LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 29 December 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The twenty-third annual conference of the New Zealand Pres by ter ian Bible Class Union opened at Ashburton yesterday. It is expected that 500 will be in attendance, some 400 being campers accommodated in the various schools. While making excavations in connection with the erection of a new Homan Catholic Presbytery at Kumara, the workmen came across some auriferous ground with gold showing freely through the soil. The discovery lends colour to the belief which is shared by many old miners that good virgin gold still exists in several places about the township of Ivumara which were not prospected in the rush days. Passengers on the Limited express were treated to a mild thrill at Taupiri the other morning. Where tlie Maungawaro River joins the Waikato the bank along the railway line lias i alien away ana leit a gap of Jo yards long and about 15 feet deep. The lip of the gap is within two feet of the railway line and trains have to reduce -speed to a walking pace. There is no danger, however, and gangs are out repairing the damage, it is thought that the slip was caused by ary weather and the fact that the river is low because of the filling of the Arapuni dam. A well-known and respected resident of Whangarei, who is at- present camping at Waipu Caves, is recounting a story which, but lor the obvious sincerity of tlie teller, would be taken with a grain of salt. At one o’clock on the morning of December 23,' he says, he and ins wife were awakened by a brilliant light in their tent. Both rushed outside and were terrorstricken by the spectacle of a ball o. dazzling light, apparently travelling in their direction. It was very low in the heavens, and was moving parallel with the surface of the ocean, it had a brilliant nucleus, and appeared to be surrounded by a number of smaller rings of fire. Tlie outer edge was serrated. The mysterious body, which made no noise, appeared .to be the size of a large building. After fifteen seconds it disappeared.

The Westport carnival continued yesterday. Slight rain, the first for over a fortnight, fell at noon, and to some extent spoilt the procession in Palmerston Street. However, the rain then held off and the children's- sports were held on the Jockey Club grounds. The pioneers were entertained at afternoon tea. Speeches were made by Mr P. A. Sbruithers (president of the carnival committee), Mr J. H. Darkness (Mayor), and the Hion. W. H. Mclntyre, with replies on -behalf of the pioneers by Air G. H. Gothaird and Air J. Scanlon. An apology was received from Air H. El. Holland, M.P., who was, attending a function at .Rumanga. The torchlight procession and fi.rewq.rks display arranged for the evening weie postponed on account of heavy rain. The ram was welcome in the countx-y, where water supplies for household and mining purposes had been very short. There evidently is a schoolboy _ in Queensland who hag implicit faith in the BibLical adage, “Ask and ye shall receive.” states a Dunedin correspondent. Thursday morning’s mail brought to the secretary of the Otago Expansion League (Air W- B. Steel) a naive request in a palpable half-text script, “Would you kindly ®end me some books, etc., of New Zealand? Send .-about half or one dozen, as wie are learning New Zealand geography, please.” It would be most unmeet at this season of goodwill! if such faith went -unrewarded, and so the writer will ere- the New Year, is many days old receive a parcel which will gladden his heart, and, it is to be hoped, greatly extend his knowledge. Subject to the approval of the command headquarters, the next camp of Queen Alexandra (Wellington West Coast) Alounted Rifles Regiment is to be held at Waverley in March. A conference of senior ouicers of the regiment has finally approved of the regimental standard, which is being sent to headquarters for official sanction. The standard will be made in England, and is in the form of a guidon, amber with a three-inch black border. Running round tlie border is a black and amber fringe. In the centre of the standard will be the regimental badge, the design being in natural colours and surrounded by a black border. On either side of the badge will be a New Zealand fern leaf in green, and each fern will be crossed by five scrolls of amber with black borders, the ten scrolls carrying the regiment’s battle honours for the Great War. Over the badge will appear the battle honour, South Africa, 1899-1932, and underneath the letters N.Z.

Air Adam Adamson, who nearly seven months, ago took up his residence at Doughboy Bay, returned to Halfmoon Bay on Tuesday. He was landed at Doughboy Bay on June 1 with .stores and equipment, and ha® lived there entirely by himself, never once leaving his new abode. That bis venture has been successful has been proved by his parcel of ambergris in various grades, totalling no less than 463 ounces. This varies from the finest steel grey down to soft black, which is the unnurtured or new quality. Air Adamson has classed it into six different grades and valued for local sale 1 at over £3OO. During the many year® that he has bison so successful gathering ambergris he has studied the subject of the precious substance and tirelessly experimented with the cheaper grades in order to mature them. He finally discovered that bv burying the soft black variety in black or peaty soil for about three years, .well protected from heat or light, it successfully matured, though losinor about a quarter of its original weight. The high price for matured grade easily .compensated for loss of weight.

