TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 56, 28 November 1924, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

Mr. J. W- Poynton in the Magistrate's Court Auckland: A drunken motorist is like a man who walks into a powder magazine with a lighted match.—“ Auckland Star.”

A well-known stock agent in Waipukuran, who (says the “Napier Telegraph”) is the owner of one solitary sheep, tfoke up a couple of days ago to fuict that during the night a shearer had been at work and removed the wool from his-flock, forgetting, by the way, to leave it behind for the owner.

“Arthur’s Pass just now is- worth travelling round the world to sec.’’ said Mr. W. R. Hayward to an “Otago Daily Times” reporter recently.. “The southern sides of the mountains are masses of bloom, and the display of ranunculus lyallii is one of the most glorious sights I have over seen.”

There are several fowls in the possession of Mr. W. H- Pawson, of Hawera, that have distinguished themselves by laying eggs with three yolks (states the “Star”). Mnnorcas on no fewer than five occasions recently have laid eggs each containing three yolks, while others have been as round as billiard balls. This is regarded as unique.

In awarding a woman at Auckland £lO damages for slanderous remarks Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., said (reports an exchange) he was pleased to see that defendant did not make any accusation against the woman’s good name. Although plaintiff had stated that she did not press for damages, ho considered defendant should pay something. '’After all, that is ail ;■ woman has in this world —her good name,” said Mr- Hunt.

In conversation with a representative of the “North Otago Times,” the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, stated that the dairy produce exported from the North Island for the first four months of the present season was one-third in excess of the quantity exported for the same period last year.

“The colour line is a world question, and the New Zealand people have done something of which they might well be proud, for in their treatment of the Maoris they have set an example to the world.” —The Rev. Bowden Rees, a missionary at present in Christchurch from Africa, where he has spent about 40 years.— Exchange. Emphasising the value of sport to a nation (s-ays the. “Waifarapa Age”), Mr. H. M. Boddington said, at a ■“father and son” banquet at Masterton, that the late Anthony Wilding was the best advertiser New Zealand ever had. He was on friendly, terms with the Royal houses of Europe and with many notabilities everywhere. There were any amount of prospective Wildings growing up in New Zealand to-day; all they needed was encouragement.

Unemployment amongst general labourers is reported to be greater than is usual at this time of the year (says the Christchurch “Press”). A job of garden digging was applied for by no fewer than twenty men. Quarry hands are reported to have been decreased recently. Tim opening of the freezing works and the start of tho wool season are oxjiected to relieve present conditions considerably in the near future.

“I believe that if the Auckland University College were to discover a really first-class liquor, it would gain more repute among tho public than if it were to discover the theory of atomic structure,” said Professor F. P. Worley, when speaking at the Auckland Institute’s final meeting of the year (reports the “Star”). The remark occasioned a good deal of merriment.

When tho chimney of an old house in Levin was being demolished recently, it was found that instead of mortar, clay had been used in building the chimney, for binding the bricks. At. the present day (remarks the “Chronicle”) this seems a rather remarkable procedure, out at the time this house was built, 35 years ago, it was a fairly common practice, more 'especially in the South Island, where on the Canterbury Plains most of the chimneys in the old houses were built in this way. .

An aeroplane passed over Timaru the jcher day was chartered by the principal of a’ company of showmen, who missed the train at Christ, church, and took to the air in order to join his troupe at Oamaru show (states the Timaru “Herald”).- Ta|:iing a taxi to the Wigram aerodrome at 1.30 he left the ground in a DH9 limousine, piloted by Captain Findlay, at 2.17 p.m. The other passenger was a mechanic. A landing was made ut Oamarii at 3.45 p.m., and Captain Findlay left again at 5 p.m., reaching the aerodrome at 6.35. The outward trip took 1 hour 27 minutes, and the homeward trip 1 hour 35 minutes, a slight head wind being encountered.

Speaking to a Levin “Chronicle” representative, Mr. W. G. Adkin mentioned a fact in connection with local weather, whieji if reliable is worthy of notice bv farmers. Ho stated that during his 20 years’ experience of farming in the Horowhenua district, Mid indeed before that time, when he lived in Wellington, ho has noticed the heavy rain always fell about the first of December, within three*or four days cither side at most. The time was so regular that in the old days ihis rain was known amongst of the older sutlers as the “rata flood,” from the fnct that the rafas were in blossom at the time. If, as Mr. Adkin says, heavy vain mav bp rcl’efl on at this fact should be of importance to farmers putting in turnips and other crops for which a good rain shortly after sowing is essential. 1

“I’m amazed at the effect of a little bit of rain on church attendance,’ declared the. B’v. N. L. D. Webster at an induction at Knox Church, Christchurch. “I am surprised at a, great many church people. They go to business every day whether it is wet or not. They know that their employer would discharge them if thev did not appear. They are most amazingly inconsistent. The lefi.st little drop of rain on Sunday—and they stay at home. 1 ask you. even if it rains heavens hard, that' you should be regular in your church attendance, and attend just as vou go to vour business on an ordinary week-day.”—Christchurch “Sun.”

opened up there was a shout of joy from the workers, for blankets were disclosed —beautiful, warm New Zealand blankets, arriving just at the very coldest time, and when they could not have, been more welcome. A description is given of the sanatorium and the poor mites, who. starved and diseased, are treated with skill and kindness, Quite a good proportion being saved from death. The delight with which th? blankets were received is vividly told, and the story is a very touching one.

