LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sleep in peace and comfort at McFarlane’s Albion Hotel. The only up-to-date fire-proof hotel on the West Coast that caters for travellers and the general public. Early breakfasts a speciality. Tariff 10/- per day.—Advt. Fresh butter dropped from 1/9 to 1/- per lb at the Maryport, England, market, the lowest price since 1914. One day last week over 100 summonses were filed in the Te Awamutu Court for service on defaulting debtors. Tenders are invited for the purchase of a boiler and engine, full particulars of which appear in our advertising columns. A meeting was held at Masterton with the object of considering a proposal to establish a woollen mill. The estimated cost of the undertaking was between £70,000 and £lOO,OOO. During an ejectment case at Thames Police Court, the occupier of the house (reports an exchange) said: ‘ ‘This place has been no good to me. It has boon like a millstone round the neck of a white elephant.” A whaling party, operating from Mnrlborough Sounds, captured two whales last week, making the total 11 up to the present this season (states an exchange). Up to a few days ago only one whale had been secured at Kaikoura this season.

It would almost scorn as if matrimonial troubles are decreasing in Auckland, as the number of wives who attend the Court on Fridays to ask for separation and maintenance has been very much smaller for the last few weeks (states “Star”). The applications for divorce are also decreasing in number.

It has been said of New Zealand by many a visitor that here Rugby football is a religion. Certainly it is taken very seriously and now the language of the football field is coming into the House of Representatives. Speaking recently Mr G. Mitchell (Wellington South) said a certain matter was far too important for personalities. “One is apt to think,” he added, “that we play the man far more than we play the ball.”

Every woman wants her home to reflect good taste and harmonised beauty. This can be done in every home if you consult Harley’s House Furnishing Emporium, who carry a very large stock of everything required in house furnishing at prices that beat all competitors. —Advt. Apparently the recent cut in tho price of flour in tho south was no great advantage to the pockets of retailers in this community (states tho “Wanganui Herald’’). One retailer states that ho lost no time in placing an order with the brokers when the cut was announced, and although this order was accepted, ho could not get confirmation from tho flourmillers. Apparently tho latter were not in a burry with their confirmations while the little price cut flutter lasted. A family of gipsy l’°lk wll ° liave made a good deni of money in forming in tho United States, recently visited New Zealand, of which they had heard through a son who met some New Zealanders in France during the war. Instead of travelling through the country by rail, ear, nnd boat in the orthodox manner, the gipsy blood in the visitors cried for the open road, and it was by means of a four-horse caravan, very comfortably fitted, that they toured both North and South Islands. They left on their return to America quite satisfied that New Zealand is one of the finest little countries in the world, and one which is highly suitable for caravaning in the season.

“I would be better for couples who propose marriage to exchange certificates of health instead of engagement rings,” said Professor F. F. Roget ,of Geneva University, lecturing in London. Two or three West Coast sawmillers are restarting operations this week. There is plenty of labour offering. One mill has closed temporarily fr overland. It will reopen shortly, as orders are reported to be coming forward again. The season for trapping opossums in the Wellington District concludes on i Monday, states the “Post.” The trappers will be engaged drying the skins ' for about a week, and will then begin • to come to town with their catches. ■ Judging from the number of licenses i issued, it is anticipated that this season’s business in opossum furs will bo ! a large one. | “The parents were ttncle and niece; the hen’s father and mother were bro- • ther and sister and cousins to the I cock,” said Air House, the English I poultry expert, at a meeting the other j night, in describing (states an exi change) the pedigree of a champion 'pigeon. “If anyone can tell me its ' relationship to its predecessors, I will j give him a fiver.” • The West Coast gold producers arc I hopeful that the enquiry which the Go- . vernment have agreed to conduct in re ■ gard to the war-time embargo on gold | exports otherwise than through the ' banks, will result in the producers who had to do business with the banks re-

