Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4155, 4 February 1916, Page 4

Local and General.

The Town Clerk’s office notified yesterday that it had been decided, in view of the large number of cyclists who have already registered their bicycles, that it would not be fair to alter the regulations, and the ago limit for children’s registration fee of. Is is not to be extended beyond 12 years.

At the Justices’ Conference, held in Sydney last week, it was stated that in South Australia several women bad been appointed Justices of the Peace. It was doubted whether this was a wise step, though where women and girls were concerned it might be desirable. It was generally agreed that the jurisdiction of the women Justices should be limited to cases concerning women and girls. A man named George Jenson appeared before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and pleaded guilty to a charge of vagrancy. Detective McLeod stated that during the past fortnight the accused appeared to have been doing no work, and was drifting into bad ways. Previously he had been a good worker. Accused stated that he had a job to go to,- and asked for leniency. He was bound over in the sum of £5 to come up for sentence when called upon.

Hon. Mr. Russell, discussing the dearth of doctors in the Dominion at Wellington yesterday, stated that a few days ago he received a letter from an American university informing him that a number of graduates of that institution were considering the desirability of emigrating to New Zealand, and asking for information regarding our law registration and particulars of the country itself. “This information,” remarked the Minister, “has been supplied.” The Minister greatly appreciated the steps being taken to assist the medical students at Otago University to secure their diplomas at the earliest possible moment.—P.A.

A few- months ago Mrs Nelson George presented to the Hastings Borough Council a very interesting collection of Maori curios.. Among them was Tutanekai’s flute. The Mayor of Hastings (Mr W. Hart) recently wrote to the Rev. F. A. Bennett Rotorua, asking for some information respecting the flute, and - "lias received the following reply: “I promised to send you the name of Tutanekai’s flute. I have just come across it in one of my old note books. It was called ‘Urnakiaki.’ This information was given to me by an old Maori woman who is' now dead. She whispered it to me as if she realised it was sacred information she was imparting. I don’t think there are more than two or three now alive who know the name of Tutanekai’s Ante. With regard to the presenting of the flute to the English army chaplain, I have not come across anyone so far who kirows anything about lie disposal of the flute. But the length of it coincides with the one you showed me. The smaller ones are measured from the second joint of the thumb (inside) to the top of the first finger. I have two which coincide with that measurement. Tutanekai’s flute was a good deal longer, and the sound emitted from the longer ones carried much further... As opportunity occurs I will make further inquiries as to the disposal of the flute.”

Some good hauls of schnapper have been made at Clive Grange during the past week (says the “Hawke s_ Bay Tribune”). The fish are in splendid condition and of large size.

An unusual phenomenon occurred at Shannon recently (says the I eliding “Star”), when a Maori baby was born with a full set of teeth, perfectly formed.

A Methven resident informed -an Ashburton “Guardian” reporter that several farmers in that locality estimated that their wheat crops would easily yield 130 bushels per acre.

Episode No. I of “The Adventures of Dominica” series commences at tne World’s Pictures this afternoon and evening under the title, Braga b Double.” There are six episodes in this feature, and the next series will be “Th’e Rajah’s Tunic.” '

The Gisborne High School re ‘°P®? B on Wednesday next, February Jth. The Rector will be in attendance a the school on * Friday and xslond&y, February 4th and 7th, from 2 to 4 p.m., for the purpose of interviewing parents and enrolling pupils. lo suit the convenience of country people. Ho will also be at the office of the secretary, Union Bank Buildings, on Saturday next, February sth, from 1 to 12 a.m.

An Otiake correspondent of the “North Otago Times” writes:— Ihe thermometer registered 102 degrees in the Jnade on Tuesday, and the whole district was terribly parched. On Wednesday night welcome showers of rain fell, and 60 points were registered. Thursday was showery, and in tlxo evening heavy showers ielJ, and’ continued all day Friday. The hearts of the people are glad.”

The “Auckland Herald” predicts that the Whangarei Borough will have its electric light and power system in operation long before the winter sets in. The scheme is an offshoot of the much larger enterprise of the Dominion Portland Cement Company, which expects to have elco trie current available in a few weeks from its power house at Wairua Falls.

It is interesting to notice Low farrn_ mg is improving in Taranaki (says the “Elthem Argus”;. Not so many years ago when the cows were dried off they were turned out to the bush and allowed to struggle through the winter the best way they could. Many of them died—practically of starvation—and those that came m safely were a piteous bag of bones. But now every year shows) an increase in tho area of bay paddocks, and for e very acre that was put down in root crops in tile days we write of prot'ably 20 acres are put down now. In addition to this provision for winter fodder hundreds of cows are now carefully ragged in the winter. ’ It has been discovered, that it pays handsomely to take proper care of cows in the winter.