Preliminary figures of the 'religious professions neeorded at the census of last year are given in a table published in the ‘‘Monthly Abstract of Statistics’’ iu-st issued. The numbers of the chief religious bodies are as follow (the increases .since the previous census being given parentheses):—Church of England. 553.992 (39,385); Presbyterian, 330,598 (31,053); Roman Catholic, 173,332 (9199) • Methodist. 121,268 (8924); Baptist. 21.959 (2033); Brethren 12.939 (1884); Salvation Army, 12,341 (750): Church of Christ, 7985 (decrease 655); Congregational, 7281 (decream 696). Attention is drawn by the Government Statistician to the considerable increase in the numbers of those, availing themrolves of the right to object to state their religion® belief. Those who objected at the last census numbered 62.567, and this fact, states the Statistician, lias exercised no little effect upon the movement .shown in other parts of the table.

The Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of train arrangements and of issue of cheap excursion tickets in connection with the New Year holidays.

BUCKRELL’S AND CHRISTMAS We have opened an attractive assortment of Ladies’ Handkerchiefs.

suitable for presents, from 2/11 to 12/6 a box; also Gloves, Scarves, Handbags;

best makes in Hosiery “Gold Star.’’ Kavser, Bonds true shape HENDERSON HATS; Frocks, Costumes, Coats. —Buckrell’s, Hawera, “The Quality House.’’—Advt

That for every male who applied for a probationer-ship prior to qualification as a fully fledged teacher, there were seven applications from females, was a remark passed to a reporter the other day (says the “Southland Times”). The informant went on to say that in his opinion rae salaries of male teachers should be increased to make this side of the profession more tempting. Over 75 per cent, of the female teachers in Southland schools were drawing about £5 per week. The timber area in the Okaito district continues to attract the attention of investors (says the Hokitika correspondent ■of the “Grey River ATgus”). A representative of outside capital is now in the district looking into the export facilities, as also in regard to flax growing. If the milking proposition materialises, the intention is to export direct to Australia, utilising a fleet of scows, sailing from Okarito. The flax develop me nr would be carried on in conjunction with the timber milling projiosition. The improvement .of the Okarito harbour is involved an tne large scheme in mind. A lesson in “push” was given on the Devonport (Auckland) penny-in-the-slloib telephone' ait the end of the past week (states the ‘‘Auckland Star”). Three unemployed men, who were faced" with a bleak outlook for Christmas, approached a well-known Shore resident and asked him if he could find them a job. After questioning them in regard to the efforts that they had made to get work, he told them that they had not shown enough energy. He then said that if each of the three men could give him a penny he believed that lie could get work for them. The pennies were forthcoming. The Shore resident rang up a man whose house liad just- been vacated, and, after pointing out that a lot of rubbish wanted removing before the next tenant came along, received a reply to send one of the unemployed men along. The next ring was to a man who had an overgrown eleagnus hedge, and the second man was soon on his way to a- job. The third pennv was instrumental in a connection with a man who wanted some tarring and sanding done before Christmas, and the last of the unemployed trio was placed. Rumour is rife in the Bannevirke. district that a South Australian syndicate intends commencing oil boring operations in New Zealand shortly, and should sufficient inducement be offered a start is expected to be made in the Dannevirke-East Coast district (reports an exchange). It is proposed to issue free to landholders on whose property the company operates a number of shares in the company. It is understood that the company'has secured the services of an English geophysical survey party now concluding a six months’ engagement with the Australian Government.

The retail price index for the three food grouos as at November 15 was 1539, an increase of 9 points as compared with that of the previous month, and an increase of 43.8 per cent over that for July, 1914. The index number for the groceries group lias increased 25 points, this being mainly due, states' the Government. Statistician, to the now predominating use. of new potatoes and to the high prices ruling for onions. The dairy produce index number records a fall of 27 points-; bacon and butter show a slight reduction in most towns. Tlie meat group, the index number for which is three points less than for the previous month, has altered little; there have been small decreases in the prices of mutton and pork. Very little movement has been recorded *in the miscellaneous groups since the collection in August last —clothing, drapery, and footwear having fallen 4 points-, while the. index for the miscellaneous groups has fallen 6 points. The slight lise in the index was caused by an increase of 25 points in the group fuel and light.