 9 December 1908, Page 3

Local & General.

Out ot 53 candidates for the Victorian police force 32 were rejected as being under the height and chest measurement, seven failed on the education test, and of the 14 remaining only one was able to pass the medical test.

The secretary of the Sydney Liquor Trade Defence Union, in the course of an interview ' on the result of the New Zealand local option vote, said it Was the most serious direct warning to everyone concerned in the trade in New South Wales. " Unless our people," he added, "are prepared to put their backs to the wall, our opponents will score a big victory at the next poll."

Mr Robert Scott, M.P. for Tuapeka (president of the executive of the Farmer's Union of Otago), was born at Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire, Scotland, and came with his parents to Waikouaiti when about seven years of age. He was educated at Waikouaiti, and after leaving school engaged in farming pursuits, working among sheep, driving, mustering, and assisting in all kinds of farm work. For a period of nine years he was manager for Mr' Henry Orbell, at River Station, Waikouaiti; afterwards going to Kyeburn, where he has resided for iti years, lie is engaged in mixed farming on his own behalf. He is a man of sound judgment, and takes, a practical view of all legislation affecting the farming community. Since taking up his residence in Central Otago, Mr Scott has taken an active interest and a practical part in many public matters, notably the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, School Committees, etc., and from its inception has taken a keen interest in the Farmers' Union,

'• Whisky and soda," which has long been a favorite combination of drinks, by those who are not averse to an occasional nip, as well as by those who take a nip fairly regularly, is being run pretty hard for popularity for another combination —"The two W's " —Whisky and " Wairongba ". According to those who know, the advantages are all in favor of the latter combination. It is claimed for " Waironga "natural mineral water that it is by far the best natural table water yet discovered- in New Zealand. It has its source deep under the well-known Maungatoka Mountain ; and. that it comes under tremendous pressure is evidenced by the large quantity of natural gas it contains. The early settlers of this locality, 40 or SO years ago, quickly discovered the great healing virtues of the springs, and antumic and debilitated persons, and those suffering from dyspepsia, rheumatism, the results of overwork, or the evil results of dissipation, were wont to repair to the spring, and go in for a course of treatment. Many tales have been told by old settlers of the great benefit derived by sufferers from the " Wairongoa " Waters. Messers Thomson and Co., of Dunedin, years ago were fortunate enough to secure the whole of the watershed in the vicinity of the springs (over 160 acres), and they have converted the property into a beautiful park under the constant care of a landscape gardener, thus preventing all possibility of contamination of the wells. They have erected a large factory on the property, equipped with the latest and best solid silver-lined machinery for bottling the waters and charging with the natural gas collected from the springs. Thus the waters come to the public in a pure and natural state. No matter what the season, wet or dry, the volume of water flowing at the spring never varies it is believed to be inexhaustible. "Wairongoa" Water is most pleasant to the taste, being delightfully crisp and full of "life" and sparkle. It is much "softer" than soda-water; and being slightly astringent, is a much more wholesome drink in every way. Those who get the habit of mixing it with other drinks are said to find it truly beneficial. It mixes perfectly with milk, wines, ales, etc. As an antacid and dietetic it is of great benefit in cases of dyspepsia, gout, rheumatism, sciatica, ect., while the iron it contains makes it of great value to those suffering from ancemia, or debility.