Local and General

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9779, 12 April 1924, Page 4

Local and General

The name of Mr. E. ,H. McKenzie (Wairarapa) was omitted from: the nsx> of those elected to the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union. He was a member last year and was re-elected. P.A.

A correspondent of a southern paper writes: “Mr Richmond BGotham, S.M., used to say that a man s friends were always ready to swear that a man was not drunk, as long as he could lie on the floor without holding* on.”

Despite the great activity in the building trade, in which, as the secretary of the Invercargill Carpentei w and Joiners' Union (Mr 0. Provan) puts it, “carpenters cannot be had lor love or money,” there is nevertheless a rair amount of unemployment m the town.

A writ has been issued against Anthony Moghan’s estate by Mrs ocmmell, claiming alleged damages through the loss of her husband. The case will be heard at the sitting of the Supreme Court at Wanganui next month. Mr F, McLiver, of Auckland, will appear for Mrs Gemmell, and Mr T. M. Wilford for Moglian. A statement appearing in the Dominion press to the effect that the Chautauqaua movement in New Zealand is failing on account of difficulty regarding the guarantee is denied by Mr. E. J. Williams, tho New Zealand manager of the movement, who states that there is no difficulty with guarantees and the New Zealand arrangements will he carried out as usual. — Press Assn.

A witness in the Supreme Court at Christchurch, was forced to draw a rather fine lino between truthfulnes and untruthfulness when giving his opinion of another man’s character. He said that the man was not altogether untruthful, hut he might say olio thing one day, and another thing on the next day, possibly duo to bad memory. Pressed still further by cottmel the witness said that the man waj one ivho would say the thing which would pay him best. Counsel agreed the man could hardly he called truthful, hut- certainly decidedly unreliable.

Two or three times during the past fortnight the surf bathers at St. Clair Dunedin, have found quantities of small fish in the breakers. The other morning, at about high water, a great shoal appeared close in to the beach abreast of the pavilion. Clouds of birds—mutton birds, gulls, and a few shags—gave a signal to the shore that could not lie mistaken, and some of the residents hurried to the edge of the water with baskets and bags, and quickly gathered nn uncommon dinner supply, for the fish in thousands were washed up by each advancing wave. It is said that the eating was rather a disappointment, for the fish were too large to he taken whole like whitebate, or decapitated like shrimps and too small to allow of the bones being separated from the flesh. The birds had a regular gorge. The sun “crossed the Line” tc-day (says Friday’s Dunedin Star). That is tho popular form of stating the fact that the dark half of the year in tho Southern Hemisphere has commenced. Not- necessarily the disagreeable half. New Zealand usually enjoys some fine wholesome weather in late autumn and winter. But the six months now immediately ahead of us is the period for mental study and swollen coal bills, and a general and radical change from the glorious summer we have so much enjoyed. And the change will bring its compensations. Continental climates, -"-hero the weather is more or less alike the year round, get on people’s nerves. Those who have had such an experience are glad to get hack to oar defamed hut really energising coastal climates ■

Two small boys anG an unerected electric wire pole caused a mild sensation in Short Street, Ashburton, one recent afternoon. A cyclist riding in the locality had the attention attracted by distressing cries of two hoys. One only could he seen, and he made a pitiable appeal for help. His mate, he explained, was pinned down to the street gutter by a heavy pole. Several women had also heard the cries, and with tlieir assistance the man succeeded in releasing the hoy from his curious position, little the worse for his experience. Explanations followed. It appears that the boys released a stay which was holding the pole in position on the side ot the road. The pole immediately commenced to roll toward the gutter, and caught one of tho hoys before lie had chance to get clear. His head and arms were held very firmly against the kerbing, and the wonder is than the little chap was not seriously injured.

