TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 171, 7 April 1923, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

The warm spell experienced of late hAs melted the snow on Mount Egfnont, and with the exception of the summit and some crevices near the top there is practically nothing left of nature’s beautiful white mantle, which (states an exchange) is usually a feature of the mountain.

Recent vandalism at the Auckland Zoo has led the Council to enlist the special services of the police constables for the detection of the culprits, and, according to the Mayor, this evidently has had an exemplary effect (says an exchange).

The linking up of Whangarei with Auckland by railway had a marked bearing upon the passenger traffic this Easter (trthtes a Northerji exchange). On Easter Thursday morning the train for Auckland left Whangarei station with 180 passengers. It picked up another hundred at Portland, and arrived in the city with approximately 330 aboard.

Marriage seems to take precedence over everything. In a licensing case at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court (states the “Press”), counsel applied for an adjournment on the grounds that the daughter of a licensee (who was charged with having allowed billiard playing on his premises “after hours”) was being married. “And you don’t want any marring of the ceremony?” said the Magistrate. Counsel: Yes. sir, and the police don’t mind. The Magistrate: Well, let it be » day of joy—of unalloyed joy!

Manaia residents may sleep more soundly when they know that recent tests no not show signs of surviving heat in the mountain (reports the “Witness”). A party of climbers took its temperature, a few days ago. They found ,at an altitude of 4,800 feet, a spring issuing from underneath a bed of solid lava. The temperature of this spring was only 43 degrees, whereas at Stratford the temperature of well water is always 54.

The “sneak thief” for which Masterton has become notorious, has been very much in evidence of late’ (reports the “Wairarapa Daily Times”). Recently the Borough Council provided a new couch with cushions, etc., in the ladies’ rest room at the library, for the benefit of tired women and children. A few nights ago a cushion was stolen by a “sneak thief,” and subsequently the bolster was taken. .A borough official remarked to a “Daily Times” reporter that if the thief or thieves would give the council authorities proper notice they might pack up the couch in readiness for removal.

A good illustration of the value of spraying is to be seen at the Boys’ Training Farm, Weraroa, in the magnificent crop of pears and apples produced this year (states the “Levin Chronicle”). Not more than two per ednt. are infected with codlin moth whilst last year, according to the head gnrdener, Mr. F. Allen, thero were not 20 per cent, sound. Mr. Allen made a determined effort to get rid of the pest, commencing in July by liming the trunks of the trees to a height of two feet from the ground. Two sprayings of red oil were then given at intervals, of a fortnight ,and later on when the flowers appeared two sprayings with lime and sulphur. Five sprayings with arsenate of lead completed the treatment, which, although involving a considerable amount of labour, amply demonstrates that , even where.it is worst this pest can be eradicated.

The appearance of a member of the fair sex running along the Invercargill railway station under the burden of an armful of books and accompanied by a railway official, caused quite a flutter amongst the large crowd which was assembled on the platform as the afternoon express drew out (says the “Southland News”). It was evident to those who witnessed the spectacle that here was a belated passenger who was going to essay an attempt to board the departing train. How would she do it with all her paraphernalia? The answer was soon provided by the obliging, but perspiring, official swinging open a van at the rear of ths train and bundling the passenger and parcels into it in the most ceremonious manner possible. This impromptu method of boarding a train caused the breathless suspense of the spectators to be followed by peals of laughter while the person responsible for all the excitement made the best of her temporary imprisonment-

An astonishing s(ory of callous cruelty was brought under the notice of the General Committee of the Dunedin City Council (says the “Otago Daily Times”). The allegation was made against an expressman, who was present, that he had driven a feeble old man along the Wakari road at night, and demanded more money from him. When he did not get it, ho set down the old man and his box far from home or friends, with the result that he wandered about without shelter all night. The cruelty of such conduct lies in the fact that the man so treated is 93 years of age. The case was taken up by a friend of the who told this story to the committee, and further alleged that a roll of 15 notes belonging to the old man had gone missing. The committee at once handed the matter over for investigation by the police.

