LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 26 August 1925, Page 9

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The recent activity of White Island seems to be in keeping with its periodic From observations taken since 1886, it has been found that eruptionss occur mostly in May and October of each year. When in active .mood, great volumes of steam are ejected continuously for hours or even days, or with great force for brief periods. In the space of a few minutes the columns of steam reach great heights,' theodolite readings showing altitudes varying from 5090 to 10,000 feet.

Mounting the parapet of Grafton Bridge at Auckland the other evening, an American sailor startled pedestrians by walking the two-inch ledge apparently oblivious of the consequences of a slip into the gully beneath. The sailor added to the concern of the watchers by balancing himself precariously and wavering when he reached the electric light standards. He had reached the middle of the bridge before he was persuaded to descend to the footpath by a constable who had been summoned bv another sailor.

The Presbyterian Halil, Hawera., was crowded last evening on the occasion of the ‘ ‘Supreme Count” hearing of the widow' Gatehim’s claim against Dunne Brown for damages lor alleged breach, of promise of marriage. The “caise” was enacted by members of the Sit. John’s Institute in more or less true legal fashion, and provided an abundance of fun for the public. A jury was empanelled from the audience and Mr. H. P. Viimicomibe wad chosen foreman. Mr. L. A. Taylor took the part of the judge. As Airs. Catohim, Mr. Maurice Brown did credit to the dreJssusaOjonis of Parris; and the widow’s bredk-clown when it -was re"reasßto the jury that her heart lay buried in the cold gia.ro o.f the late Mr. Gajtcihrim was dramaticailly oarniied through/ Supporting the plaintiff were her mother, Mrs. Tetimalohe (Miss L. Spence) .and .son, Jackie. Witnesses for the defendant were his sister AanJeSfifli XMJLss iA. Trotter), /Rebecca Riubenisttein, a pawnbroker s daughter (Miss "O! Tait), and "A lexarider Angus MaciSporran, a boslom friend. OmssexamriiTation lent itself to several local hits, and witnesses whose factb were a trifle shaky were mercifully treated by learned counsel. The gem of the evening—.there is ho suggestion that it was premeditated—was when ohel of the ladies supporting the defendant’s case addressed the young and eloquent advocate for the plaintiff as “my dear.’' ' Mrs. Gatchi.m, it' should be .said, miisised him. The jury nonsuited her on tho ground that .she had appeared in Court' in a “disreputable manner” and on an admission that she would nob marry the defendant for a trifling consideration of £2,1KK),000. (In the Magistrate's Court, Westport, the case Samuel Tyson, Inspector of Awards, versus the Millerton Miners’ Union, a. claim for a penalty of £IOOO for alleged incitement to an unlawful strike, came on again, plaintiff last court day having been nonsuited for failing to prove bis status as plaintiff. When plaintiff s case closed to-day Air. J. J. Alolony, counsel for defendants, .stated that the onus oif proof was on plaintiff to show that he was acting within the four comers of the Act, and he had not proved that tho action came under .section 3 of the Industrial Disputes Apt, 1913. The magistrate upheld the point ajgd nonsuited plaintiff, reserving the fjiiestinn of costs. A claim against William Clarke, a member of the Millerton Miners’ Union, for £lO in fconhection with, the same trouble, was partly heard and .adjourned till Thursday, as the plaintiff was unable to continue his case -without the evidence of the mine manager, who had not been subpoenaed. !