LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9, 4 August 1911, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Palmerston lady has cause to deplore her misplaced confidence in human nature. A week or so ago a working man came to her in apparent distress. He stated that he was without means, but had got casual employment as a laborer. His trouble was that he could not get a boarding-house to receive him unless some person guaranteed his board. If the lady would only do this for him until payday he would be very grateful. Finding that the man was employed as stated, the lady became "joint and several" for his board. Finally payday arrived, but nothing was seen of or heard from the "deeply grateful" one. Inquiry revealed the fact that he had vanished, after having enjoyed a fairly good spree out of his wages, leaving his benefactor with a claim of 27s to discharge. It was a particularly mean, dishonest act (says the dard')"How laws are passed in New Zealand" is thus graphically described by Mr Edwin Cox, of Cambridge, Auckland, for the readers of the 'Preston Guardian': "Debate drags its slow length through midnight hours until the legislative brain is weary and heavy with sleep. The Government seizes the opportunity, and in the somnolent hours various disputable measures are slipped through; then Bellamy is busy, and the tired brain and overtaxed gastric powers irritate that small member the tongue and that intangible member the temper, words that burn are Hung about, until fiery passion blazes up, and is only extinguished by the cool morning air and the light of dawn." A valued correspondent from the Hawke's Bay district sends me some amusing clippings from advertisements in the local papers (says the writer of "Tussock and Furrow" in the Tress'). Either the writing of the people who send the advertisements in is exceedingly bad or the journals must have a humourist on the staff. One notive of a sale announces that "nine bust-fed weaners will be offered." This is apparently a new feed peculiar to Hawke's Bay. Another sale notice calmly states that "50 bull ewes were sold at 2s 6d and 68 bull lambs at 3sl" A c instead of b would probably set the matter right, but anyway it was an "inner." Still again the journal blunders on in its careful way —for we read that a "line of heifers to calf to a twohorned bull" is awaiting a buyer; but the best of the lot is a "wanted" which announces that "butchers are wanted to crutch sheep!" From the look of some sheep that have been crutched it would certainly appear that butchers had done it —with a cleaver! A brilliant idea was submitted to the Farmers' Conference at Sydney last week. It was nothing less (says the 'Morning Herald) than a Farmers' Settlers' Club, but it was to be the only club in Australia where men and women could meet on equal terms. The happy coastal folk and the men from the western side could meet and compare notes. Then, again, there wassaid a delegate—not enough matrimony in the country. He did not advocate a matrimonial club, but it would be a great gain if the young men from one part of the country could meet young women from other parts. They could thus select better life partners than at present. Cooking classes could be held there, and farmers could send their daughters there to get the finishing touches put upon the plain cooking of the bush. It is to be regretted that Conference threw out this Utopian scheme. The State briquette works have been restarted, and work will be continued until the present stock of tar is used up. The Grey River 'Argus' states that the Mines' Department does not held out much hope of the works being permanently continued. At a meeting of the Opposition Party Mr S. J. H. Escott was selected by 15 against S. Dolton (12 votes) to run in the Opposition interest at the general election (states a Woodville Press Association telegram). Mr Escott is a farmer at Woodville and a prominent member of the Farmers' Union. The Fanners' Union Conference at Wellington resolved that in view of the great difficulty in obtaining servants in the country the Government be urged to adopt a scheme for bringing out suitable female servants.