“If parsons came up to wliat- people said about, them at faicuell and welcome socials, what perfect men they would be,” said the Rev. E. R. Harris when being welcomed at ot. James’* Hall, Auckland (reports the ‘“Star”). If they even tried to live up to the high standard expressed of them, what piebald creatures they would be.” The Rev. Grant Cowan said that when the time came for fillet new minister to leave St. James, and lie hoped it would he a long distance off, he hoped that lie would not have the experience lie had when ho left a parish in England, for the people there gave him a clock inscribed: “To the Rev. Grant _ Cowan as a token, of esteem on liis- leaving the parish.” The clock in Ins study and he looked daily at the inscription and lie did not, know if he had really yet fathomed its meaning. Sir Maui Pomiaire, Minister for Health, laid the foundation stone of the new Taumaruimi hospital yesterday in the presence of a large gathering of town and district residents. The new institution is situated on the high ground overlooking the town and is (fitted with every modern appliance. The. building, which is now partially erected, will cost £4/5,000. Dr Valintine, Director-General of Health, was present and stressed the necessity of a limitation being made in the building of new hospitals throughout the Dominion. With the improved roads and other travelling facilities, it would ho better to Wave ia. few good hospitals a multiplicity of inferior ones. Sir. M. Pomare* spoke in a similar strain, mentioning also that the Department was favorable to assisting Boards in regard to erecting maternity homes. — Press Assn.

In connection with the observance of the Easter holidays • under the new shop assistants’ award. Mr. G. R. Whiting. Labor Inspector, sent a- telegram' yesterday to the Labor Department asking if Gisborne employers under tho Dominion shop assist■ants’ award had to closo oil lias to 1 Saturday. A reply was received to the effect that, under the award, Easter Saturday ivas declared a holiday but, if it is not customarily observed, the'employers may agree with the union . to' substitute another _ day. When the answer was communicated to the employers it was decided to make inquiries as to the position in Napier and it was ascertained that no holiday is to ho observed m Hawke’s ‘Bay on Easter Saturday. Instead, it had been arranged that the shops should close on: Show. Day, which is not in the award list ot holidays. So far no definite step has been" taken in Gisborne, and a suggestion has been made that a meeting of the shopkeepers interested m the award should meet on Monday, possibty in tho Borough Council Chambers, and discuss the position, one proposal being that Easter luesday should be substituted for Eastci Saturday provided satisfactory arrangements can be made.

The Mamma left Sydney for N.Z. J at 10 p.m. yesterday. U.r-A- . Here’s a «?h story that «tPvHi^vS to i shallow water. , ■ r. w^g hmd-W caught the fish! It w about I2in. long and made an ex cdlilent evening meal. j A~ Hock of lour fccas made s itsi ap < . noaranco in the township at the neaa P „ Wairau Valley one evening this week lays our Blenheim correspond- j cn t) Fortunately all were destroyed. - Mr J. Borck being, the successful ( S'^Xa of 4 tS ;\ bSS’ somewhat | concerned ■ There is a possibility that the once well-known inter-colonial steamer I e Anau will finish her days at Waitp- | nui, as the Harbor Board is considerina a proposal to purchase her Z obfJ Of Idling the huH With mud and sinking to form part of a : wall in connection with the harboi scheme. The vessel is laid up at Hun edin and negotiations are proceeding for her purchase and towing to V. an. ganui.—Press Assn. Fly fishing at trie mouth of the Tongariro River last week, Mr. • Branson caught a magmficen bow trout. The fish, a male, jeighed 211 b lOoz, and measured. o4m in length lOin. in depth and 23m girth. It put up a big fight, taking an horn and five minutes to land, this is tac largest fish caught far many years, and is probably the second large...over secured at Taupo. Tn onnnOft,ion with the Singapore

