LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 18, 16 June 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The many friends of Mr N. Wicks will be pleased to hear that the operation performed at the Waikato hospital on Wednesday was an entire success, and that he is now making steady progress, and an early recovery ia hoped for. Mr Massey is of opinion that by the coming alteration of electoral boundaries the North Island will not gain-more than two seats. He is of opinion that one new seat will be in the suburbs of Auckland City, and that probably the other will take in portions of the Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki provinces. An expensive bit of news. —An individual took a clipping from a paper in the Wangartui Public Library, and was. subsequently fined at the Magistrate's Court £2, and 7s costs, and £l is solicitor's fee —altogether £3 8s for a clipping from a penny paper. This ought to act as a warning to people who are in the habit of mutilating papers in public libraries. Arbor Day (June 19th) is gazetted a public holiday. In order that the movement .may be made as successful as possible, the Government hopes that the Mayors of various municipalities, and chairmen of local bodies will place the matter prominently before the people of the Dominion, and do all they can to encourage the planting of public reserves and other available lands, both public and private, with trees suited to the locality.

We understand that a miniature rifle range has been established at the local school where the cadets will receive instructions in marksmanship from time to time. Although the range will not be officially opened until the arrangements in anticipation are completed the boys have already entered upon their preliminary training. We feel confident that parents and citizens generally will feel gratified at the efforts being exerted on behalf of the boys, and that they will not be found wanting when called upon to offer tangible encouragement from time to time. We offer the Te Awamutu junior cadets our congratulations, and wish them every success.

The following tenders have been received for the erection of a two-storied building for Mr J. B. Teasdale : —Messrs Donald Mc Lean and Sons (Wellington) £2457, H. M. Hollow (Hamilton) £2460, Messrs Wheeler and Irvine (Te Awamutu) £2626, F. W. Meyer (Wellington) £2997. The tender of Messrs Donald McLean and Sons has been accessed. The architect (Mr F. C. Daniel]) estimated the cost at £2493. These buildings contain three shops on the ground floor, with three sets of offices upstairs, some of which are already let. They will be situated on the corner of Alexandra and Bank Streets, and as they are to be built throughout of concrete will present a very fine appearance. The contract time expires in December, and it is understood the contractors intend to proceed with the work right away.

Miss M. Avenell left by the express yesterday for Auckland to take up a course of nursing at St. Helen's Hospital.

Mrs Couper and Mr and Miss Goldstone, of Wairoa, who are touring the North Island, are now staying at the Commercial Hotel.

By the resignation of Mr A. Hyde as a member of the ie Awamutu Town Board an extraordinary vacancy has occurred, and the Town Clerk notifies in another column that an election will, if necessary, be held on July Ist, 1911. Nominations must reach the Town Clerk's office not later than noon on June 24th.

The danger of youngsters playing with dynamite detonators was demonstrated at the Waiongona School one day last week. A. lad named Horace Lumsden was playing with a dynamite cap that he had found, when another lad procured a lighted stick from the school fireplace. i he firestick was applied to the cap, with the result that the boy Lumsden had portions of a' thumb and two fingers blown from his hand. The boy is now being treated at the New Plymouth Hospital (says the "Daily News,")

Mr Harry Douglas, a wellknown Australian actor, who has often visited New Zealand, died in the Sydney hospital last week. For many years Mr Douglas has been connected with the Australian stage, his appearances in New Zealand being very frequent, more particularly in the early days. His last tour of the Waikato was in 1903. At the time he was taken ill he was touring with the Kate Howard Company, The deceased actor was 65 years of age. Mr Wm. Douglas (Dug) is a son of the deceased, and we extend our sympathies at the sudden bereavement.

At Carterton en Monday evening the acting Premier in reply to c;'i' : ci?!"'> of Opposition members claimed to have, consolidated the native land laws, introduced the board system put the native land 3 on a •Tooting with Crown lands, secured proper valuation, settled 1,700,000 acres of native lands in five or six years, settled last year 344,000 acres, 174,000 by sale 170,000 by lease. Yet Mr Massey said he was doing nothing. He referred to Taumarunui an,d Te Kuiti on the Main Trunk Line as once native lands, municipalities, and lately a pastoral show was held, with hundreds present where there were only ten persons some three years ago.

A very pleasing function took place at W. Bircn Smith's tea rooms, Hamilton, on Saturday evening, when the employees of the Frankton better factory .met to show their esteem for Mr W. Y. Kirkman, the manager, who is retiring from the position, having accepted the management of the Stratford butter factory. After refreshmehts, Mr Tas. Graham, speaking on behalf of the staff, referred to the pleasant relations that had always existed between Mr Kirkman and his men. and expressed their regret at his departure. As a token of their feeling towards himself and Mrs Kirkman, he asked their acceptance of a silver tea service, which would remind them of their long connection with . the Frankton butter factory, in which they were six years under Messrs Ambury and English, and one year under the New Zealand Dairy Association. Several others present spoke in the same strain. In responding for his wife and himself, Mr Kirkman thanked his fellow workers for their good wishes, and the handsome present they had given them. No one could desire a better staff, and be hoped they would do their best for the New Zealand Dairy Association. Mr and Mrs Kirkman leave for the south during the coming week, and will carry with them the best wishes of a large circle of friends.