COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1711, 30 December 1919, Page 7

COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

DOWN THE LINE. (Fbom Gob Own Cobhespondent.) OTAKI, Dec. 29. At the Otaki Police Court on Saturday Sam Cook ran foul of the police by imbibing unwisely, causing damage, and by committing assault. Ho stated that he had been reading “The Yellow Peril,” but the Bench (Messrs Freeman and Bennett) considered it more of tasting from a bottle. For being drunk he was convicted and discharged, for assaulting Mary Lee he was fined 2Us and ordered to pay medical expenses 21s, for assaulting George Lee he was called upon to pay 20s, for obscene language £5, and for wilful damage to a door 20s, and ordered to pay a further 20s for the damage done —m all £lO Is. Waikanae lias been much perturbed during the past few days owing to a one-sided encounter between two young local female residents. The matter was further ventilated at the Olaki Courthouse to-day, when complainant stated that in consequence of alleged remarks she had waited on the defendant with a view of ascertaining what had been said, and if necessary to give it a denial. Very little eventuated on this occasion, but at a later date defendant and her mother went along and interviewed the complainant, and without much ado the mother urged her daughter to strike. Strike she did, not once, but half-a-dozen times, and in consequence complainant’s face .suffered somewhat. In consequence of this an action for assault was decided upon, and two young men accompanied complainant to support hei in her ovidonco, which wus given in u fnmk manner. There was, however no defence, it being presumed that defendant s conveyance had gone amiss. This was no fault of the presiding justices or the complainant, and a fine of 20s, costs £2 14s, in default one month in gaol, was meted out. It is Mr W. 11. Field s intention to visit Samoa with the Parliamentary party, which leaves at an early date. Miss Fellingham, late of Manakau has severed her connection with the Bideford school. Trior to doing so she was entertained and presented with a gold pendant set with pearls and a neck chain as a token of esteem The wedding took place on hriday nt Mr Harold Jones and Miss Gwen Hughes, both well-known residents. Sister Queenie Muir, of To I loro, leaves to-morrow for Sydney. After a short stay in Sydney she will journey to Scotland, where she will'stay for some little time. Sister Muir’s many friends will wish her a very pleasant time during her stay abroad and a safe return. , Business people in Otaki, Manakau and Te Horo report doing excellent Christmas business. Despite the high pi ices ruling, the people are buying freely, Mr Piri Ellison and Miss Polly rukti, ; both of Waikanae. were married at Otaki o„ Thursday last, while Mr John Lilley .and Miss Alice Manning, well-known residents of Paekakariki, wore married at Otaki this afternoon. At a committee meeting of the Otaki Returned Soldiers’ Association, hold on Friday last, a very pleasant surprise was received by all present when the secretary read a letter from Mrs Witchell, lion, see rotary of the Shop Day Committee, advising that the sum of £76 had been paid to the Association’s credit at the Bank of New Zealand, representing the net pro coeds of shop day, hold on the 29th November last. A hearty vote of thanks was passed on behalf of the Association towards Mrs Witchell and all the other ladies who had so kindly assisted to make the “shop day” so very successful. The resignation of Mr H. Jones from the position of secretary on the grounds of his departure to Te Horo was received with keen regret, and a vote of thanks was passed thanking him for his past services. Mr F. Atmore was appointed secretary in place of Mr H. Jones. The popularity of Otaki’s seaside resort was manifest during the holidays, when visitors were present from various parts. Surf bathing was indulged in with great gusto. Yesterday no loss than 200 partook of afternoon tea at the kiosk. A numbe’’ of “sports" journeyed to 1 almerston for the races during the holidays, while others spent their sojodrn at Wellington and elsewhere. .. Special services were held at the Anglican Church during the festive season, and Hie solo rendered by Miss Jones at the Christmas services was fully appreciated. Owing to heavy rain on Friday the bowling match, Otaki v. Johnsonvillc, did not eventuate, the former receiving a telegram at Paekakariki to say the weather was too boisterous for play. ... r, „ M>- “Sud” Cook shortly joins the Runbine. and will sail at no distant date for England. , . . rj v Mr Eric Williams, who left New Zta land bv the Willocbra as .a wireless operator has travelled a deal since leaving these shores, and has seen sights that will long ho vivid in his memory. Tie _ is expected to return by the Wahine m February as lirst wireless operator. _