LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 April 1926, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The R.M.S. Niagara left Vancouver for Auckland on April 7, and is due on April 27. She carries mails from Great Britain and America. The Drill Hall at Geraldine, valued at about £3OOO, has been burned. Incendiarism is suspeeted (says a Timaru Press Association message).

The report that a. Cabinet Minister is a large beneficiary under Lady Houston’s will proves to be unfounded, states a London cable message.

A requisition, signed by the members of the Devonport Borough Council, urging the claims of Mr A. Harris, M.P., for appointment to the Cabinet has been fotwarded to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates). The Wellington provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union at a meeting at Feilding resolved to recommend the compulsory dehorning of all cattle except herd book animals.

There are 23 cases of diphtheria in the Cook Hospital at the present time, the number having increased considerably during the past four days, and a warning is issued to the public to exercise every possible care.

Prominent wheat-gro wens, in ■conversation with an Aishibuiiiton Guardian reporter, said they did not think there would be any increase this coming season in. the acreage, of wheat sown. One farmer isaid he had thought that the fall in the price of meat and wool would result in th<? growing of more grain, huh (present indications suggested that such would not be the ease.

There is apparently some delay in announcing who is to receive the appointment of parliamentry librarian, says an exchange, possibly because those best qualified for the position would not accept the low salary offered. It is generally understood that Dr. Scholefield, of Masterton, will receive the appointment if satisfactory terms can he arranged.

At the monthly meeting of the Hawera Volunteer Fire Brigade last night it was decided to run a series of fortnightly socials in the Foresters’ Hall, commencing on Tuesday next. Dancing will be from 8 to 10 and the music will lie provided by Mr. W. Coburn. The season’s dances will conclude with the annual ball, which will probably be held in August. Last year while the Bands Carnival was in progress, Alton residents promised their support to a concert being given by the Hawera Scottish Society, and right well they fulfilled their promise. In return, the Society promised to give at concret this year in aid of the Altoir Hall funds. The entertainment will be given on the 28th inst., next Wednesday.

In the Magistrate’s Court at Invercargill, before Mr. G. Cruiekshank, S.M., further evidence was taken in the case against John Guy Dennison, engineer to the Southland County Council, who' was charged with negligently driving a motor-car, thereby causing the death of Frederick George Witv. The evidence was on similar lines to that given at the inquest. Accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial to the Supreme Court.—Press Association. For children T s hacking cough Woodß’ Great Peppermint Cure.-—Adlv-f 4 Dependable worm remedy—Wade’3 Worm Figs. Children like them. (I)

There is ;i rumour afloat, backed by certain circumstantial evidence, that there has been recently a flutter in prospecting circles in the Whangarei district. It seems that nearly a dozen men have decided to devote toil and time to an effort to prove for themselves the mineralogical possibilities of a neighbourhood where prospects are said to be good. The Coroner’s verdict concerning the death of Joseph Delzer, aged 20, who was drowned as the result of a dinghy overturning at Worser Bay, rieatown, was death by misadventure, says a Wellington Press (Association message. The Coroner paid a high tribute to the courage displayed by Laurie Dale, deceased’s companion, who made a valiant attempt to save Delzer. His Worship said that Dale displayed quite conspicuous zeal and courage in his efforts to save the deceased.

It is stated, says a message from Dunedin, that the Exhibition devices known as the Scenic Railway, Whip, Caterpillar, Caves, Dodgem, Merry Mixup, and the Fun' Factory, have been sold to a Dunedin syndicate which intends floating a. New Zealand company. The woodwork of the scenic railway will be sold and the route made three times as long. It is further stated that a. site for the devices has already been secured at Auckland.

The telephone is such a common-place in our daily life nowadays that there seems a touch of quaintness in Queen Yicte rials first impresisLon of it. Here is an extract front the series of her letters and journals, which wtais published: —“Osborne, Jan. 14, 1878. Aftei dinner we went to the Cloun.ci 1 Room and saw the telephone. A Professor Beil explained the whole process., which is most extraordinary. It had been put in communication with Osborne Cottage, and we talked with Sir Thomas and Mary Biddulpih; also, heard some isimgi’Ug quite plainly. But it is rather faint, and one must held the tube close to one’s ear.” This must surely he the first* reference in h:is{to v y to Royalty in a. telephonic connection. After 75 days at Wairoa, by reason of its inability to clear a choked-up bar, the Te Aroha, belonging to Messrs. Richardson and Co., has once more found the open sea. The vessel left for Wairoa on January 28 and loaded bricks there for Tokomaru, Bay, but a shallow bar prevented her leaving until last Thursday. During the 75 days the auxiliary scow, Tu Atu, of 42 tons gross, was the only vessel able to navigate in and out of Wairoa, and the Tangaroa had to be tendered at the mouth of the river. The Te Aroha. during her incarceration was fully manned by captain and crew, and her enforced detention involves a loss to the company of several hundreds of pounds sterling.

