LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In a message published yesterday dealing with the discovery of human remains in the vicinity of a town hall, the place from which the message came should have heen given as Sydnev, not Wellington. The Minister for Agriculture told the House yesterday that he had instructed officers of his department to co-operate with the Department of Industries and Commerce with a view to providing cheaper fertilisers to farmers. —Press Assn. A peculiar freak of nature is to be seen on Mr S. Thomas’ farm at Ngahinepouri (reports the Waikato Times). A cow on his property gave birth to a call' with two heads, two necks, ami two backbones. The big increase in the toll-gate revenue in the. Clifton County was shown in a return before the council yesterday. The toll-gate was established in 190 G, and the revenue for the first 3’car was £-190, while last vear it amounted to £1895.

The Auckland Zoo (announces the Herald) is to he strengthened hy the addition of two thar, a dingo, and "a red stag. __ These animals are the girt of the Wellington City Council. An advertisement in this issue asks all interested in joining the Scottish Society’s Orchestra to meet at the Earnout A. and P. Hall on Monday evening. Those who are willing to join but who cannot attend the meeting are asked to send their names to Mr D. McCormick or Mr W. G. Simpson.

Mr. Andrew, headmaster of the Wanganui East School, who is retiring ’ lO,ll the teaching profession after 64 years service, told a Herald reporter the other day that he had not used the strap on his pupils during the past six years. He admitted that he used this form of punishment in the earlier days of his profession, but had iejected it and adopted more suitable methods.

On Monday evening at Franktou Junction (states the Auckland Star), the Main Trunk South express was delayed considerably through the firstclass smoking car having' to be taken off owing to one of the wheels slipping on its axle. This was luckily di*co\ ered by the "train examiner in his usual inspection.

There were 149 men employed on the east end of the Stratford-Main Trunk railway during the month of June, according to the latest statistics. There was no work done at the west end of the line during the month. On the Opunake railway 194 men were employed. The Hawera Male Choir and Ladies’ Choral Committee have chosen for their effort this season ‘‘The Messiah,” which will be produced in December. Practices will commence as soon as the Operatic Society is through with the production of “Our Miss Gibbs.”

This queer advertisement appeared in a southern newspaper the other day: “Wanted, a female donkev. Apply personally or by letter.” “In China,” stated a Chinese student to a Hawke’s Bay Herald reporter, “it is quite usual for two people to be betrothed before they are born. Their parents arrange that they will marry, and that’s the end to it. The husband may, under very serious circumstances, divorce his wife; but the woman cannot, under any circumstances, divorce her husband.

The last of the large half-yearly native pay-outs was made to-day at Hawera by Mr R. Siuel and Mr Ngahana, representing the Native Land Department. A number of the 10-year leases around the mountain expire shortly, and the natives will then collect their rent from the lessees direct.

Mrs McHu gh, who is to give an address at the Borough Council Chambers on Monday evening, has chosen as her subject “Social Hygiene and Child Welfare.” It is hoped that there will be a large attendance. At a. special meeting of the Boy Scouts Committee; held on Thursday, July 31, it was decided to call a rally of all Boy Scouts and form a working bee to assist the Women’s National Reserve, which is giving a fancy dress ball in aid of the Scouts’ building fund. An appeal will be made for calces, fruit, etc., during next week to assist this worthy object, and the Scouts will make a special call on all willing to assist. “A good joke was told against me the other clay,” said the Waitomo Power Board’s engineer, to a King Country Chronicle reporter. “I’ve been going round the streets, you know, examining the electric transmission poles, sometimes digging my knife into them or cutting a little slip off them to see whether they were totara or ironbark, and how much sap wood there was. Well, someone saw me at it, and went to the ToWn Clerk and said: ‘l’ve just seen a chap going round the streets and cutting bits off the poles. Do you think he’s all there?’ ”

In discussing the forthcoming erutcliing sale with a Chronicle representative yesterday, a local broker stated that it was anticipated that crutchings would realise from 7d to 8d per lb better all round than they did at the opening sale last season. ' He pointed out that the average price received for medium to good crutchings at the com. mencing sale last season was from 6d to 6j[-d, while inferior and s#edv lots realised about 4d per lb. It is reported that an Australian company is making arrangements to visit the huge timber torest at Waitaanga., near Ohura- (says the Auckland Star). The claim comprises, according to the Government estimate, 60,000 acres of heavy bush, containing rimu, white pine, totara, and birch. The settlers m the district alone own 50,000,000 feet of mixed timber. It is to be hoped that this fine bush is not to he acquired by the outside company. A Nolantown ratepayer, in a communication to the Star this morning, complained of what he called the “disgraceful” condition of Douglas street. The footpath was so covered with water that it could not be used, and the water had, he said, flowed into the back of some of the premises fronting the street. He wanted to know how long the people would have to put up with the present state of affairs, and suggested that a visit by the Health Inspector should he made". The superintendent of the Fire Brigade (Air Afomson) desires to acknowledge two cheques sent as appreciation of the brigade’s efforts at recent fires. Messrs Goldstone and Patterson, in sending £3 3s as a donation to Unsocial fund of the brigade, congratulated the superintendent and members on the magnificent save effected on the occasion of the recent fire at their premises, and the firm desires to place on record the able manner in which the superintendent handled the outbreak "without causing unnecessary loss through the overuse of water.” Airs Tonks, whose motor caught fire has also sent £3 3s to the brigade’s social fond. q

A narrow escape from a fatal accident. occurred at the Stratford railway station .Yesterday morning as the mail train was leaving the station on its way south (says the Post). A Stratford lady who was saying good-bye to a friend remained on hoard the train until it had started, when she stepped off on to the platform, hut by some means or other slipped backwards towards the moving train, and would have rolled underneath but for the action of the rtationmaster (Mr W. P. Miller) who saw the occurrence and instantly rushed forward and caught her. The victim was badlv scared hut otherwise unhurt. There‘is no doubt it was only the promptitude displayed by Air Miller that averted a tragedy.

Nominations for officers for the Wnininte Plains Trotting Club close with Hie secretary on Friday next. ‘‘Will the old Rook stand?” is the subject of Mr Greenwood's discourse at the Church of Christ, Wilson street, tomorrow night. A song service is conducted by Mr Page at Ci.bf) p.m., when anyone may send up the number of a hymn they wish to be sung. No doubt many will take advantage of this privilege. LAST WEEK OF SALE. Our real sale ends on Saturday, 2nd August, so be wise and make your purchases now. Men’s, women’s and boys’ boots and shoes, underwear, shirts, braces 1/fi, trousers 14/0, buckskin trousers 10/9, men’s pyjamas 11 /(i, boys’ pyjamas 8/-, gents’ overcoats 29/0, 29/0, boys’ overcoats, men’s and boys’ feeding-out coats, buckle leggings, dairy boots, bail slippers at the New Zealand Clothing Factory Sale, Hawera.—Advt.