LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 532, 27 March 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

— «- The Literary Supplement to bo issued with to-morrow's Star will bo as interesting in its contents as its predecessors. On tho first page will be found some more than usually interesting fiction, and on the fourth page the feature will be a large biul-o-et of news of the world, compiled from English papers to hand by tho latest mails. On page two will be found another three-column instalment of Nature Study Notes, They include a number of letters from and observation by young students, with instructive replies from the expert who conducts this valuable department. In other parts of tlio Supplement will bo found matters of interest to our lady readers, to farmers, and to the general reader. Members of tho Feilding Firo Brigade are to entertain the local Oddfellows at a card party in tho Oddfellows' Hall this evening. Large quantities of mushrooms are being gathered in the vicinity of tho town, and aro now being served up in a variety of ways as a tasty item on tho daily menu. Wo understand that Mr Reischer has been appointed temporary assistant at tho Palmerston High School. Ho has been acting as relieving teacher for tho Wanganui Education Board. Mr Jas. Grant, tho Acting-Direc-tor of the Feilding Technical School, has been busy collecting donations in the Foxton district for the school. He has met with considerable success, suggesting liberality to a worthy object by the Foxtoii people, and the sum of £30 has been guaranteed. One of the subscribers to the funds was the only Chinaman in Foxton, who most willingly offered his donation. A social in aid of the Presbyterian Orphanage at Dunedin was hold in the Grey street hall last night, with a good attendance. A most enjoyable time was spent, some of the items on the programme being of a novel and amusing character. Button-sewing and hat-trimming for men ? pictorial street guessing, etc., wore interspersed with musical it-ems, and concluded with the customary refreshments. At the Court this morning, beforo Mr W. J. B. Trewin, George Louden was charged with stealing a bicycle, valuo £4, at Rotorua in February. Sergeant Bowden stated the arrest was on a warrant from Rotorua, and asked that the accused be remanded* to Rotorua. Mr Ongley appeared for- Louden, and, in applying for bail, asked that it be fixed, in himself, without surety. Bail was fixed, self in £5 and one surety of £5, accused to appear at Rotorua. on April 1. In reference to a local in yesterday's Star explaining that evidence at the inquest of the boy who was fatally injured at Sandon recently pointed to the fact that the trap in which Mrs Oliver was driving had a light attached, Sergeant Bowden informed our representative . this morning that he had conducted the inquest, and ho bore out the statement of Mrs Oliver. Sergeant Bowden further stated that the jury added a rider to their verdict 'to the effect that had the boys had lights on their bicycles, the. accident would probably not have occurred. Mr Duncan Mackay, J.P., a wellknown draper of Dannevirke, died at 1 a.m. yesterday, aged 52. iHe arrived in the colony 24 years ago, and after two years with Neal and Close, at Napier, opened a business at Dannevirke, ultimately becoming a farmer. In 19Q3 lie joined Mr G. Potts in another' drapery business, from which he intended retiring in favour of his son on Saturday. When learning his business at Inverness Mr Mackay had as fellow worker the . man who was afterwards to become General Sir Hector Mac Donald, and' he came over to Palmerston to meet tho General when passing through here, and received a cordial welcomo from his old friend.

