LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 January 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the annual meeting of the King’s Khipire Veterans at Auckland, Captain J. Stichbury reported that on October 31, 19.28, there were only 394 men in'the whole of New Zealand receiving pensions for the Maori War. He also stated in regard to their particular association that the deaths during the past twelve mpnths totalled eleven, their ages being 96. 91 ,89. two at 86. and then down to 73 years. An ex-eonstab'e who went on tour with the party escorting the Prince of Wales through the Dominion, states mat while travelling through the Wairarapa the constables had to be content with black tea with no milk, chile in another compartment on the train Government officials, sat enjoying pme;r,:p. e cubes to the accompaniment of the best cream in the Wairarapa. The climax, however, was reached when in Dunedin. ' Poor Henry Dubbs, who had been subject to inspections at about half-hour‘intervals in order to see whether his hoot laces matched with those of the. other fellow, was invited to sleep in the police cel’s. That was the breaking [mint, and a constables’ strike was verv nearly precipitated. An aneetdote. illustrating the fact that the Maori has learnt dishonesty from the white man, was to.\d by Archdeacon Williams during an address at ‘.be Gisborne Rotrirv Club. He said that manv years a,go in the Wairarapa there was a storekeeper who used to do a big trade with the Maoris. They found that he always treated them exceedingly well, and in selling them sugar arid flour he used to let them weigh the bags themselves. In those days thev used to weigh with a steelyard, and in order to strap the sacks on to this, something was necessary. He used to leave a heavy bullock -hain close by, and the innocent Maoris used to chain their bags of flour and sugar on with this. Eventually, of course, they found out that they were being “had.” and looked to do the same thing back to the storekeeper.

One of the best collections of historical Maori relics and ancient arms and implements is owned by Mr W. M. Fraser, engineer to the Whangarei Harbour Board (says an exchange). Recently the collection was increased by the' addition of a well-preserved prow of a fighting canoe and a large stone which was evidently used for sharpening shell or greenstone tools upon and for wearing down surfaces. This is clearly shown by the worn depressions in the stone, which was recovered from a swamp. The _ canoe figurehead is minus the shell in the eyes, but the timber is well preserved, and the carving and bores through which the piece was lashed to the prow are clear and sharp. .Both trophies came from the Tekahiwai district, on the shores of Whangarei harbour.

The Danncvirke Show, to he held on Wednesday and Thursday, 9th and ]oth February, promises to be a record one. Farmers would be well advised to visit the show and ejiter their stock. All classes are specially Well catered for, and it is safe to say that the entries in the competitions will constitute a record. Entries will be received up to Monday, January 3.1, at 5 p.m., without. any extra charge. The home industries’ section provides excellent opportunities for good competitions, and entries in these classes close on the morning of the first show day, February 9.

A Wanganui cvc.list was proceeding to hi* home along Taupo Quay one evening re'ently when he rode into a swarm o f bees, a number of which alighted on his face and head. The '“V'Tist lent his presence of mind., and did not attempt to dislodge them.. He increased his pace and soon left the swarm behind, hut he wais still accompanied l>v several be?s, which crawled si Lout his head. These eventually flew off and reioined the swarm. ‘•'The man did not reo ive a single sting.

To-night the committee of the Ohawe Seaside Improvement Society will hold another dance in aid of their funds. Everyone is invited to attend, and it is hoped a large number will be there. The dance will be held in Mr R. McLean’s cottage.

Bargain time at ITarrops! Think what it means; extra values for lower prices and pounds saved during a few weeks. —Harrops Ltd., Hawera. —Advt. BOOT AND SHOE SALE. A big sale of boots and shoes for men, women and children is in full swing at the TLB., Hawera. Ladies’ patent strap shoes, 10/6; glace, 15/6; brown shoes, 22/6; men’s boots, 19/6; , men’s shoes, 25/-; boys’ boots, 17/9. At the N.Z. Clothing Factory, Hawera. —Advt.

Sensational Bargains—English manufacturers’ “jobs” at the 'Melbourne Ltd.: Pure cream Fuji silk, 2/11; ladies’ fine quality cotton summer vests, 1/3; 47in. table damask, 3/1.1 yard;, floral crepe, kimonas, 9/6; pillow cases, made of HoiToekses ’ calico, 1/11; beautiful Swiss duchess sets, 2/6; superior Jap. crepe, all colours, 9d yard. You’ll save money in every department. —Advt.

