TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 284, 26 August 1922, Page 9

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

“No wonder you fellows go bankrupt. I know I would be chary of giving credit to anyone who had given £lOO for agricultural land,” said Mr. Fisher, tile Auckland Assignee, at the meeting of a dairy farmer's creditors. —“New Zealand Herald.”

“Misrepresentation in reference to land is not known in the south,” said plaintiff in a civil action in the Auckland Supreme Court (says the “Herald”). ’‘This is the only place I have experienced it.” Mr. Justice Herdman remarked: “I think the habit is pretty common, and the only, place where I think it is not known is Dunedin:” His Honour's remark caused some amusement.

“Eat more beef!” said a Wanganui butcher. “Why the public have been rushing it of late, since they discovered the substantial reduction in the price.” He then (states the “Herald”) pointed to his shop rails where only sundry pieces of the once sturdy beefers remained, and remarked that there was hardly a roast left in the shop by noon.

Loud rumblings were heard in the Puicetitiri district on Sunday night, apparently from Ngaruhoo, usuallyheard after the snow commences thawing (writes the Puketitiri correspondent of the Napier “Telegraph”).

The work of the Plunket Society in Auckland has expanded so rapidly (states the “Herald s ’) that the premises in the Strand Arcade, which have been the headquarters of it* activities for some years, have become inadequate. A suite of five rooms has been obtained at the top of Symonds Street, and the work of the society will be transferred to the new location as from next Monday. The new rooms not only provide more accommodation, but, the committee believes, will be from their central situation more convenient for the majority of the mothers who desire to consult the nurses.

Various methods are adopted to advertise goods, a favourite one being to forward small samples of an article. An Auckland professional man (states the “Star”) recently received by post a small parcel of meal on which was printed “test this.” He did so, and wondered what it was. Turning to read the package again he learned it .was excellent food for calves, pigs, and rpoultry.” Now he is in doubt under which class it was sent to him . to taste.

“This matter is at the base of the peace and prosperity of the Dominion of New Zealand,” said Mr. D. Bates, at a meeting of tho North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Formers’ Union, in tabling a motion advocating the raising of a loan to assist farmers of approved financial ability (states tho “Lyttelton Times”).

There is a splendid depth of water I in the Buller River, the readings show- ) ing 20ft. 6in. low water spring tides, i with a range of 10ft., giving 30ft. bin. at high water spring tides.. Shipping, however, is very slack. It is reported (states the Westport ‘‘News”) that, .the coal hulks in all the main ports are full to the brim. This slackness is idling the mines of New Zealand.

It is rumoured (states tho Westport “Times”) that the Westport Stockton Coal Company is withdrawing the hcrses from the mine and operations are to be suspended until Christmas. It is also stated that the Westport. Coal Company is likely to purchase the Stockton mine and that it will work the property from Millerton.

The Manurewa Town Board’s balancesheet to March 31 last, has been audited and returned with some important “tags” (says the Auckland “Herald”). The law allows a certain percentage for Unauthorised expenditure. Manurewa’s limit was £l5 for last year. The amount actually expended under this heading was £25 4s. 7d., made up as ' follows: —Opening of post office £l3 9s. Id.; Anzao Day wreath, £1 15s. 6d.; and donation to Manurewa Children’s Home, £lO. It might be mentioned that the rates on the home were £BO, and tho £lO was voted aa a rebate. The “tag” states that “the limit of unauthorised expenditure imposed by the Public Works Act has been exceeded to the extent of £lO 4s. 7d., which excess must be refunded.” That is each member must pay £1 9s. 3d., in order to cover the excess.

The announcement made by the Minister of Native Affairs (Hon. J. G. Coates) in connection with Maori leases to the effect that the Government was not in a position to finance tho purchase of Native interests is a most serious matter for To Kuiti, and is going to have a most disastrous effect on the progress of tho town (states the “Auckland Herald’’)- The committee has gone to a vast amount of trouble in trying to obtain the freehold in place of leases. To ask the present lessees to make their own arrangements at this stage is equivalent to killing the whole movement. In the meantime the focal committee is in close touch with the committee at Taumarunui, and strong representation will be made to persuade the Government to find the money in terms of the Act.

Those who argue with Magistrates usually come to grief, as a defendant at the Blenheim court recently found to his cost (states the “Express”). His offence was that ho had dumped four benzine cases of fish offal in the Opawa River. His Worship said defendant Must not commit a nuisance. If necessary, he must bury the offal in his backyard. Defendant “We haven’t got a backyard.” His Worship: “Well, there’s plenty of space round here, or you could keep it in a covered tin.”. Defendant: “There’s too much for a tin.” His Worship: “Thon get two tins.” Defendant: “There vas four benzine cases full-” His Worship: “Then, get four tins or eight tins, but don’t throu it in tho river.” He was fined and costs.

The benevolent interest that is being shown in the Auckland Zoo gives promise of a good . flying start _ for the municipal collection when it is opened to the public about the end of the year (states tho “Star”). In addition to the animals that nave already been donated offers of others .have been made by several leading citizens, while several-gifts of animals and birds have been made or promised by country residents. The latest donation from the country came along this week in the shape of a seal, sent from the W est Coast. This future, resident of the Zoo is being temporarily accommodated in the Domain Gardens.

To lose a diamond and not know where, and search and find it is surely a little slice of luck (says the Dannevirke “News”). A patron of the Maid of the Mountains,” on returning home, missed a stone from a. cluster Fing. In the morning her dutiful husband started off on what he imagined was a futile search, and found the diamond peacefully reposing on the mudav footpaith outside the Town Hall.. Once before the same gentleman s optimism was rewarded in a search for anotne’ diamond lost upstairs in tho town Hall, by finding it some days afterwards in the’ basement in a formidable conglomeration of sweepings and rubbish.