Tho Rev. H. Beggs, of Palmerston I North, is to occupy the pulpit in the I local Wesleyan Methodist Church on Sunday. Tho farmers in this district (says the Patea Press) are growling at tho new valuations, the complaints being directed not so much against the values themselves as the low estimate placed on the improvements. Thero was a vory fair muster at tho parade of tho Manchester Rifles last evening. Those members who intend to go to tlie Bulls riilo meeting tomorrow are reminded that tho brake will leavo tho Drill Hall at 6.45 a.m. As giving somo idea of the fondness of New Zealanders for eggs, Mr D. D. Hyde, Government Poultry Expert, stated a:t a meeting of poultry-raisers at Ohristcliuroh on Tuesday that over 173,000,000 eggs were consumed 'in the dominion last year. The second growth of rape in the Patea district this season has been wonderful and will afford farmers a considerable amount of extra autumn feed. It will be remembered (says the Press) that last year there was absolutely no second growth. Turnips have also made a good recovery since the late rains and tho prospects of this stand by for winter feeding are remarkably good. The providential rains which we havo .bad hero (says tho Wairarapa Daily News) have evidently enabled most of the farmers who needed to regrass to take advantago of -the Government's help, as wo observe that only 25 of tho 284 applicants for assistance in this respect yet remain to be supplied. Up to last Wednesda v niglit nearly £10,500 worth of grass seed had been distributed on tho plan adopted by tho Government. Tho cold-blooded materialism of the gospel of "getting on," the doctrine of worldly success, finds unconscious expression in a Jetted- sent from an English farmer at Pokeno, New Zealand, to the Hereford Times. Advising young English farmers to tako up land in Now Zealand, he goes on to say : ' 'The best way is to work first for a big farmer; then marry his daughter. She would not havo me, nevertheless they liave a high respect for the puro Englisii type." Free rations wi3l be issued to all troops taking part in the forthcoming Easter manoeuvres. Tho following is tho scale of rations per man per 24 hours: — Milk, 1 pint; bread, lilb; fresh meat, ljlb; cheese, 2oz; coffee, ioz; tea, ioz; sugar, 3oz; pepper, 1.32 oz; potatoes, lib; jam, ilb; firewood, 21b. As an alternative to fresh meat I and bread, there will bo issued ,if desired, lib preserved meat and lib biscuits. Fodder for mounted troops, ls tkl per day per horse. Captain J. Forbes, the pojmlar | commander of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Turakina, j has (says tho New Zealand Times),. [ been made a Knight of the First Class Order of St. Olaf by tho King of Norway, in recognition of service rendered by him in rescuing eight of j the crew of a Norwegian whaler lost off tlie Croze ts. The King of England has granted Captain Forbes permission to wear tho decoration of the Order. Tho man of tho hour in. Carterton is Mr Jones. Tho contractor of that namo was expected in the town yesI terday (says Wednesday's Daily News) | and several workmen were awaiting his arrival in anticipation of obtaining work. But Mr Jones did not ari rive. Another employer, needing workmen, availed himself of tho opportunity presented. Three of the 1 men accosted him in the street awd asked: "Are you Mr Jones?" "Yes," was the reply ; and the three men were forthwith engaged — though not for the High-street contract. Rua, tlie Maori prophet, must be a man of some resource. He onceclaimed, so the story goes, that ho could walk on the water, and came down to tlie beach with a number of natives who were anxiouS that he should perform the feat. One would have thought this was rather an awkward fix, but the Maori prophet Avas equal to the occasion. He turned to his open-mouthed followers and said: 'Do you truly believe I can walk on the* water?" "Yes," they cried with one voice. "Then there is no need for me to do it," he replied, and walked away. Tho Wanganui Eduoation Board is taking advantage of the boom in Ohakuno to cut up and sell a*, school reserve iv tliat township, a good school site being available elsewhere. Refer- ! ring to the matter tlie Ohakune correspondent of tho Wanganui Herald j says: — Residents are waiting for tho sale of tho local school sections to take place, as several intend to be purchasers. The section that the Education Board has had cut up is right in tho centre of tho township, and adjoining the Post Offioe section. They are tho most valuable sites hi this town, and are sure to bring fancy prices. A farmer giving evidence beforo the Canterbury Conciliation Board told a long story of the misdeeds of some of the incompetent men ivhom it bad been his misfortune to employ. Ono man, when sent out to yoke up a four-horso team to a plough, had not enough sense to keep the 'horses together, and attempted to yoke them up two at a time, witli tlie result that two got away. On another occasion one of his mcdi. who was sent to make a fenoe, only put in threo posts and strained one wire in a day, and did very littlo better tho following day, while another man who was ploughing with a four-horso .team succeeded in getting over only nineteen acres in fifteen days. A very pleasant and somewhat unusual family gathering took placo on Tuesday (says tho Times) at the residence of Mr George Farmer in Terrace street, Palmerston North, to celebrate tho diamond wedding of Mr and Mrs