A Lunacy Reform Society, of which the Rev. A. S. Wilson is secretary, is being formed in Auckland. The society states that it' will welcome any certified facts, and will receive information about lunacy matters. Its immediate purpose is to guard the entrance to tho mental hospital, and to strive for the establishment of an up-to-date humane establishment to save for society people who are only slightly mentally ill. The secretary writes:—“The society will try to ensure for every person charged with being of unsound mind the services of a lawyer, and his ripiht to be heard on the patient’s behalf, notwithstanding medical opinion. It will also receive funds for propaganda work. Letters coming to hand from different parts of New Zealand show how widespread is the unrest with regard to the treatment meted out to our suffering brothers and sisters.”

It would be interesting to know how many electoral rolls were examined by the winner of the competition for discovering wrongful enrolments in connection with the licensing poll, writes “Mercutio,” in the “New Zealand Herald.” It would appear that the prize-winning total of 619 names —presumably all checked as demonstrably those of persons not entitled to enrolment—represents tho whole measure of imperfection in the electoral rolls, and many of these blemishes were doubtless due to mistakes. Since 620,000 votes wore recorded in tho licensing poll, the discovery of 619 wrongful enrolments—less than 7 one in every thousand— cannot be regarded as reason for apprehension. Indeed the competition seems to have produced a striking testimony to the efficiency of the electoral officers and the honesty of the people of New Zealand. "While further nroof of the latter is afforded by the fact that no one discovered! a sufficient number of cases of wrongful voting to make an entry for the other prize offered.

During tho year ended March 31 there was imported into Auckland from abroad over 400,000 easels of fruit, onions, peanuts, etc., according to figures supplied by a gentleman who takes a keen interest in this trade (states the “Star”). He considers that if there had been a regular steamer to the Cook Islands and shipping had not been interfered with by the seaman’s strike, this total would have been greatly exceeded. The figures are as follow: Bananas 217,084,, oranges 97,880, apples 21,500, tomatoes 16,982, onions 14,700, mandarins 13,061, pineapples 6972, peanuts 5100, walnuts 2300, cherries 1500, ilmonds 1500, passion fruit 1000, rapes 900, and miscellaneous fruits -250.

The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr. J. S. Douglas) has been advised by the High Commissioner (Sir James Allen) that he has given his approval to a grant of £2O for the work of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Relief Society. The money (states the “Otago Daily Times”), was taken from a fund remitted from Dunedin during the war for the relief of distress in Britain. The balance is held in British Distress Fund Account in the office of the High Commissioner, and is used at his discretion.

February, with a rainfall of over Btn. was an exceptionally wet month rn xi» vercargill, but the returns for March (says the “Southland News”), sho„ that the npinfall for the month was 9.34 in., a very heavy total. The wettest days were the 17th, 18th, and 19th, when 1.57 in.. 1.03 in.. and I.2in. fell respectively. On the 27th an Inch was recorded. There were 13 days on which no rain fell, and only three on which winds were not experienced. The rainfall for Dunedin for the first three months of this year totalled 9.325 in.—a little less than was registered in Invercargill last month. Dunedin’s rainfall for March was 2.880 in.

That some ratepayers in Cluvn County have a sense of humour was evidenced at the meeting of the council when a ratepayer who (states an exchange), had rCceivech'a tag on his rate notice to the effect that owing, to restrictions placed on local bodies’ finances it was desirable that the rates be paid promptly, returned said “tag” with the information written on the back ‘‘that owing to the limits placed on his overdraft at the. bank he had not been able to pay his rates.”

Arising out of representations from the various Auckland bodies interested in welfare work, the Public Service Commissioner (states the Auckland “Star”), has advised Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., president of the Young Citizen’s League, that Mr. H. Stabbing, organiser to the League, has been granted extended leave of absence, without pay, up to June 30, 1923. This has been granted to enable Mr. Stebbing to continue his work for the League. In the interval the matter will be further reviewed.