No official news has been received yet as to when the nautical inquiry regarding the loss of the Squall is to be held, but it is probable that it will take place in Napier, the home port of Alessrs. Richardson and Co. The crew will probably be taken to Tokomaru by the Kiritona. and there transferred to the company’s Alako. which is on the way down the coast from Auckland. The vessel is due here on Sunday next. The presence of an uncharted rock on the coast has raised something in the nature of consternation in shipping circles, especially in the minds of coastal skippers, and the evidence to be given at the inquiry will be watched for with interest. Yesterday a message was received at the Town Clerk’s office from the Shipwreck Relief Society, at Dunedin, asking whether any assistance was required for the shipwrecked sailors of the Squall.

Visitors to the side of the Christchurch Meat Company’s new works at Gonville, where building operations on an extensive scale are in progress, were afforded a most interesting demonstration of water-divining by One of Messrs. Russell and Bignell’s staff (says _ the “Wanganui Chronicle”). Carrying a forked willow stick, with one end of the fork in each hand, and the point of the triangle uppermost, the operator walked slowly until he passed over a spot where there was a strong flow of water underground, when the stick immediately bent rigid over until the point of the triangle pointed to the ground, despite tiie fact that- the operator gripped the two ends so tightly that the wood itself was forced to bend in order to comply with tiie mysterious, vet powerful, attraction by which ~it was drawn towards the unseen water. It is a fortunate coincidence that, by happy chance, the architect for the works actually selected the correct place for the sinking of an artesian l>ore. from which a really splendid flow has been obtained.

A great deal lias been written about the abnormal intelligence of the elephant, but it lia s been left to Blenheim to record the latest incidence—an elephant that can read <r (savs the Marlborough “Express”). It" must be remembered that a placard adbrns tile top hamper of the Alfred Streetbridge. setting forth to whom it may concern, the fact- that the bridge is unsafe to loads of over one and a-halt tens weight. One of Messrs Vvirth Bros.’ elephants was asked to cross tiie bridge harnessed to a heavy load. The animal paused on the threshold, and anxiously scanned the warning notice. Finally lie slapped the flooring. as much of it a s lie could reach, with his trunk. Turning towards liis keeper he flapped his ears and shook his head, as much as to say: “No go, governor; the bridge is not safe'.” Argument and other mean s were useless, and the sagacious brute was taken across the river per medium of the High Street bridge, which, upon inspection, was not objected to.

The story circulated in New Zealand some time ago to the effect that an Australian soldier was shot in the trenches at Gallipoli by one of his officers for shortening a time fuse and for being possessed of papers indicating that lie was a spy. is denied by Trooper R. J. Gray, of the First Australian Expeditionary Force. Writing to the “New Zealand Herald,” he states that lie knew the man in question well. The latter, he says, was a New Zealand non-commissioned officer, serving with the Australian force. He also went with the writer through the South African war. The story that he had been shot was incorrect. On the contrary, the man had teen promoted to the rank of a first lieutenant and ■ was in the hospital at Alexandria when the writer saw liim last. Trooper Gray states that he was in a better position than fjie man who was responsible for the leport to ascertain the truth, and in fairness to the Australians, he desires that the report be contradicted.

There was very little civil business before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a very short cause list being presented. Judgment for the plaintiff was given in the following undefended civil cases: Arthur Frederick Saunoers (Mr. Bright) v. Matene Kaipau, £27 5s 3d. and costs £3 9s; John Grant (Mr. Dawson) v. Dan O’Shea, £4 16s, and costs £1 13s 6d; R. M. Bell (Mr. Burnard) v. T. Iverr, £1 13s sd, and costs 6s; Eliza May Burburv (Mr. Burnard) v. Pierce Edward Rower, £ls 10s and costs £2 6s; Nieholls and Griffiths (Mr. Bright) v. Paitai Williams. £27 os 6d, and costs £2 12s. Two judgment summons cases of M. P. Poole (Mr. Burnard) v. Tahu Tiopiro, on two debts amounting to £63 11S 3d and £4O 7s 6d, -were adjoprned till next Thursday to call evidence as t<j-defendant’s financial position. Mr. Burnard could not see his way to accept an offer by defendant fQf 'weekly payments 10a.

. The National Reserve and Band mil turn out to farewell the recruits who aro to leave Gisborne by the Rip. pie on Sunday evening.

The Christchurch Gas Company, as tho result of last year’s operations, in ado a ' profit, it is reported, of £31,520.

The milk yield in the Dannevirke district for the December month shows a substantial increase compared with the corresponding period last season. Feed is reported to bo abundant.

The Alasfcerton Borough Council has a man in its employ who is 82 years of age. He is at present engaged at excavating work,. and few in tine gang can do a better day’s toil.

' An old Tapanui fonder informs the “Courier” that, in the early days in Scotland, in the fifties and sixties, the rate of pay for boy turnip-thinnera was id an hour, without food or lodging, as against Gd paid in Tapanui this year. Oatmeal was then the principle article of diet, and on that staple good men were reared.

A rather serious grass fire broke out at Kaitaratahi yesterday, and at one stage Mr. Bolton’s place was threatened. The whistle was sounded at the new freezing works, however, and all hands, equipped with empty cement sacks, turned out, and, after a sharp battle, succeeded in suppressing the outbreak.