Farmer. There was a large gathering of the descendants of the old lady and gentleman which included four generations. The essential bridecake and bridal bouquet were to tho fore and a very pleasant and jovial time was spent by the numerous company. Mr Farmer who arrived in the colony in 1841 is a fine sample of New Zealand's pioneers. The early jiart of his career in the colony was spent in the Hutt, and ho took a very active part in the Maori troubles in that district. Later on Mr Farmer removed to the Sandon district, Avhero he was engaged in farming pursuits for a number of years. "By the bye," observed Mr Murdoch McLean, C.E., to a London correspondent, "there is one thing that I should like to say. Everywhere I have been making notes and comparisons as regards railway travelling, and I do s not hesitate to say that New Zealand gives the cheapest in the world. You can travel first-class in New Zealand as cheaply as thirdr i-.s in England. I admit that, on the other hand, you can travel as comfortably third-class in Britain as first-class in New Zealand, and of course the speed and the personal comfort and convenience aro incomparably greater in the Mother Country. But in point of cheapness, neither England nor any European country, is 'in it' with New 'Zealand, where ; as I have said, you can travel by railway more cheaply than j'ou can anywhere else' in the entire world. That is a fact ! And, on the whole, I consMer New Zealand railway management most excellent all round. There was a reference in yesterday's cable news to tlie Hon. John Morley, Secretary of State for India) regM'ding hiis view's of the wandering Hindus. Mr Morley, who is in his seventieth year, has never disguised the fact that he has a greater love for literature than for politics. To be surrounded by books is his ideal of ■happiness, far "apart from his extensive library he iias no amusements. He is a capital walker, however, amd for his age a remarkably active man. Iv appearance he strikes one more vs an elderly -musician or actor than a statesman, his rather sharp, clean-sha-ven features -and long, iron-grey, hair being typical of one or two of the prominent lights in those professions. Personalty, Mr Morley is one of the kindest and most considerate of men. His love far dumb animals is weJSI kuown. He has just given a home to tho wife and daughters of his stepson, John , Ayling, who was recently sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for forging and uttering promissory n otes> and he has provided that home d<g"jarfxe the fact tliat Mr Morley's own -signature had been forged on five of f he bills.

Tho House of Keys of the Isle of Man, on February 11, rejected Colonel Mooro's Bill for public control over tho liquor traffic in the island. The proceedings before the Canterbury Conciliation Board in tlio prolonged hearing of tho farm 'labourers'' dispute aro getting so lively that at Darfield this week tho Board had to got tlio attendance of two constables to remain on duty -during the sittings. A further tribute to the growing popularity and recognition of tho Star was furnished yesterday. A gentleman who is removing to another district ordered tho Stah to be sent on to his new address, "as I want to continue reading a real, live newspaper." Kimbolton is again to* hay© the pleasure of a yisit from the Feilding Presbyterian choir, who have promised to come to the assistance of their local brethren in raising funds for tlio local church. It will be remembered what a musical treat was given last year by the same choir, and wishes expressed for another visit from them. A letter signed "Restitution," and bearing the Gisborne post-mark, has been received by Mr J. M. M'Lachlan, of Auckland. Tho correspondent states — "Some time ago I defrauded you of four or five shillings, which I wish to restore fourfold, so lam sending you £1." A pound note was enclosed, with a request that it be handed to the management of the Parnell Children's Home. "My restitution," adds the writer, "will enable me to have a clear conscience, for I am sorry I have 'wronged you." Mr M'Lachlan forwarded the money to tho New Zealand Herald Office, and requested that it bo handed to tho Children's Home as desired by his unknown correspondent. It is understood that tho Government is contemplating extensive alterations and enlargements to the railway workshops at Petone, so as to mako provision for tlie stock and fittings from tlio Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co.'s workshop upon tlie completion of tho purchase of the \ company's line by the Government. The additions will extend over the former site of the railway station, and stretch back to tho 'hills. The reported proposed procedure is -.ignificaniv as it has often beon -rumoured that the workshops were in tilio comparatively near .future to be removed to a site not far up tho Manawatu railway liine — when the latter was acquired by tho Government— to ■serve tho purpose of a main workshop -depot for tho Main Trunk line. In a recent copy 'of a contemporary (says the Wairarapa Daily News), wo noticed at tlio foot of the columns many Scriptural texts strangely interlarded with advertisements. They reminded us of an occasion many years ago on which the Salvation Army paid a visit to Dublin. All along tho walls friyn Kingstown to Dublin thoy posted texts from Scripture. Later on a man named Kenny started an hotel and restaurant in Kingstown, and he posted his opening