LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 October 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An Auckland Press Association message last night states: The Customs duties for September totalled £184,996, compared with £138,586 for the previous September. The total for the year to date is £1,66r,241, against £1,582,619 for the corresponding period of 1923. The paragraph published yesterday, reprinted from an exchange, referring to the late Nevil Maskelyne and the exposures Devonport brothers’ claims, was incorrect, the references in the paragraph being to the father, the late Mr J. N. Maskelyne.

Supporters of the Reform Party are reminded that an important meeting of the Hawera branch will be held this evening at the Egmont A. and P. Association’s rooms, at 8 o’clock. The organiser' (Mr. Hebenton) will be present, and officers will be elected and various matters of importance will be discussed. Ladies are specially invited to be present.

The 50th anniversary of the baptism of Inglewood will be on January 22, 1925. The baptism of the town was conducted by the late Mr. Arthur Standish, who, after one or two attempts, brok© a bottle of champagne against a rimu tree and declared the name of the. town to be Inglewood. Doubtless the date was fixed to coincide with the anniversary of the foundation of Wellington. A fixture that is causing much interest in and around Kaponga is the monster garden fete, to be held on Thursday next in Convent School grounds, in aid of the sports’ queen. There will be numerous attractions to interest everyone. Two outstanding features will be a tennis tournament (doubles), for which entries will he. received today, and late entries up till to-morrow at 1 p.m., and also a baby show, four classes, for which large entries are expected. There are valuable prizes in both the tournament and the baby show. It is confidently expected there will be a very large crowd present at the fete on Thursday. Mr William Russell is known as Australian’s youngest theatrical entrepreneur, and his initial venture, the Nellie Bramley Company, is proving a profitable investment. In Miss Bramley, his leading lady and his wife, he has a .star of high attainments and irresistible charm, while the supporting artists are experienced and versatile, adapting themselves readily to the requirements of stock plays. It is good news to learn that the* company will yisit Hawera on Wednesday.' October 8, in “Fair and Warmer*” the comedy in which they have made one of their biggest hits.

It appears to be necessary, states the Journal of the Department of Agriculture, to caution the farming community regarding the use of sheep dip especially the poisonous kinds—for purposes other than those indicated by the makers. The Department has learnt of several eases of farm animals being poisoned by sheep din used in alto” gether wrong ways. In a recent case several horses died, as a result of being washed with a- solution of arsenical dip to rid them of lice; the solution seemed to have been far too strong, absorption from the skin took place, and death ensued.

Sufficient white pine for butter boxes is now becoming a serious problem. The Forestry Department, through the Journal of the Department of Agriculture, reports that “probably as much as 90 per cent of the butter produced in New Zealand is shipped in white pin© boxes, the remaining 10 per cent, being carried in silver beech and imported boxes. Ths virgin white pine forests have been seriously depleted during the last twenty years, so much so that if a normal increase in consumption continues not more than 15 years’ supply remains. Even now manufacturers report difficulties in maintaining their supplies.” Proposed metal-bound and nailless boxes are described, showing how economy in timber can lie effected.

In some remarks at the annual meeting of the Otago Expansion League, Mr. E. Aneeombe suggested that the league should take immediate steps to organise a conference of progress leagues in Australia and New Zealand to be held in Dunedin next year (states the “Star”). Mr. Anscombe further suggested that efforts be made to have the next Pan-Pacific Conference held in Dunedin in Exhibition year. Mr. P. Barr agreed that all possible conferences should be called, but he hoped that no “Australasian” conferences would be called —let them be Australian and New Zealand conferences. An effort was being made to kill the word “Australasia,” and it was proving successful. (Applause) An intending passenger by the ferry steamer Maori at Lyttelton recently was so occupied with friends on the wharf that he did not notice that the gangway was down, and he first became aware that the vessel was leaving when she was actually moving. He made a sudden rush to get on board (relates the “Press”), but was warned off by an official. He waited until the official turned away and then essayed another attempt. By this time the Maori was slipping along at a good speed, and the man only succeeded in getting partly across the rail, where he hung with liis legs over the side. From this predicament he was rescued by the official, who, seeing that it would be dangerous to try to pull him back, assisted him on board with a heave that landed him bodily on to the deck. As the ship passed the end of the wharf the passenger was seen to pick himself- up in a dazed way. at the same.time, no doubt, congratulating himself on his narrow escape. Smart cami-kniekers of genuine Fuji silk are being shown at the Melbourne Limited. The new designs are extremely popular, and will be largely worn this season. New designs in beautifully hand embroidered Fuji silk nightdresses are also being shown at from 29/6 to 45/-. —Advt.

For children’s coughs and colds, the best remedy is "Nazol.” Agreeable and safe. More economical than mixtures or syrups; 60 doses 1/6. —Advt.

Owing to. the fact that it was discovered that one exhibitor had gone to various show 1 officials and had collected actually no fewer than nine luncheon tickets for himself on each day of the 1923 show, the general committee of the Egmont- A. and P. Association decided at its last meeting that it was high time that the method of distribution of luncheon tickets must undergo revision. It was felt that the finances of the Association were not strong enough to cater for such appetites, and consequently it was decided that for the forthcoming show the chief steward in each section should be the only person authorised to distribute luncheon tickets.

if the Government decides to discontinue the annual grant of £2OO to St. Mary's Homes, Otahuhu, Auckland members of Parliament are likely to hear a goc.d deal of the matter (states the New Zealand Herald). A possibility of the loss of the grant was referred to by Mr C. F. Bennett at the annual meeting of the homes last- week. “If the suggestion turns out to be true,” he said, ‘‘we Auckland people must never lose.an opportunity o.f getting bold of our members of Parliament, and making them promise to bring the matter up again! It would be a most iniquitous thing if this grant should be cut off. I cannot imagine what the Government is thinking of, nor what the country would do if the homes were to be discontinued. They are performing a most essential and important social service, which should receive every encouragement and support.” The Chatham Islands have advanced a step in the matter of local government,. for they will soon have a county council. At present the local affairs of the group are administered hv an official who combines the duties of stipendiary magistrate and resident medical officer. Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton), whose electorate embraces the Chatham Islands, has been informed by Sir Francis Bell, on behalf of the Minister of Internal Affairs, that a public meeting recently held decided unanimously that the main island should he divided into four ridings, and that Pitt Island and the outlying islands should constitute a fifth, each riding to. return two members to the council. “As-there appears to be no reason why effect should not be given to the wishes of those concerned,” the Minister states, “I have given directions that the necessary action is. to be taken forth-, with.”