WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 July 1926, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.)

WESTPORT, July 20. Miss Watson, of Mrs Muilans’ staff, l e f t by the Komata for Wellington en route fo r Palmerston North.

Die Borough workmen are busy around the Grand Hotel, forming a footpath, filling in an open drain, and metalling the approaches.

Brougham Street road and footpath look very much better tha n they used to, and it appears money was well spent in that direction. Motorists should not be tempted to speed up because of such a good road. A few minutes longer travelling does not cost so much as the time lost in an interview with Magistrate Meldrum. Messrs Fox and Scanlon J'sP. umpires in the Matches match with a resident of the upper end of the town, declared the match off, upon th e latter party depositing 20s. He did. The Minister of Marine evidently recognises the value of life only when it concerns large numbers. In reply to the “Vag’’ he is reported to have stated: “Having regard to the fact that New Zealand..regulations require wireless equipment to be carried on ships to a very much ’greater extent than do the regulations of ;-.'y other country in the world, it is not considered necessary at the present tune to further extend the requirement. St.ch rapid progress is being i lade in wireless that it i s quite probable some development will at no very cistant date reasonably enable the requirements to be further extended. ’ Considering it was the case cf the “Ripple’’ a small boat, of a class that is now outside the regulations, that caused the regulations to be extended so far, it is incomprehensible that thev should not be made to apt ly to all vessels, irrespective of tonnage. One man’s life is as good as anot.ier’.? 1 As showing the value of finger print evidence, the following examples may be interesting:—A Greek caf e proprietor in George Street, Sydney, was murdered a few years ago, and the cash register was found rifled. On the glass portion of the cash register a finger print showed out vividly. It was examined, photographed, and held bv the police finger print department. Weeks later, a man was arrested in a country town, and charged with forging a cheque. His finger print was found to be identical with the one on the cash register o f t'ie George Street cafe. In the Finger Print Inspector’s Office he >.as shown the two prints, the Inspector pointing out the damning' similarities. For an hour the man denied he had ever been in the George Street cafe, 'hen, siddenly, he made a full confession. He pleaded guilty, scorned the services ot the usual counsel to whom every accused person is entitled, and went to his execution in Long Bay thoroughly repentant. The second case was even more gripping. A second-hand dealer was battered to death in his shop at Glebe, some fifteen years ago. His murderer had arranged to sell him certain goods and during the negotiations lie killed the dealer and stole some £9O. To delay the finding of the body he printed on an envelope “Back uii Friday, gone to Goulburn.’’ H>. fixed ’t on the door and impressing it against th e panel he left half a thumb print in faint blood upon the envelope. That print led to the arrest of a young man, who was arraigned, convicted and sentenced to 20 years’ gaol. The United Friendly Society card tourney, dance, and supper take place on Thursday evening. With the ’flu scare abated and better weather than last week, the usual large attendance may be expected. As notified previously, the aggregate for the first session ends on Thursday, August 26th., s( it behoves all contestants to make the most of the time at their disposal. Perhaps “Sasanof” may have no record of the following and I thought it too good to be missed. Cannon Ball, a pony famous as racer and sire, and probably the last of the pure bred Connemara strain, has died in his 38th year, at the residence of his o wn er Mr. O'Toole, of Learn, Connemara. It is proudly recalled by local folk that Cannon Ball swept all before him at pony shows, and was never beaten in a race, despite top weights and all attempts to nobble him. Extraordinary scenes followed on the news of Cannon Ball’s death becoming known to the countryside, and large numbers of peasantry assembled at the residence of Mr. O‘Toole. It was decided to give Cannon Ball, the honour of a wake. The body was laid out on canvas, on an improvised bier and “lashings” of good things went round while the merits of the dead animal were discussed in the orthodox way according to the ritua] of wakes. Soon after mid night all that remained of Cannon Ball was carried on a large stable door bv ten stalwart peasants to a grave lined with hay. During the interment a local bard read by the light of a lantern, the following among other verses, eulogising the dead sire’s achievements: — Sleep, brave old pony, thy race is run! No more with earthly kin you’ll mingle. Dream of racing trophies won. Of noble steeds and epic deeds, And bookies left without a jingle!