announcement under many of the Scriptural texts on the walls, with funny results in many cases. On ono of the walls we distinctly-reineni-ber the text: "Where ivill you spend eternity?" in large letters, followed by the reply: "Kenny's hotel and restaurant, Kingstown!" Apropos the suffragette movement at Home, a good story is told of a prominent advocate who wont on one occasion to visit the wife of a well-to-do tradesman. Tho hostess, before going into tho parlour to meet her visitor, fairly trembled. "Goodness," sho said to herself, "what can I talk to Miss Fitz-Jones about? She belongs to many clubs, reads and studies so many languages, writes such deep papers, and all that! What on earth can I say to entertain her? I know I shall appear unusually ignorant and foolish beforo her." The good dame nerved herself, however, and went in to greet the terrible visitor. After shaking liands, tho formidable Miss Fitz-Jones nestled up to her on tho sofa, and said in an almost mysterious whisper: "Dear Mrs Brown, tell me, do you know any really satisfactory way of cooking turnips?" , „ . The manager of tho Government Vitieultural Station 'art Arataki, Hawke's Bay, has informed the Hastings Standard that he is convinced, after three seasons' trial, that the best varieties of table grapes can be'profitably produced under natural conditions at 3d per. lb to tho grower. Moie especially will this be tho case when the department is able to supply in large quantities the young vines of tho new sorts now under trial. The manager expects to graft fully 10,000 vines this season, and the ■demand is so great that this will not be sufficient (to fill all orders. Mr Bernard Chambers, of To Mata, requires sufficient to plant ten aores, and there aie also enquiries for table grapa vines. Vines are sold- at Arataki at far Jess than they, cost to produce. This may not appeal* sound business (says tlio Standard), but -t is,#or the more vineyards we have in the dominion the more grapes will be placed an the market to provide a healthy food for the people. Asked by a Gisborne Times reporter whether he intended to visit any other country in connection witli row- ' ing, Webb, champion sculler of the world, said -ho had deoided that if an. other man wants the championship ho must come to Wanganui to get it. "Wanganui has been very good to me," ho continued, "and I don't think I should go to othor countries to try and 9ose what I havo won. I am this Aveek shifting into a new house built ! by a subscription raised in the town, and I greatly appreciate all that has been done for mo in tho South." Refer ring again to rowing matters, Webb said that he was least of all anxious to race iv America as he had been told that fair play in sculling was a thing unknown there. He would not be surprised to receivo a ohaMeaige from George Towns, whom ho considered a "fine chap," and probably a better man in tho boat than Charlie Towns. If George Towns did challenge him, ho would have to wait until after the engagement with Arnst. Ho did not think Durnan would enter a challenge, as he thought the Canadian had given up all hopes of ever winning tlio championship. Norman Grenfell. a young Victorian carpenter, is clearly possessed of talents wbioli ought to be cultivated. Jf that were done there is waiting for him a fortune mid a name far outshining those of the people who dive from great heights into small tanks, or fail off balloons into space. The discovery of Grenfell's remarkable ability was quite accidental (remarks the Bulletin). The other night he was travelling in a railway train on the Melbourne to Box Hill line. Ho found when it was too late that it didn't stop at Camberwell station, whero lie was to meet a friend. As tho train dashed through Camb&rwell station. Grenfell was seen to 'leap out of the dbor of a cai*. Tho speed of the train was near twenty miles an hour. Grenfell struck tho 'platform with ?• bang, spun round like a professional too danoer, and then took a header under the last three cars. The railway officials rushed to tho spot when tlie train had passed. Tliey found the young carpenter sitting comfortably against the brickwork of the platform, conscious and unmarked. A strip had been cut out of the back of his coat, and the brim of his hat, whicli was still on his head, had. been neatly shaved off by tho wheels. If Grenfell could be induced to repeat the act, what sort of a "house" would he getY Before Messrs E. Goodbehere and R. Burne, J.'sP., at the Court yesterday afternoon, 11. Neville White was charged with obtaining money under false pretences by means of a valueless oheque. • Accused had been arrested by Constable Healey, at Kimbolton, on a warrant from Feilding. Mr Haggitt defended White, and put in a plea of not guilty. Constable Sweeney stated the facts of the ease, which w**e that accused had cashed a cheque for £3 at Hook s | hotel on November 1, 1907. The cheque having been returned marked "no account/ accused was written to, but no satisfaction could be obtained until the matter was put in the hands of the police. The money had then been paid. The defence put forward was that accused had had an account in the Bank, of New Zealand, «nd did not know that it had been exhausted. The Bench treated the matter as one of false pretences, and, after pointing out that accused was liable to six months imprisonment, fined him -40s and £1 8s 4d costs. White was allowed two > days in which to pay the fine.

