TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 195, 13 May 1924, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

“Do you know anything?” remarked a magistrate recently, “appears to bo a password in Oamaru for the procuring of liquor.”—Exchange.

“A salary of £5OO in the town is about equal to a salary of £3OO in the country,” said a member of the Timaru Presbytery (states an exchangje). “Don’t you believe it!” exclaimed another member (from the country). The first member added that many people thought the town members were in clover, but it was not so.

A porpoise was captured, in a trawl net during trawling operations in the Hauraki Gulf. The intere.sting denizen of the deep is usually credited (states the “Herald”), with being too “cute” to be enmeshed with other members of the finny species, and occasions are said to be comparatively rare when. his cutencss fails him in this direction.

In summing up in a criminal charge at the Auckland Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Stringer had to refer to the slang word “stunned” (reports the “Herald”). “This is a vulgarism,” said His Honour, “meaning that someone has had a little too much liquor We have not had an interpretation of the term in the evidence, but probably you may know a. little more about it than I do.” This remark evoked smiles from those in the Court.

During the hearing of an affiliation case at the Auckland Magistrate’s Court (states the “Star”), a letter written by the defendant, a married man, to the girl was read in which he said amongst other things that he was a “waster.” In making an order against the defendant at the conelusion of the evidence, Mr. Hunt, S.M., said: “I quite agree with what you say in your letter—you are a waster.”

Some “secret history” of the recent band contest held in Christchurch was unfolded at the annual meeting of the Greymouth Municipal Band by the conductor, Mr. A. McMasters, who declared (states an exchange) that the Grey players were the real winners of the quartet number; other competitors, obtained the award owing to a mix-up in the order of rotation. The conductor said the facts in his possession were given to him in confidence by the judge and though all possible was done to have the decision reversed, the band had to come home deprived of the honour, but satisfied that it had merited the win.

“Australians, and New Zealanders, too, although very critical of sport and fully versed in the fine points of racing, cricket, and football, were allowing the finer points of the English language to fall into decay, said Mr. Montgomery Stuart, the elocution judge at the Christchurch Competitions (reports the “Press”). While they were critical of sport they were not critical of language. There was a general falling off. Even the stage had forsaken good English in order to get smart stuff over. The schools and pulpits even now were not good models of English speech.

A Masterton resident, who has alwaysimpressed upon his children the necessity of attending carefully to their school homework, was nonplussed the other evening (states an . exchange) when a bright youngster triumphantly quoted a sentence from page 100 of “Lessons in Hygienic Physiology,” the text-book in use at the Wairarapa High School. The sentence reads:—“The custom that prevails in some schools of giving work that requires children to study at night is a very bad one.” The father suggests that' the school authorities should have this sentence eliminated from the next edition of the book.

“Please, sir, would it he right to punish a man for something he had not done?”, asked the bright boy the other dav. in an Auckland state school class where the subject was civics, the next on the card being arithmetic (relates the “Star”). Not one lad in a hundred cares two straws about civics, and the teacher was rather pleased to think that at least one in the class was keen enough to think things out for himself. “Certainly not,” said the teacher, and th'en to show his appreciation of the youngster’s interest in. the subject, added a second nnd entirely superrogatory, “Certainly not.” Tire hoy beamed, and'threw his bomb, “Well, sir, I did not do my arthmetic last night, but went to the pictures instead. Do I get punished?” Whether the youngster had been put up to it or wlifether he thought it out for himself the teacher did not know, but he was so struck by the aptness of the young imp’s question during civics class that any punishment that might have been in store for boys that did not do their arithmetic home-work was waived. While a handwriting expert was giving evidence in a criminal charge in the Auckland Supreme Court (relates the “Herald”), Mr. Ostler, counsel for accused, referred to the “good fair round hand that bank clerks use.” “And Judges,” drily interpolated Mr. Justice Herdman. To this Mr. Ostler replied that unless they happened to have been bank clerks first he would not give much for some Judges’ writing. The witness said he had recently seen a bank manager’s signature, which he could not read. Mr. Ostler capped the remarks bv stating that he once knew a Chief Justice who had three sorts of handwriting. One sort he alone could read, the second the Chief Justice and Mr. Ostler could read, but the third sort no one in the wide world could read. The area devoted to the cultivation of strawberries in the neighbourhood of Auckland will be considerably j smaller this year than in 1923, on account of the heavy loss sustained last season by growers in suburban districts. The period of planting will begin n’cxt week, and those directly concerned estimate that the decrease in area will be about 15 per, cent. Not the same number of plants ai'e available this vear. owing to the very dry spring and early summer. The heavy rains of a few weeks ago also have been against satisfactory plant production. Certain of the Auckland fruit and produce auctioneering firms arc themselves producing runners. Previously a good proportion of the young plants were produced bv Maoris, hut that svs’em was not looked upon with complete favour by growers Cstates the “Now Zealand Herald”). Most of the young plants are raised in the Waikato, and in the north, on arras bounded bv the Wairoa, Port Albert, and Otamntea Rivers, while areas are under cultivation round Manurewa. Last vear upwards of four and a half million plants were, it is calculated, grown at Northroto. Birkdnlo. Glenfield. Takanuna. Bi kridmad. Abanv. Waikowni. Avondale South. Glen Eden. Henderson, nnd the upper reaches of Auckland Harbour. On an average about 25.000 plants grow to th* azirn bn the planes named.

