NOTES AND NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5537, 20 July 1920, Page 3

NOTES AND NEWS.

A monument after the stylo of Cleopatra''s Needle lias been adopted by the people of Wliangarei as a. war memorial. Mr Walter D’Arcy Cressivell, the victim of the Wanganui shooting sensation, is milking steady progress towards recovery and will bo -able to leave the hospital at an early daite. It is reported tjiat a Mnnawatu farmer recently purchased a. draught horse for £22 10s. He bought a canvas cover for it, gave the animal three feeds, of chaff, and then sold it for £45The Christchurch Sun, in the course of an article on a possible decline in prices generally, says certain classes of goods have been marked down in price in some of the retail and wholesale houses in the city. “One of ithe things that impressed ns all in France," said Captain Dansey at a meeting at To Kuiti, “was the fact that great tilings were done daily and very little said. Out here it is reversed. A great deal is said!, butt very little done.” A tactful bon mot is* attributed rightly or wrongly to Mias Inez Argyle, of Melbourne, states an Australian weekly. When dancing one night with, the Prince he accidentally trod upon her foot. So apologised profusely. “Please don’t say any more sir,” replied hl s partner, “the other foot :s already jealous!” Invercargill as a business centre

is over developing, and the local sharebrokers evidently realise this, for they are at present considering a. proposal to establish a stock exchange in the town. At present the idea has not taken any definite shape, but it is, expected that before long fuller particulars will probably be available.

A new Oxford magazine. Tor which undergraduates are responsible, appeared, with the title of Hush. The paper wa.s sold sealed, like' theatre programmes. When opened it was found; to consist of eight ’blank pages. A printed slip pointed out that the would-be reader might obtain value for th?. 3d he paid for the publication by persuading bis friends, or even enemies, to buy a copy. The hint w.a.r, taken, arid the whole hoax was as successful as its authors could

Jiave wished. During tip, course of a lecture on war inventions delivered in Sydney

it was stated that during the war the British invented a now gas, which penetrated tho British masks in half an. hour. The Germans got hold of this gas. and had they been

able to use it before the British masks were altered it might have meant annihilation. The British,

however, found “the stuff” which enabled the masks to withstand the gas for 30 hours. The plant which

gave them the principal elements of that “stuff,” Is growing in the Sydney Botanic Gardens. Some “intellectual” in tho Postal Department (says the Wairarapa Age) has hit- upon an idea which for “brilkance” eclipses the great Star Sirius. Previously depositors who drew money out of the Savings Bank could obtain the amount desired as soon as the official notification was received at tlie office of withdrawal, usually two days. Now a new. system has been adapted. The notification is posted', to the private residence of the person withdrawing the money, and this moans a delay or some four or five days. Not only is annoyance and delay occasioned to the public, but tlie work of the officials is considerably increased. The “intellectual” individual who introduced this antiquated idea should, receive the Order of the Brainless Ass.

A report from Stewart Island states that Messrs Cecil Hazlett. and Jules Tapper, on returning from a cruise in the upper waters of Paterson’s Inlet, picked up a castaway on the rocks known as Faith, Hope and Charity. The marooned sailor was Hans Nilsen, who has the contract for bringing the mails and stores to Alva, and Kaipipi. His launch, the Viking, developed engine .trouble, and was thrown during tlie- dirty weather of last week on to the rocks mentioned. Nilsen was in a very exhausted state when rescued, for during the days and nights he was oil the rocks he had neither food nor waiter. The mails and stores were, lost. Messrs Hazlett and Tapper brought him to the Golden. Bay wharf, and sent him at once to care of the district nurse at Half-Moon Bay.

The gas strike at Melbourne was responsible for some curious situations. Tho Melbourne Age describes one:—Grouped in tiie Assembly Hall in the dim religious light of a guttering candle flame, the reverend member s of the Presbytery and Melbourne South might have been pardoned bad their feelings, been not even dimly religious. The situation would have made St. Andrew himself miserable so chilly and cheerless was the aspect of the unlighted and unheated chamber. The occasion was the final meeting to wind up the affairs of the old Presbytery, following upon the. reconstitution of Presbyterian Church management in Melbourne —but it might have been a Guy .Fawkes conspiracy in the cellars of Parliament House., or a. basement scene, in a spy play, with mysterious shadows scampering round the walls, andl white faces peering (through the obscurity. Pince-nez were adjusted and re-adjusted, and sore eyes screwed painfully a.t the last document of the dying Presbytery. It was significant that no motion was passed calling a blessing from heaven on the engineers and gas workers who are out on strike.

A most exciting chase took place recently at Te Awamutu, when -a prisoner named Tu Tanka escaped from a gang at Waikeria . Stealing a horse and bridle, he rode far into Putaruru ranges, miles from any human habitation . A sheriff’s post©, under Constable P. Doyle, Te Awamu'tui, set out on horseback after the fugitive. They spent all Saturday in the Ivawa flat near Otorohanga, but saw no sign of the prisoner. On Sunday Constable Doyle and a Maori guide set out on a perilous trek across the Rangiatoa ranges to see if To Tanka had crossed the M.aungorongii. River. They rode -all morning having to undress and swim rivers flooded by heavy rains. When they were practically exhausted from ! heavy going at the summit of tho ’ range? tho Maori saw trades of Tnaka’si horse . The fugitive was then seven miles ahead. A fast chase resulted in. hirn being captured as he was just about to swim the river naked. When caught Taaka made hut little resistance'. Ho was reconvoyed to the prison. Great praise is due to tlfo Maori hoy for Ills expert guidance over roadless country. . The police understood that Taaka slept within a few yards of his pursuers on Saturday on Ivawa swamp in a trap hut. “Advantage is a better soldier than rashness.” In other words, a cough nipped in the bud is worth two on the chest. Wise folk, therefore, fake that necessary preventive measure— Baxter's Lung Preserver. Rich, soothing, penetrative, this dependable preparation promptly charms away colds, coughs, bronchial and chest troubles, ensuring lasting relief always. It is pleasant to tho taste, and therefore children take it readily. Baxter's Lung Preserver has many health-giving properties, being especially valuable as a tonic. Of all grocers. Get. a large 2s Gel bottle to-day.* R. Johnson, Palace Buildings, is asking only . 16s 6d for a special lme of Ceylon Pyjamas.***