base scheme the associated iNavy Leagues of New Zealand recently sento headquarters the following cable: “New Zealand branches congratulate Mother brandh on efforts re Singapore.—(Signed) Ferguson, president, Darrock, secretary of N-Z. Conference.” Yesterday, tile following reply was received: “We are grateful for your expression of opinion re tne abandonment of the Singapore base. The announcement in the “Times the other day that the missing waggoner, George Easterbrook, is alive and wandering up country appears to be substantiated by a report from a settler in the vicinity of Motu. Mr. Cooper says that he was riding along the road his farm when he met Easterbrook. He spoke to the man, but received no reply and proceeded on his way. The man was later seen at Toa Toa, going in the direction of Opotiki. “I would never consent to any Act of Parliament that would allow. a Minister to put up the duty of importations whenever he liked,” remarked Mr Massey at Christchurch, in reply to a suggestion made by a deputation of potato-growers that be should increase the duty on potatoes imported from Australia. A member of the deputation mentioned that the Government had the power to remove the duty in certain cases. “Yes but that is* a different matter, A‘ r Massey replied. The need for education and continued study has emphasised in the course of an address at Wellington by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), who incidentally said it had been observed that one-third of the who came before the Prison Board were of weak, intellect. It was most essential, he declared, that men and women should endeavour to be intellectual. “We want to be better thinkers than our fathers,” he added. “That should he our aim.” Sir Robert Stout is chairman of the Prisons Board. Quite a number of septic poisionin <5 cases, some wt tlioin of rather a serious nature, nave been reported at Gore (says, the Matnura “Ensign”!. These cases do not always arise from surface abrasions, but in some instances can he traced to tlie_ tonsns, bowels etc. Naturally at this season of the year the sick list shows an upward tendency, but tire poisoning cases are said to he difficult to account for. It is as well, however, tor people to note the necessity for taking all precautions if they receive any injuries in the way of scratches, etc. The New Zealand women have chosen the right attitude in giving Palestine the best thing the Dominion could offer —namely that system of infant care which has worked such wonders for child welfare in New Zealand. Through, their sacrifice the Plunket Centre has been started in Neve Zedek, a suburb of Jaffa, under the charge of Miss Asliberry and Miss Hvams. two nurses trained at the Blanket Centre in London. The centre was first housed m the Haaassah Polyclinic, but as this proved too small, permanent rooms have been taken in this very poor but

populous quarter. A musical event of great interest is tho nianoforte recital by Miss A era Moore, which will be given in the City Hall on Monday evening next, April 14th. Miss Moore .is .wellknown to the musical public in Gisborne, having played here on several occasions, her ’last appearance being just four vears ago. Since then, Miss Moore has had much experience in London and Continental cities, and returns for this farewell visit an artist of the first rank. Programmes of admission may be obtained, from the music stores.* Vouths making a practice of riding on the footpath were given a warning bv Mr. E. O. Lev-vey, S.M., yesterday when dealing with Sydney Franks for cycling on the Rutene road footway. * I lie Senior-Sergeant intimated that there had been no prosecution for some tune for these offences, hut thev seemed to he increasing again. “I 'noticed it myself’ commented Mr Levvey. Addressing the defendant: “Yen will- find it expensive if veil don't keen oft the footpath. 1 v-ill have to return to .the old penalties if there are any more breaches of the law. Yon wdi be convicted and discharged. Sentencing defaulters under the Defence Act at Stratford. Air A. W. Alowlem, S.AI., said that there were 15 lads, apparently fit and well, who had previously been find one, two,or three times for failure to attend drill (says the Stratford “Post”). He had said before, and would say again, that if the men who went to tho Great War had failed to recognise tlieir duty to the same extent, wo would not be hero to-day, or would be servants o a foreign Power —and serve us right. Was the country not worth living in? Had it no appealing power to the present defendants? They seem to think they had the right to enjoy all the benefits of the country without suffering any of tho detriments, and there was no benefit without its detriment. Mr A. Hooker, while excavating in Devon Street, New Plymouth, found at a depth of five feet a button marked with the insignia of the sth Regiment. This regiment, it will he remembered by many of the old settlors, played a prominent part in the early history of this country. Colonel H. J. Warrc, 0.8., was commander. Al'aiVy of those associated with tliis famous regiment have noiv passed away, and Air Thornes Lister, who joined in India at the close of tho Alufiiny. is tho only local survivor. Colonel* Elgeo, who commanded the regiment in France during the latter part of the Great War, was here a few months ago and spent soma time visiting the old historic spots associated with the regiment, which is now known as the First Battalion Middlesex Regiment.—Taranaki Herald. There is no known remedy which is so successful as Nazol in counteracting the inlluence of the germs which produce sore throats—hoarseness —sneezing and running at the n‘«:e.