There is much grass-seeding being carried out in all parts of the district at the present time, says tho Waimarino Call. The Art class and tho Sewing class were well attended on Monday and Tuesday in Kimbolton, and both promise to increaso in membership. The classes are conducted in tho Church of England Sunday school room, the former on Mondays,, and the latter on Tuesdays, at 2.30 p.m. Nearing the end ! It is stated (says Wednesday's Waimarino Call) that no mare men will be engaged on the lino works in tlio vicinity of Ohakune, and as numbers of men wiiii be leaving owing to wefc weather the ranks of tlie "co-ops." will greatly dwindle during tho next few months. It is satisfactory to know from an inspection of the Kiwitea County made by Mr Bourne, tho county engineer, that the recent fires have not done anything like so much damage as the fires of ten eyars ago in the Waituna district, and that, taken altogether an immense amount of good has resulted. Some School Committees have large ideas. The Elt*hani Committeo submitted plans and specifications to the Wanganui Eduoation Board for 1-atrine accommodation, and these were referred to the Board's architect. The latter reported that the Committee's proposals would provide accommodation for 600 girls and 900 boys, on the latest •estimates! j Completion ihas been reached in the j construction of the artificial *lako on the South-street reserve, 'the work having been done foi* the Beautifying Society by Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, M.P. Next season, when the water is (laid on to the lake, water lilies and other plants will be added, and tlie' lake should bo a centre of attraction. Tlie plough lias not yet been put over the ground set apart for a cricket ground, but this will doubtless be done very soon, as the rain 'has prepared the soil for working. Clover (says the Timaru Post) is one of the best'paying crops that can be grown. It takes very little labor to save it, ancl it is not readily damaged by wet weather. It is best grown in small plots a few acres in extent. The bumble bees seem to work better over small plots than over large ones. A bag an acre is a handsome return even at 7-Jd a lb, and the price should be much above tliat this season. Even half si bag an acre is a payable crop, especially if hay or rye grass seed has previously been taken off the paddock. The uncertainty of iawn tennis has boen well exemplified recently. Quill, who was a good runner-up to Parker at the New Zealand meeting held here, has been beaten not only by Fisher but by "Dick" Harman, of Canterbury, . who was thought to be a past number. Harman took three sets straight from him in the final for th Unitd Clnb (Christchurch) Championship. While Fisher has beaten Quill, Peacock, who was beaten by Quill at Christmas, has beaten Fisher in the Thorndon (Wellington) championships. The preliminary stage of the cutting of the largest diamond in tho world — £ho Cullman, now known as the King's diamond — has been safely passed. It was recently ' cleft in Amsterdam with complete success. Cleaving is tlie preliminary to the cutting of the gemj and was accomplished in the folloAvmg manner: — The diamond was embedded in cement, and the sharpest diamonds available were brought to make the first incision. The making of the incision took several days. Next a specially made knife blade of finest steel was fitted into the incision, and then Mr Asscher struck -a terrific blow on tho knife blade with a thick steel bar. This cut the stone in twain. The next process is the cutting, which will be entrusted to Mr Henri Koe, who will work for a whole year in a locked room with three assistants. His daily hours of labour will be from 7 in the morning to 9 o'clock at night. A watchman will keep guard outside the door of the room, and two other watchmen will always be on guard in the building. The diamond will be cut by being pressed against a disc oiled with a mixture of diamond-dust and oil, and revolving 2400 times por minute. At night the great gem will be placed in a special safe in a strong room, with walls of iron and cement 2?, ft thick. The head of the Asscher firm, armed with a revolver and accompanied by ten of his staff, places the gem in tlie safe and takes it out night and morning. The diamond which is worth intrinsically £500.000, now weighs about 1-flb, and will when cut weigh about lib.