LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 July 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The stuff a man is made of, according to Dr. Charles Mayo, the eminent American surgeon, comprises fat enough to make seven bars of soap, iron enough to till a salt-shaker, lime enough to whitewash a chicken-coop, phosphorus enough to make Hie tips" of 2200 matches, magnesium enough for a dose of magnesia, potassium enough to explode a toy cannon, and sulphur enough to rid a dog of fleas. The value is said to be about 4s UJd. A school of eighteen bjackfish came ashore early on July 6, just north of the mouth of the Awatere River, and are littering up the beach for a considerable distance. They are up to 18ft. in length, with tails three and four feet in width, and each would weigh considerably’ over a ton. It is thought that the fish became blinded by the muddy waters from the Awatere River', which is in fresh, and unable to see where they were going, blundered about until washed up on shore by the big waves.

In connection with ithe prolonged, spell of wet weather at "Wellington this winter it is recalled that excessive rain was experienced in 1874. From June to September inclusive the amount was 33.73 inches, and for the six months from May to October inclusive the total was 39.94 inches. The worst winter this century was in 1904, when for the same period the total fall wa s 37.49 inches, ending up with a record fall for Wellington of 12.94 in October. So far this year has outdone both the average for May and June, being much higher than either of the previous years mentioned. The steamer Opihi i s delayed at Dunedin owing to the Port Chalmers watersiders demanding an extra rate for clearing coal from the bilges. The employers offered an extra irate to .that paid previously far .similar work at Port Chalmers, and the disputes committee met to-day, but no setffement was arrived at. * No labour was available to discharge coal from the collier Kawatiri. It is stated that the few men who were available this morning demanded more than the award rate before commencing work. No labour, however, was engaged.

The Dunedin waterside workers have passed the .following resolution: “That tliis union of Dunedin waterside workers desires to record its sympathy with comrade Noel Lyons, and at the same time are filled with repugnance over the brutal sentence of nine months’ hard labour passed on a man whose only offence lay in trying to improve the standard of life for the men serving in the mercantile marine. The vitriolic lash of the law, which flogged into durance vile an honest man, was typically characteristic of the capitalistic spleen and, in this instance, the much vaunted phrase ‘British fair play and justice’ had been prostituted beyond all recognition. The union pledges itself to assist in every way 'every means of obtaining the release of Noel Lyons.”

Mr. J. Bremner, traffic inspector at Ohakune, was killed by ;a special goods train from Hamilton, lij- miles south of Otorohanga about 4.30 yesterday afternon. Mr. Bremner was proceeding on a jigger toward® Otorohanga and he met the train in a cutting round a coiner. The. driver (Mr; Malone) applied the emergency brakes and stopped promptly, but it was too late to avoid a collision. Mr. Bremner sustained fearful injuries and death vais instantaneous. He was a married man with three children, the youngest being six weeks old. A new suggestion for solving the housing problem was made in the House of Representatives by Mr T. D. Burnett (Temuka). Mr Burnett’s idea was that the Post Office should issue to depositors from the age of, say, 17 years, bonds at a higher rate of interest than on ordinary deposits. When the young couples were ready to marry those of them who had taken advantage of “matrimonial bonds” should be subsidised £1 for £1 by the Government. This would enable them to build their home. Mr Burnett considered that young unmarried people of both sexes earning full wages did not save nearly enough toward the cost of their future homes. His scheme should do much to encourage this kind 1 of thrift. A case of interest to applicants for motor drivers’ licenses was considered at the monthly meeting of the Wai mate West County Council yesterday, when an appeal was made respecting an applicant who had been refused c license on account of deafness. It was pointed out that the person concerned was a thoroughly reliable driver, and, moreover, never drove the car alone, and the appellant contended it would constitute undue hardship an J the car would have to be disposed of if the license was withheld. After consideration the council decided to make application to the authorities for permission to issue a license, subject to the condition that some other person always accompanied the driver concerned. Ait the inquest which was held ait Gisborne concerning the death of Pearl ivemip Hyde, married, 37 years of age, a cook at the hospital, while an anaesthetic was being adminicle ted, Dr. Bowie (acting medical superintendent) said the deceased collapsed before being properly under the anaesthetic. The recognised anaesthetic was used, the same mixture being used on eight patients on the same day as that of the death. The post mortem showed a serious disease which caused internal haemorrhage, for which the patient was about to be examined. In the opinion of witness death was due to a complaint which could not be detected, but which resulted in a collapse in the early stages of anaesthesia. After further evidence was heard, a verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence, the coroner (Mr. Levvey) adding that all proper steps and precautions had been taken.