’ One, of the first houses I hved in up country had a beaten earth floor and slab walls, and all the cooking was done outside (stated a Napier old identity to a “Hawke’s Bay Herald reporter). It was a plain, even a hard life, but it was healthy and no one minded because everyone was hard up. A man who died one of the wealthiest men in New Zealand was once seen walking into Wellington from the Hutt with a boot on one foot and a slipper on the other. A friend said, “Hello, have you hurt your foot?” “Oh, no, was the reply, “I have worn out my other boot and I don’t wailt to be seen in Wellington- with it on.

It is only natural that the balls used by the All Blacks in their matches at Home should be eagerly sougnt after as souvenirs, and according to a report that reached here after the game with Devon, the English players are just as keen to secure the coveted ovals as are the New Zealanders. Mr. J. Donald, of Auckland, who returned from a visit to England by the Athenic, was fortunate enough (states the “Star”) to gain possession of the ball used in the match played at Birmingham against North Midlands, and won by the All Blacks by 40 points to 3, at which game his four-year-old son was mascot for the winning team.

Speaking to a “North Otago Times reporter, Air. S. E. Ferguson, of Gore, who has just returned from a trip to Britain and America, stressed too seriousness of the unemployment position at Home. He is of the opinion that the next five' years will see the migration of many thousands of British people to Australia and New Zealand. Conditions in America were better, but the position of farmers there could not be compared with their conditions in New Zealand. "hey were exploited by the middlemen and had to work very -long hours. Their buildings were very poor and many of these as seen from the railways were ittle more than mere shacks. It took two days and nights to pass through the State of Montana, and here hardly a blade of grass was seen.- The Canadian farmers’ plight was much the same as that of their American cousins, and many were selling out and going to Australia and New Zealand. At Vancouver conditions were not good, and land at present was sold at a very cheap rate.

An .old gentleman who has lived in the one house for 36 years, declared that the present generation was “degenerating” into a race* of nomads, (states the the Auckland “Star L ‘.‘When I was a young man.” he said, “people used to take a great pride in living for a long period in the. one locality, and they aimed at dying in thp same house as they were born in if it were possible. In those days they were contented and restful. Now it seems as if nothing will satisfy people but to bo always on the move. They get tired of being in the one place for a few months even. First they try the sea, then the,hills, then something else. The house Is not good enough and they, get a better. Then they find fault with that and look for another. If they can’t sell their house they exchange it (for another elsewhere, the owner of which is just as eager for a change of locality' as they are. They’ll find it very hard to rest in their graves, those .people. All I can say is - that they are nomads, and that such a state of affairs is not good for the country, for it creates a general restlessness, and it is inimical to family welfare and the bringing up of children.” Having said this, the old gentleman departed, observing that he was going home to a real, old-fashioned house that was good enough for him, and would bo untd the day ho died.

He was a sturdy little, pupil of the Phillipstown School, Christchurch, 10 years of age, but the spirit of adventure lived in him just as it did in his forefathers. One Monday mother packed his lunch and he toddled off to school. No one knew what schemes were being hatched in that little head, or what plans tyere being made for a voyage into tho great unknown. He sat at his desk and tried to' total up a host of figures that muddled his brain—his thoughts seemed to wander to a long white road up which he felt he must go. At 3.30 o’clock, when school was over, he decided to leave Christchurcn well behind, and away up tho long Toad he went. All that night be travelled, sometimes 'a passing cart gave him a lift. It was fine fun, the warm night and the stars, and no lessons to bo learned for the morrow- But at home they were not quite so happy. A distracted mother searched for him, but ho was not to be .found. Then the little adventurer was brought home. He was found at Kimberley at 5.40 o’clock the, next evening, sitting on the road with a dog which had made friends witli him. The ' big adventure was over.. In all he had travelled 30 miles.

“Dp you get many colonials willing t> go to farm work?” asked an Auckland “Star” representative of Salvat;on Army Adjutant Gordon. “Practically none at all. The colonial prefers the city life, and it would take some exceptional inducement to get him to leave the town. To give you an idea how badly farmers are in need of young mon, I have now in my possession money to pay the fares of any single man willing to come from Home amTgo on a farm. I-coukl place hundreds of boys on fine farms and with people who would give them eveiy chance in life. But you can’t get them, because they prefer to stay in the city, or arc afraid they might not- be able to make a ‘do’ of work, which would be new to them. I honestly think the latter has a deal to.do with the present shortage.”

There was a Timaru wedding, and at the conclusion of the breakfast, there arrived the carriage to take the newlymarried couple on the first stage of their long journey in double harness (relates the Timaru “Post”). But at the rear of the car there was what the bridegroom regarded as a superfluityan old boot. It was tied fast, but the “anchor ropes” were cut away, and the boot cast over a fence. But that was not the last seen of the article. Whilst the bridegroom’s attention was otherwise engaged the boot was retrieved and placed, not in its usual place in the rear of the carriage, but on top. Believing all to be serene, the happy couple entered the carriage ano drove through the streets to their destination, the boot, in its conspicuous position, being the cynosure of all eyes.

Interesting mention was made of a war-gift which has recently found a home in Serbia in a letter received by the “Lvttelton Times” from Mr. «- E. Walker, of Eliand, England. It appears that one of the cases dispatched from Christchurch by the Red Cross workers early in the war days ai rived at a sanatorium for children in Serbia, bearing signs of endless journeyings. The cases had been at Salonika., and the direction marks had been obliterated. Someone had asked for sewing cotton for Serbia, and an official, anxious to oblige, took the case of unknown origin, marked “Sewing Cotton.” and. forwsvaed it with other equipment io Serbia. VS&ya the