LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 76, 12 January 1912, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A wag strolled into our office this morning and informed us that Dr. Reekie has just disposed or one of his achers. The wellknown dentist, Mr Empson, was instrumental in bringing about the transfer.

The New Zealand sheep’s kidney is not in favour with the health officers of the Port of London. During one recent month 800 packages of this delicacy were condemned as being unfit for food.

The proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Billiard Saloon advertises a Snooker Tournament, which is to be held in the new Billiard Parlors opposite Luks’ Hotel. Valuable prizes are offered, and already the entries are being received. Intending competitors must enter on or before 20th inst.*

At the conclusion of the meeting of the Town Board yesterday afternoon the members interviewed Mr Lyons, and were informed that arrangements were being made to shift his buildings back to the proper frontage of Alexandra Street, and that the Avork would be put in hand as soon as possible.

The Te Awamutu Philharmonic Society has booked the Town Hall for Wednesday, February 7th, and by advertisement in another column announce that a grand concert Avill be held that evening. An excellent programme is being arranged, and a most enjoyable evening should result. The box plan is noAV Sueur’s.

It is now understood that Mr A. W. Hogg lias decided to accept a testimonial from his friends and supporters provided that it bears no political significance.

By advertisement in another column the Town Board calls a meeting of ratepayers for Monday next to consider the advisability of granting the rights to instal a gas plant at Te Awamutu to a proposed company. This is a most important proposal, and there will doubtless be a full attendance at the Town Hall on Monday next. «

Arrangements arc now well in hand for the concert to be held on the 29th inst. Several very popular vocalists from adjoining townships have already consented to assist, and the programme promises to be a most enjoyable one. The proceeds o this concert are to be expended on the purchase of chairs for the Town Hall. A sufficient number of chairs have already been ordered by the Town Board, and will be here in time for this concert. The box plan is now open at Le Sueur’s, and those desirous of reserving chairs should pay Mr Le Sueur an early visit.

The “ Americans ” get the credit of being cute business men, but a Taranaki country storekeeper can easily give them points and win them. Recently he purchased a brand new motor car, with which he intends to combine pleasure and profit. He has accordingly notified the settlers within a radius of about twenty miles that purchasers of goods to a certain amount (groceries barred) will be given a free ride to the store and home again per motor. The scheme is bound to catch on, for what good man or good lady could resist the enjoyment of the luxury of a free motor trip ? Nothing is said as to what will be the fate of anyone who avails the opportunity but fails to purchase up to the requisite amount. Probably such a one would have to foot it home.

A loud explosion, the cause of which is unknown, occurred in Hamilton East on Tuesday night startling a number of the residents, who went out of doors to seek the cause. Mr A. T. Atkin declares that the report took place a little after midnight, and to him, in bed, sounded as though a big gun had been fired immediately over his new house. Arising, he made an inspection of the building both outside and in, but found everything in order. The explosion is so far inexplicable, and seeing that a similar loud report occurred at midnight on .New -Year’s Eve, which was heard as far away ! as No. I Bridge, it would be interesting to know the origin. One theory is that someone is experimenting with dynamite, but midnight seems a rather untimehour for such an undertaking unless carried out with some illicit object. It is thought by others that the noise v/as caused by sewer gas combustion, but inquiries at the gasworks this morning tend to destroy this theory, while as the machinery at the waterworks on the opposite banks of the river was not working, the noise could not have come from this source'. — Waikato Times.

We regret very much to learn from the files of the Forres, Elgin,

and Nairn Gazette of the death of the Rev. John McDonald, who Avas minister of the Waikato West Presbyterian charge from June, 1892, until January, TB9B. Mr McDonald Avas very greatly beloved by the people of this district for his great kindness of heart, his genuine sympathy, and his sterling piety. He is" and Avill be long remembered for the

gold work that he did throughout the district. It is now fourteen years since he left Te Awamutu

to return to Scotland. The Gazette writes :—“ It was with a feeling of sincere regret that many friends in the north of Scotland heard of the death of the Rev. John McDonald, retired minister, Park VieAV, Forres, on Wednes-

Cldy, iMJVcQIULI ZZIICI, clllLl cl rather protracted illness, borne Avith fortitude and resignation. Deceased was associated Avith the old Free Church of Scotland. About nine years ago he retired from his charge, and, returning to his native land, settled down in Foires, where he earned for himself the highest reputation as a sound evangelical preacher, strongly imbued Avith a true missionary spirit. Deceased was a native of Culloden, and when a youth was employed at farm work in the Earlsmill district. Possessed of deep religious feeling and strong convictions, he had a great desire to do Christian work, and subsequently we find him a trusted employee of the Col portage Society, representing Moray and Nairn for some years Avith abounding zeal. Later he gratified a lifelong ambition to spend and be spent in the service of his Master, going to the university and massing through the curriculum of the Free Church Divinity Hall at Edinburga. At a more advanced period he found a more

advanced sphere of activity" in New Zealand, and Avorthily fulfilled his ministerial duties. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved widow, Avho, though not herself in the best of health, proved a devoted helpmeet to her worthy husband. Mr McDonald Avas seventy-three years of age.

Advice received this morning states that the Harapepe School was destroyed by fire yesterday.

Mr li. M. Woodward, relieving manager of the Bank of N.Z., arrived in Te Awamutu on Thursday to take charge of the local branch during the absence on leave of Mr von Sturmer. Mr von Sturmer leaves to-morrow to join his family at St. Hellier’s Bay. r'

Mr J. J. Daley, who for the last seven months has been on the staff of the local Post Office, has been transferred to the Wellington office. Mr Daley leaves for Wellington by Main Trunk express to-night. Mr Daley’s duties will be taken over by Mr Wood, who is being transferred from Onehunga.

An unexpected inrush of gas occurred in the May Queen Mine at Waihi yesterday, resulting in the death by suffocation of two men, James Wiiliams and Thomas Guy, while two others had to be conveyed to the Thames Hospital for treatment, and four men had to proceed to their homes. There is nothing at present to indicate what caused the incursion of gas.

As we go to press we are advised by Dr Henderson that Mrs E. I. Miller spent a fairly restful night, and seems slightly improved this morning. Throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning she was in a critical condition, and for some time but little hope was entertained for her recovery. Towards afternoon and evening she rallied, and this morning—although not yet out of danger—her condition seems slightly improved. The sudden illness which caused the anxiety was brought on by the giving way of an old-standing ulcer of the bowel which caused peritonitis. In other respects her con T dition has progressed favourably.

We have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of Bond’s Waikato Almanac, Dairy Directory, and Farmers’ Encyclopaedia for the current year. The publication is a very creditable one, and contains a great deal of very useful information. the calender and diary i’s a well-compiled directory for the Waikato districts, postal and railway information, and no end of valuable notes for the farmer. It is anticipated that there will be a big demand for this most useful publication, and it would be advisable to place orders at once, as the supply is limited. Mr G. Gifford is the local agent.

There was a narrow escape from a serious accident at the Titnaru railway station a few days ago, A woman had been showering kisses over her husband and children in a carriage when the signal for the train to start caused her to rush precipi- <.

tately out of the carriage, moving backwards, and still waving farewell to her relatives. Another passenger, a man, also made a rush, but he wanted to get on board, and the woman did not see him. A collision occurred-"' and the man was knocked down, and slipped between the train and the platform. A constable dragged the man from his perilous position but had not got clear when the woman, still backing down the steps of the carriage, fell on top of them. The constable had the presence of mind to clasp both of them in his arms and drag them practically from under the wheels of the train, which by this time had gained considereble speed.