At a meeting of the Otago Hospital Board yesterday afternoon a letter wn t read from the Mayor stating that a deputation to him had suggested that an independent chairman should be appointed to the conference of the honorary medical staff and the board, which is to be held to define the duties of the medical superintendent and house staff as the result of the recent Robertson ease. Members of the board expressed indignation at the nature of the request and a resolution was unanimously carried expressing confidence in its own chairman, and pointing out that the hospital board was resolved to deal itself with its own business. A letter was received from the medical superintendent (Dr. Falconer), protesting against the finding of the board in its reference to him, and suggesting that it should be withdrawn until the inquiry on administration was held. Consideration of the matter was deferred till the next meeting of the board. —Press Association. Use “NAZOL’" and you won’t keep a bad ct Id or sore throat above a day or two. Acts like a charm, 60 doses Is 6d. 4 Rheumatic pains removed by Rheumo —it removes the cause. 4s 6d. 247

Replying to a question in the House yesterday, the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Oaates) said he could not say whether there would be an amendment of the Licensing Act this session. Cabinet had yet to consider the matter.

A reminder is given of the annual meeting of the Boys'‘'and Girls' Agricultural Clubs, to be held in the 11awera Borough Council’ Chambers at 11 a.m. to-morrow. A cordial invitation is extended to all who may be interested in the work of the clubs.

Every possible arrangement that will conduce to the enjoyment of the large company expected at the annual ball of the Farmers’ Union at Awatuna to-night has been made by the energetic committee and hon. secretary. They have engaged the services of Boulton’s orchestra, while the floor is in excellent order and the supper arrangements will be such as to please everyone. A most enjoyable evening is assured to all who attend.

Daring the interval of the Long Tack Sam performance at the Town Hall in Eitham on Wednesday night the screen counter weight crashed through the weight well and landed on the staircase, missing three men on the stairs by a few inches. The lead was considerably over a hundredweight, and the consequences would have probably been serious had it struck any of the men.

Threatening danger to much valuable property at Napier as a result of the encroachment of the sea at West Shore was referred to by Mr L. McIlvride, M.P.. in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister promised to call for a report for Government purposes. The trouble was known to engineers, and was probably the reshlt of the construction of the breakwater walls at Napier, which, he had been informed, had had some effect on the tides.

The most extensive examination ever held in the world commenced a day or two ago at Olympia and 33 other centres in Britain. Twenty thousand exsailors and soldiers presented themselves in order to qualify for permanent posts in the Civil Service. The men were mostly from 35 to 40 years of age. The papers included English, precis writing, arithmetic and general knowledge. There were no “trick” questions, typical ones being: “Briefly outline the events leading to the war of 1914.” “What is meant by Imperial preference? Show by- example how it could be worked.” Owing to the multitude of papers they were collected in large clothes baskets. A unique discovery of ancient Maori fire-producing tool s was made recently by Mr. T. Grubner, of Ngapuki. The equipment totals eight pieces of wood, some of which were nibbed to get a fine fluffy substance to ignite when the spark was made. The largest pieces were those which were rubbed together to obtain the spark.. Mr. Grubner discovered the outfit packed neatly away under the roots of a large white pine tree and covered with leaves. As no rain could penetrate into the hidingplace the partially decayed nature of the equipment would indicate a considerable age, of frotu 100 to 300 years. Mr. Grubner forwarded the equipment to Mr. J. Pattison, F.R.G.S., of Taumarunui, who said that the method of making lire was very ancient, and was of almost universal use among primitive people. The first white sailors who came to New Zealand introduced flint and steel, and later matches, so that the old method was discarded over a century ago.

During the course of his speech on the Address-in-Reply in Parliament, Mr A. Harris (Waitemata) stated that the conditions in Auckland were very bad and that 5000 blankets were needed for the poor. The Commercial Travellers’ Association had started a campaign to raise 1,000,000 shillings for their relief. They had already collected £I2OO of the amount, and he appealed to the Government to subsidise their efforts by 10s in the £1 up to £2500, which would enable them ,to hand 1 to the charitable organisation £7500 in all for distribution, the amount they were out to raise. He added that the conditions that existed in Auckland also existed in Wellington, Christchurch, and other cities in the Dominion. He maintained that it was not a question for the charitable and welfare societies, but one for the Government. The distress was not exaggerated ; he knew of one case where an infant seven months old had never been covered with anything except a sack since it was born.

The Appeal Court at Wellington yesterday continued the hearing of the appeal of Dr. Henry Dundas Mackenzie, represented by Mr Myers, K.C., and Mr McLiver, against the decision of Mr Justice Herdman in favour of the Medical Board of New Zealand ordering appellant’s name to be removed from the medical register. Messrs Fair, K.C., and V. R. Meredith are for the board. Mr Myers, continuing his address, said this was the first application in New Zealand for the removal of ,a practitioner from the register for using the Abrams method. Mr Justice Alpers remarked that the ground for removal was not for the use, but the misuse, of the method. Mr Myers pointed out that there were many cases of patients regarded by other doctors as incurable being cured by Mackenzie • Many doctors who did not use the Abrams system made mistakes. Mr Justice Sim; “Even lawyers make mistakes at times. The trouble is he was exploiting unfortunate people with diagnoses of cancer when in truth they never had it.” Mr Myers said doctors’ opinions were sought on Mackenzie’s diagnoses, and only 13 were considered incorrect out of about 2500. The case has not finished.