Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3591, 2 August 1912, Page 4

Local and General.

Twenty-two Territorials will be arrayed beforo Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., to-day on tho following charge:— “That, being registered under part 6 of the Defence Act, 1909, and posted to the Ist Battalion 9th Regiment, Wellington East Coast Rifles, without lawful excuse, did fail to attend the annual training camp and thus failed Io render personal service as lequncJ by the Act.”

The sitting of the civil Court yesterday did not occupy more than lialf-an-hour’s time. Judgment for plaintiffs bv default was given in the cases of Thomas Hollywood (Mr Stock) v. Jimmy Haia, £5 Is 10d, costs (13s) and solicitor’s fee (13s 6d) : and Frederick Hall (Mr Bright) v. Archibald Campbell Linwood and Emma Annie Lin wood-, £5 10s, costs (16s) and solicitor’s fee (15s 6d) : with order for possession of tenement within 7 days. Orders were made in the following judgment summons cases Jabez Goodwin (Mr Burnard) v. Thomas Long, £'4 16s lid. or 5 days’ imprisonment; Elizabeth Bryant (Mr Burnard) v. Alexander Smith, £T 14s Id, or 2 days.

Afflicted people from all parts or Ireland are flocking to see a young man, “Brother” Moore, of Navan, the Man in the White Habit, in the belief that he can cure them- Many persons declare emphatically that this so-called “miracle worker” has_ removed or assuaged their ills. Some very astonishing claims are being made in support of “Brother”- -Moore, or, to give him the full name by which he is known, “Brother” Mary Aloysius Moore. He is stated to have restored the sight or the left eye of a girl named Annie Moore. Several people are prepared to vouch for the truth of “Brother” Moore’s claim that lie had cured a child named Dowda!l, of Knockimher, near Xavan. oi deafness, while troubles of other persons have, it is sa:d, disappeared, under his magic influence. False packing of wool has, apparently, not yet been given up by the New Zealand grower. 4Tie \\ ellington Wool brokers’ Association, in adopting new regulations, found it necessary to provide against this contingency. The following is the regulating bearing on the subject:—Where lake packing is dis.overcd prior to sale, such lot or lots shall be withdrawn. If, after arbitration, a lot is declared falsely or unsatisfactorily packed, brokers shall penalise the vendor, by debiting him with all charges incurred in connection with the case, and if it is thought advisable to prosecute the vendor, the broker shall also give all available information and assstanre to the bnyer to help him to do so. Any woo] rejected or withdrawn for false or unsatisfactory packing shall not be again offered for sale or catalogued unt:: it has been re pa ked by some reputable packer, whose name shall be giver, in the catalogue, or supplied to the buyer in < ase of a private sale. Xante ;nd address of owner of any wool rejected for so-called false packing shall be supplied to the secretary of the Xew Z aland Woolbuyers’ Association, on written a'u>!ieation for same."

The Bishop of Auckland posses es tlie saving grace of humor (says a Dunedin paper). He remarked to an interviewer: "I have never been in Dunedin before. Let me congratulate you on your charming city, so exquisitely placed- I confess thatl came to Dunedin with certain misgivings. I know in Auckland two gentlemen whom I am proud to < all friends. They are magistrates. One is Mr. Cutten. the other Mr. Kettle. Both are on the Beard of Missions to Seamen. The day I left- they advsed me about my southern journey. 4 heir advice was needed in some resnots, but 1 should he ungrateful to say tuat it was altogether justified. "A hat they said was : 'Be c«»re to tano a warm coat.’ I replied: ‘I have a warm coat.’ ‘But have you put yur name on it?’ one of them asked. Well, I have watched that coat, and so fains I know I possess it. still, and 1 hope to got away with it to-morrow. If 1 do I shall ho able, to triumphantly refute the calumny uttered by join brethren in the far north.”

