LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 943, 18 May 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Court will sit at Te Awamutu to-day.

"Te Awamutu harbours more spots of historical interest than any town in New Zealand," said Mr E. W. Kane, clerk of the Houses of Parliament yesterday to a Waipa Post reporter. " I could spend hours walking at Orakau, if just for reminiscence's sake."

Appreciation of the work of the clerk (Mr S. J. Portescue) was expressed by members of the Lower Mangapiko Drainage Board on Saturday, when the chairman (Mr Lionel Wallis) spoke highly of the valuable services rendered the Board by Mr Fortescue. The work had been left in a chaotic state when the present clerk took over the position, and now everything was " 0.K." Members endorsed the chairman's statements.

Much has been heard about the education test which Hindus are required to pass before entering the Dominion. The following letter to a farmer at Te Rahu is therefore of interest. It reads:' "Mr So-and-so, Te Awa Matu. —I humbly and' respectfully beg to approach to your honour with a request that as I and my other nine friends want to come to you as farmer labourer service in your farm (land) so please be kind enough to inform as soon as possible that is there work in your farm or not and about wages. Hopping a successfully reply—Address is as—"

A meeting of farmers was held in the Farmers' Institute on Saturday to consider the establishment of a Farmers' Mutual Insurance Associacion. The question was .investigated thoroughly, and the meeting devoted itself to the consideration of details in the conduct of these associations. A good deal of information was available from the associations which are so successfully operating in the southern provinces. It was decided to hold a further meeting early in June, preparatory to going to the farmers of the district with definite proposals for the establishment of an association.

The screen adaptation of Belasco's great success, "The Heart of Wetona," in which orma Talmadge celebrates what is probably the greatest success of her career, and which will be screened at the Empire Theatre on Thursday evening, is even more convincing and startlingly direct than the stage play. The subject is a delicate one, handled with masterly ability, so as to remove the possibility of offence to any persons. The refinement that characterises all Norma Talmadge's work is again evident in this picture, and her portrayal ofthe extremely difficult role of Wetona is another tribute to her consummate artistry.

Te Awamutu people who appreciate good music—music that makes an appeal wbich cannot be unheededwill welcome the appearance of the Lyric Quartette, which will make a looked-for appearance in the Empire Theatre this evening. The Lyric Quartette, as is well known, is one of the finest musical combinations in the Dominion. Alan McElwain can well be congratulated at the present stage on securing the services of Evelyn Harvey and Jessie Bartlett, two of New Zealand's principal musicians, artists, both of them, of no mean talent. The Quartette is " going strong" again after its accident in the north, and if the members were unable to be drowned, let no sound be able to " drown" the applause they will merit this evening. The Lyrics will give pieces from their choicest repertoire.