BREVITIES.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 20, 18 December 1906, Page 4

BREVITIES.

Mr. Ernest A. Bunkall, of Herekino, has received word that he has passed his final Solicitor’s Examination. It is expected that the peal of beUs in St. Matthew’s Church, Auckland, will ring*out for the first time on Christmas Day. Kev. Walter Scott will hold divine service on Sunday, January fith, as follows: —Fairbum 11 a.m., Omru 3 p.m., Mangonui 7 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. H. H. White, of the Peria Native School, left by last Clansman en route to Sydney, New South. Wales, where they will spend their holidays with relatives and friends. Large numbers of post cards bearing fictitious or imitation postage stamps are being sent through the post. This is contrary to the regulations. Such post cardß are not allowed to pass but are sent direct lo.the Dead Letter Office. Mr. “.Tommy” Tomlinson,- of Peria, leaves by this week’s Clansman for “ fresh woods and pastures new.” He will be greatly missed in local sporting circles, being a good all-round athlete, including footballandcricket among his accomplishments. We wish him good luck. Mr. Quartley, solicitor, left Mangonui on Saturday last, proceeding north for the purpose of attending S.M. Court sittings. From tliyre he intends to go to Hawke’s Bay, where he will spend the Xmas vacation, and return to Mangonui about 7th January. It is pleasing to learn that the various schools throughout the North have shown good examination results. At Mangonui public school all the children were promoted, except one in standard 11, and the fith standard all obtained certificates of “ competency.” Passes !)7J per cent. A new book “ New Zealanders and the Boer War, or Soldiers from the Land of the Moa,” an interesting memento of the campaign in South Africa of the Sixth and other contingents, may be had at all booksellers, and at Messrs. Gordon and Gotch’s stall in the Christchurch Exhibition.

Northerners are being well catered for on on the coming New Year’s Day. Sports in Mr. Powell’s paddock at Uhiroa, school picnic at Awanui, races and sports at Mangonui, and the usual races at Houhora. The latter has attracted entries from all the “cracks” so good sport is ensured.

The races and sports to be held at Cooper’s Beach on New Year’s Day are attracting considerable attention. Entries in all events are sure to be good, and one and all may anticipate a good day’s sport. Nothing like the annual re-union —it means money in the pockets of the local tradespeople, and plenty of fun.

Mr. Lang, who has been appointed to the charge of the Mangonui office of the Northern Steamship Company, arrived by last week’s Clansman to take up his new Mr. Lang is no stranger to the community, having been here several times relieving, and wo feel sure he will proven worthy successor to Mr. Penman.

Sheep farmers in the North are congratulating themselves on the high prices realised for this year’s clip. Among others Mr. Hollis, of “ Grassmere,” Pnkepoto, obtained the high price of and lid], and 10Ad. were his lowest prices. Such figures must be considered highly satisfactory and distinctly encouraging.

Waipapakauri Races, to take place on Boxing Day, promise to eclipse previous meetings. Excellent nominations have been received, and as there are a few “dark ’uns” amongst the entries the winners should be well concealed. We have the printing of the hooks of the races now in hand, so the meeting, which is a registered one, will be thoroughly up-to-date.

We would give a reminder about the Parenga races, to take place on Friday, January 11th. The meeting is registered, and coming after Waipapakauri and Houhora, should catch big entries for all events. Secretary Samuel is working energetically to make the annual fixture a bigger success than ever, and with good horseflesh competing what more can the sporting public desire ?

A sweet little thing' in the shape of a nine-footsharkwas captured ofFHouston’B point, Mangonui harbour, yesterday morning. Joe, the Maori, valiantly harpooned the monster, which took him and the boat up to “ The Island ” and back at the rate of about 20 knots an hour (more or less). Joe was quite excited about it. As he remarked : “By golly, I tell you I fly along.” The shark was subsequently hung at the wharf, where it was inspected by on admiring crowd.

Owing to changes among the officers of the Northern S.S. Co., Captain W. Fiirquhar, of the Clansman, takes up a position on the shore as ship’s husband for the company’s boats; Captain J. McLeod, of the Ngatiawa, takes over the command of the Clansman ; Captain E. A. Stain, of the Aupouri, transfers to the the Ngatiawa; Capt. T. Haultain, of the Apanui, fills the vacancy on the Aupouri, and the command of the Apanui will he given to Captain R. H. Gibbons, of the Rotomahana; Captain T. H. Richards transfers from the Chelmsford to the Muratai; and Captain R. J. Hunkin goes over from the Paeroa to the Chelmsford.

Some of the Oruru sheep farmers have just cause for complaint against dog owners. Within two or three hours on Wednesday last no less than seventeen sheep on Mr. J. Silva’s property were worried, fourteen of the number being killed outright. The mongrels which caused the damage are described as a black dog and a brown and white (or a yellow and white) sporting dog. Uufotunately a chance of destroying the dogs did not occur, so they may go on killing Bheep until someone brings a rifle into requisition. The owner who knows his dog will worry sheep, and still will not get rid of the pest, deserves to he brought to book, but then it’s always a difficult matter to convince a man that his dog does kill sheep.

S.M. Court fixtures for the month include Ahipara, 17th December and Houhora 19th. The time-table of the schooner Greyhoiuripfor December, 1906, and January, 1907, appears in this issue. The marriage take place in Auckland this week of Mr. C. W. Hams and Miss Jane Daly, both of Mangonui. Three weddings within the last week speaks well for the prosperity of the North. We extend congratulations to the several couples, Mr. Robert Bradley to Miss Daisy Masters (Kaitaia), Mr. Alick Maria (Oruru), to Miss Annie Richards (Awanui), Mr. Walsh to Miss Dolly Reid (Ahipara). A local schoolmaster the other day received an answer which rather disconcerted him. The question propounded was : “ Why do you learn geography ? ” A little girl pupil immediately replied “ Because if we didn’t we’d get the stick! ” That little girl evidently has an eye to the practical side of things. A considerable amount of sickness exists in Mangonui at present—nothing serious as yet, but sufficient to make several take to their beds. This weather people should be careful of their drinking water, which is suspected as the cause of the trouble. No water should be taken unless boiled and well filtered. Mangonui band members intend to make an excursion up the river per launch on Sunday next. Anyone wishing to go along will be welcomed, we understand. Of course they would have to pay their passage and we presume take along something for the inner man in the shape of “ wittles,” but the prospect should induce quite a number to take an outing. Wo have received word that a murder was committed at Kaikohe last Friday, the victim being a Maori woman named Mala Peneba. The alleged murderer is a native named Henare Taui, who is described as being of medium height, 35 years of age, etc., and is armed with a shotgun. It has been stated that others were injured beside the woman Peneha, and that the perpetrator of the outrage has suicided, but information is very meagre, and the rumour remains to be authenticated.