A remarkable case was witnessed at the exhibition of the Alexandra Electric Pictures in the Town Hall at Cheviot on Saturday night (says the "News”). 44ic engine used for driving the electric dynamo was placed in the supper room adjoin.ng the main hall, and the fumes from the petrol gradually permeated the whole building. All went well until after the interval, and the first indication of anythin being amiss was at the close of the “Uncle Tom’s Cab.n” series of pictures and the death of Undo Tom. Then a lady fainted, and was carried out. Thinking the pathetic srenohad been too much for her nerves, littfe notice was taken of the incident. Presently, however, she was f- l owed by another, and another, until the carry-ing-out business developed into a regular procession. Some recovered on reaching the fresh air. while others collapsed, and wore taken into adjoining houses, where restoratives were used to bring them round. Children were affected differently. Overpowered bv tho noxious gas, they fell asleep and curled up on the floor. Strange to say, only one side of the hall was affected. Altogether ltd y 20 persons either fainted or were taken out of the building in a state of collapse.- In future the engine will be plac d outside the building.

It is not every day that one gets the opportunity of purchasing drapery and clothing at half-price, but as announced in another part of our paper to-day and Saturday, Melbourne Cash are determined to "make a big clearance of many lines at half-price". doubt there will be o very bi crowd of eager buyers those two days.*

Replying to Mr Isitt in the House, yesterday the Premier raid that ample opjxirtunity would be given to tut; Homo for discussing the whole Defence question. —P.A.

Wiring last evening the Auckland agent of the Press Association said tliat tho general manager of the Northern Steamship Company (Mr Chas. Raiison), who returned to Auckland on Wednesday from Wellington, informed a reporter that the Union Company’s steamer Rotoiti had 'been purchased and taken over by bis Company for the Whangarth service.

'Hie usual weekly meeting of the Gisborne Temjierance Association was held last evening. It being Sisters’ Night a capital programme was arranged by Sisters Mcßeath (2), and Broomfield, the following contributing items: Misses Lyndon (2), Spurdle and Saunders, Sisters Kearney (2). and East, Bros. St itch bury, Wallen, Berry, Kearney and Muncey.

In answer to a question ’« the House yesterday Mr Hcrdman «ud tliat zealous junior police officers were given every opportunity to gain promotion in the force. Where there ivere 340 men in a force it was impossible to satisfy everyone. Young uni. with ability who had claims must have them considered by the Crown law off; eers. A clause had been inserted giving police officers a right to have li.oir grievances ventilated. The clause was iri reality an appeal from the decision of officers who did not held high jta i: in the service.—P-A.

Sonic Port Chalmers youths recently picked up a stranded ribbon fish about 18ft long, on Murdering Beach. Not knowing its great value for museum purposes, they t-ut it into handy lengths for carrying away. There are said to. be so few specimens of ribbon fish in existence that the one the boys picked up would bare been worth anything up to £IOO for eac-h foot of its length.

Some time ago Mr. G. Witty. M.P. urged upon the Minister of Defence that an alteration should be made in the oath imposed upon cadets. The Hon J. .Allen ha s communicated with him. stating that he had oarefuliv considered Mr. Wittv’s representations but d:d not think that it was advisable to do away with the oath for senior cadets. He added that the form of til? oath was under consideration.

_ln connection with the recent very plucky rescue of a lady from death or serious accident by the express train at til? Hastings railway station, a letter lias been received at Hastings from Departmental Headquarters, 'stating that ‘“for his prompt action (thereby averting accident to a passangcr at the risk of his ov, n life) the general manager of railways directs that Junior Porter W. H. Gordon is highly commended, and has been granted a reward of £5.”

Mr. F. C- Brown, Government Poultry Expert, delivers himself of some «gg and chicken epigrams in the “Journal” of the Department of Agriculture. Here are some of them:—“A lock on the iowllious? door often produces surprising results in the number of eggs gathered.” “Want of eggs when the birds are in a laying condition is often due to egg-eating.” "Many poultry-keepers are always complaining of a low price for their eggs. This is often due to their eggs being of a doubtful nature.” “In regard to table poultry, the local demand is not only unsatisfied, but is wretchedlv catered for.”

