LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 December 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Air rested in Albion Street shortly before seven o’clock last evening, a first offender pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness preferred before Mr L. A. Bone, J.P., in the Hawera Police Court this morning and was convicted and discharged. “I am writing just after having tea and testing butter all the way from Auckland, New Zealand, and really it is a treat to eat. I could cat it without any bread, it *is so sweet.” This compliment to Aucmand butter is contained in a letter received by a resident of Masterton from his sister in BTantyre, Scotland. Mr C- Lonnie, manager of the Hawera Opera House, left on a visit.. to Wellington this morning. He expects to return early next week. The discovery is reported of nine' moa skeletons at Lime Hills, near W’inton, by a party of three, who descended into a cave .and came across the bones some SO feet below the surface. They also discovered the bones of small birds, which are considered to be those of a weka. The find is a valuable one for museum purposes, and is unmistakable evidence of the previous existence of moas in large numbers in Southland. One does not often, hear of a hawk tackling a person, but this happened yesterday to a boy of thirteen on a farm near Hawera, when he was out alter the cows. A similar happening is reported of magpies on the .Kitham golf links. It seems probable that in each case the bird had its nest nearby, and that it was the natural desire to protect the nest and eggs, or pernaps the young, which caused the attack. Tine south bound express carried a large number of Holiday travellers this morning. Leaving .Stratford, its passenger complement was 250, this being about four times tlhe usual week day number and ferity passengers joined the train at Hlawena. Two additional cars were attached, at Hawera, to relieve the tax on seating accommodation, but only a few 'vacant, seats could be noted when the train resumed its journey.

A re.ord run from Home to Wellington was made by the Ruanine, winch. arrived at Wellington yesterday morning. She left Southampton on -November 25, and the long voyage to Wellington was completed in 33 days 21 hours, or, .allowing for summer time, 33 days 20 hours. This time includes stops at Panama Canal and Pitcairn Island, and establishes a new record time for the trip. Fine weather was experienced throughout.. In Invercargill a workman who was recently engaged in moving the long grass in one of the reserves oil glancing at his blade -saw attacked to it a one pound note. The sharp blade had cut it into several pieces. These, however, he was able to collect ; but to his disgust the portion containing the numbers of the note was missing, and he thought his chances of getting value for the note were very small. Inquiries at the hank afforded hope, however, and after headquarters in Wellington had been communicated with the finder received his pound. The danger of playing with gunprnvder and fire together was demonstrated the other day on the banks of the Opavva liiver, at Blenheim, \vh?n a party of boys and youths had a startling experience. Someone had a tin of explosive, and placed i;:fc on the fire they ware standing round “just to see what would 'happen.’’ The reeii .t •of what happened was severe burns on the hands and face of one of their number. He was confined to his bed fo-r two or three days, and is still receiving medical treatment.

In at least one Auckland home Father Christmas arrived ahead of schedule this year. A Takapuna lady bought a miniature motor car of the pedal and chain variety for her young hopeful, and gave orders that it be sent across the harbour on Christmas Eve. The over-obliging shopman, however, dispatched the auto immediately, and when the parent returned ' home the same evening she was met by a smiling son in a shining two-seater, at 'least a yard long, whose toy speedometer had already ticked off a few miles. An old gentleman travelling by the Bluff train yesterday appeared slightly annoyed when some members of the fair sex entered the smoking carriage in which he had installed himself. Pro. ducing a cigar of dark and ominous appearance he proceeded to inhale (and exhale) vehemently. Having got through this in record time, he produced a cigarette and surrounded himself and the ladies with clouds of pungent smoke. When he finally produced a reeking pipe, his female cotravellers deemed that discretion was the better part of valour, and fled.

“I certainly think that- when a man is known to be a New Zealander lie is extremely ‘ well received at Home,*’, said Hr. O. Coldicutt, who has returned 'to Auckland l after a tour abroad. The doctor said itlha-t it was remarkable how little New Zealand was advertised compared with other countries, and that was a matter that should be remedied, particularly in regard to New Zealand’s .products and tourist attractions. He .said that he met. many people who* were anxious to glean information in regard to the Dominion. Last, evening the very popular New Year’s ball was held in the Ohakoho Hall, whicn about 200 couples were present. The door takings amounted to* just over £SO. Boulton’s orchestra supplied, an excellent musical programme. There were visitors from Patea, Tanganakau, Mangatoki, H«wera, New Plymouth, Stirlatford, Opunake, Blthami, Okaia.w*i, Manaia, and the surrounding districts. Much credit was due to the work of an energetic committee under a capable secretary, Mr T. W. Eaves.