Motor vehicle accidents are accounting for a death nearly every week in Auckland. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 13 fatalities within Auckland and its near suburbs. 'Six of the victims were occupants of motor-cars which collided with other vehicles or posts. Two were motorcyclists, who were thrown in collisions. There were five pedestrians. In addition. a score of pedestrians have been injured through being knocked down, while at least two dozen passengers in motor vehicles have been injured in collisions. Excluding the sufferers from shock an d trivial abrasions, statistics revealed that more than 50 persons have been either killed or injured in Auckland in motor accidents during the tbe last three months. 1

Mr. Ziane Grey’s party broke camp at Walhora Bay last- Wednesday and moved by launch to Tokaanu, where they are. camping six miles up tlx* Tongariiio River. Tbe party caught 70 rainbow trout at Waihora, averaging just orer Mr. Grey has been impexised with the scenic beauty of the lake, and compares the climate with tliOit. o<£ : Arizoma in itkS, tvnaoin <r qixalirties. The catnip at Wai bora, pitched at the valley month, with towering cliffs on both sides, was in one of tbe most picturesque spots on the lake. The large .numbers of tuis and beOilblrds there were a source of delight to the party, Mr, Grey calling the camp “The Valley of the TaiiS.” After ‘.six days at Tongariro, Mr. Grey will leave for Wellington. He has gathered considerable material for has bo,ok dealing with, fishing at the Bay of Isands and at Taupo.

Over £BOO was raised in Dunedin in donations for the purchase of equipment for the new dental school. At the University Council meeting in that city yesterday, the treasurer, Mr L. D. Ritchie, reported that the debit balances of the dental, medical and mining schools amounte'd to £4288 5s Bd, altogether too big a drain upon the arts and science department. The net position was that the university finished the year £7lB to the bad. Mr Ritchie thought the medical /’.school fiould rightly claim some part of. the income from the university endowments provided by the pioneers, since it was established soon after the university itself. He urged that the council should seek an assurance from the Government of thoroughly adequate assistance for special schools which were either regarded as national schools or were instituted practically at the Government’s request. The expenditure would be much greater when the new buildings were completed.

An interesting investigation was conducted in Wellington into the causes of the mortality of trout in the Avon on April 6 (reports the correspondent of the Lyttelton Times). Some of the fish were received in Wellington and subjected to post-mortem examination. It is now reported that the fish were not poisoned, but suffocated. Evidently so'ine powdered substance, probably flour, had been emptied into the river, and was being carried in suspension by the water. The fish, drawing the floury water through their gills, simply clogged their breathing mechanism, and were slowly suffocated. There was no evidence of an active chemical or other jioisoning agent. It was remarked at the time of the mishap that fish taken from the river and placed in clean, fresh water, revived fairly readily. Footballers of Paten district and their friends are reminded of the annual dance to be held to-night (Thursday) in the Town Hall. Complete preparations for music, floor, and supper are being made by the committee under the direction of the lion, secretary, Mr. B. C. Rutherford, and a large attendance is expected. Members are reminded of the annual general meeting of the South Taranaki R.S.A., to be held in the Soldiers’ Club this evening at 7.30. Notice is given of the annual social of the Awntuna-Te Kiri branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union, which will be held at Awatuna Hall on Friday. April 30. It is one of the events of the season for the district, and advantage is to be taken of the opportunity to present the prizes won at the recent cattle show. There will be first-class music, floor and supper. An energetic committee under Mr F. L. Street, the popular hon. secretary, lias t-he arrangements in hand. A reminder is given of the grand dance to be held to-morrow (Friday) night in the Whareroa Hall in aid of the hall funds.

A custom which is being adopted throughout New Zealand is that of holding an annual church parade for bauds, and in accordance with this the Hawera Municipal Band will attend the Presbyterian Church and the Hawera School Band the Methodist Church on Sunday, May 2 The hearing of a charge against Andrew Donald, aged 20 years, of negh-o-ently driving a motor ear in Remuera Road and causing the death of Robert Thomas Dagg, aged 63, was concluded in the Police Court at Auckland yesterday (says a Press Association message) The accused was committed for trial, and bail was fixed at £2OO, with, a personal surety for a similar amount.

Subject to the approval of the Goverment, which is generally a merely formal matter, the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, at Parnell, will receive £SOOO, and the Knox Home for Incurables at West Tamaki, will receive £3OOO from the Auckland Savings Bank. These munificient donations were announced by the president at the annual meeting of the bank. During the past twenty years the bank has donated no less than £BO,OOO to various objects, and the above-men-tioned gifts bring the total to £BB,OOO. The dancing season is to be opened at Riverlea on Friday evening by a grand ball, particulars of which have appeared in o ur advertising columns. Special attention is being paid to tlicfloor, and the sit-down supper will be the best ever given at Riverlea. Those who have attended similar functions there will appreciate wliat that means. The music is to be provided by the ever-popular Boulton’s orchestra, and will consist of piano, saxaphone, drums, etc. Special decorations will also be a feature of the evening. The duties of M.’sC. will be carried out by Messrs E. Wills and E. Gibbons, and visitors from a distance can be assured of attention.

“Report by Charles H. Kettle, Daniel Macandrew, and E. Jerningham Wakefield re making a road to Port Chalmers, March 28, 1851,” is the text of the first few lines of a document which has been lodged in the Otago Early Settlers’ Museum. Charles Kettle was Dunedin’s first surveyor. One of the routes suggested was through “the forest.” It was estimated in the report that the cost of a road 7 9-16 miles long would be £4581 os, and it was suggested that the work could be done m 12 months if the finance were available immediately, hut the time would vary according to the amount of labour employed. Thanks were expressed to teh Rev. Thomas Burns, who accompanied those who framed the report on all their incursions, and te Mr. Campbell, of Blanket Bay. The bare report is all that has been lodged with the association, and it can only he presumed that the report was adopted and the road proceeded with. The sum involved would not go far in the present-day methods of road-making.