LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 October 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At Takaka T. B. Mason pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to account for moneys received, the property of N. Emms. He was committed for trial at the Nelson Supreme Court (says a Press Association message.) At the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Walter Robert McIlraith. aged 19, was charged that at Riccarton on August 16 he drove a motor-cycle negligently, causing the death of Prank Reginald Hubbard, a cyclist. He pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.—Press Assn.

In connection with the lorry belonging to the Public Works Department which was found destroyed by fife on the East Coast road, a Press Association message from Gisborne last night stated that three men had been arrested on charges of the theft of twenty gallons of benzine, the property of the New Zealand Government, and also of mischief.

Coolly collecting the half-istupihed moths from the outside of a lighted (sweetshop window at about 10 o’clock last night, a little boy of aoout lour yjears of age caused a considerable amount of amusement among passersby. Armed .with a jam jar, the little fellow' was removing the accumulation of nocturnal visitors with an air that made it appear that it was the most natural thing in the world for him to be gathering moths at that time of the night.

Pinal notice is given of Miss "Wellington’s instructive lantern lecture, entitled “A happy holiday through Australia,” to be given to-morrow afternoon at 2.30 in the Opera House. This lecture will be very interesting, and judging by press comment in other centres It will certainly be worth hearing. To those people whose \ spirit would lead them to roam over the world but whose circumstances do not permit of this the lecture will have a particular attraction, as it will also to people who have been fortunate enough to visit Australia. A tragic occurrence took place during the luncheon hour in Emano Street, Nelson, when Robert E. Thomason, .a married man, aged 24, was killed through a loaded miniature rifle exploding. While deceased was sitting down making a cigarette, with the rme between his knees, by some means the rifle went off, the bullet entering under the chin and inflicting fatal injuries. Deceased was employed as a lorry driver to Kirkpatrick and Co., —Press Association.

“Fifty-one” writes: —With reference to the article in the Sta.r on Tuesday headed “Interesting Reminiscences— Band Music in Taranaki,” it would tie inferred that in 1874 Mr Hughes went to Waitara with a hand in connection with a meeting between Sir George Grey and the Maoris. Sir George, on his return from England, after serving two terms as Governor, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1875. He became Premier in 1877, and it was possibly during that year that he visited New Plymouth. A triumnhal arch was erected at the corner of Devon and Brougham Streets in his honour, which some old Taranakians suggested should he pulled down, the antagonism against Sir George still being very strong. However, a banquet was held in the evening, and it is now history what befe l Wilson Hursthouse after that ‘ gathering. It was during this • visit, I believe, that Sir George held the meeting with the Maoris of Waitara.

The miners employed at the Glenafton collieries in the Waikato district ceased work Tuesday morning. Over 300 men are affected. The action was taken to enforce certain demands made on the owners, the New Zealand Cobperaitive Dajiry. Company. Some of the minor demands have been conceded, but the company declined to consider the major point at issue until work was resumed. This the men have agreed to do and work will be resumed this morning. Consideration will be given to other points on Monday, when the owners will meet the men’s representatives. The main point- at issue is that the union wants miners to be drafted from truckers. Under the award two truckers are allowed to go on coal each quarter. The men wish the company to agree that any miners who may be employed a>s truckers are to go on coal in their turn as vacancies occur. This the company cannot agree to, as it would mean that the management could not engage any outside men if there were any miners employed as truckers.