LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 December 1926, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

AI r H. Fryer brought, to the Star Office to day' a large mushroom, artificially grown, which measured 6f inches across, ft was in perfect order. A sum of ;£o(). in bank notes was stolen early on Christ-ntas .morning: from a visitor staying, at the Central Hotel. Auckland, who left the money in the pocket, of a suit on the end of hi.s bed. A female offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged this morning at the Magistrate’s Court on the understanding that she took out a prohibition order against herself. During the week-end rough seas played havoc with the hulk Monowai, which was sunk at Wbareongaonga, Poverty liny, on December 17 to form a -breakwater t(f secure *ton» for the harbour works in Gisborne. Heavy seas washed half the Alonowai away, leaving the bow withi a. bad list. A man named John Kennedy, aged (id, died in a cell at the Taranaki Street (Wellington) police station on Christmas Eve. He was arrested earlier in the day on a, charge of drunkenness. After lie was placed in the ceils he received every attention from the police and was visited at regular hours. During a visit late in the night it was found that the man's breathing had apparently stopped. A medical officer pronounced life extinct, and that- death was due to apoplectic seizure. According to Pope, in his “Essay on Man,” “an honest man’s the noblest work of God.’’ Appreciation of the action of just such a man. is expressed in the following letter, which has- been received from one of its members by the Otago Afotor Club, reports the Otago Daily Times: “While my car was parked in the street it was bumped by another motorist. Evidently he endeavoured to locate me to report the incident, but failed to do so. He had the courtesy, however, to leave his card in the car, admitting the accident and instructing me to have the car repaired at his expense. My car has previously been ‘in the wars,’ but this is the first time the person responsible has had the decency to acknowledge responsibility, much less to offer to foot ■ the bill.”

Westport lias commenced its diamond jubilee celebrations. Visitors poured into town by trains and cars, and when the grand procession began at the lower part of the town at 1.30 on Sunday afternoon t-he footpaths were lined by intensely interested onlookers. The procession was led by the Westport Band -and following were over 50 cars and motor lorries with pioneers and their descendants, including a contingent from Denniston with their own pipe band. The Salvation Army, Burnett’s Terrace and Granity Bands also took part in the procession, in which were representatives from Returned Soldiersj Territorials, Cadets, Girl Guides, Oddfellows, Foresters, Druids, and other organisations, besides members of the general public. “The place that surprised me more than any other I visited was Vienna. I had read so much of its dilapidated state, but when I got there I saw as clean aud as heautitul a city as I have ever seen.” This observation was made by Air. J. E. Schloss, a well-known Wellington business man, when interviewed on his return, after a tenmonths’ tour of America and the Continent. “Of course,” he proceeded, “there is a terrible amount of poverty, but the municipality has done a great deal to assist the working people. One form of alleviating distress in this once famous capital of Austria, once known as 'the gayest city in the world,’ i,s that of erecting huge flats, nicely laid out with grounds, and with provision for ample breathing space. The scheme is to extend up till 1928, but such wonderful progress lias been made that it is considered that the last building will be finished by the end of next vear.”

A man named \V. F. Fitzsimmons was charged, at a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court this morning, with using obscene language in a public place. Sergeant Henry said the case was a bjd one. The offence occurred in a ffsh shop in Hawera on Monday, and the language was used in the hearing of a number of bystanders'. The Justices, Messrs G. H. Buckeridge and L. A. Bone, J’s.P., commented on the gravity of the offence, and said they must take steps to stop such occurrences. They stressed that the offence was punishable by fines up to £2O or 12 months’ imprisonment. Accused was fined £o, in default a month’s imprisonment, and he was given 14 days in which to pay.

The Northern Wairoa butter factory put up l another record on Tuesday, when it turned out 558 boxes of butter for the day, or appr-oximatey 14 tons. The best previous turn-out this season wag 537 boxes and last year 480 boxes. The company’s grading .points are also keeping nigh, and there were only three boxes below “finest” last month. The pay-out for November butter-fat on Monday was £26,752 7s 2d, on the basis of Is 31 d per .lb. The indications are that the pay-out for the December supply will be at the rate of one penny more per lb and the output a record in the history of the company and the pay-out in addition being far in advance of that made last month. _ The farmers in the district are enjoying a remarkable season, and isince herdtesting came into vogue have improved their herds considerably. A record quantity of fertilisers has been used this season. the farmers finding that it pays to feed their land as well as their cows.

A strange case of lost memory occupied the attention of the Palmerston North police on Sunday morning. A man walked into the watch-house, seeking his own whereabouts. “Can you tell me what town this is?” he asked the constable in charge. “I’ve no idea how I got here.” All the information the stranger could give was that he thought he had been working ing in an office in Auckland. . Tie is now in hospital, receiving medical at tention. The police description of him is as follows: —Age, aboue 30 years; height, sft Pin: round featured, cleanshaven. pale complexion, of strong build and smart hair brushed back. His suit is navy blue, and he wears black patent leather shoes. An overcoat in his possession is of grey check tweed, while his grey-ish-brown hat bears the name of an Auckland firm. A cigarette ease in his

possession is initialled C.L. The Bail way Department, advertises in this issue particulars of train arrangements and of issue of cheap excursion tickets in connection with the New Year holidays. A feature of the Xmas shopping at the Melbourne was the extraordinary demand for men’s and boys’ suits. Good quality all-wool suits, splendidly cut and finished, and offered at prices showing a. distinct saving- to purchasers told the tale, with the result that record business was done. Bemember. there is always a suit to suit you at the Melbourne. —Advt. MEN’S SHOES. Men’s black or brown walking shoes 25/-, 20/6; tennis shoes 4/6, 8/6; men’s Sunday boots, 29/6; -working shooters, 19/6. At the N.Z. Clothing Factory, Hawera. —Advt.