LOCAL AND GENERAL

Feilding Star, Volume 5, Issue 1287, 22 December 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Star will not tie published on .Monday and Tuesday next. /

A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate; of C. J. Allen, photographer, of Palmerston North, lapsed for want of a quorum.

A plain arid fancy,.dress dance in aid of the supper room fund will he held in the Kiwitea Hall on New Yqir’s Eve. flood music, prizes for best costumes, competitions and supper

When asked ill Christchurch whether there would be sufficient toys to meet all the applications made to bimself and the Town' Clerk, _-.e Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer, said: “I have a big stack at my home, but I shall be pleased to receive further donations for those unable to buy them \Va hope to bo able to supply everybody."'’

An unusual find was made by Mr \V. F. Fryer in the course of a chimneysweeping operation in Nelson. His brush' disturbed a small copper coin which fell at his feet. Apparently it is a Birthing fairly well preserved and bearing the head of Charles 11. The date 1675 is clearly discernible. How the ancient coin came to be up a chimney is a mystery—unless it may be suggested that ■‘■it was cropped from the pocket of Father- t. nrisK, mas oil one of his annual visits

As a result of heavy rains in the Taihape district most of the. roads, including the main highway between Utiku and Alangaweka were blocked by larger slips, which took some days to clear. Mail services were disorgauised and in some parts telephone

linns are disconnected. One motorist was proceeding along Kawhabnu road when he came to a si in. After some

difficulty he turned round and had hardly started on his return journey when another slip came down in front of him and ho was obliged to abandon his ear and walk to litileu, a distance of five miles.

Some New Zealand enthusiasts are said to have formed a. syndicate to make a joint purchase of. rare and grotesque cactus species from New Mexico. The precious plants are to be landed at 'Auckland some time in January. It is stated that cactus culture is becoming popular in the North Island, the interest being stimulated by the fine collection in the gardens of thel Ellerslip racecourse. They are appropriate occupants of rock gardens, jardinieres, and' tubs, and are likened to the camels of th« desert, storing v.p water, which enables them to endure long droughts.

A young men’s Bible class, among whose members exists a splendid spirit ol obmaroderie, were holding an end ot tile year break-up social on Saturday, during which it was announced that two popular members woufd be leaving for other parts enrlv- in the -New Year. A young Scottish immigrant who had become n close friend of the departing members, was endeavouring to convey & tribute to them, but with the English at his command could not adequately do so. and at last he resorted to colonial colloquialism. “I toll you what,” be said, “they are a pair of fair dinkum corkers.”

Waste products from freezing works are becoming more and morq valuable as science) is brought to bear upon the problem of converteiing them into useful by-products. Recently representative*; of various freezing companies have conferred; with, tliei Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the subject with the result that a full-time research officer -is to b« appointee! who will exhaustively study the subject under the direction of Professor .Malcolm, at Dunedin. The pest has been offered to .Miss Arini Pope, of the Medical School in Dunedin, who has already done much valuable work on similar lines.

A Wanganui law. clerk relates a good story of a, recent trip he had to a, Maori settlement to isorve: a distress warrant to seize the clothes of an aged Maori. When he arrived at the pa he found a tang! in progress and soon discovered that bis prospective client had been called to join his great forefathers. Inquiries soon showed that the old Maori had left no earthly goods behind. The law clerk, in the presence of isome young Maoris, then made an entry on the official document, “Nulla Bona.” “Py eorry that tej good one,” replied a young Maori. “Plenty bona later on when him get time to push up te daisies a bit more.”

Great interest is being taken in tlie advent of the Violet Ray treatment to Fcilding, and several well-known local citizens are now being treated. Besides being a cure for Neuritis. Rheumatism. Goitre. Sciatica. Nerves, etc., it has no equal in treating falling, hair, etc:, and the removal of Warts and Moles. Consultation is free. R. A. Billows, Darragli's Buildings. . . . ...