WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143587, 28 August 1911, Page 3

WAITARA.

(From Our Own Correspondents)

August 28.—An elderly man named Peter Jackson was found dead in his bed on Friday morning. The deceased, who was 64 years of age, was a native of Denmark, but had been in the Dominion for a good many years. He had been in Waitara for about three weeks, and was employed as gardener to Mr. 31. J. Jones, whore ho also lived. He was last soeu alive at 6.30 on Thursday evening, when h© retired to bed, and on being culled at 7.30 on Friday morning was found as stated above. A post mortem examination of the body was made by Dr. Claridgo, who stated that death was due to syncope, accelerated by fatty degeneration of the heart and rheumatic pericarditis. An inquest was held this morning before 31r. W. F. Jeukins (Deputy Coroner), Iwbon the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. The remains were afterwards interred in the Waitara Cemetery, the Dev. C. F. R. Harrison officiating at the graveside. Deceased had no relatives in the Dominion.

A little after mid-day on Fridaj Dr. Ramage received an urgent message from Euirangi stating that a Maori named Pui Motonui hao attempted suicide, and requesting his attendance. Upon arrival the doctor found that the unfortunate man had shockingly injured his head with an axe, causing a compound fracture of the frontal bone. After dressing the injuries, Dr. Romage ordered the sufferer to the New Plymouth Hospital, where he lingered till a little after midnight on Saturday, the case being almost hopeless from tho start. The deceased, who was a quiet, industrious Native, had been somewhat despondent since the death of a child some little time back, but a pecuniary loss on a cattle deal seems to have been the predisposing cause to the fatal act. It is an extraordinary fact that after having inflicted such fearful injuries the deceased walked some two hundred yards before he collapsed. The tangi is now taking place, a large number being present. Detective-Sergeant Boddam and Constable La Pouplo both visited the scene of the tragedy yesterday. An inquest will be held to-day. Tho friends of 3lrs, S. W. Ashton will regret to learn that she is at present lying dangerously ill at Plimmerton, near Wellington. The Tikorangi Library Committee are doing their’utmost to make the forthcoming concert on the 6th prox. more than ordinarily attractive. In addition to local talent there will be a strong party from New Plymouth, comprising Mesdames George and Drury and 3lr. Asher, besides several other vocalists. n 3lr. R. Peppered, who has not been very long out of tho hospital, through hi runes to his, back, caused hy a hors© .falling on him, Ims again been compelled to return to that excellent institution. This time ho has sustained four broken ribs, due to being, thrown off a brake recently. On inquiry I learn, the genial ‘‘Bob” is progressing favourably, and trust he may soon be about again, 3!r. George Davis, our local postman, has received notice of transfer to Takaka, near Nelson; and will probably leave for his new post this week. Mr. Dcyts has been a moot courteous and obliging official, and his friends, while regretting his departure, will bo glad to learn of his promotion. Captaiu Thompson, harbourmaster, is at present in Wanganui. The object of his visit is the inspection of the harbour works at that port, with the view of reporting to the local board the advisability of similar work being done in the Waitara River.

Quite a little township has sprung up, in, the vieiniiy of the Waitara railway station recently, where a number of little cabins have been set up to accommodate the platelayers, some dozen or so, who are engaged in laying tile new 531 b. rails on the track from Sen-, try Hill to Waitara. The work will take the best part of tho next two months to complete, and will allow a hoarier type of locomotive being used. AVhilo on railway matters I might mention that the int reduction of gas on this lino is greatly appreciated. Later on, we may hope to have a better typo of railway carriage. At the present time, “any old thing” seems to do for Waitara. Then there ia tho absence of a verandah on the station platform. If the Hon. the Minister for Hell ways could only see for himself the disabilities that aro inflicted on delicate women and children ill rain}' weather, through the want of a protection from the elements, he would, I feel sure, authorise a grant for this muchneeded purpose. In the meantime wo can lay tho cause of many a cold and serious bronchial trouble at tbo door' of a hard and unsympathetic Minister. Mr. G. H. Saunders is “showing” here on ‘Wednesday evening next in aid of tho "Waitara School funds. A bumper house is expected, as the object is an admirable one: i.e., the raising of funds to enable the committee to have various necessary work done which will contribute to- tho comfort of both staff and scholars.

Mr. W. Sampson is away at Rotorua at present tor the purpose of getting rid of sciatica, which has troubled him somewhat severely, of late. Tlie need of a steel frame tower and a powerful toned bell lias exercised the minds of the Waitara Fire Brigade for some considerable time, but lack of funds, or the “demuition total,” as Mr. Maiitnlini would say, have prevented the obtaining of same. However, both have now been ordered and should shortly be in position. With these very necessary adjuncts, the brigade will be on a much better tooting, both for locating the vicinity of an outbreak and sounding the alarm. Tho Waitara Volunteer h ire Brigade deserve well of the citizens of this town, and the residents have proved their appreciation on various occasions, and are doubtless ready to do so again. After all, it is only reasonable to expect that ‘ ‘the man with the ladder and the hose” should have ali tho facilities possible in dealing with the fire demon, tho said deal being often fraught with much peril and little kudos.

Stainer’s. “Crucifixion” was rehearsed, yesterday afternoon. Mr. \V. Hutchens, of Hawera, has been engaged for the tenor solos. The “Crucifixion” is a very fine work, with excellent scope for'the soloists, and the production is being looked forward to with much interest.

It is stilted that, various backyards in Waitnra are not likely to bo mis'takcu for eau-de-cologne factories. This being so, “all those whom it may concern,” as the legal documents run, had better put their houses, or rather their yards, in order, for I have got the tip that a surprise visit may bo expected at any time by a health inspector from Wellington, when offenders will find it somewhat expensive as well as unpleasant in being advertised as the owners of a microbe hatchery.