LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Mangahumo correspondent of the ‘ Opimako Times ’ says : While exploring tho bush at tho base of Mount Egmont, above Clement's Mill, a lad discovered a •human skull lying near a large stump. The skull was in a perfect state of preservation, the teeth being intact;. From all appearances it is the skull of an adult. Although sea.,ch has been made around tho stump and the ground upturned to a considerable depth, no further remains have been discovered. A bullet had passed through the skull. Questioned as to Mr Skey’s statement respecting the prediction of earthquakes, Mr P. R. Field (Wellington) says ho has been for a long time past in correspondence upon such matters with Mr Skey, _ who has recently examined his solar writings that, incidentally, form the new basis for explanation and prediction of earthquakes. Mr Field believes that earthquakes of more modern times were at their worst about tho time of the Lisbon earthquake (1755), and that they continued severe till 1855. He sees no reason whatever for alarm now. If he did, ho would feel it his duty to express a warning.

A Dunedin lady who arrived in "Wellington after a motor tour of tho North Island states (says tho Wellington Times ’) that a great deal has been published from time to time by northern papers regarding the progress of the Auckland province. There is one thing, however, the Aucklander cannot boast of, and that is tho main road in the southern end of tho province. It was so rough that the occupants of the car had anything but a pleasant time, and they were all glad when they reached tho city. A Wanganui man described the roads as “vile,” and said they were so rough that he had to put the hood up to prevent passengers being Jolted out of the car!

The Waimate ‘Advertiser’ states that with regard to a Press Association telegram from Dunedin, in which it was staled that Atlantic salmon of a variety never before taken'in New Zealand had been caught in Lake Te a local angler, who has been a keen fisherman for the last twenty-five years, states that twenty years ago he landed a fish from the Wai'taki of a kind he had never seen before. A visitor from Germany,_ who' was touring Now Zealand, was fishing in tho Waitald also, and he described the fish to be a salmon similar In many hundreds ho had caught in Norway, where ho was wont to spend a good deal of time fishing every year. “ Bigotry played no part in this man’s operations. He robbed Protestant and Homan Catholic alike,” said Mr J. J. Sullivan, when George Thompson (fortynine) pleaded guilty in the Auckland Police 'Court to the theft of twenty-seven chairs, valued at £l9 10s, the property of the Church of Christ, Ponsonby road, and St. Benedict’s Church, East street. “ Since he was tolerant in his ways, I would suggest that your Worship deal tolerantly with him. (Laughter.) He has had an awful struggle, and has tried bal'd to make good. Owing to certain services rendered the State he has been ostracised by the community. If ho were a wealthy man one could call him a kleptomaniac, because he steals such a lot of worthless stuff. Grubbers, lawn mowers, and all manner of things like that seem to tempt him. It seems inherent in him to steal, but lately he has been making a big effort, and there has not been a conviction for a long time,” concluded Mr Sullivan. “Of tho fiftyfour convictions, no fewer than thirty are for theft,” said Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., looking over accused’s list. “He is evidently a confirmed thief. In tho best interests of society he should be put away for as long as possible. One month’s imprisonment, to bo followed by not morn than three years' reformative treatment.” A Wellington message states that, as tho result of a protest by the Newtown School Committee against the limitation by the Education Department of subsidies on moneys raised by school committees (due to the operation of the regulations gr,rafted in February, 1922), the Wellington Education Board has announced that the Education Boards’ Association will shortly state a case for the Supreme Court for a declaratory judgment. A conference convened by the Masterton Dairy Company of delegates representing thirteen dairy companies situated from Pahintua to Foathorston, held yesterday, marks (says a Masterton telegram) another progressive move in the dairying industry here. A proposal to form a_ controlling association for the whole of tho Wairarapa and Bush districts was referred to a later meeting at Carterton. Mr J. G. Blcohin, director of the National Dairy Association, had uniformity of advances to suppliers and control of shipping thoroughly discussed. _ Ho explained the attitude of the association on matters pertaining to dairy control, and urged the conference to push ahead for better conditions to place the industry on a sound footing. Conference decided to affirm the principles of tho Dairy Control Bill. Tho monthly meeting and concert of tho Dunedin Barns Club was held in tho Art Gallery Hall last evening. There was an exceptionally largo attendance, the hall being practically filled to capacity. Tho president (Mr J. Wallace) controlled the gathering, which proved a great success. A varied and entertaining programme was submitted by tho following Piper M'Kay (bagpipe selection), choir (part songs), Miss Gardner (song), Miss Winnie Geddes (violin solo), Miss Davidson (recitation), Master Leslie M‘Gregor (Highland dance), Miss M. M'Donakl (song). Mhs Nancy Aborncthy (fancy' dance], Mr A. J. Jones (song), Mrs J. E. Coventry (song), Miss Joyce Smith (Highland dance), Mr W. Gemmoll (song), Mr H. H. Wellbourne (magic). The accompaniments were played by Miss E. Wright, and Mr Bert Bawlinson was musical director. Tho weekly meeting of the Rescue Lodge, No. 105, 1.0.G.T., was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Kensington, on Tuesday last, C.T. Bro. IV. A. lies presiding. There was a largo attendance. Two candidates were presented, and were initiated into the order, the ceremony being conducted by the C.T., assisted by Ids officers. Greetings wero conveyed to Rescue Lodge from the Hope of Christchurch and Bastion Juvenile Temple by the C.T. Feeling reference was made by Grand Chief Templar and other members to Uie loss sustained by the Hope of Dunedin and tho order in general by the death of Bro. Sandilands (Grand Councillor), and a vole of condolence and sympathy was carried. After recess harmony was‘indulged in, it being “Temperance Nirtit.” Hems wero contributed by Bros. Dalton, Hilton, and Mercer, Sisters 0. Thomas, V. Dray, H. Thomas, and I. Shearer. Previous to the meeting of tho adult lodge, the Star of the South Juvenile Temple mot, Bro J. Hilton presiding, there being a good attendance of juveniles. Ball competitions wero indulged in, and after a good contest Sister D. “Harris was declared the winner. Tho annual meeting of the Taieri branch of the Royal Society for the Health of Women and Children held last week was well attended. The balance-sheet showed a credit to be earned forward to tho incoming term. Office-bearers wore elected, with Mrs D. T. Shand as secretary. Tho committee has arranged a visit to Karitano House Hospital on Saturday next.