LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waipa Post, Volume VIII, Issue 377, 22 December 1914, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr E. Rawson, S.M., granted an application on Friday for an old age pension to a native woman resident at Parawera. The offices of Messrs H. Y. Collins and Cox and Luxford, solicitors, will be closed from Thursday next till January nth, 1915. An announcement to the effect that a combined picnic will be held on the Kihikihi Domain on January Ist, 1915, appears elsewhere. Mrs W. F. Massey, wife of the Prime Minister, whose state of health has, during the last five*or six weeks, been a source of grave anxiety to her family and friends, is now recovering slowly and during the last few days has been able to be about a little. The Minister of Lands (Mr Massey) has informed Mr J. A. Young, M.P., that the block of Crown land near Maihiihi, which he has recently urged should be put upon the market, is now being scheduled for opening by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, who states that particulars for advertising will be completed in the course of a few days, when steps can be taken to open the land for selection.

The following notice appears in last week’s Gazette" It is hereby directed that all foreign residents of New Zealand who have not been naturalised within this Dominion, and are subjects of any of the sovereigns with whom His Majesty the King is now at war, are required to forthwith report themselves at the nearest police station, and there register their names and such other particulars as may be required. Such persons are hereby forbidden to travel more than twenty miles from their homes without first receiving a permit lrorn the police so to do.”

The secretary of tlie Belgian Relief Fund committee acknowledges a contribution of 10s 6d from Mr H. W. Peake, of Korakonui.

Tenders are invited by Mr R. P. de Ridder, architect, for the erection of a residence for Mr J. O. Taylor, of “ Green Hill.” Tenders close on Thursday, January 7th, 1915.

An important sale of business premises in Alexandra Street is advertised by Messrs Lawson and Swain to take place earlv in January. Particulars will be advertised later.

Owing to the non-stoppage of the Main Trunk mail train at Te Awamutu up to and including Saturday, 9th January, the mails usually closing at 8 p.m. will close at 4.45 p.m. The business premises of Mr C. F. Battson, plumber, will be closed from Dec. 24th until Jan. 6th. Orders left with Mr R. Collins will be promptly attended to during the holidays. Services will be held by the Methodist Church on Sunday next as follow Te Awamutu, II Mr McGechie, 7 Rev. J. Olphert; Te Kawa 11, Pokuru 2, Rev. J. Olphert; Mangapiko 2.30, Mr Johnson ; Pirongia 7.30, Mr Mairs.

Mushrooms are stated to be very plentiful in various parts of the district just now. This is possibly the first time on record that mushrooms have been gathered locally so early in the season.

Shortly after 7 o’clock on Sunday evening two men were proceeding along Mahoe Street, when suddenly one of them fell to the ground in a fainting fit. Passers-by rendered what aid was necessary, and after a few minutes the man was able to walk away. On Friday last, immediately prior to the scholars of the local school dispersing for their annual summer vacation, the children placed on the table used by the headmaster, Mr F. W. Wood, a neat packet. Upon his entering the school Mr Wood was surprised to find that the parcel contained a silver-mounted inkstand, which had been presented by his scholars as a silent token of appreciation and esteem. The knives used by those brilliant hill soldiers, the Gurkhas, are shaped after the manner of a sickle, though the inward curve is not so great. From hilt to point the knife measures about twenty inches, and the blade, a quarter of an inch in thickness, weighs nearly two pounds. The knife is something akin to a butcher’s cleaver, and its momentum when on the swing must be tremendous on account of the fact that the bulk of the weight is pitched forward towards the point of the blade. There was a large congregation at St. John’s Church on Sunday evening, when the Vicar delivered an appropriate address dealing with the birthplace of Christ. The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The following anthems were rendered by the choir: —“ The Grace of God that Bringeth Salvation,” “ Send out Thy Light,” “ Hosanna in the Highest,” “ Hark, hark, my Soul,” and “ Nazareth,” the latter being sung by the male members of the choir. Miss Margaret Mackenzie and Miss V. Rickit were the soloists. The sacred song “ Star of Bethlehem,” was rendered by Mr O. P. Owen. The “ breaking-up ” 'unction in connection with the Te Awamutu kindergarten school took place on Saturday afternoon, when the principal, Miss M. Clarke, and the pupils entertained a number of their friends to a picnic. Altogether about 20 children were assembled, and a very pleasant time was spent. Afternoon tea was provided, and the children indulged in various games. During the afternoon the annual prize-giving took place. The progress made by the children during the year reflect the greatest credit on the patience and skill of the teacher in the training of children of such tender years as attend the kindergarten school.

Our readers will be pleased to learn that the members of the Marist Bros. Old Boys have consented to pay another visit to Te Awamutu, and give a series of entertainments throughout the district. Every member of the company possess talents of a high quality, and the audience are well entertained from first to last. The company appear at the Town Hall, Kihikihi, on December 31st, at Te Awamutu on Janu-' ary Ist, and at Ohaupo January 2nd. It is intended to devote half of-the nett proceeds to the local Belgian Relief Fund, and half to the Catholic Presbytery account, Te Awamutu. The programme will appear at an early date, and is stated to be a firstclass one and well up to the high standard formerly submitted by this combination. Tickets are now on sale at 2s each.

Christmas Day will be a close holiday in all branches of post office. All telegraph offices throughout.the Dominion will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Boxing Day. All mails usually closing on 25th will close at 8 p.m. on 24th. All mails on Boxing Day will close at 8 a.m. Among the many novel gifts to the Belgian Fund, one received in Auckland on Saturday morning must be regarded as unique (says the Star). The donation takes the form of an engagement ring, and in an accompanying letter, the writer, who signs herself “ Jilted,” expresses the hope that it will realise a pound or two and tenders the information that it cost £lO. Word has been received of the demise of one who, some thirty years ago, was well-known throughout the Waikato district, and particularly in Te Awamutu, where he was a member of the famous Te Awamutu Cavalrv Corps. We refer to Mr William Bruce, who died at Quincy, Florida, U.S.A., on 4th November last. Deceased, who was the fifth son of the late Alexander Bruce, of Caithness (Scotland), and who died at Te Awamutu 22 years ago, left New Zealand for America 30 years ago, and was engaged in the tobacco industry as planter and packer. Deceased is believed to have been very corhfortably off. Visitors to Auckland during the holiday season are warned to be on their guard against pickpockets. On Friday last the sum of £350 is stated to have been “ hooked ” from two people in the city. One man had cashed a cheque and carelessly put the roll of notes in his hip pocket, from which they were easily abstracted, possibly in a crowd. The other person had placed his money in a pocket book, which he placed in the inside pocket of his coat. While on his way to the station to catch his train he was hustled by three or four men, and it is thought that it was at this time that the theft occurred.