LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1915, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The drastic treatment of first offenders is being continued in Whangarei. This morning 3\fr W. Armstrpng, J. P., finod three first offenders each. 10 ( s for drunkenness.

1 Th 3 Northern Publishing .Co., Ltd., desires to announce that it has retaken possession of its Job Printing Department after having leased that part of its business for some months. The "Advocate" Office is now prepared to skilfully execute Job Printing of all kinds. —Advt.

The Wellington Farmers' Bacon Company is to go into voluntary liquidation. The works have been idle for some time, although attempts have been made to resume operations. It-was stated at the annual meeting that the committee had vainly canvassed several districts for support.

Saturday's gale caused a email sensation at Horeke (says the "Hokianga Times"). The wind uprooted a big macrocarpa close to the hotel and fell on a portion; of the roof with a crash that made Bill Queenin think that Gabriel was somewhere around sounding his last trump. The only loss of life was a half-bred minorca hen too old to lay eggs and likewise to get out of the way. Mr S. J. Hanna, son of Mr A. Hanna, of Auckland, has been appointed to the command of C Squadron of the Royal-Naval Flying Corps, armoured car section. He crossed to France on July 5 in charge of four armoured cars and eight armoured motor-cycles. In the course of a letter just received by his father Ue stated that he expected his squadron to be inspected by the King of the Bels, : ans ?it th> end of July.

Operations In the fiax-mtll, Wbangarei, are expected to commence in about a week's time. The new machinery has been fixed and everything is in order. The flax-cutters are busy in the swamps, and work in the mill will begin as soon as the raw material is to hand. Despite the fact that a second appeal' was made to parents by the Whangarei Schools Committee for their opinion on the question of compulsory free evening school education, no further replies have .been received. The Education Board, however, has rendered the task of the committee, in the opinion of at least one member, easier by granting a special concession. This is that English and arithmetic in regard to classes in Whangarei will not be compulsory subjects. The communication granting the concession gives every evidence that the Board is desirous that compulsory classes should be established here.

'•TJie price of both chaff and oats have fallen considerably during the past month," says the Auckland "Herald." Chaff is now quoted at about £ 9 per ton, as against the £11 to £11 10s per ton received towards the end of July, and oats are worth 4s 6d per bushel; compared with 4s 9d ruling previously. The explanation given for the fall in prices is that - the consumption has dropped to about half the normal amount, owing to the unusually high rates demanded of late. Chaff prices have also fallen considerably in Australia, but, as is still the case in New Zealand, they .are nevertheless much higher than last year.

The death of an old colonist, Mrs Elizabeth Walkrir, occurred on the loth inst. Mrs Walker was a resident of this town for 62 years. She had been an invalid for seven years and bore her trouble most patiently. She will be missed by a large circle of her many relations and friends. She had the attributes of. a true wife and fond mother and was greatly endeared to a large number of acquaintances. Mrs Walker was twice married, her first husband being the late Mr Robert Dent. In her time she saw many changes in this town which has now grown to a considerable extent. When she first knew it there were only three houses comprising the township. The communication with Auckland was liy

sailing boat, the passage often taking two or three weeks. Mrs Walker by her two marriages had twelve children, of whom there are five sons and three daughters left to mourn their loss.

The Rev. H, Daniel yesterday moved again into residence in the Methodist parsonage. The house has been considerably enlarged and renovated, about 400 square'feet being added to the area of the original dwelling, which latter, prior to alteration, was moved to the centre of the section. A bungalow roof replaces the old one and the transformation is tasteful and ingenious. Their is a charming entrance hall with panelled walls and ceiling. On the right is an airy room decorated in a pleasing shade of green and mission oak, surmounted by a wide white frieze. This room will be ! made into a study. Opposite is a fine reception room with a somewhat [ similar colour scheme. A feature of the alterations is the creation of a spacious dining room. Here again is evidence of good taste in the ornamentation. The bedrooms have also been enlarged and rendered lighter. In that part of the house where the' domestic acts hold sway, everything has been planned for comfort and convenience. Provision has been also made for the installation of electric light in nearly every room. The alterations have cost £400 but an old house has been transformed into a modern-one, complete in every respTct.- " "Mr FT Cutforth Was the builder and Mr A. M. McLeod the architect. There is still some work to do on the ex- , terior which has yet to be painted.