Whaling operations have been commenced by tlie New Zealand Whaling Company from its headquarters at Russell. The whalers Whangarei and Hawk went our for the first- time on duly 10, and the Whangaroa left on the following day. On .July 16 the Whangarei had secured three humpbacks and the Hawk two. The bad weather off the coast for the last few days, however, has considerably interfered with the work. The boilingdown vessel. Print© George (sailer), arrived at Russell on July 13, and has been subjected to a great deal of inter©' red inspection. The present operations are being carried out for the purpose of testing the various grounds in order that the meet suitable, headquarters for the fleet may be secured.

Particulars of the death of a native. named Taurerev.a Tuaretoa. when bush-felling near Raetdii, reveal wonderful fortitude on the oar: of the deceased (says the Auckland “Star ’). He was seventy years of age, and belonged to the advanced tytie of Maori. He was overtaken by a fall of timber about- neon. He was pinned to the wet ground, unable to move, but quite conscious and alive to the seriousness of his plight. Later i i the day lie heard the voices of searchers, but was unable to respond effe lively. He was discovered at- nine o'olo k at night being then in an exhausted condition from exposure, and beyond hope of recovery. The lest assistance possible under tire conditions was rendered bythe rescu-m. and, prior to his death, Taurerew i personally offered up prayers. and bade the members of his family to do like duty in turn.

There appears to Ik? a deeded scarcity of fish, in Auckland at the present. time by tli& remarks made by a local merchant to a reporter yesterday. In support of his assertion the mercliant mentioned the fact that so far this week only 21 bun Tes of fish had reached his depot- There is a possibility, that the shortage will be even more noticeable in future as there is a growing demand for Xew Zealand fish in Australia. It has been proved beyond doubt that frozen fish arrives on the other side in a very saiisfa -tory condition. One firm a few days ago forwarded no less than a ten of hapuka to Sydney to fulfil an order from a fish merchant there. The pressman was shown a large hapuka which was thawing after having Ken in cold .storage for three weeks, and the-fish smelt as fresh as the day it v, ■:< enticed by a tempting piece of bai: £r, m it-s watery home. At present there is noscheme like that which is-being adopted in Christchurch in op ration. In Auckland the old method <-! ceiling toe the middleman, who in his turn sellsto the retailer, is still in vogue. There is, however, on foot a schemes which, if carried into offo t . will mean that the public will be able to ‘purchase fish at a far more reasonableprice than it sells for at p-r-cv.mt. The proposals are as yet in Iho ©retraT stage, but fuller details will probably be forthcoming later. —P.A. Von Arx, “the man of ■ mystery astounded everyone by the ease with which ho picked half-crowns out of the atmosphere. Gisborneitcs. bv dealing at the People’s Emporium, the new shop next the Kimpton Cycle Co-, canpick up pennies, threepenny-bits. - ponces, shillings, haii-erewm s y ancl even pounds—every Lav <»f heweek. Call and see if t-bri b no? t> fact.*

Thu Hmise met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. Mr liimter ,rrave'notice of his intention to introduce th e Gaming Act 1910 Amendment Bill.—P.A.

At a meeting of the Railway Officers,’ Institute at Dunedin yesterday, it was decided to urge on the Minister for Railways the necessity of amending the Ait and the regulations to enable appeals to be properly placed before the Appeal Beard, and that the prescribed form referred to in section 1261 of the Government Railways Act should be’provided, giving full particulars of the procedure' to ba followed bv appellants.—P.A. wire.

A Palmerston North P.A. telegram says that at the meeting of the North Island Council of the Clydesdale Society yes to id ay, as the result of a ballot, Messrs. Alexander McNicol, Wilfred Johnston, R J. Pagg, and Alexander Hunter will retire,, from the council,' but are eligible for re-elec-tion. Messrs. R. D. D. MacL&an and A. Hunter were nominated for vicepresidents, and Air. A. E. Harding for president. A large number of entries from North Island breeders were scrutinised by the editing committee of the council.

