TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 151, 23 March 1925, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

At the North and .South Island Motor Unions’ Conference (reports the Christchurch “Sun”) Mr. W. H. Nicholson, in contending that the person who wore out his tires also wore out the highways, evoked a hot protest from Mr. I. V. Wilson. “Why,” said Mr. Wilson, “that’s fallacious! I wore out a brand new tire—cut it in half—in 10 miles 1” (Laughter.)

“By jove, they’re toffs! I expected three!” was the comment of an accused person as he was led out of the Te Awamutu Court on- a recent morning after being sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for theft.—Waipa “Post.”

A number of farmers of the North Otago district have had great, success with crops of barley. The rust pest does not appear to have affected this cereal. The barley is being principally used for the feeding of pigs.— ‘“North Otago Times.”

“Let’s have the ticket back; we may get a motor-car out of it,” was the remark of a police official at the Napier courthouse recently, at the conclusion of a case which centred round the sale of lottery tickets bv two local tradesmen. Part of the evidence (says the “Telegraph”) had been a ticket purchased from one tradesman which had been handed in as an exhibit.

A few davs ago (says the Wanganui “Herald”) it was reported that a specimen of the small tuna had been caught on the East Coast, and there was a certain amount of delight displayed at the discovery, owing to the fine sporting qualities of the fish. As a matter of fact there is a fine specimen in the Wanganui Museum, which was caught some fifteen years ago neat Otaki by Mr. J. Field, and presented to the institution.

“The continual striking of rates was the main factor in driving people off the land,” said the clerk of the Waikato County Council at its last meeting. The remark was occasioned by the suggestion of a councillor that in view of the bad condition of the roads in the Huntly Riding that a special loan be raised. Continuing, Mr. Insoll said it was impossible to maintain county roads to stand up to the heavy motor traffic, and the speaker considered that the damage by three light trucks was insignificant in comparison with the destruction wrought by one heavy lorry. —“Waikato Times.”

Friday night last must have been a wild night at Foxton. Saturday’s “Herald” records: “This morning a beer bottle was to be seen hoisted halfmast on the post office flag staff.” Also —“An act of hooliganism was perpetrated at Ihakara Gardens last night, when the cannon was wheeled from its position on the top of the hill and left halfway down the slope. Such senseless pranks may lead to serious consequences.”

Schnapper fishing in the Marlborough Sounds compares very favourably with the sport of catching kingfish in the northern portion of New Zealand, and surpasses it as to accessibility (says the “Marlborough Express”). Last Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Downes, of Wellington, landed seven large schnapper, the total weight being 691 b., and the largest fish registering 251 b On the following day six more were caught, aggregating 601 b., in weight. The whole catch on both days was made in Te Mahia Bay, Pelorus Sound, with in ten minutes’ rowing of a tourist resort.

“What at one time were considered blessings, now are problems,” said the Rev. W. M. Holland, addressing the Congregational Union at 'Umaru, “hi past times the young were an asset, now they are looked upon as a liability. Hence some people are seeking to solve the problem by a process of elimination. In many Christian homes there are few or no children. This is also one of the reasons for the empty pew.”—Exchange.

The crops around the Te Karaka district are reported to be in splendid order at present (states the “Gisborne Tinies”). The oat crop has been a good one, and though some of the chaff is slightly discoloured on account ot the wet weather the balance is good, and on the average the yield per acre compares favourably with that of former. seasons. Maize is reported aS looking particularly well, and it is es timated that this is one of the best seasons the maize grower has had for several years.

Serious results sometimes come from simple causes, a fact that has been brought home to a well-known Wanganui resident (relates the “Herald”). Recently he had a dangerous illness, and the cause was directly traced to a couple of peaches which he ate. It ap pears that some time previously the peach trees had been sprayed with a poisonous preparation. This instance should be a lesson to others.

When discussing matters in connei. tion with the Highways Act with a Wanganui “Chronicle” representative, a local farmer mentioned that he farmed 400 acres, and had to pay about £360 per annum for road rates. “It means that I have to find £1 a day foi rates before anything else,” he remarked. “But, of course, I am only one in dozens who are similarly situated. With the enforcement of the Act, increased rates have been suggested, so it is no wonder that some farmers are becoming anxious,” he added.

“The fact of precautions being taken after an accident is not evidence of negligence beforehand,” said His Honour Air. Justice Alpers at the Gisborne Supreme Court (reports the “Poverty Bay Herald”). “The old saying of “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted” does not necessarily mean that there was negligence in not shutting the door previously. Nothing in this world is perfect, and the idea of being wise after the event is merely to make improvements as a result of experience, and to thereby get one step nearer perfection.”

The lucerne stands are now a prominent feature on many farms in the Omokoroa district (says the Nelson “Mail”). These stands have produced enormous yields this season. On some farms the haymaking has been practically continuous since December, and still continues. Owing to the frequent showers the practice of cocking the lucerne in a green condition has been successfully adopted, and it has been found that this method of harvesting has produced hay of superior quality.

“How does Mr. Boniface pronounce his name, Mr. Hill?” asked His Hon-I our. Mr. Justice Alpers at the Gisborne! Supreme Court on a recent afternoon. I “Is it ‘Bony-face’ or ‘Bonny-face’ ? The .first is hardly complimentary, and the second will be much rnor.e acceptable. , We have heard both pronunciations in ! conrt.” Mr. Hill said he did not know I how his client pronounced his name, | but the gentleman in question told the , Court that the first two syllables would I be “bonny,” whereupon His Honour ; remarked that the other pronunciation ’ was hardly polite, and certainly riot a’ tribute to the gentleman’s personal appearance. "It will sound far more pleasant if we give the name the correct pronunciation,” added His Honor, with i a smile.—" Poverty Bay Herald.” J

The infantile paralysis epidemic is having a serious effect on the confectioners of Oamaru (states the “North Otago Times”). One confectioner stated that her takings had fallen off twothirds of what it was previous to the outbreak. The ice-cream trade is very poor, and shopkeepers are finding it hardly worth while stocking it.

