Page 6 Advertisements Column 6

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 56, 8 March 1915, Page 6

The whale thrown up on the beach last week between White Rock And the Cane Palliser lighthouse was measured by a local resident, who gives the exact figures as being 90ft in length, 27ft in girth, and about 16ft, across the back, wlu'lst a six foot man could easily stand in the mouth of the dead animal, which, however, when found was too far decomposed to enable the finder (Mr. Andy M'Kay) to make any profit out of rendering down the carcase, though a fair amount of whalebone has been extracted, A fire occurred at Kliandallah about 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, and ye- ! suited in the total destruction of a sixroomed house on the Cashmere Estate, owned and occupied by Mr. S. R. Hodges. Wlien Mr. Hodges was aroused from his sleep he found the kitchen in flames, and as there was no water supply the fire spread rapidly. The contents of the dwelling were also destroyed. The adjoining building, owned by Mr. F. Norling, had a very narrow escape, and was only saved by the strenuous efforts of neighbours. Acting under the authority of a search warrant the police yesterday visited two j houses in Holland-street and seized over 100 bottles of beer. The police have had the places — Nos. 10 and 14— under observation for some time, in consequence of the large number of drunken men seeh in the vicinity on recent Sundays. The police squad consisted of Sergeants Kelly and Fitzpatrick, and Constables Thorn, Petty, and Phillips. The .beer was all placed in a taxicab, which was piled high with full and empty bottles and taken §to the police station to be used in evidence against those who will be prosecuted as a result of the raid. A record Sunday crowd attended Lyall Bay yesterday, in order to see the famous swimmer, Duke . Kahanamoku, in the surf. The people were well repaid. The visitor entertained them with a truly wonderful display of shooting the breakers, which, after the spell of southerly weather, were fairly large. His renowned standing shoot on the surf board was the particular feature. He stood right up on the board, while the latter shot along at a great speed. By careful steering he prolonged the shoot for a distance of ISO to 200 yards. Kahanamoku and party spent a very pleasant time at the bay, the whole arrangements being in the hands of the Lyall Bay Surf Club. The need for a guarantee for seeds was a matter that received a good deal of attention from the Morrinsville Farmers' Union this week. Mr. Campbell stated that in certain -parts of the United States and also in Germany a purchaser of seeds could get a guarantee that, under a fair test— -say, in a Government laboratory or by damp flannel in a room — he would get about 90 per cent, of germination. He quoted a case where a farmer had purchased cheap ryegrass which showed only 36 per cent, of germination. If a farmer was willing to pay for good seed he should be able to get a guarantee that the seed would germinate under the conditions he had mentioned. He also quoted a case where a farmer had purchased white clovet seed and 70 per cent, had turned out to be crimson clover — a much cheaper variety. It was resolved to bring the matter up at the approaching provincial conference, by a remit from this branch. The turret of the old river steamev Pioneer, which was engaged during the Maori war on the Waikato River, is shortly to be moved to Auckland, and placed in Gillies Park (sa.ys the Star). From this iron turret, which has been lying near Mercer for some years, the soldiers used to fire on the Natives when they appeared on the river banks. The father of the present Governor of New Zealand served as a lieutenant on the Pioneer. One of our old identities, Mr. Ralph Gracie, assisted to build the river boats for service on the Waikato, and was a member of the Defence Force aboard the Pioneer. In this connection he relates an incident whereby both himself and the father of our Governor had a narrow escape. He was standing alongside the Earl of Liverpool's father when an officer just behind was shot down, and he considers both were fortunate not to be the victim. Mi". Gracie has still a lively recollection of many thrilling incidents of the war, and despite his many years i& vigorous and hearty. "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Year Book for 1913-14" is a" publication which contrasts strangely with the clash of great Powers. Here is the opening passage of Mr. Carnegie's letter of 14th December, 1910, read at the first meeting of the trustees : — "Gentlemen,"-I have transferred to you, as trustees of the Carnegie Peace Fund, ten million dollars of 5 per cent, first mortgage bonds, the revenue of which is to be administered by you to hasten the abolition of international war, the foulest blot upon our civilisation. Although we no longer eat our fellow men, nor. torture prisoners, nor sack cities, killing their inhabitants, we still kill each other in war like barbarians. Only wild beasts are excusable for doing that in this the twentieth century of the Christian era, for the crime of war is inherent, since it decides not in favour of the right, but always of the strong. The nation is criminal which refuses arbitration and drives its • adversary to a tribunal which knows nothing of righteous judgment." Concerning the sinking of the pontoon on the West Coast last week, the Greymouth Star says it— The reason for the pontoon's sudden collapse is uti' known, although many conjectures have been made and theories advanced, Tt was constructed in the Grey lagoon by competent workmen Uhder skilled supervision, and when towed out by tho Hmemoa in beautifully calm weather seemed staunch and solid. quit* seaworthy enough for the short trip under such favourable conditions. It lias been suggested that as the pontoon had to wait co long in the lagoon with her load aboard the weight of the heavy machi nery mush have told on its stability, but, of course, this is merely a supposition, svhich caiinot now be proved correct or incorrect. There was no insurance on the pontoon or its cargo; the insurance companies, because of the extreme risk, demanded a premium of about 90 per cent.j and this the Five-Mile Gold Extraction Company declined to pay. The total loss is about £6000, including the cost of the pontoon itself, for which, the contract price was about £600. One thousand shillings have been subscribed in the Hokitika district for the Soldiers and Sailors' Tobacco Fund, the £50 being forwarded to the London Times, on behali of that fund." Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., have always stocked well and good in gloves, but this season have landed the best supply they have ever offered for sale. An inspection will cost you nothing. — Advt. Baggage a nuisance ! Not a bit if you check through us. We collect, check (by rail or sea), deliver on arrival— do everything. N.Z. Express Co., Ltd., 87-91, Customhouse-quay.— Advt. The benefit of last week's rain and cool spell was very welcome throughout the country, and we have no doubt that both townsfolk as well as tho farmers will derive immediate profit through the change. Quite a number of womenfolk havo been busy since the temperaturo fell buying their supply of the new "boudoir 'cloth, which is specially adapted for ladies' dressing gowns and jackets. This new cloth can be had in all colours at Is 10a yard at C. Smith's, Ltd., Cuba•leant.., Wnllmtftnn.— Advt