ceiving some compensation the losses which they sustained. Special Bargains—Boys’ Oilskin Coats now 17/6, Boys’ Mackintosh Coats usually 39/6 now 19/6, Men’s Double-lined Oilcoats now 19/6. MeGruer and Co., Greymouth, Reefton and Hokitika.—Advt. King Albert of Belgium is credited with the largest touring car in the world. The car is in two sections—an ordinary body in front, with a large coach-like trailer attached. It has accommodation for fifteen porsoai? and sleeping quarters for ten. The trailer consists of a kitchen, bathroom, and a combination lounging and dining room. The machine is designed for hunting in Africa. A woman, who. in 1899, was committed to tho Mount View Mental Hospital, and was detained in various mental hospitals until January, 1908, has presented to Parliament a petition on which she states that during the whole period of her detention she was in h-er right mind. She asks that her name be removed from the mental hospital records. The Martin Family have oeen in the carrying business for over 43 years, have never yet failed the public. Noth ing too small or too large for us to handle. All trains met and goods consigned to us will be delivered with out customary guaranteed punctuality. 11. Martin, No. 1 Carrier, Greymouth.— Advt. Messrs J. Steer and M. J. Fogarty leave by to-day’s express for Christchurch w’here as delegates of the local Chamber of Cemmerce, they will next Wednesday attend a Conference of the Progress League representatives of the 1 Et.st and West Coasts. A vote is being taken amongst W.E.A. classes in Canterbury and on tho West Coast to decide where the ' coming summer school will bo held. Seven places are on the list—Rangi- ! ora, Kaiapoi, Ashburton, Timaru, Oxford, Leithfleld, and Geraldine. The Christchurch classes have divided their votes equally between Oxford, Leithfield and Geraldine, three classes at

Timaru have voted for Geraldine, and the West Coast classes voted for Oxford. At the present moment in Wellington a matter of more than ordinary interest is being debated by the waterside workers. There was a meeting called recently, but it had to be adjourned, it is stated, because the bal-ance-sheet was not forthcoming. On Wednesday morning another stop-work meeting was hold, and was very largely attended. Considerable interest was taken in the proceedings. There is a very persistent rumour that the finances of the union require investigation. Meantime an auditor has been going into the matter. “Keep away from the pubs, or you won’t ever have any money to give your wife,” said Mr Boynton, S.M., to a defendant charged at the Auckland Police Court with having failed

to provide adequate maintenance for his wife and five children (states the

“Star”). The magistrate suggested that (he man should take out a prohibition order, but his proposal was not received by tho defendant with any enthusiasm. “Your wife tells me that she had you prohibited for twelve months once before and that it was the happiest period of her life,” continued the magistrate. “However, I can’t make you take out an order if you won’t consent. But I will order you to come up for sentence within twelve months. If in the meanwhile you do not look after your wife and children, I will send you to Mt. Edon for six months. So keep out of the pubs if you want to keep out of gaol.” Orders taken for Excelsior Rubbc Stamps and Supplies, Linen markin; outfits a speciality, Safety skrip Foun tain Pen Ink, proof against-acid per manent on paper, protects cheques ano valuable records, price large bottle, 2/Swan Fountain Pen Ink, price 1/L large bottle. We have the Swar Fountain Pen, price 25/-: Watennar 25/-; Onoto 20/-, Unity 10/-. A. E. Kilgour, up-to-date Bookseller and Sta tioner.— Advt.

The Greymouth Chamber of Com- ) meree has demanded to be represented by Air T. E. Y. Seddon on a deputation which next Thursday interviews the Government to urge the completion of the railway from Glenhope to Reef ton. Quite an epidemic of colds and sickness affecting the stomach and lungs is prevalent in Oamaru at present, stated a local doctor. Nearly every house is afflicted in some way or another, especially on the hill area. Whitebait are getting plentiful about Collingwood and Takaka, and are- selling at 2s per pint. Some catches are being made in Greymouth, but so far none much larger than the familiar , ‘ ‘ sixer. ’ ’ Mr H. G. Denne, tuner and representative of The Bristol Piano Co., Ltd., is now in Westport, and will be visiting the country districts. All orders for , tunings or repairs sent to Mr J. 11. i Greenwood, Bookseller, will be attended I to. —Advt. I A “swag” of 3d is hardly a return | commensurate with the risks of house- ‘ breaking. Y’et (states the Christchurch “Sun”) that is the haul imide jby the person or persons who broke | into a residence at Linwood, in the ab;senee of the occupants. Aloney, and i money alone, was the object of the unauthorised visit, which was effected through a window; but the only money ,in the house was 3d. This was left on a mantleshelf, aml it was not overlooked. A rise in the price of timber may be expected to be announced shortly (states a Taranaki exchange). It is understood that the Rangitikei saw’millers have decided to increase the price of heart riinu by 2/- and totara by 6/- 100 ft, though there will be no change in the price of ordinary building timber. The increase will concern Taranaki in that a good deal of the timber used there conies from the Ran gitikei. j Remarkable variations in the prices quoted for the building of a six-roomed house in Auckland were disclosed when the tenders for a residence were opened recently. The lowest tender was for £9OO, and the second for £1215, I while the highest was for over £l4OO. ■ Against this, an Auckland builder last j week quoted a case in which lie was 1 • one of four tenderers for a house to ’ cost £l2OO where the variation between the highest and lowest tenders was not more than £3 or £4. , “The women are realising what the new milk service means to them—it is