The death through poison of a. number of domestic cats in the vicinity of Greenwood’s Comer (says the New Zealand “Herald”) has occasioned some concern among the residents of that neighbourhood. The loss of three prized Persian cats and fopr ordinary feline pets is being lamented by their owners. It is believed from the symtoms shown by the animals before death that strychnine has been used. A number of residents who possess valuable dogs are keeping them on the chain or confined in a safe place. The matter has been reported to the police.

At the lunch hour on Wednesday, Mr. R. Semple addressed the employees at the Addington Railway Workshops on the subject of the establishment of a national office in connection with the New Zealand Labour Party (states the Christchurch “Press”). He explained the objects of the office, which include the compilation of records, and to provide a centre from which the activities will be erected. Mr. Semple’s appeal for.contributors of £1 each to the fund being raised for the establishment of the national office resulted in 74 undertaking to become contributors.

In reply to a question at Urenui (states an exchange), Sir Thomas Clement, said he would be very sorry indeed to see New Zealand ship any part skim milk cheese. “You have a great industry,” he said, “one that is worth protecting, and while I am very much opposed to Government interference generally speaking, this, is one case where I would welcome it. No man should be allowed to ship any cheese or any article which- will be to the detriment of his fellow man, and one factory shipping skim cheese is working to the detriment of the whole of the other factories ”

The Native health officer, who has been visiting the settlement in the Mahia district, says the Wairoa correspondent of the “Hawke’s Bay Herald ” reports that last week he witnessed the Maoris collecting numerous packets of candles thrown up on the small beach on the Mahia peninsula beyond Mr. G. C. Ormond’s station. He states that every Maori there, including children, has got hauls of candles, but no other wreckage has been seen, and there were no boxes or anything to show the origin of the find.

The waterfront is the happy hunting ground for a certain class of breakers, and naturally the police vigilance there is very strict (states the Auckland “Star”). A visitor from Rotorua had this impressed upon him much to his discomfort. While searching for a friend on the Ruahine, one of the ship’s stewards, he was accosted by a man in blue who inquired, “Who are you?” The name was given, but the constable was not satisfied, and requested the visitor to come along to the waterfront station. Here he was subjected to a searching examination, as is customary when the police, having formed their suspicions, do not wish their quarry to slip through their fingers. To his humiliation he nad to proceed to the detective office with the constable. When the detective, the real instigator of the proceedings came alone, he was immediately satisfied that°this was not the man for whom he was searching, and the release I™? 1 the unwdlcome custody was soon forthcoming. He returns home somewhat resentful of the unexpected break in his Easter holidays and not altogether in sympathy with the assiduity ox the long arm of the law.

The discordant sound of a violin being execrably played quickly attracted a crowd in front of one of the picture theatres tho other evening, says the Christchurch “Press.” The perpetrator of the disturbance was found to be a little man wearing a raincoat and a panama hat. After scraping away at the strings of his intrument for a few . nflnutes he began an appeal to the crowd to “do their. bit r ’ towards a large number of charities He did not want the money for himself, he stated, and he added a fervant thanks for “having enough to live on. When he took off his big Panama it was seen that his face was thickly whitened, ■riving him a most grotesque appear•nee. He recommended his and was. just throwing all his. soul into producing a most hideous noise whicn served him as a finale, when he was confrontted by a policeman, whom he at once attempted to .embrace. lhe constable disengaged himself and quietly told the musical one to hop it. The man attempted to make, an explanation, but he was again quietly but firmlv told to “hop it,” which he did, stalking away with the air “(an artist too disgusted for words at the lack ot appreciation by an unsympathetic publie At a later hour he was seen, going in'an easterly direction, marching at the head of a band of interested youths, and extracting a faint semblance of “Home Sweet Home” from his violin.