An old West Australian gold digger called into the Wanganui “Chronicle ’ office the other day, and, tossing some quartz samples on to a reporter’s table, remarked that lie had discovered auriferous stone within a radius of 38 miles of Wanganui. Pointing _ out a certain piece of quartz, he said that he had found in an old creek bed, the location of which he was not prepared to divulge at the present time. Another piece had been crushed by motor-car, While travelling to its terminal point over the Parapara Road. In referring to yet another sample, he explained that it had come from under blue papa rock. “That,” he added, “is beyond all the preconceived ideas of geologists. The geological formation of New Zealand is so peculiar as a result of. volcanic eruptions, and anything is likely to happen.” The old miner was of the opinion that his early discoveries were likely to produce good results.

An excellent bag for one day’s rabbit shooting with .22 rifles is reported as having been obtained during the weekend (says the “Southland Times”). Four Invercargill men sallied forth into the Hedgehope district, and by evening 328 skins were secured, one worthy with a particularly keen eye accounting for over 100 at the average cost of two cartridges for each pest. . It is also stated that in the same district, a farmer, poisoning and trapping on his 400-acre farm, accounted for 5000 odd rabbits in a w’eek.

A dramatic interlude in the family life of a King Country resident culminated last Saturday when five little tots were committed, on Hie application of the police, to a receiving home (says the “Wanganui Chronicle”). The father of the little family is an inmate of a hospital, while the mother has left the home. For *oine time the children have been living alone. A police officer visited the home, where he found a mite, aged 10 years, had been mothering her wee brothers and sisters. . Sh<= had kept the house on the strictest principles of cleanliness and had even washed a blanket to ensure the comfort of her charges on the journey to Wanganui. This article of comfort had been carefully prepared at the washtub. She, however, in answer to the escorting police officer-—a married man himself—apologetically exhibited that she had not been able to dry and air the blanket as her time did not permit. “Do you know,” said SeniorSergeant Lopdell, to a reporter, “they are the brightest and cleanest little kids I have ever come across. It. is terribly sad.” So the poor little mites will rest on the bosom of charity for vears to come in spite of the fact that their distressed circumstances are no fault of their own.

The tendency of witnesses at the Supreme Court to give their evidence in subdued tones has been a matter of frequent comment by His Honour Mr. Justice Alpers (says the “Poverty Bay Herald”). Recently, however, there was one striking exception to the usual practice, a witness giving his evidence in a particularly firm and clear voice. The contrast did not escape the notice of His Honour, and just as the witness was leaving the box he was recalled by the Bench. “Witness,’ said His Honour, “I want to congratulate you upon the exemplary manner in which you have given your evidence. 'loo freqnentlv I have to speak to witnesses for not raising their voices, and it has been quite a pleasure to listen to the clear manner in which yon have tendered your evidence. I heard every word distinctly, and I desire von to know that I appreciate the fact. 1 wish other witnesses would emulate your example.”

New Zealand’s greatest asset from the visitor’s point of view was its scenic beauty, said Air. J. Passmore (Otago Alotor Club delegate) at the conference of the North and South Island Alotor Unions (reports the “Press”). They should encourage the tourist in every possible way. He brought forward a remit: “That proposals be submitted to the Government for the encouragement of overseas tourists to bring their cars to the Dominion.” Air. Passmore continued that for three months of their stay here the tourists should be taxfree. Air. B. L. Dodd (North Island) said the Government should be asked to make it as easy as possible for the tourists. The remit was carried with the addition that reciprocal arrangements be made with other countries.

In the course of a conversation with an “Otago Dailj' Times” reporter the deputy registrar of motor vehicles said that in many cases the purchaser of a new car who had disposed of his old vehicle had very little idea of his obligations under “The Alotor Vehicles Act, 1924.” He is required to notify the deputv. registrar of the sale of his registered car, and is also required to effect the registration of his new car, again paying all the fees, which, as a general rule, amount to £3 2s. It may seem unfortunate for those who have just registered their cars, that they should again pav registration fees on new cars, but they are required to do so under the Act. The person who purchases a secondhand car has the advantage in that he simply goes to the Post Office and on payment of ss. is handed the certificates of registration.

A judgment debtor, a waterside worker by occupation, told the Wanganui Court recently that during the past six months his earnings had averaged £2 7s. a week. Odd jobs, such as assisting to remove furniture, had brought in something that would not amount to 10s. a week. He had to maintain a wife and two children besides himself. “Do you smoke?” queried counsel. “I smoke very little,” was the reply, “and during the last fortnight I havejnid no tobacco at all.” In answer to further questions, he said that he was a temperate man, and would not spend anything like ss. a week on liquor. He was paying rent at .the rate of 355. The Alagistrate (says the “Chronicle”) refused to make an order.

Conversing with a doctor who passed through Wanganui a “Hernld” representative asked if he could suggest a i reason for the long time the epidemic | of infantile paralysis was taking to pass away. The doctor said that he thought that probably the great majority of children had been attacked by the disease in a mild form during the last few weeks. Alany of them would be but slightly indisposed, and parents did not think it necessary to seek medical advice. The result was that there were probably a very large number of carriers, making it difficult for the medical profession to stop the spread of the epidemic. However, lie thought that the trouble would work itself out before many more weeks had passed, and there should not be a I return of it for some years to come, as I those who had had the disease ought to be immune from contracting it a second time. |