Clarksville.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXXI, Issue 84, 26 October 1905, Page 3

Clarksville.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Since my last letter we have had number three flood in the Tokomafriro River since September. The first two did a considerable amount of damage to the country, but the last did more, as it was higher and stronger, and swept over more country, which had just been sown with grain, "and it Rot into Mr Moir's blacksmith shop, and the store and post office occupied by Mr Jefcoate. It was the water running back that got into the store first, which shows that if the river was cleared of all obstructions from the mouth upwards, this would not have happened. Some time ago I wrote saying what a boon it would be to all farmers on the plain to have the river cleared, so that flood water could get away without spreading over the land. lam very glad to see Mr Tough has now moved in the direction of getting a properly-constituted River Board formed io undertake this most needful and beneficial work, which must commend itself to all farmers, who, I trust, will put their shoulder to the wheel and so become a river bee to help those who happen to suffer most. The change that has taken place in issuing the Herald on Monday and Thursday evenings, instead of Tuesday and Friday mornings, is very acceptable to those of your readers I have come in contact with, and I heard the remark that the paper was greatly improved, and that it was well wortn reading, that saying indicating to me that the editor was doing his utmost to please his readers, which I am sure he wishes to do. The comments on those missionaries in your issue of the 19th met. I think are warrantable. A short time ago two foreign missionaries canvassed this district, and after receiving assistance in cash from a well-wisher, one of them demanded something further for personal use. As the donor had already given liberally, when this furtner demand on his good nature was made he felt he had been somewhat misled, and means to be mqre cautious in the future. I think, therefore, the remarks made about strangers canvassing for what we don't know anything about is justifiable. Clarksville was all astir on Friday last (Trafalgar Day). The early morning broke upon us with a heavy mist, but as the sun marched on his way above the horizon tne mist cleared away. The Union Jack, together with a French flag, could be seen flying on tbe newly-erected flag pole, 36ft high, at Mr T. Jefcoate's store. I understand this is tbe firßt flag of its kind that has flown on this old and memorable store and post office, and so it was fittingly unfurled by Mr Jefcoate in nonor of England's hero — the greatest sailor since the world began. There was also a New Zealand flag on Mr T. Moir's blacksmith shop, and a French flag on the homestead of Hamilton Bros, well-kept farm. I think the credit for the flying of the latter flag must be given to the Misses Hamilton, for their zeal for loyalty was great enough to make them follow suit, when they saw the fhgs at the store waving in the air. So wnile one manufactured the pole the other made the flag, then tbe two together hoisted it with patriotic zeal. I must say they are to be commended for the workmanlike manner the whole arrangement was carried out. In flying the French flags at Clarksville I want your many readers to understand that it was in no spirit of glorification over a beaten foe or undue boasting of national greatness that they were hoisted, the sole reason and justification being to show our loyalty and enthusiasm, and that we should strive in our heart of hearts and keep fragrant with modest pride the memory of Trafalgar, for the celebration of the 100 th anniversary ot that day does honor to Nelson's memory without wounding the teelings of other nations, especially France, for we are friends now, and I trust we will ever be on friendship's terms.