LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 7, 9 May 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The annual meeting of the Waikato West Presbyterian Charge will be held on Thursday, 18th inst. The ladies of the congregation are kindly requested to provide refreshments as usual for the social.

The demolition of the last remaining scraps of the old eyesore at the corner of Alexandra and Arawata Streets is proceeding. It is to be hoped that this necessary clearance will be followed by an announcement of the early balloting for these valuable and much-needed building sites.

The first meeting of the Band of Hope for the season will be held on Thursday evening next, commencing at 7.30. A very fine programme of part - songs, marches, recitations, etc., has been prepared, and will no doubt prove specially interesting, as all the items are to be given by the children, who have been training some time for this meeting.

A matter of very general interest .to the many holders of Crown Leases in Te Awamutu and district is the notification that the Land Board will meet at Hamilton in the Council Chambers there on Thursday next, the nth inst. The action of the Board in determining to closely identify themselves with local conditions and requirements is a most laudable one, and deserving of the leaseholders' fullest appreciation. The benefits accruing to both State and tenant are incalculable.

During the Hon. R. McKenzie's visit to the petroleum works at Moturoa yesterday two residents of the locality, Messrs Simpson and Fitzpatrick, waited on the Minister and pointed out some inconveniences that the exploitation of the oil at No. 3 bore was causing' them. They were afraid that their homes, which were in the immediate vicinity, might be endangered, especially since the recent activity and tremendous pressure of gas had been displayed by No. 3 bore. The Minister informed them that they had their legal remedy, and it was not competent for the Government to interfere until that was exhausted.

In fining a bookmaker named M'Kenzie £SO at Christchurch Mr Bishop, S.M., said: "I am going to put a stop to this as far as lies in my power. It is possible that I cannot stop bookmaking, but I am going to try." The magistrate added that he had nothing to do with, the moral aspect of the matter. "As long as the Legislature continues to legalise the totalisator and legislate against bookmakers so long will I uphold the law," he said. "The only difference that will be made will be when there is an alteration in the point of view taken of the whole matter by the Legislature.

The popularity of moving pictures as an enjoyable form of entertainment is evidenced by the large audiences that nightly attend the splendid productions of the Empire Picture Company in the different towns comprising its circuit. In Hamilton during the past week the big Town Hall has held record houses, and in Cambridge on Thursday a packed house witnessed the very fine series of pictures that are to be presented in Te Awamutu tonight. The splendid set of views depicting Melbourne has proved a great draw, and is said to be among the very best yet produced. King George opening his first Parliament, Italian cavalry manceuvres,the last of the Saxons, a budget of amusing comics, and a large number of other items, all help to make one of the most attractive programmes seen for a long time past.

A curious case of mis-spelling occurred in connection with the name of the Hon. Mr Mackenzie at Saturday's series of functions (says the Manaia " Witness "). On the foundation stone of the Kaupokonui Co.'s factory the name of the Hon. gentleman was carved " McKenzie," and so it occurred on the stone at the Manaia Post Office and on the silver trowels used at both functions. The mistake elicted from Mr Mackenzie the remark that this must have been the blunder of an Englishman. No true Highlander wouk" so emasculate the name of a member of the historic clan from which he derived his descent. Both the stones have been taken away to have the names readjusted, before being finally put in their respective places.

The Rev D. C. Bates sends the following weather forecast at noon on Monday: —Strong easterly wind, probably freshening to gale. Weather unsettled and cloudy, rain very probable.

In another column notice is given of a special meeting of the Te Awamutu Football Club to be held in the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday (to-morrow) evening. As the business of this meeting is important, it is hoped that a large attendance will result.