King Country Chronicle Saturday, March 4, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 342, 4 March 1911, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, March 4, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

In the case tried at the Supreme Court, Hamilton, in which George Washington Long, of Kihikihi, was charged with firing a gun at Thomas Bond on February 2nd iast, the jury on Wednesday returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged. Mr F. M. Hattaway has just taken into partnership Mr L. R. Fitzpatrick, and the new firm will carry on their carrying and contracting business under the style of Hattaway and Fitzpatrick. The new firm is determined to cater for the wants of their customers in the best possible way, and invites enquiries from new and old friends. | As many people are aware, there is a very fine cave on the property owned by Messrs Wilson and Ross at Puke- | titi, and it is with regret that we learn that visitors to the cave have been causing great damage. It almost looks as if a hammer had been used to knock off the stalactites and a good deal of harm has been done. The owners of the property state that they do not mind visitors going to see the caves, but they do most srongly object to have the cave ruined by sightseers. It is to be hoped that in future people visiting the cave will not wantonly do damage and thus ruin its beauty. Some Taranaki farmers were so grateful for the recent rainfall that they stood out in the heavy downpour cuatless and bareheaded —their quaint equivalent of a silent Te Deum. It is stated that Mr Board, of Waitomo. intends erecting a commodious boardinghouse and store at Te Anga. Arrangements have Ellready been made for the purchase, adjoining Te Anga saleyards, of a sufficient area. This should prove of great convenience to the travelling public, and when the rock cutting of the Mangahina Gorge has been completed, will form an admirable stage from Kinohaku. Foxton possesses a debt collector whose bold commercial methods would put mercantile or commercial agencies to shame (says the "Manawatu Herald")- He is original—decidedly so. A bicycle is brought into requisition, on which is attached a notice., triangular in shape, and suspended from the front bar, which bears in bold letters the words "debt collector." The bicycle, when left outside a debtor's house, becomes a conspicuous and suggestive object. The residents of Te Kuiti who made use of Mr Hyde's last visit, will be pleased to hear he again opened up on 2nd inst. until Monday night, with all new goods at Blackman and Cobb's rooms. Amongst other materials is a fine display of grass-linen ware which is a triumph in Oriental skill and easily eclipses anything previously shown in New Zealand. Copper and brass ware should find favour with patrons, and the dress goods, laces, gold embroidarv, etc., are a feature. In fact the whole stock is an education to anyone interested in needle work, and is an exceptional opportunity for residents to secure goods which are seHom offered in these parts.

Dn Wednesday last Mrs Harcourt, of Taumarunui, met with a bad accii dent at her home across the Wanganui While engaged in attending to tfcp. fire, she was suddenly subjected to some kind of seizure and fell across the fire. Her face and breast were badly burnt. When discovered in this condition no time was lost in communicating with the Scoutmaster and the hospital authorities and a bearer party of that splendid lot of bo;s under Scoutmaster Carrington was quickly oh hand with the ambulance to convey the unfortunate lady to the hospital. Cabinet on Monday last accepted a tender for 175,000 medals, which will be distributed to New Zealand children as coronation souvenirs. The medals will be superior to any yet distributed to the children. The Cabinet also decided that it could not take action re General Baden-Powell's desire for a representative patrol of Boy Scouts going to the Coronation, or re the suggestion that a Cadet team be sent to next Bisley meeting. Messrs Turnbul! and Jones, Ltd., electrical engineers of Wellington, have been entrusted with the contract for a complete electric lighting and pumping scheme for the Taihape Borough Council. The power will be obtained from the Hautapu river by means of two turbines of 100 horsepower each, and after being converted into electrical energy will be transmitted by overhead lines to the centre of the town, and also to a pumping station in the upper reaches of the river, whence the town's water will be pumped to a large reservoir estimated to hold more than a month's supply.