LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 17 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A brother of the unfortunate lady who was murdered last week lives in this district.

A child has to be kept at school now (under the amended Act) until 13, eyen though possessed of the proficiency certificate.

;The Department of Agriculture is taking action against >a Greytown settler for not clearing his property of noxious weeds. , ,

It is stated that a 'farmer in the Geraldine district has threshed out a crop of wheat from the stook averaging 60 bushels to the, acre.

On the charge of working on a Sunday, two Chinese gardeners have been convicted in the Dunedin Police Court and fined respectively 10s and ss.

The Omaha-Pakiri Show is taking place to-day. J^aungaturoto Show will take place on Friday next, and the Warkworth Show on Saturday next.

There are at present 180 Germans and Austrians quartered on Soames' Island, Wellington. It is understood that provision is being made for the reception of 60 Turks.

Masters Allan Shannon and Nat Hamilton proceeded to Auckland on Wednesday last to continue their

studies, the first at the Grammar School, the second at the Technical College.

An increasing number of outside buyers are being attracted to the local sales. If the big yardings are kept up the attendance pf outside buyers will be maintained and further added to.

If subscribers at any time find their paper coming irregularly to hand they should at once communicate with the office. The papers are posted regularly at the same time each week, and a careful check is kept.

The Prime Minister has replied to the Secretary of the Eodney Chamber of Commerce that he will consult the Minister for Public Works in reference to the construction of a light railway from the main line to Warkworth.

Mr Braithwaite's lucerne paddock at Matakana calls forth encomiums from all who have seen it. It is a permanent object lesson; one, we hope, that will be generally copied. The growth has been very noticeable of late.

Mr J. Ramsay, postmaster, informs us that new regulations have been issued in regard to code or partly code cable messages. Those who have occasion to send messages of this character will do well to ascertain all details in advance.

An important meeting is advertised for this issue. It is called to form a branch of the National Reserve. The branch should have been lormed in the first month of the war, for it is every man's duty to do something. The meeting is fixed for the Town Hall. Warkworth, on Thursday, 25th February, at 8 o'clock.

A peculiar discovery was made on the premises of Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., Palmerstori North, on Monday morning. The dead body of a rat was found in the remains of a Union Jack. The "rodent had apparently attempted to chew the flag and had become choked by the material.

The Cherniavskys, the remarkable musicians who first came 'to this country with Maud Allan, the muchdiscussed dancer, are to have a week's rest at the Waiwera Hotel. A special grand piano is to be brought up for the practices which musical celebrities have to indulge in even when resting. Some local people will have the pleasure of hearing them.

According to the Otago Daily Times, the effect of the war upon the building trade in the South is responsible for a substantial reduction in the cost of building. Timber is being sold for 20 to 22^ per cent, less than at this time last year, while bricks and a number of cpther lines are being purchased at a much lower rate than has been possible for some years.

Subscribers and intending subscribers are reminded that payment in advance means a cut of twenty per cent; that is, a reduction at the rate of four shillings in the pound. If the increased price of paper is maintained it may not be possible to always grant this concession; but it is available now, as it was last year. The subscription is 10s; reduced to 8s if paid in advance.

Recruiting posters are now displayed all over New Zealand. Those fit to serve their country are urged to do their duty, and volunteer. These posters were being read with great interest in Auckland last week. There appear to be many men there engaged in casual work of the " carry your luggage " order who would be useful in the ranks, judging by their appearance.

The Government land recently thrown open between Wayby, and WellsfordVill soon be cultivated. A cottage is up. on one block, and two others are in course of erection. It is understood locally that the Government intends to have a block worked by t.he Agricultural Department, in order that there may be further demonstration of the capabilities of this class of land.

Perhaps some of the housewives of the district may be able to explain this puzzle, says the Fielding Star:—A lady entered two exhibits at the show in the one .class. For the sake of convenience we shall call them plum puddings! They were made from the one mixture and cooked together—in fact, ihey were twin puddings. Yet, while one did not even get a "commended" the other was awarded the first prize!

A North Albertland resident had a narrow escape from death the other day. As it was he suffered a good deal of agony. J> appears that he was worried by a cold, and got a bottle of physic. In the night the cough came on severely, and he got out of bed to obtain some cough physic. Groping in the dark, he picked up a bottle of lysol instead, and took a gulp.- Dr. Phippen attended, and the patient is now recovering.

The plates of all values of the new issue of Now Zealand stamps, with one exception, have arrived in Wellington, and are. now in the Government^ Printer's hands, and the new stamps should be on sale in the near future. The designs are di the King George head type, and the different values to be issued are: *d, 2d, 2id, 3d, 4d, 4£d, 6d, 7^d, 9d, and Is. The design of the present penny stamp will not be changed.

Among other official correspondence received by Mr Jas. R. Blair^ secretary Rodney Chamber of Commerce, are two letters from the Department of Marine. . They promise consideration of a suggestion re illuminated buoys at the entrance to the Mahurangi River proper, and inquiry re the Warkworth wharf. The Minister for Railways writes that he is going to give further attention to the matter of the express connection.

The Methodist Sunday School held their annual picnic on Saturday last. A party of about 60 went down to Mahurangi in three launches. The weather was good, and everyone down to the very youngest had a real good time, and showed their appreciation of the kindness of Messrs Ray Guest, W. Wilson, and T. H. Wilson in lending their launches by giving three hearty cheers. The party arrived back at Warkworth at 7 p.m. and all agreed that the picnic was the best yet held. .

Cycle enthusiasts will be glad to learn that a road race has been decided on, and will be held in Warkworth on Saturday, March 6. The course will be from the Times Office up past the Methodist Church to Pulham road, along Pulham road, down by Mr N. Wilson's into the Auckland road and round by Mr Whyte's, turning down Mill Lane and back to starting point. Three times round; about a ten mile course. One gold and 4wo silver medals are promised by Mr Hutchinson, of Auckland.

Three bundles of notes, totalling a considerable amount and the proceeds of a property sale, were left by a lady on a chair at a Dargaville theatre' after a picture performance. The fact that they were missing was not noticed until the lady arrived home. Early on Sunday morning the caretaker was interviewed, but he announced that he had seen nothing of the missing treasure. As an afterthought, however, the caretaker walked down the body of the hall, to the chairs indicated, and llior.c, sate enough, were the rolls just as they had been left.

A social was held in the Methodist Church, on Wednesday last in connection with the Young Peoples' Mutual Improvement Society. Rev. R. j3. Spiers was in the chair. Various items were contributed to the programme by Mr Glover, Red Bluff Orchestra, Rev. Spiers, Mr Button and Mr Glass. Refreshments were handed round, followed by games and amusements in the vestry. A good programme has been arranged for the ensuing 3 months, including several open night debates when anyone interested is invited to take part in the discussion.

"Those who think it unlucky to walk under a ladder, or to sit down to dinner in a party of thirteen," remarks Jacques in the Hobart Mercury, "will be vary chary about 1915. He came in on a Friday; he will go out on a Friday, and he will serve us up fiftythree Fridays in all before we have done with him. However, I may point out that there is something to be said on the other side.i Mr H. 0. Araold-Forster. in his "History of England," draws attention to the fact thut the " fifteens" have all been important years in English history. In 1215 the Magna Charta was signed and England became free; in 1415 Henry the Fifth won the battle ofAgincourt;. in 1715 the Jacobite rebellion was suppressed, and in 1815 we won the battle of Waterloo. On the whole, therefore, we may consider that the omens are propitious.