The Northern Advocate SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1912. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 17 February 1912, Page 4

The Northern Advocate SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1912. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There is a vacancy at the "Advocate" office for a message boy. The work is light and good wages will be paid.

Several young men who had failed to take the oath of allegiance required by the Defence Act, were each find £2 at Christchuroh yesterday.

Bishop Cleary arrived in Whangarei this morning. After breakfast he was driven to Maungakaramea where he will dedicate the new altar. Father Wientjes and a number of prominent churchmen accompanied his Lordship, who will return this evening to Whangarei.

Captain Meyers will have little to complain of in respect to the channel buoys the next time he steers the Kanieri up the harbor, for every buoy has been inspected, overhauled, and repainted by the harbor-master. The work of replacing the channel marks will be completed in a few days. I

In continuation of the highly popular series of fortnightly fishing and picnic excursions promoted by the Druids' Lodge, the oil launch Rose will leave Patterson's jetty promptly at 9 a.m. to-morrow. These outings provide a healthful and enjoyable change, and it is not surprising that so many people take advantage of each opportunity. It is at the option of patrons whether they land or continue aboard.

* Apparently ladies in the out-lying districts take a keen interest in military matters and do not wish to be left out of the excitement caused by the visits of the drill instructors. On Thursday evening, Sergt.-Major Manners when he had dismissed the men at Maungakaramea, was besieged by the ladies and eventually was persuaded to put a squad through physical exercises. On a former occasion a dance was held after the drill.

In connection with the visit of Dr. Cl eary, Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese of Auckland, mass will be celebrated and a confirmation service held at the Convent School at 10.30 am. to-morrow. In the afternoon a reception will be held, and among those to be introduced to the Bishop will be the Mayor and Borough Councillors. A confirmation service was held at Maungakaramea to-day, another will take place at Poroti on Monday.

A wily native who was being sued on a judgment summons at the Dargaville Court was asked by Mr F. V. Fraser, S.M., how much he spent on provisions weekly. "That,' : replied the dusky one, "depends on hew many visitors we have" (laughter). Mr Fraser said he feared the Court could not take that factor into consideration in assessing the cost of living. Nevertheless, it is well known that if «a native has any money, all other natives who get wind of the fact are pretty constant visitors until the said money is spent. "*

A new drive has been started, in connection with the hydro-electrical scheme at Laxe Coleridge, at the shaft end to lead down to the level of the present shaft, in order to get the material out of that end of the tunnel. Telegraph linesmen are at work at present erecting a line from the survey camp to the shaft and tunnel, so that these portions of the works can be in touch with headquarters. Operations are being delayed at present, owing to the scarcity of men. Several men have left the works, being dissatiisfied with their earnings under the co-operative system. They anticipated that they would be able to earn 9s per day, instead of which they only earned Ss 2d per day. A severe snowstorm was experienced Inst week on the high country, and was followed by several frosty nights.

A rather singular position has arisen in regard to the election of the Tenntka Licensing Committee, which places Constable Booth, who is in charge of the district, in a quandary. Amongst bis multifarious otliees, he occupies the position ol' returning otUcer to the Temuka Licensing l\iiuinitkv. aiui the election season has now arrived. He lias received notice from oHicial quarters that he must perform this duty and sui>l>ly the local authority with an estimate of the cost of the election. The local authority on this occasion is the Geraldine County Council, and that august body lias gone on strike. There ) is only one public-house in the district, and the committee has struck asainst being liable for the expenses of the election. Th's places Constable Booth in a very awkward fix. If he poreeeds with the election, he will be liable for the expenses," ami as the license fees go to the local bodies, he has no funds on. which to draw. The position will become intricate if he goes on with the election, and he is sued for expenses. First, he is clerk of the court, ;:nd mt:st take out a .summons against himself. The magistrate cannot refuse to give judgment, and then, as he is baliff of the court, he must execute the judgment against himself. True, Constable Booth is to be pitied, for at present (says a contemporary) he is considerably mixed up amongst his numerous duties.

Constable Condon left Whangarei today for Auckland to act as a witness in the Paul Kake case of alleged horssstealing. Constable O'Brien, of Kai-* kohe, also went through, in coansctlon with the charge of arson against Calvert.

Commenting editorially upon the Gisborne Band Contest the Gisborne "Times" of the 13th inst. says: "The encore which was accorded the Whangarei Band in particular was a pleasing feature, especially in view of the fact that this is the first occasion upon which that organisation has participated in a band contest."

Mr W. J. Reeve has been appointed official member of the Whangarei Maori Council and Returning Officer for the election of the Maori Council, which will take place at the Whang&rsi Courthouse on AVednesday, March #th, between the hours of 10 a.m. .rfhfl 4 p.m. The Council consists of 12 elected members and one European representative of the Government. w

There is nothing so faultily spoken in New Zealand as Maori place names. Occasionally h, smile is raised by a new-comer prDnouncing Petone "Petone," Onehunga "One-hunger," and Rotoiti "Roy-tcy-ty," but many New Zealanders are .iust as incorrect in their pronounciation as is the brandnew tourist frosh from the broad deck of the Shaw-Savill 'liner. It is quite common to hear a person pronounce the word Waingawa as "Wine-gawer," whereas it should be pronounced Wy-na-wa, and in the schools the children are taught the location of the '"Ma-hy-a" (Mania) Peninsula instead of tbe much prettier and corro r t word Ma-hee-a, with a slight acce.it on the middle syllable. Rolomahana is invariably pronounced incorroctly. As in the case of Mahia, the aspirate is sounded when the word becomes "Roto-mahana," each syllable bning given equal emphasis. The next Maori word to worry the public will, be the name of the Union Company's" new steamer Alauugunui, which is almost sure to 'oe prono lrced "Mawnganui" instead oi: "Mau-ua-nui." It it the Native sy!l:j.')l-» "Ngv," which is the stumbling block to the correct speaking of many Maori words. If people will remember that it is pronounced like a short "na," the euphony of the word will be at once revealed. The literal meaning of Maunganui is said to be big hill.