LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 November 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Eltham people are still waiting, although a little impatiently, foe the supply ot electricity to be turned on to the town. Mr D. Hebenton, speaking to a Star representative this morning, said that the meeting of supporters of the Reform Party will be held in Hawera on Monday, November 24, to select delegates to the conference at Waverley. The meeting will be advertised later. A deputation from the new Trades and Labour Council waited on the Minister for Labour, the Hon. G. J. Anderson and asked for legislation to legalise the 44-hours week, was informed by the Minister that the matter ffas one for the Court of Arbitration

Great interest is being token in the tug-of-war which is to be heid in the Manaia Town Hall to-night. Tne teams are very evenly matched, and some •lose finishes are expected. The best teams in South Taranaki are competing, and there is sure to be a record house. The Eitham Chamber of Commerce intend bringing the matter of creating special rating areas for the purpose, of providing revenue for a mghtwatchman’s salary, instead: of by the usual voluntary payment method, before the annual Dominion Conference of Chambers o.f Commerce, to be held this month in Wanganui.

. “I have always heard people speak well of our employee and have not heard anyone else complain,” was the comment of the engineer to the Patea County Council (Mr King) at yesterday’s meeting, when a letter from a ratepayer making allegations against a roadman was read. After discussion the council decided that the chairman and engineer interview the writer' of the letter.

When addressing the Flock House boys on the Palmerston showgrounds last week his Excellency Lord Jellicoe remarked that he had been invited to join the London Advisory Committee of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund, and it had given him much pleasure to acceded to the request, and he hoped that when he got Home he would be able to assist in giving effect to the objects of the scheme, of which he strongly approved. A movement in on foot in Christchurch for the establishment of an organisation having for its object the cultivation of the Imperial spirit amongst New Zealanders.' It is felt by the promoters of the movement that the problems *of Empire , are not sufficiently thought of by the general public, and that is very necessary to arouse an active and continuous public interest in them, states the Lyttelton Times. It is understood that a publio meeting will be held shortly to launch the new organisation.

They looked at each other and laughed. Bub* it would have been no laughing matter had the motorist not been turning the corner slowly and brought his ear to a dead stop, within a few inches of the pedestrian., who was walking over the street crossing, his attention being so riveted upon something other than the approaching car he failed to hear the sound of the horn or to notice the car until it was stopped only a few inches from Jus legs. The driver passed a, genial remark about “nearly got you that time,” and—they looked at each other and laughed.

A rather unusual accident, which fai innately was not attended with, any serious results, befel an employee of the Hastings Borough Council electrical staff (says the Napier Telegraph). The man, whose name is Henry, was engaged in wiring operations in Henry Street, when he caught hold of ,a bare wire and was nnable to release his grip. A heavy shock was going through his system the whole time, but eventually, as the result of a communication, the power station shut off the power on tihat section. When the current stopped the man was able to release his hold, and, to the great surprise and relief of all, it was found that, except for a painful burn on the palm of a band, he was quite uninjured and was able to resume, work a little later.

The. public is not perhaps aware of the amount of taxation paid by racing clubs at each of their meeting® (states the Poverty Bay Herald). No less a sum than £2379 will go to the Government from the Poverty Bay Turf Club in different forms of taxation from its recent meeting. This sum is made up tof various taxes as follows: Totalisator tax £798 12s 6d ; dividend tax £1437 17$; stakes tax £llß 10s; privileges £2l 3s 2d. In addition to. these sums, the club will be paying amusement tax on the admission tickets, and • this will mean a further £IOO or more in the Government coffers. It is evident therefore that keen racing enthusiasts are at least doing something towards providing Mr. Massey with a surplus at the end of the year. A Manutahi correspondent writes: The short notice of the fight at Moturoa on November 7, 1868, might lead readers to suppose that there were only 100 constabulary engaged. I was not there myself, but may quote from Mr. Cowan’s book, “History of New Zealand Wars,” and this gentleman, so far as my personal knowledge goes, is wonderfully correct as to the principal events of that troublous time, and minor mistakes may be overlooked after all the years. In this book, vol. 11, chapter XXVI, he states that the total force under Colonel Whitmore was 550, made up of 250 Europeans from Nos. ], 2, 3 and 6 divisions of the A.C., and some Patea riflemen, Patea cavalry and Wairoa militia, and 300 Wanganui Maoris under Kepa, hut only 70 of the latter were engaged. Further particulars in the book quoted should be of interest, at all events to those in the locality; and even Hawera may he called in the locality, as the boom of artillery, had any been used at the attack, could have been heard there, as it used to be daily in New Plymouth during the Waitara campaign.

The attention of our readers is drawn to the correction of the date of the Manaia tug-of-war, which will be held on Wednesday and Friday, 12th and 14th inst., not the 19th a.nd 21st as advertised on Tuesday. Particulars of train arrangements in connection with Hawera A. and P. Show are advertised in this issue. OTTTKED’S. The most prominent line of attractive model .frocks, marocains, glace, linen and voiles are now showing. Advance styles in spring costumes and wrap coats, personally selected and at popular prices. A complete line of seasonable millinery just opened. Our trimmed hats are celebrated for style, quality, beauty and low cost. Ornaments, novelty bags, buttons and trimmings, representing the newest Parisian conceits in myriad designs.—Outred’s, High Street, the House of Quality. Everything in millinery goods.—Advt.