Constable Glouston, of Opunake, spent two hours this morning searching the beach in the neighbourhood where the date M.r. T. Pennington was drowned. No .signs of the body were seen. Burglars have recently been operating on several shops in Tinakori Road, Wellington (states a Press Association message). In his monthly report- placed before the Hiawera Borough Council .at its meeting last evening, the borough inspector (Mr. L. Hunt) .reported that six building permits to a total value ox £2295 in respect of repairs and additions had been issued during the period.

During yard shunting operations cf a goods train at Pahiatua yesterday a number of waggons were derailed, blocking the main line and holding up the traffic for about twenty minutes. The stationmaster took very prompt steps to have the line cleared, and normal running conditions were soon restored.

A telegram from Whitianga from Mr Wells, secretary of the Swordfish Cluo, states that the world’s record hammerhead shark, weighing 4611 b, has been landed at Mercury Bay by Mr .T. D. Bryce ; of Maharoa, in his launcn Kenown.

Irma Timms, aged eight, who disappeared from her home in New Brignton (Christchurch) on Saturday, has not yet been found. The child was subject to epileptic fits, having sometimes as manv as nine in a day. She was regularly kept under supervision, to prevent her from wandering away, and it was while the watch was relaxed, for a brief period that she disappeared. A strange homing pigeon reached Hawera last evening and perched in the yard of the White Hart Hotel. Mr Wilson caught the little, stranger and “took its number’’ —“P.H.C., 3 920. He noticed that a message was tied to its leg, and without disturbing that he released the bird after a short rest.

After an interregnum of some weeks, the Hawera Orchestral Society has commenced work for the season, and last night held the first practice in the Methodist schoolroom. There was a fairly good attendance of members, ami sonic- of the new musie was attacked. Mr A. G. Barley, deputy conductor, was in charge of the practice. The Municipal Band is putting in a lot of time with the final preparations for the contest. Every evening a practice is held at the Park in perfecting the quickstep, for which the aecompanving selection is “The Outpost.' a full'spirited march. The bandmaster is very satisfied with the progress of the band and gratified to see the enthusiasm shown by all members. A pleasant and interesting time was spent by Messrs' J. A. MeCallum (Inaha), J. Barclay and W. Williams (of Okaiawa) last week on a fishing excursion to Mokau. They were there a week, qainped some miles up the river, and during each of the six days thev secured good sport. Each one got* a capital tally of sehnapper, kahawai and terakei, a most satisfactory result. They were pleased with their luck, because local people with the ordinary cord lines had been getting no sport. Pish was obtained as far as ten miles up river “I have to 'again call attention to the dangerous practice of cyclists riding on the footpaths of the city of No! ant own. If .similar action was detected within the borough the offenders would be dealt with promptly,” .said Or. W. Page at the monthly meeting of the Hiawera Borough Council last evening. On his suggestion it was decided to instruct the borough, inspector to visit the locality at certain periods. The seventh annual conference of the New Zealand Sanitary Inspectors’ Association opened in the Town Hall, Auckland, yesterday, Air H. Panll (president) occupying the chair. The annual report showed a membership of 148. A remit was carried suggesting that the Health Act should ibe amended to provide that, in addition to the qualifications at present prescribed, all inspectors who had held office continuously for five years prior to the operation of the Act should be recognised as qualified. It was also decided to ask the Director-General of Health to have the Act amended so as to give men appointed under the Act similar standing to certified inspectors. Indignation in most decisive terms was expressed at last evening’s meeting of the city fathers, when Councillor J. M. Townsend made a verbal report concerning the theft of plants from King Edward Park. “Twice since Christmas,” said Or. Townsend, “My attention has been called to. the wrongful removal of begonia plants from the fernery. Not only the flowers, but the whole tubers were taken and I have reason to believe that these •are not isolated cases of theft from the public domain. Petty thieving of this nature is particularly despicable and the utmost severity should be _ used in dealing with those who despoil public property in this manner.” The denunciation was warmly supported by councillors and. on the motion of Ors. E. Morrissey and W.-G. Strange, it was decided to prosecute without further warning any persons so- detected in future.