The trustees of the Dunedin Savings Bank, at a special meeting, deciciea (states the “Star”), to acceded to the application for assistance J} I ',® by the Red Cross Society and Order of St. John in regard to the radium fund, and £lOOO was granted. It was also resolved to respond to the special appeal of the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Fund Committee, and grant £uUU towards that cause. These grants are subject to tho consent of e Government. Under the Act of last session the trustees are empowered to give as they choose up to half the net profits of the year towards eaucational or charitable objects, but such contributions must bo in the form of endowments. In those cases no consent is required. The radium fund and the War Memorial are on a different and the sanction of the Minister is necessary. He is not likely to refuse it. The public are vitally interested in each of these two causes, and it is to the credit of the trustees that they propose to lend such valuable and timely aid.

A narrow escape from drowning befell a launch driver, named Sinton, employed by the Auckland Harbour Soard. He fell overboard from the launch Te Hauraki one night last week, and was about 40 minutes in tlie water before he was rescued (states the “Herald”). The accident occurred off the Western Wharf at 10 o’clock, when Mr. Sinton was making his launch fast to a large punt preparatory to towing it to Rangitoto. He swam to the drifting launch, but was unable to climb up the sloping sides. He met with the same difficulty when he swam to the punt. As the launch and punt were a long way from the shore, Mr. Sinton’s predicament was dangerous. To prevent himself sinking ho fastened himself to a rope hanging over the side of the punt. Fortunately his cries were heard by Messrs. Rigby, Coley, and Wickclifie, chief steward, wireless operator, and. fireman, respectively, on the steamer Waimarino, who put out in a boat, and, guided by his calls, located Mr. Sinton, who was by that tine in a very exhausted condition.

During the railway strike pig buyers cancelled all buving dates “till further notice.” Tuesday last (states the Auckland “Star’s” correspondent at Morrinsville) was the first receiving day at Morrinsville since the strike, and though more than the usual number of pigs were expected nothing like the number actually received was anticipated. From 10 a.m. till 4.45 p.m. the officials were kept busy “weighingin.” From mid-day throughout the afternoon carts loaded with pigs were waiting in dozens, 29 being counted at one time, and some farmers had to wait their turn for hours. In all, 302 pigs were received, this being a record tor any one day in Morrinsville, and the second largest number received by the firm at any place during one day. At Hikutaia a year ago 333 pigs were bought. The return to the farmers for the day’s sale is estimated at £ll2O.

The practice of tho Post and Telegraph Department in destroying the originals of telegrams after the expiry of three months was the subject of adverse comment by His Honour, Mr. Justice Reed in the Dunedin Supreme Court during tho hearing of the ringing-in case (reports the “Star”). Evidence was given by’ the secretary of the Oamaru Trotting Club to the effect that The, Dingo had been nominated for tho Oamaru trotting meeting, held on Labour Day, which was on the same day that “Kingsdale” won the Balfour I'rot at Gore. The nomination of The Dingo had been made by telegram, but when inquiries were set on foot by the police into the allegation that “Kingsdale” was no other than The Dingo, it was found that the original telegram had been destroyed. This matter was referred to by Detective Beer and this prompted Mr. Justice Reed to condemn tho practice of tho Department in destroying the originals after the lapse of such a short period as three months. Ho said that time after time, in both criminal and civil actions, there had been possible miscarriages of justice because of the destruction of telegrams. He did not know tho reason for tho Department’s action, but suggested that it was because there was not space for storage purposes. The Crown Prosecutor said that he hoped His Honour would make representations to the Department about the matter.

A quaint and brief anonymous letter was read at the close of the Dunedin City Council meeting tho other night by tho acting Mayor, Cr. AV. Begg. It had been received 'oy the chairman of the Reserves Committee and was to this effect. “Enlosed please find ss. conscience money. Not that I have any conscience, but still—.” Councillors for a few moments made merry over the unexpected addition to the civic income and (made many inquiries and suggestions as to its use. The chairman of tho Reserves Committee, Cr. C. Hancock, with duo dignity, assured the council that the sum would be thankfully received and faithfully employed (states tho “Otago Daily Times”).

Certain touches of humour enlivened the Arbitration Court at Auckland, during the hearing of tho dairy employees’ dispute (states the “Herald’’). Reference was made to the long hours worked by men in butter factories, and to a seven days’ week. Air. Justice Frazer dryly remarked that some day perhaps they might have a new breed of cow that would work only six days a week, and that would save a lot of trouble. On behalf of the vehicle drivers in the industry, it was suggested that so bad were some of tho country roads that they might be spoken of as “canals,” whereupon the suggestion was advanced that this was a good reason for - higher wages. During the morning’s sitting His Honour sa?d the Court had been sitting long hours, although not so long as tho dairy workers, and he accordingly adjourned the Court for a short interval.

Another story of a soldier whose war disabilities are apparently responsible for his plight has just come to light (states the Auckland “Stay ). About two weeks ago school children playing in Western Park observed a man lying on the grass at various times for three successive days, and finally the attention of the park keeper was directed to the fact. AV hen this official investigated, ho found tho unfortunate fellow practically exhausted through illness, exposure, and lack of food. He was in a shocking condition. Tho police, who were summoned, had the patient removed in tho ambulance to the city hospital, where he has since been cared for, and ho is reported to bo making a good recovery. Inquiries show that tho man was a returned soldier from Dunedin. A doctor, who saw him in the park, said there was no suggestion that the man was suffering other than from his ailment and exposure. It was stated that he had been living in a boarding-house in tho city, but that his unfortunate malady was made the subject of complaint, with the result that he was asked to leave the place. This apparently was the last straw, and tho sick man spent the. next three days in the park until tho authorities discovered? him.