Sheep traffic through the Dannevirke district is at present exceptionally heavy (says the “News”). What is said to be the largest sheep train that has left there this season went through the other morning to the Wellington Aleat Company’s works at Waingawa, Alasterton. There were 48 trucks, containing very fine fat wethers.

“Accountants are persons who add up columns of figures—wrongly,” remarked counsel in the forgery case at the Christchurch Alagistrate’s Court on Friday (says the “Press”). “Bank tellers, like lawyers, know nothing about accounts,” was the retort thatcame, later in the proceedings, from a Government audit inspector.

A change is to be introduced in the administration of the Education Department (says the “Dominion”). A secretary is to be appointed to the department, who will have control of the business and financial side of the administrative work, leaving the Director of Education , the professional head to devote all his attention to the professional side of the head office control. The ofr”--- of Secretary for Education is to !; .lijoiished, and there will, under tin new arrangement, be a definite div: s ;«>n '» tween the business arid professional branches of the department.

The difficulty in connection with the floating of the balance of the Oarnaru Borough Council’s electricity and water supply extension loan has been removed (says the “Alail”). The block to proceeding with the raising of the balance of. the sum—£69oo out of the £30,000 —was a clause in the Appropriation Act of last session, which made it unlawful for any local body “during the present war with Germany” to borrow, or contract to borrow, any money otherwise than as a bank overdraft within its legal limits, without the consent of the Governor-in-C-ouncil. So far as the. loan in question is concerned, the inhibition has been set aside, the consent of the Governor-in-Council having been gazetted.

One of the witnesses for the plaintiff in a case at the Feilding Magistrate’s Court the other morning proved a veritable stumbling block to the crossexamination of counsel ' (says the “Star”). He was prepared to admit anything that would suit the opposing side except that he had paid for some drinks, no matter how contradictory, and delighted in displaying his legal knowledge if it was at all apropos. All efforts to get him to admin that he had been actuated by a spirit of revenge or bad temper failed, and when counsel suggested that witness had some animus against him personally, the garrulous gentleman said. "May God bless you and keep you alive, is all I wish!” to the audible amusement of those present. Subsequently he added. “It is only the German who hates.”

Mr Matenga Moroati, a prominent Native chief in the Manawatu, died the other day. The “Otaki Mail” says that the deceased had resided for many years in the Foxton district, and at one time lived at Otaki. For

: some years past he lived at Te Horo. ; He was a thorough “'white man” — j one of the straighiest and most gen- | tlemanly of the district- Natives, and j was universally respected by both j Natives and Europeans. He was a | staunch supporter of the Anglican ; Church, most kindly in disposition, J and always ready to help any good ! object. Matenga was also one of the i leading stewards of the Otaki Maori I Racing Club. He was a distant rei lat-ive of Mr Pitiera Taipua. Mr Hema Te’ Ao. and other leading districtrangatiras. Deceased loaves a widow but- no family.

In the course of an address at the Native School Teachers’ Association Conference last week at Auckland. a speaker summed up the outstanding characteristic of the Maori somewhat jocosely a-s •‘taihoa/ ’ winch he interpreted to read, “It does not matter; never mind ; wait a while.” On Thursday morning a visitor might have got the impression that the .members present at the conference had to a certain extent become imbued with the same spirit (says the “Star”). Business was to have commenced at 10 o’clock, but it was long after that hour before the president- assumed the chair. He 'explained that useful business bad. been transacted by the committee since the official hour of opening.

A statement suppied to a northern newspaper by a man with business connections in the South Sea Islands shows how, in 1905,_ German agents were at- work in Tahiti ostensible trading, but really in pursuance of a commission from th 0 German War Office. Trading under a French name, the German company showed remarkable activity in acquiring land at the chief harbors of Tahiti. About the same time there came from Samoa Herr Schultz, of the German Government. ~ He Avas to be on short visit for health, but stayed' six months with Herr Ooppenwrath. He became mixed up in the land purchasing scheme, llic death of Herr Ooppenwrath revealed the fact that the German land jobbers had in their minds neither copper nor mother-of-pearl, but. acting on behalf of the German Government, were, as fast as opportunity could be found, acquiring the island by bits, -particularly sites most- valuable from a naval and military viewpoint-.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling! Is that Central P Number, please! Give me 565 Central, please! Is that 565? Yes: ‘‘The People’s Emporium” here! Oht Mrs. Jones speaking. Will you b» good enough to send along 3 Tumblers for Is, 1 400-page pad for Is, 9 packets envelopes for Is, 3 Buttermilk soap for Is, J dozen tea spoons tor 2s 6d, -) dozen dessert spoons for 4s 6d, $ dozen dessert forks for 4s 6d ——l must have Dixon’s, you know! - - knives os 9d, 4. dozen table ’knives 6s 6d‘, 1 Brilliantine 6d, 1 bread board Is, $ dozen white and gold cups and sauc3s 6d, § dozen white and gold gates 2s That will do, thank you! How much will that bo? £1 14 s 9df i hanks 1 *3ond them along tQ-dav, I y ? u *~ collect the ?ash. Thanks 1 Good morning!* ~