LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18716, 19 August 1924, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A large wooden dwelling at Nelson, owned and occupied by Mr M. Barakat, was totally destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The outbreak is believed to have been due to a defective chimney. The insurances total £950 in the South British Office, The largest meeting ever held in Oamaru look place at the Opera-house last night (says a Press Association message), when the whole subject of the Junior High .Schools was threshed out. Addresses were given for and against the subject, and at the termination of the meeting a show of hands was taken on a motion favoring a junior high school, and this was declared by the mayor to be carried by a large majority. In the erection of the towers carrying the electric power transmission lines from Mangahao damage has been caused to the properties of the settlers through which the line passes, and a number of those affected waited on the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) yesterday to discuss with him the question* of compensation. A deputation was introduced by Mr W. H. Field (member for Otaki). It was explained that the deputation represented the settlers and members of the farmers’ organisation from the districts extending from Paekakariki to Johnsonvillc. They all recognised the necessity for the transmission lines, and that it was unavoidable that some damage should bo caused in the erection of the towers and cables, but they felt they had a good claim for compensation for needless damage. The Minister referred the complaints to Mr A. Gavey (district electrical engineer of the department), who admitted that some of the farms had been badly cut up. After some discussion 't was agreed that Mr B. Mexted should act as assessor for the settlers, and that the Land Purchase Officer should act similarly as the represpniiuivo of ihe impaitment in assessing tin-, damage caused. A Wellin n \ ton n o r t that Stefanson, the noted explore!, m«n the Tahiti tor America, alter a stay of several months in Australia. He says he is astonished at the little known of Australia's vast continent and its resources and capabilities. Tins wondoiHl country (he says) otters great pu».Mbihttcs for exploring." He had intended, when he came out, to make a tour of New Zealand, but owing to hist prolonged stay in Australia his dominion tour had to be cancelled. He will probably return next yea,:’ for a special visit to Now Zeaaland. For many years it has been the ■practice at the Auckland Presbytery to get into committee when matters wore to be. discussed which it was not considered desirable should appear in tho Press (says the ‘Star’). That, however, necessitated reporting what was decided upon when the Presbytery resumed. Now, however, an innovation is to discuss a matter “in private,” with tho result that what is decided upon has not to be reported in open court. Reporters remain in the church

court to listen to the deliberations of the fathers end elders in secret conclave, and some of the matters thus dealt with would make interesting copy. ‘‘Another thing that came down with tho licet from Hawaiki in 1350 was rats, and they also have become extinct,” remarked Hr P. H. Buck in the course of n lecture at Auckland. “It was not your bubonic rat with the nurple face that carries plague about with it. The Maori rat was quite a nice rat, and lived in tile bush. It ate berries and other things, and got quite fat, and was a wholesome article of food. It was caught, in traps, and was quite an esteemed article of diet! Preserved in its own fat it was quite palatable, and was looked upon as a delicacy. It was supplanted by the Norway rat that so much has been heard of lately. I do not say that tho Maoris purposely brought them, as, they may have got amongst the foodstuffs.”