“You will be put in a place where you will acquire the habit of steady work; you will get up early in the morning, work all day, and be tired out at night,” said Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at Christchurch, after he had sentenced defendant in a maintenance case to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour (states the “Press”). The man was two years in arrears with the payments of maintenance to his wife and famijy. Continuing, the Magistrate said than work should be found for men of defendant’s type. If work was found for him, the money raised for tho relief of unemployment would go back to the giver in the saving of rates.

An accident occurred to a Dunedin tramways employee under most unusual circumstances last week (states the “Otago Daily Times”). A late special, car was being driven along Cargill Road at a fair speed when the driver suddenly found himself thrown out of the side and into the gutter with stunning force. The man who was acting as conductor thought U/iat a dog had been run over, but, after switching off the power, on proceeding to the front ol tne car, wh. eh earned no passengers, he could find no dog nor, at first, any driver. The existence of the cross-over points had been forgotten. The driver was not injured seriously, but he was confined to bed for some days, largely on account of shock. Fortunately the car was of the small type. It would bo easy to imagine one of the new vehicles telescoping under similar circumstances owing to the peculiarity of their mechanism.

An exceptionally heavy hailstorm passed across tho southern outskirts of New Plymouth tho other evening (states the “News”). The top-end of Westown, Frank! sign. Park, and Vogeltown were the districts affected, and serious damage was done to foliage and young plants. The hailstones, which were of a jagged nature, were of enormous size, and in many instances measured over an inch in diameter. About the time of the occurrence a heavy thunderstorm, accompanied by vivid passed over the town, but no rain fell until later on in the evening.

Tramway extensions were considered at a meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council and it was decided to take a poll on the proposal to extend the service toWestown (states the '•News”). The Mayor, in accoidance with notice, moved that a poll of the ratepayers be taken upon a proposal to borrow by way of special loan the sum of £19,000 for the purpose of constructing an extension of the council’s overhead electrio tramway system from the present terminus near the intersection of Devon and Morley Streets to the junction of Tukapo Street and David Street, and to construct such other extension or extensions of the system as may be deemed necessary cr advisable.'

A little son of Mr. Fairly, of Denniston, aged 10, went out bird-shoot-ing last week (relates! the Westport “News”). Tne lad, not reaching home at 6 p.m., for his tea, a search was made by some 40 miters, and after many hours the little chap was found at the bottom of a 50ft. cliff, where he had fallen. His right arm was broken, and he was suffering from severe internal and external injuries, and concussion of the brain, E.e was taken to the Denniston Hospital, where under Dr. McKenzie’s! care, he is recovering slowly.

“If the parties intend to make a pounding feud, they will be well advised to get some sound advice upon the Impounding Act,” said Mr. F. 11. Levien, S.M., at the Whangarei Magistrate’s Court, when delivering judgment in a case in winch (states the “Advocate)”, Robert McConnell of Kara, (Mr. 8. O. Thorne) had proceed-, ed against a neighbour, Robert McKinley, for irregularities in respect to the impounding by the latter of oomplainant’s goats. The costs amounted to £5 165., so that the litigation cost McKinley £l2 Ils. altogether.

The little daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Miller wandered to the edge of Lyall Creek, at Kaikoura last Saturday, and (states the “Star”), fell into the water. Miss Violet Ogden, 9 years of age, happened to witness the difficulties the little one was in, and immediately went into the creek and rescued the ch’.d. On returning to tho bank the swans attacked the children, and Mr. F. H. Flower, who was passing by, had to rush to the scene to avert what might have proved a serious onslaught on the children.

“In spite of repeated requests.” stated the secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board in his monthly report, “the accounts of nine school committees hava>not yet been received for audit. The committee have been informed that until the accounts are submitted for audit and passed as cor rect no further payments on account of incidental expenses will be madeIn the case of one other school the accounts have been audited, but have not yet been finally passed, and until the discrepancies are rectified, the committee has been informed that payment of incidental allowance will be withheld.”

In reference to the staffing of teachers in the Hawke’s Bay education district, tho secretary or the board reported as follows at the last meeting: “I regret to have to report again that some positions have been uufilled this month. The Morere school has’ been closed since July 21 owing to no teacher being available. A suitable applicant has now applied, and the position will be filled at a very early date. The position at Te Arai has been vacant since Juno 30. The board was informed last month that the position had been advertised, but no appliestions had been received. A suitable teacher has now applied, however, and she will commence duties this week Tho Puha school became entitled to a second assistant as from July 1, but so far no teacher has been available. The position of assistant grade 1 at Hastings West has also been vacant during the month.”

Two men being short of funds, decided (relates the Auckland “Star”) over a few drinks in the bar of an Auckland hotel recently on a scheme to raise some money. Accordingly they represented to another man who wished! to lease a fishing boat that one of them was the owner of just such a craft, and would lease it at 255. a week. The size and equipment of the boat were given, and tho prospective lessee seemed satisfied. It was mentioned, however, whilst the partv «ed each other in good liquor, that ist lessee had damaged the hoat. and that the “owner” required £lO deposit before he would let it out a&ain. This the man who wanted the craft agreed to, and he took the “owner” over to the Post Office Savings Bank and drew out £lO, which he handed over. This tho “owner” halved with his mate, and sundry more drinks were consumed before the party split up, withe the understanding that there would bo a reunion that night, when the owner would hand the lessee a receipt for his £lO deposit. The others met according to arrangement, but the owner did not turn up. Result. two months’ imprisonment for each.