LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7912, 28 July 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A notice is inserted in this issue relative to the Patangata Road Board’s general rate for the ensuing year. Mr E. E. Smitli has a choice selection of shelter and ornamental trees for sale. The Waipawa Junior football team journeyed to Wanstead to-day to play the Wallingford team. With a view to economising the West Australian Government has suspended the publication of “Hansard.” The Borough Council received no applications for the position of female clerk, and Miss Watson was appointed. Mrs Cambridge, fruiterer and confectioner, of Otane, has just received a choice consignment of marmalade oranges. Webb and Sands, auctioneers, of Hastings, announce that they are prepared to conduct sales in any part of the district.

By advertisement in this issue the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee ask for donations of tins suitable for packing soldiers’ Christmas parcels. It is intended this year to send shortbread (instead of cakes and puddings) and a number of other comforts making up a seven-pound parcel. A meeting of the committee will be held next Thursday to complete arrangements. The proposal to form an Orchestral Society in Waipawa took definite shape last evening, when the first practice was held at the residence of Mr .W. Smith. All who attended evinced the keenest enthusiasm in the movement, and regular practices are to be arranged. Instrumentalists who desire to join are invited to communicate with Mr W. Smith.

Mr Massey has informed Mr G. Hunter, in reply to the representations of the Waipawa Progressive Association re the acquisition of land in this district for soldiers’ settlements, that he will be glad to bring the matter before the Land Purchase Board for consideration. Mr J. W. Ritchie, chairman of the Land Purchase Board, has also written to the secretary of the Association stating that the representations will receive due consideration. 1

The Ladies’ Patriotic Shop will be open again next Saturday, under the direction of Mesdames H. M. Rathbone, Brewer, W. Smith, D. Kittow, and W. Kittow, and a big day is anticipated. A feature of the programme will be the sale of the “Mystery Bags,” donations for which have been received from business people and townspeople. One of the latest gifts is a handsome rug, donated by Mr A. E. King. A sucking pig has been donated by Mr J. Watts for sale at the shop. The members of the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee were busy on Thursday packing a. case of Red Cross cmforts, to be sent direct to SurgeonCaptain Deck for distribution in the New Zealand Convalescent Home at Hornchurch. The case included:— 12 pairs pyjamas, 6 undershirts, 20 handkerchiefs, 2 scarves, 1 Balaclava, 14 writing pads, 2 packets envelopes, 1 dozen tins Cafe au Lait, 33 packets cigarettes and papers, 4 packets tobacco, 8 large tins chocolate, 6 small tins chocolate, 4 dozen tins tobacco, magazines and books.

At the Auckland Police Court George Kevin, charged with betting as a bookmaker on licensed premises, was fined £IOO. As a result of the reserved decision of the First Wellington Military Service Board, a Marist Brother, William Patrick Doody, was ordered to go into camp on August 20th. Two others —Henry Patrick Skiffington and Thomas Augustus Holborow—were found to be medically unfit for service abroad. The three appeals were dismissed.

The question of what will become of the incalculable wealth and vast possessions of the Czar is causing the Russian Imperial family serious concern. There is a proposal that his almost incalculable wealth shall be forfeited to prosecution of the war. The Czar’s private domains comprise 21,308,000 acres, an area larger than all Ireland. More than half the territory is highly-cultivated land. The extent of the Czar’s own private treasury of actual cash may be gauged from the fact that he was able, at the time of the Russo-Japanese war, to contribute a lump sum of £20,000,000 to the war fund.

The body of the native Noemr< Epiha, who was drowned whilst on a shooting expedition on the Poukawa Lake, was found on Thursday in about eight feet of water. The body was much decomposed but recognisable. An inquest was held by the Coroner. Mr J. C. Taylor, evidence as to the cause of death being given by Dr. South. A verdict of “Found drowned, with no evidence to show how deceased got into the water” was returned. Epiha was reported missing on June 24th and from that time right up to the date of the recovery of the body the search has been maintained A motor launch was obtained from Captain Petersen, of Port Ahuriri, for a fortnight, and the natives desire ti express their thanks to him for hie special consideration. The Maoris ol the district are also deserving of r. word of praise for the persistency with which they stuck to their task, in all sorts of weather.