The Northern Advocate WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 22 February 1911, Page 4

The Northern Advocate WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stone crushing operations were commenced last Saturday at the Tikipunga quarry. The stone-crushing plant recently installed by the County Council is used in the work. This morning the County Council inaction engine, with three metal waggons hitched, went to Ruatangata, where the ;>Jant will be used in a metalling contract undertaken by Mr Gibbons. The Harvest Thanksgiving services in connection with the Methodist vhurches will take place on Sunday next. A strong committee of the Hhangarei church have the matter in hand, and special music is being prepared. Appreciation and satisfaction were expressed at a meeting of the Loyal Whangarei Lodge of Oddfellows last aight at the action of the Hospital Board in allowing members of Friendly Societies a rebate of y% fees in hospital rates, upon t|ie Society guaranteeing the amount. Opportunity was taken at the meeting by Bro. Windust, N.G., on behalf of the Lodge, of presenting Brothers H. S. Eccles, I. W. Moore, and J. F. S. Briggs each, with a handsomely framed Past Grand masters' certificate. Hearty welcome was accorded visiting members of Mangapai Lodge, also Bro. A. G. Lyon, P.G., an old and worthy officer of the Whangarei Lodge. After the closing of the Lodge the visitors were entertained, and light refreshments were handed round. The very pleasant gathering terminated at :0.30 p.m. A rather good story is being told of a couple of land agents not a hundred miles from Stratford. They both had iheir eye on a client, and one to make ] i.ure of geUing in early arranged with a third party to sleep at the place where the prospective client was staying, and wake him up at 5 o'clock in the morning to be taken to the land under offer. The other agent got word cf the intentions of his opponent, and knowing that the watched client would not be home until midnight, waylaid him, effected a sale, and returned to his dwelling in a happy frame of mind. Next morning the landseeker was aAvakened ou; of a sound sleep and told That a motor car was waiting outside to take him to inspect certain land. When the waiting motorist was informed that his ruse had failed, and ihat the other party had scored —well, it is a good thing there was no one about to listen to his kindly remarks. Some time ago Mr George Witty, M.P., wrote to the Minister of Lands, stating that he had received several inquiries from persons who wished to take up land under the Improved Farm Settlement conditions, and asking whether there were any areas available. In his reply Sir Joseph states that at present there are no lands open for selection either in the North or South Islands under the Improved Farm Settlement conditions. Some two years ago considerable areas were opened under these conditions in the Auckland, Taranaki, and Wellington Land Districts, and applications were received from all parts of the dominion. Since then the Government has not seen its way to open any more lands under these conditions, owing to the great demand that exists for land under ordinary settlement conditions. The Commissioners of Crown Lands in the several Land Districts in the South Island all reported that there were no lands suitable for opening unaer the Improved Farm Settlement conditions in their respective districts.

Another rather good story at the expense of the leader of the Opposition was delivered at Hikurangi by Dr. Findlay. An old friend of his had had a bad dream. He had dreamt that he returned from an extended trip and found a ship, labelled the "Dominion," crawling along slowly, her hull covered with barnacles and everything worn out. The voyager went on board and found that the vessel was commanded by a Captain Massey, who was squatit d on an empty box, on which the word "Treasury" was legible and with an ancient chart alongside him. "1 say, old man," said the stranger, "we are going dreadfully slow." "Yes, I know that," answered Captain Massey, "but I go in for safety; besides it saves coal." "But this vessel used to dash the spray from her bows in the old days." "Oh, yes. But by going slow 1 save coal. I don't believe in speed. I let her drift a long way. I'm afraid of rocks, especially one. called National Bankruptcy, so I go slow and save coal. You know, I have one old bachelor officer on board, called Buchanan, and he is a terror for speed. I'm not, I want to go slow and save coal."

I Friday was a winning day for Wel- , lington. Tha Wellington Garrison and Wellington Tramways Bands carried, off the premier honors at the big North Island Bands' Association's contest at Palmevston North; the Wellington Post Office representatives defeated those of Auckland at cricket on the Basin Reserve, and Wellington won vhe Duthie Cup for the year in the 'cowls contest at Wanganui.

To-morrow afternoon the rowing races for the Frodsham Cup will take place over the course finishing at the Rowing Shed. Six crews have entered and some of them, not all, have put in some training for the event. Some yood races should eventuate, and as yet it is not easy to pick the winners amongst two or three of the most favoved crews. Afternoon tea will be provided in the sheds and a cordial invitation is extended to all by the executive. A ladies' pair oar race will alyo be rowed, and should provide a good finish. The races will start punctually j-:i. 3 p.m., as there will be a good number to get off.

Form at cricket, as in any other game where skill is required, can only be reached and retained by regular practice. Too little regard is paid to this indispensable point by members of the Whangarei club, and in conse--1 quence the quality of play is deteriorating and the chances of winning matches are becoming more uncertain. The ground is available every evening, from fire o'clock tratil sunset, but though superb weather for the purpose has prevailed for so long nothing like full advantage has been taken of the facilities. More individual enthusiasm is needed if the game is to be played in the ideal manner it merits, and it behoves members to display more keenness and ardour in fitting themselves for contests.

At Hikurangi on Monday evening, Dr. Findlay narrated the circumrtances under which he first met the Lite John MeKenzie, whose work in connection with land settlement, the speaker so strongly eulogised. Dr. Findlay, then a young; and cheeky barrister, was conducting a case against old John in a small country township, and after being as insolent as he was paid for, Dr. Findlay wort his case. MeKenzie waited for him outside the Court, and the first thing he said certainly did not point to the beginning of a friendship, but the concluding sentence was more auspicious. "Young ftllow/' said Mr MeKenzie, "you are an impudent young cub, but you fought your case well. Come along" and have a drink."