The storage battery cars came to hand yesterday bv the Squall. The various parts were shipped from New York by the s.s. Courtfield and transhipped to the Squall at Auckland. The cars were disassembled, and as far as can bo ascertained they are undamaged, despite the fact that the Courtfield had a rough passage front New York. All the parts have arrived, and there should be little delay in getting the cars together. The work will take about a month, but it wdl probably bo two months before they will be running, for the track will not be completed much before that tune. .

A gentleman called on the “Taranaki Daily News” the other day to deny that book vendors on railway trains excepted women from their appeals to purchase questionable books. “Two of my girls,” he said, “were going down" the line the other day, and ono of the train pests offered one of these objectionable books to therm Knowing from personal observation wliat was going on, I cautioned the girls before they left against buying these books on the train, and the girls promptly refused to buy. This was not enough. The wretch pestered them for a considerable time until, being unable to stand his attentions any longer, they promptly complained to the guard. After that they were left alone.”

During an excursion in the valley of the .'Danube, the members of an anthropological society in congress m Heilbronn, Germany, were given a stone-age banquet by Edouard Hahn, an arenaeologist of Berlin. A sandbank in the middle of the river served as a table, and all the utensils, dishes, etc., were used of wood, especially made for the occasion, in exact imitation of those used in the stone-age. The menu consisted of cabbage soup, cooked in a wooden bowl by placing heated stones therein ; boiled “leg of horse,” roast- pork with stewed maize, turnips roasted in the ashes, and_ a dessert of dried berries served with honey. According to the guests at this 'unique banquet, the human-race of the stone-age period coud have no reason to complain of such fare.

Our Parliamentary correspondent wires that efforts are being made by a large number of Al.P.’s to secure—an alteration of racing permits. Notice was given by Air. Hunter (Waipawa) yesterday afternoon of a. Bill dealing with the matter, but the measure has not yet been drafted. ! Its character will be determined bv the members actively interested in the matter. Steps are now being taken to ascertain their views. A meeting was convened for last evening, and was attended by about 20 members, but the discussion of the subject was interrupted by the meeting of the House. The meeting will be continued this morning. The principal question to be decided is wlietner the Bill shoulcl propose merely a redistribution or the present number of permits (250) or ask for an increase.

'What, constitutes recreation depends, of course, on the point of view of tlie one who is recreated. This anecdote shows what one small citizen thought enjoyable. A boy in a certain State school for dependent children wrote his father thus: “Dear Papa : We children are having a- goon time here now. Mr Sager broke his leg and can’t work. We wens -n a picnic and it rained and we all got wet. Many children here are sick with mumps. Mr Higgins fell off the waggon and broke his rib, but he can work a little. The man that is digging the deep well whipped us hoys with a buggy whip because we threw sand-in his machine, and made black and blue marks on us. Ernest cut his finger badly. We are all very happy.”

“There is a good deal of ‘barrack’ and talk about the Cost of Living Commission going on in the North just now,” remarked a. prominent business man to a “Southland Times” reporter on Thursday evening. The sneaker had just returned from a brief business tour of the "Wellington and Wanganui districts, and the opinion was being freely expressed that the work of the Commission was all to no end. This gentleman, whose business experience is extensive, gave it as his opinion that the cost of living could and should be summed up in three words, and these were “cost or production.” The cost of living to-day was not to be compared with what it was forty or fifty years ago, and even in those* days they had considered themselves well off. They lived in a frugal manner, and not according to the extravagant manner of living adopted to-day. He could give a comparison of some of the prices. Bread had been dearer, and about thirty vears a"o it had cost Is for each -11 i i ,af. Ten was bought fit 3s M per lb,

• o’• at (3d per lb.' potatoes at prices •which often ranged to £2O per ton. Tiro and sasro at 6d per lb, oatmeal at -Gd per ib, and almost everything else was clearer in prorvtion to the prices quoted to-dav. The conditions called for-hard work, hut even in the face ot this they had been able to make money by a frugal system of life.