the greatest blessing that ever came to Wellington,” so said Mrs A. McViear, a member of the City Council, in referring to the new bottled milk system. “No more blue watered milk, but the real thing, with plenty of cream, clean and pure!” Alany other Wellington women testify to the change for the better in the quantity of milk supplied. Though the council I admits that its pint bottle holds slight- ' ly under the pint, people have realised since the new system came into vogue that they have more milk than used to be the case with the old dip-can method, though the same quantity was paid for. ! ■ On Wednesday week next at Christchurch, the West Coasters’ Association of Christchurch are holding a big social and re-union, the object of which is the furtherance of the Association’s undertaking to finance the erection of one of the wards of the new Lewisham Public Hospital that is to be erected at Christchurch. The Hon Secretary of the West Coasters’ Association writes:—“The new ward is to be conducted by the good Lewisham Sisters, and its doors shall be opened to West Coasters as well as Canterbury residents, practically free, for medical attendance and nursing. Of' course, it should be expected of those who can pay that they will give a moderate sum, on the same conditions as other public institutions. Any cases who are not in a position to pay shall bo Admitted free of charge. We should like to be able to hand over a fair donation from the proceeds of our social to be held on August 17. We

should like, therefore, to see an appeal made to all West Coasters to help. For the years to come where needy people will need the finest medical and surgical skill, this as everybody knows, can always be obtained at the Lewisham Hospital. Our friends across the ranges will doubtless feel moved, therefore, to co-operate with us in whatever way lies in their power. The movement is truly philanthropic, and is confined to no particular creed or colour, any more than the benefits of Lewisham Hospital itself.” An upward tendency is reported in the price of Blackwater (Inangahua) mine shares, which are stated to bo in demand at 7/- with no sellers. “Form in a Nutshell” is a handv little book giving the performances of all horses nominated for tho New Zealand Grand National. It may be procured at A. E. Kilgour’s.—Advt. Direct Home Service: Wo are up to date and can supply the latest Magazines, homies, Novels, etc., at least three weeks ahead of any other dealer on the West Coast. Just received the very latest magazines: “The Windsor,” “The Strand,” “The Wide World,” “My Magazine,” “Novel,” “Lon don,” “Royal,” “Cassell’s”

“Grand,” “The Red,” “The Pictorial Review”; also we are. sole agents for the “Pictorial Review” Patterns — very smart, easy to manipulate, save material and arc extensively used by ever 2,000,000 ladies of the fashionable world. Try one! A. E. Kilgour, Up-to-Date Magazine, Periodical, and Pattern Warehouse. —Advt.

A London cable states that the es' tate of Daniel Coats, the Paisley thread manufacturer, is valued at £1,234,000 The duty payable is £365,000. To-morrow night Professor Goode will address a meeting in the Opera House, Greymouth, his subject being “Soviet Russia,, its Policies, their Successes and Failures,” together with an e.xposit ion of Russia’s economic and political relations with the rest of the world. On Monday night the Professor will address a meeting in Westport Town Hall, under the chairmanship, in all probability of Mr Menzies, the Mayor. The Opera House meeting will start at 8.30 p.m. “Support local industry,” was the subject of a remark by a member of the School Committee last evening when referring to the purchase of stationery for the school. It was the practice, he said, to secure the stationery from Christchurch, and he saw no reason why the local booksellers should not receive what business was available in this line. The Committee decided to arrange with the rector to purchase the goods at local stationers, all orders to pass through the hands of the Secretary. Our Hokitika correspondent reports that a camparatively small audience, for a place of Hokitika’s size, gathered to listen to Professor Goode’s discourse on Russia, on Thursday night. Very few “square dinkum” Dubbs were present, the audience being composed for the greater part of business people, with a few tradesmen and a small sprinkling of ladies. Mr Wm. Jeffries, County Chairman, presided. Profes.- or Goode was listened to throughout his interesting discourse with marked attention by all present. Probably, had time permitted, many of tho-e present would have liked to hear very much more about Russia, about which so much press “dope” has been broadcasted during the past few years. At the conclusion of the address a hearty vote of thinks was proposed and carried by acclamation. An electric «•. p lamp for miners is the latest d- vice for improving conditions of work underground in England. Each man who is provided with one will be able to carry a sufficient supply of electricity to illuminate a 2| candlepower lamp for about 10 hours. A feature of the lamp, which is fitted, to the cap on an aluminium casting, is that it diffuses the light through such a wide angle that no unilluminated place can come within the vision of the miner. It is believed to be the first of its type to be approved by the secretary for mines on the recommendation of the miners’ safety lamp committee. The equipment weighs 51b 2oz. The accumulator is contained in a metal box, which is strapped to the miner’s body, and a cable connects it with the lamp.