The Waikohu County Council, at yesterday’s meeting, appointed Mr A. L. Fraser to the position of assist ant-overseer. There* were ten applj. cants for the position. The Gisborne AVoolbrokers’ Association has drawn up .a schedulo of sales of wool oddments, skins and hides to be held in Gisborne. Particulars as to date appear in the advertising Cclurn ns of this issue. j On w*d"ment summonses Mr. E. C. ! Lows/, &.M., yesterday ordered i i Fergus Gale Dunlop to pay Joseph ! Jones £36 15s forthwith m default" t ; HO days’ imprisonment and to Pott**. A land Hodgson £8 7s 6d, in default ¥ ! 8 days’ imprisonment, j Mr. Bickford’s art gallery at the I Labor Carnival in Liberty flail has ' 1 some very good exhibits.- Perhaps . the neatest were a “View oi Gisborne ‘Harbor taken rrom Kaiti Hill” (a bottle of silt) and a plan of the harbor by Mr. “Cummfng. ’ ! At the Oddfellows’ Conference _at Nelson yesterday, the Board of Directors submitted a report to the effeet that it was not deemed advis- ; able to take over the society magazine. The report was approved. Appreciation of the hospitality accorded to the delegates was recorded, and . the conference closd. —P.A. * The application from the Cook County Council for £IOOO for the i Hanga roa-Waika rem oan a road worn : has been declined by the State Ad- ' nances as the domaiidi i on the funds are so great Fiat, fresh applications cannot be, entertained until those on hand are disposed of The Council's rrequest has been noted and will be dealt with later. I Ike "Gisborne Land Board discussal in committee the position of the Ardat, vesterdav’s meeting.

keen setters au jctwsimo,. \t the previous meeting the Ardkeen settlers were given a month in ‘which to -bay their arrears. - Since men nine have paid the overdue rentals but the others have not. The Board/have made certain recommendations to the Minister of Lands, so the nest movewill come from "Wellington. 1 The institution of a special police force for traffic control was advocated ‘ by Mr. Wilson, S-M-. at Christchurch 1 yesterday, in a ease where a youth o± 18 admitted driving a car without a ' certificate as to ability. The evidence showed that the defendant nad ! knocked a man down.' The Magistrate said that the granting of certificates was a farce, as there was no standard of abilitv. and the fact that the defendant had obtained a certificate since the accident was no guarantee that he was fit to drive. 'ihe regulation of motor traffic rhou.d be 1 under the control of expert motor police. —Press Assn. A prisoner named Kenneth Armstrong. serving a sentence at W aikeria reformatory, escaped on Tuesday night, and was recaptured yesterday morning, several miles away, in the Maiihi district, and was returned to the institution. A report is current that a well-planned attempt to manufacure house-breaking implements at the prison smithy was made by Armstrong and a fellow prisoner. named Charles Fluty, recently dis- | charged from the institution. Ihe latter went to Christchurch and wa* arrested there a few days ago, charged with theft of prison property, and ' remanded to Te Awanmi-u. _ A third ! party named Horace Coombridge, emploved as a share milker on a farm near the institution, alleged to be : concerned in the scheme, was armed and charged with complicity, and . was remanded until Wednesday next. —Press Assn. i Speaking to a representative of the Gisborne ‘‘Times” yesterday. Mr. M . J. Jordan. M.P. for Manakau, meni tioned that, on Wednesday last, he - visited the Public Works camp at Waikokopu. where there are over' 100 • men and many women and children. ; He was impressed by the hardships j under which they are living. The huts are all leaky, and during the recent wet spell the parents in one hut found it necessary to erect a : screen of sacks to keep the rain off above the bed in which were sleeping four young children. In many huts, said Mr. Jordan, sacks and old tent i fiys were nailed to the walls in an en- ■ deavor to keep out the rain and cold, i while men were frequently driven to ; bore holes in the fleer to let _ the water get away. Wooden lining, he said, has been promised for the last ; two years, but is not yet available. : Mr. Jordan intends to get into touch | with the Minister of Public Works. * with a view to having the living con- | ditiorus improved.