NGAKAWAU NOTES

Grey River Argus, 18 January 1922, Page 8

NGAKAWAU NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). Holiday season is about over and everybody seems to be settled down again for another 12 months’ toil. A public meeting was held in MeNarn’s Hall on Thursday, 12th, to consider ways and means of relieving a case of distress. Mr Dan Alexander was voted to the chair. Mr S. Harvey, jun., was appointed hon. secretary. The meeting -was a thoroughly representative one and a great amount of interest was taken. As the case is a very deserving one it was decided that whatever was done must be done quickly. It was further decided to hold a grand concert and dance on Friday, February 10, in McNarn’s Hall. It was also decided to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs for a permit to run an art union. A strong committee was set up to go into details with full power to act to arrange for the art union, also to get the best talent possible for the concert and to report to the next meeting to be held on Thursday next. All lodges, clubs and other societies are requested to leave February 10 an open date so as not to spoil an effort to help a very deserving case. It was also decided to ask the local Tennis Club to arrange a fancy benefit match for next pay Saturday. A few’ of the local residents made a tour of the Coast following up the geegees to see if they could get a few’ | bob of someone else’s per medium of the tote. Quite a lot has been said in the newspapers about the amounts that have been put into the coffers of the hard-up Government by way of their kill-joy tax, but when taking into consideration that most of the clubs, both jockey and trotting, have put on to their gate money four or five times the amount of the tax, there is not much in it for the public, who pay every time. What was the matter with that individual who styles himself the Commissioner of Stamps? Did he get a sudden chill or what? He sent a wire to the secretary of the Ngakawau Athletic Club notifying him that before the sports could be run he must obtain a permit, also to say that he would hold him personally responsible for the tax. A reply was wired asking for the said permit, but Mr Commissioner never condescended to send a permit or a reply to the wire. I wonder why? Anyhow, the sports were run, but the club decided to pay the tax out of the proceeds instead of passing it on to their patrons, who rolled up in large numbers on what may be termed a glorious day.

A public meeting w*as held in MeNam’s Hall on Sunday, the 18th inst. Mr 11. Beck was in the chair, and he stated that the meeting was called for the purpose of hearing Mr J. A. McDonald, of Canada and U.S.A., give an address. He briefly introduced the speaker. Mr McDonald, who was greeted with applause, stated that as no subject had been advertised, he proposed to take the unemployment question as his subject. He briefly outlined the unemployment question from the earliest days of history—right up to the present day, showing how in the interests of capitalism an unemployed army‘was an essential asset to the capitalistic class, also that at the present time the capitalistic class the world over were at their wit’s end because the unemployed army had grown to such dimensions that they had become a danger instead of a help. The meeting, which was fairly well attended, gave the speaker an attentive hearing, and judging by the various remarks that were passed after the meeting, Mr McDonald made a good impression on his audience. During the holiday season the weaker round these parts was on its best behaviour and the fishermen had a good time, some good catches being made. Some fine specimens of schnappcr were caught, some of them running as tigh as 181 b. One young fisherman is ’eported to have caught over 50 herrings of good size in one day. Quite an epidemic of fires occurred •ounfl these parts just lately, Mr C. Irey, of Birchfield, being burned out n the early hours of January 3; then luring the early hours of January 9 Vlr A. Woodhouse was awakened to find iverything well alight. He, with his vife and children, had to make their ;xit through the window in their night ittire, the unfortunate people losing iverything. On Tuesday morning, the Oth, Mr A. E. Chandler was the next o suffer. His place of considerable ize was burned to the ground. Both res happened between the hours of and 3 o’clock, when nobody was bout to raise the alarm. It is reportfl that the last-mentioned, places were nsured but the amount of insurance ■5 not to hand. Though insured, it is eported that both parties will be at a onsiderable loss. Much sympathy is elt for them and the finding of acommodation has been no easy task, hough the neighbours of the district ave come hospitably to the rescue. Heard and Said. That certain residents who live not 00 miles from Ngakawau arc taking xception to the Ngakawau corrcsponent slinging off at them; that one said e did not read it himself, but he r as told so; that they wanted the )cal union to censor the said corres- t ondent. Now, if by their actions or speech icy deserve criticism the Ngakawau will criticise without reject to persons, party or creed.