LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 14 May 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At tho sitting of the West Coast .Reserves Commission in Hawera on Monday, some amusement was caused concerning the definition of an agitator. A witness stated that such a person was one who went to the newspaper offices. The Chairman interjected: I always thought an agitator was one who got on a soap-box, (Laughter). There is a proposal amongst some members of the Pahiatua Bowling Club to introduce winter bowling in Pahiatua. It is suggested that the Drill Hall he secured for the purpose, as at little cost the floor could be laid down in material to suit the convenience of trundlers. A Baptist Church is likely to be started in Timaru at an early date. A substantial grant in aid has been made by the Baptist Church authorities, and the Ilev Mr Jvirkwood, of Auckland, has been asked to take charge of the church. As showing the difference in the seasons during the last 10 years, a Clarendon farmer supplies the Bruce Herald with the dates on which he finished harvesting for that period, as follow: 1902; April 19; 1903, May 11; 1904, 15; 1907, March 8; 1908, March 3: March 19; 1905, April 28; 1906, May 1909, March 26; 1910, March 12; 1911, March 1; 1912, May 4. "Practical farming in Rangitikei is of a, very high order," said Mr Wilsonin an address at Marton, but farmers are apt to neglect the scientific side, which is important to the interests of the best results. It is very gratifying, said Mr Wilson, to see so many young men taking a keen interest in farm work, but it is on the practical side, and scientific farming should work hand in hand with it. A witness while giving evidence before the Reserves Commission in Hawera on Monday stated that settlers had now to put in boxthorn live fences because of the difficulty in obtaining posts. Mr Kerr, S.M.y enquired if boxthorn was not poisonous to cattle and if some other hedge could not be planted. The witness replied that boxthorn was the only hedge that could withstand the salt spray, at least as far as Taranaki was concerned. He admitted that he had known it to be poisonous. Societies sometimes receive unexpected donations, Such, a thing cropped up at the last meeting of the Shipwreck Society at Dunedin. The secretary of the Auckland Harbor Board wrote stating that on the occasion of the visit of the American Fleet to that port in August, 1908, a seaman of the auxiliary ship Glacier made some purchases in town, and received 8 dollars excess change. Later the seaman .wrote to the Board forwarding the bills, and asking that the rightful owner might be traced, or, failing that, the money be given to a charitable institution. The Board had endeavored to discover the shop where the purchases were made, but had failed to find the owner. He, therefore, forwarded the bills to the Society for their use. The Society accepted the amount with thanks, and resolved to send a letter of appreciation to the seaman. .- A callous misogynist stood in the wit-ness-box at the Magistrate's Court last week at Christchurch, and gloried in his asceticism (says the Lyttelton Times). He described how he had been besieged by the attentions of a lady, who had approached him in an hotel and flung her arms around his neck, exclaiming, "I love you, Jack!" The Court was obviously affected by this -touching example of the pure, disinterested affection of an ingenuous young soul. The defendant, however, had repudiated the charmer, and not in the impassioned language of self-abnegation, but with the brutaily candid words, "Take your dirty hands off 'my neck." The transports of the fair one he unkindly attributed, not to the emotional temperament; of youth, but to whisky. The latest scientific remedy for Coughs, Influenza, Colds, Bronchitis, Nasal Catarrh, Cold in the Head,- or Sore Throats, is "NAZOL." Its virtue is that it cures. In bottles^ price Is 6d*

77^ PT —' — =-r=— A serious tailing off in the flax industry m the' Auckland district is disclosed by the State grader's annual report.

It is 60 years since New Zealand officially separated from its mother colony, New South Wales.

The morning session of the Freeman's Bay Two-ap oonool was attended: by about 3U joang man on Sunday, on the harbor reeiaiimtion (says the kuekland fcsfcar.) A nuiuber or small boys were also looking on, tnus beiug eariy initiated into mysteries or this fascinating o^nuay amusement. A little furtier aiong the reclamation another twoup scaooi was m session, but tne attenda.ice was comparatively a small one. No \» oader Auckland has an outstanding lepatuuoii ior tiie number of its burgi^.ib, stiiiu-baggars, and other miscellaneous, rutuaiio. .

"liieven hundred and twenty pounds is a big sum/ said Mr J. ttoiilervell at the meeting of the No-license League in Gisborne, referring to the amount of expenditure during the year. "The first election we ran here cost us £10, and out of- that we bought a new suit of clothes for the secretary."

At the adjourned inquest on the bodies of Meuri JVJuri and Hine Rene, who were killed in a motor-car, accident at Waipawa on Tuesday, last, a verdict was returned that they met their deaths through the driver, Kuku Matene Ropiha, attempting to negotiate a corner at an excessive speed while more or less under the influence of liquor.

The A.M.P. Society, whose local canvassing agent is Mr K. W. Baigent and industrial agent Mr T. A. Smith, has recently issued its sixty-third annual report. Reference to the Industrial Department shows that great strides have been made. At December 31 last 74,948 policies were in force, representing an assurance of £2,513,866, and an annual premium income of £156,807.

In reply to a question addressed to mm at a political meeting at Foxton Mr Robertson, the member for Otaki, said he would not contest the seat at the next election as a supporter of the present Government, but as a Labor candidate. It was not a case" of whether he would oppose a Government candidate, but the question v>as would a Government candidate oppose him. He was now in possession, and would stand against all comers. A vote of continued confidence in the member was carried, with one dissentient voice. A number abstained from voting.

In connection with an application made by the police at Court on Monday lor the issue of a prohibition order against a man who did not appear, the evidence was to the effect that the man did not do much work and that his house was frequented by prohibited persons tor illicit drinking purposes His Worsmp m making the order asked for, said that it appeared from the evidence that a charge under the vagrancy sections of the Police Offences Act might have been laid against the subject of the application; and directed the police to take steps in this direction unless the man went to work and ceased to allow his residence to be used in the manner complained of.

To-night there will be a meeting in connection with the local centre of the bt. John Ambulance Association, at which certificates gained last year will be presented. The good work and practical usefulness of this great institution lias been proved on many occasions. It is worthy the sympathetic help of citizens, who are all invited to be present to-night. The 1911 annual report for the dominion gives the following interesting figures: First aid cases attended to, not on public duty,. totalled 1,534; removal of patients, 305; eases nursed privately, 296; first aid attended on public duty, 748. The local secretary, Mr E. B. Bates, asks that anyone who wishes to join the first aid classes, but who is unable to attend this evening, may communicate with him. Doubtless there will be a large attendance of townspeople.

The Land and Income-tax Department gives notice that returns of income must be furnished not later than June 1.

The N.Z. Loan and M. A. Co. will hold a sale of cattle at Te Wera yards on Friday, May 17.

Classes in Bee-keeping and in Veterinary Science can be taken in Eltham, Hawera, and surrounding centres. Apply Director Hawera Technical School. * If you were I and I were you, And I were well and you had "flu," What would you do? Would you regain your health like me, By the same means that set me free From coughs and colds? Why to be sure!

By taking Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. —Advt.