Replying to questions by Sir Joseph Ward ill the House yesterday the Premier said the Government did not intend to injtrcdiuoey li- easing legislation this session-.—P.A.

“Our Own” at Wellington wires:— A return presented to-day showed that on December 31 there'were 307 industrial unions for workers registered under the. Arbitration Act. The total membership was 55,620. The missing man Henry Fox, who disappeared from White’s Riverside Station, and was believed to have left for Gisborne, via Wharekopae, is working on a farm at Hangaroa. He has been in Gisbcrne since leaving the station, and there cashed a cheque which.had been paid to him. This led to the discovery of his whereabouts.

The twelfth conference of delegates to the Municipal Association of New Zealand will open in the City Coimcil Chamber of the Wellington Town Hall to-day % Practically all the cities, boroughs, and smaller towns will bo represented. The Mayor of Wellington (Air. D. McLaren} will preside. The order paper of remits is very long and deals with the whole wide province of modern municipal government. One of the “industries” followed by Maoris on the AVest Coast of this island (says the Eltham “Argus”) is searching for ambergris. After a storm they ride along the beach on horseback, armed with a stick, which has a nail attached to the end, by means of which they spear anything bearing a. resemblance to ambergris, and examine it without the necessity of dismounting. It does not appear that this form of “beach combing” returns large profits, though, no doubt, something of value is obtained from time to time.

Tire pied piper of Ha mol in would be much appreciated on board the Government steamer Hin-emoa, especially when this good ship touches the harbor of Auckland (states the Auckland correspondent of the “Post”;. No sooner are the ropes ashore and the vessel moored than swarms of rodents crawl or jump aboard to pay an official visit to their whiskered confreres in tli© hold below, or to meet their uncultivated advance the skipper has recourse to the spreading out of dozens of rat-traps, through which the visitor lias to gingerly pick his way; in fact, it is customary to see the chief salt sitting at his desk surrounded with traps in which an occasional rat can bo heard squeaking for an,official pardon, which, for official reason, he never gets, there, being a reward of 3d on his head.

The s.s. Evalston, a typical irondecked South American coal tramp, her square iron plates plastered on her sides like a patcli-work quilt, the better half of her propeller blades protruding above the surface, and a profuse growth of slimy green algae floating round the water-line, dropped anchor in tire stream at Auckland at 10 o’clock on Friday, says the “Star,” after a passage of forty-one days from Antofagasta. The vessel discharged a cargo of coal at the South American ]>ort, and was returning in ballast to Sydney for orders. Throughout the passage adverse winds were met with, and when four hundred odd miles on the Australian side of Cape- Maria van Diemen a strong northerly gale was met with. As the coal supply showed signs of giving out it was decided to take advantage of the wind and make for Auckland. After receiving bunker coal here, the Elvaston will proceed on her voyage to Sydney. The early bird, it is alleged, catches the worm, and it will be clear, from the evidence appended, that lie (or she) may catch the milkman watering his milk at a. horse-trough. A lady, a good churchwoman, and, therefore, an early riser, on Sunday morning last (says the AYelHngton “Post”), while proceeding to service about six o’clock observed a milk-cart near a horsetrough, and the driver thereof (of the vehicle) engaged in such business as aroused her suspicions as to the quality of milk the next customers were to receive. On her word, this purveyor of milk was deliberately adding to his supply by adulterating it with copious additions from the water in the trough ! It was not so much that the milk was being watered that led to her inward indignation, as the fact that what the horses had not drunk overnight, and the unsanitary receptacle containing it rrc™ hardlv, to her mind, conducive to the purity of the milk supply from that particular cart.