The Owaka A. and P. Society was favoured with ideal weather for its fifth annual show, at Owaka. Tempted by the cool, mild day the country people flocked from near and far, and by noon the fences were ringed round with horses and vehicles of every description, some of which had covered 20 miles or more, and would cover the same distance again before the day was over.
Side shows on the usual lines were numerous, and the showmen kept the scene lively with their audacious, insistent advertising. Hospital Saturday collectors were busy about the grounds, and seemed to be well received everywhere. Well over 1000 people visited the show, and both the attendance and the gate money made new records in the history of the society.
• A wedding under somewhat unusual conditions took place at the Westport Post Office recently (says the Westport News). The contracting parties were both old Westport residents. The lady, who had worshipped rather freely at the shrine of Bacchus, was the enforced guest of the State, pending advice as to her removal to Pakatoa. Mr Hopkins, the solicitor, acting in a new capacity, arrived on behalf of a client with an offer of marriage, and it was accepted, and the S.M., on being approached on the matter, consented to a brief adjournment being made to the registrar's office, where the marriage was duly celebrated, the bride then returning to her State ''residence''. It is understood (adds the News) that the State will remove the barrier that at present separates the happy couple.
• It is not generally known that the marine material taken from about the 2000 feet level in the petroleum bores is one of the finest fertilisers for rose-growing. It has been used (says the Taranaki News) by more than one local enthusiast with the most satisfaction. Another successful rose grower was asked recently the kind of fertiliser he used.
''I first of all dig a trench two feet deep,'' he replied. ''Then I collect old bottles and crockery and deposit them in the trench. Next I get my pea rifle and bowl over as many cats as are about; put them in the trench, cover them with a thick layer of earth, plant the vines and hey presto! magnificent champion roses!''- ODT, 16.12.1912.
