ELTHAM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143674, 19 December 1911, Page 7

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) December 18.—The elections of 1911 arc now a thing of the past, and people here are gradually dropping politics in conversation. The Beer v. No Beer vote in Kg men t was largely in favour of no-beer, but the three-fifths majority fell short. Tho No-Liccnso Party were disappointed with tho result, but appear to be more than satisfied with the prospects of National Prohibition when tho next licensing election comes round.

You will notice that I wrote “licensing election,” as to me it seems probable that another Parliamentary election will result. If those gentlemen returned vote as they are reported to intend doing neither side will have much of a majority to dominate aiiy situation. ETankly I am fiorry to see the present (.Government got tho “goby,” as I hbnostly believe it was more tho* wish ol voters to get rid of our baronet leader, who has developed a strong habit of giving away donations (Dreadnoughts) and l>onowing too readily, than to “boot out” the party who are behind Sir Joseph. At any- ! rate the Ward Government arc not j dead yet and cannot be considered out | of existence till tho no-confidence mo- J tmu goes against them. At present ] the Massoyiies count much on Labour’s support, but there is a possibility that when things have cooled down , somewhat Labour may see that it is not to its advantage to work with the | present Opposition leader. Air hough sorry to see the Government defeated, one cannot deny that Air. Massey deserves some recognition for services irmlcred tho country, and he may be able io introduce some measures that may flotonifb the natives. 1 can stand n lew surprises, and if our new Premier (assuming he gets there) will keep tho wages up and decrease the cost of living he will secure the support of every working man. Again, if Air. Alasaey ran manage things so flint the wool kings can scare top prices for mutton and wool, and the cockatoo get 135 s cwt. for butter at Home, wiry, then Air. Alassey will have tho whole Dominion at the bad; of him. And, yen, if Air. Alassey can get the writer a good job ho can count on another vote—but then that would be bribery, so I will leave it at that, Eltham returned the Honourable Mackenzie with a comfortable margin to spare. Last election we were with the Opposition and it looks as if we are again agin the Government, so with all due respect to the editor of the Herald, JSgmont must bo considered ns. voting Opposition on each and every occasion since the place became a constituency, [By accident rather than by design this time.—Ed. T.H.] This week marks the middle of summer? Von will notice 1 put a query mark at the word summer. It really deserves something like that, though probably the demonstrative person would say it should be weather. At anyrate we have been favoured (?) with some remarkable climatic, conditions, in which rain, rain, and then rain again is an easy winner, with wind and mud dead heat for next place, and sunshine disqualified lor non-starting. I’m not the only one to growl. Recently I bumped up again-.! a chap who is usually jovial, but this time his face was as long as a prize vegetable marrow. Asked him if there had boon a death in the family, but it wasn’t that that upset him. It was the weather. Says he, “can you say anything good about this? (‘This’ was water running from his hat and down his neck). Oi course not, and neither can I. This time of the year 1 can usually earn £6 a week shearing, but now I’m not earning 14, hob a week. I promised the old girl something this Christmas, but the rain beats .everything and it has beaten my pocket this time.” Ho was correct, but his consolation was that we were all hrtlic same box. Last Thursday Elthani and Stratford played cricket here. It was the first championship mutch but judging by the scores it was more like playing skittles. Elthani gathered in Gd runs, but it was a lop-sided total, as Sullivan 40 and Fcaron 12 made practically the total. At one time Eltham had five men out for 9 runs, but the players named hit hard and often and built up respectable figures. Hail .the grass been cut, and the pitch a bit decent, and the ground not so .sodden a much bettor score would have been secured. Stratford were reported to have a good team this summer (?), but they are not much good if Thursday’s effort is, their best, as although they totalled 48 runs, Eltham’s catching was fearful and about 30 runs was all the innings was worth. 1 was pleased to notice Dunlop batting well for Stratford and ho made some fine drives that replied the boundary. Probble was expected to knock up a. century, but ho .aimed a blow at one of Stewart’s slows that threatened to lift the leather out of the Dominion. He missed the whack and instead of landing the ball into tho Pacific allowed it to nestle alongside his leg stump. Still, I fancy Stratford will do better later on. As it is, Eltbam scored a win. At the present moment our asphalt streets are proving very serviceable in carrying off the rain water, and thisand other improvements to the town are appreciated by the ratepayers and residents. AVe have also a fine Town Hall and a credit to the town. Of course it is, and so it should be, seeing at the last Council mooting a return was placed on tho table showing the Town Hall and Municipal Buildings had cost something like £2700 over the estimate. I expect to hear some growling when this becomes known. At present nothing has boon said, because ratepayers are waiting for their neighbour to start tho fun going. I must swing back to politics. A baker friend had a growl the other day. “D—n tho Government,” says he. “There arc miles too many inspectors here. Yesterday 1 had an inspector in the back premises nosing round to see that everything was all correct, and then I go in the front and d—cl if there wasn’t another to see if the goods offered for sale are all right.” There must he something in tins growl, as a fruiterer says ho had a johnny inspector mauling tho fruit about to see if it was all right and free from scale, etc.. Considering that Eltham’s fruit passes through several hands before it comes hero the precaution seems hardly necessary, whilst a baker and a fruiterer know perfectly well they cannot expect trade if their selling lines are not of good quality. AVhat with borough and sanitary inspectors, and these other gentlemen chasing round, business people are being harassed, and, perhaps that may be some reason why townspeople as well as farmers are tiring of tbe present law-makers.