LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 January 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Samoan chief Tamasese, who is serving a sentence in the Auckland gaol, lias instructed his lawyer to. apply for a writ of babaes corpus on the grounds that he should have been imprisoned in Samoa and not" in New Zealand (says an Auckland Press Association message).

Found guilty oif smuggling whisky into the naval base, U.P.O. Robert Lindsay Parker was disrated to leading seaman by a court-martial on H.M.S. Diomede at Auckland. He was also deprived of two good conduct badges. His defence was a general denial.— Press Association. The premises of R, Y. Shearer, draper, Lower Hu/tt, were broken into and set on fire early on Thursday morning. The .fire was observed at 3.30. After the brigade had extinguished the fire, a wooden panel in the side door was found broken. So far there is no estimate of the damage done by fire or loss by theft. Fire caused a monetary loss of £35,000 and the death of two persons in Dunedin in 1928. The number of calls, 508, given to the Dunedin brigadq, was a record. > The first parachute to be released from a New Zealand Air Force machine was dropped from a DHSO machine at a height of 2000 feet above Wigram aerodrome, Christchurch, on Tuesday afternoon. The parachute carried lead weights equivalent to the weight of a man.

At a meeting of the Hawera Poultry Society held last evening it was decided to hold a “young bird” show during the month of April A further meeting is to be called shortly for the purpose of drawing up a programme and drafting schedules, etc., which this year will be of a comprehensive nature.

A few days ago a city dentist received a shock when a patient of his who was in the chair having some teeth extracted suddenly leapt to his feet, and, all unconscious of his actions, almost wrecked the surgery, says the “Dominion.” The dentist, aided by a doctor who was in attendance, managed, after a great struggle, to get the man on the floor, where an administration of gas w'as given. The rest of the l patient’s teeth were “pulled” while he was lying on the carpet qf the surgery. The dentist estimates that the damage done was close on £lO. An unusual turn of events is related in connection with the Nuliaka A. and P. Association’s weight-estimating competition conducted as an adjunct to last week’s show (says the Auckland “Herald”). Many entries were obtained for the event, after which the sheep were} killed and hung up to' cool after being weighed. In the meantime, however, some person had removed one of the carcases, presenting a confusing position for the society, not so much in the' loss of the sheep but in the awarding of the prize* for the event. Before opening the boxes containing the csti-, mates it was decided to add an ostima f ed weight to that of the remaining sheep and award the prizes accordingly.

• Salvation Army headquarters in Wellington have just received cabled advice from Commissioner Hay, the head of the Army organisation in New Zealand. who is presiding over the deliberations of the High Council in London, to arrange for the holding of the annual congress in Wellington. The congress will be in session from April 11 to 16, and will be attended by Salvation Army officers from all over New Zealand Commissioner Hay will preside over the gathering, while the international representative will he Lieutenant-Com-missioner Julius Horskins, lately in command of the Army’s operations in Western India. BUCKRELL’S SPECIAL PRICES FOR CHRISTMAS. Striped Fuji Frocks, with sleeves, 15/6; Tennis Frocks. 15/6; Pleated Skirts, 13/6. 15/6; Silk Jumpers with sleeves, 15/6; Silk Scarves, 3/11) 4/11; j two reliable Stocking lines, ordinary . wear 4/11, the ‘‘ lvayser ’ ’ for a reel | stocking 13/11. —Buckrel’s Hawera.— i Advt. I

On Friday morning a. lady tramper, travelling very light but with haversack on back, passed through Hawera on the way north. She jrad apparently come a considerable distance and was much sunburned. The Manaia Municipal Brass Band will give a programme in itke rotunda this evening at 7.30 o’clock. A collection. will 'be taken up in aid of t'he new instrument fund.

A slight increase is shown in the work of the Stratford Court _ during the past year in number of civil and criminal cases tried and. also in amount of summonses issued.

Railway work along the Stratford — Main Trunk route has been progressing fast during the last year and there is now a considerable extension past Tangarakau, which has been the centre of the railhead work. A large number of. the men have been sent on ahead to a settlement some miles past Tangarakau, but the married men are still in that township. In addition more mOn are now engaged there. An inspection of the work was made by the District' Public Works engineer yesterday. Thursday was the first anniversary of the ill-fated attempt of the two New Zealand airmen, Lieut. J. R. Monciuefi and Captain G. Hood, to fly the Tas- ! man Sea from Australia to New Zealand. The pair left Sydney m a twoseater plane in the early hours of the morning, but, Avere never seen again. Conjecture, as to their fate lias led to the noAV generally accepted belief that the fliers crashed in the sea seA-eral hundred miles from the Neiv Zealand coast. Reports that AA*ere rife at the time that the ’plane had been seen or heard over various parts of the country are now generally considered to have been groundless. The New Zealand Meat Producers' Board hasi again arranged -to deliver single carcases of prime New Zealand lamb to any address in tfie United Kingdom for the forthcoming Easter season, and full particulars will be. found in our advertising columns. A present of prime New* Zealand lamb to friends at Home at Easter time is . equally appropriate and as much arppre ciaited as during the Christmas season. TJie lamb-eating season at Home really commences about Easter, which .is spring time in Britain. Further, recipients alt Home will get new season's New Zealand lambs which will at that time be on the market.

The death occurred at Melbourne yesterday of Most. Rev. Harrington Lees, Archbishop of Melbourne, at the age of 58 years. He was recently married, and had just returned from England. The archbishop had been confined to his bed for several days with influenza, but had not seen a doctor until yesterday morning. He was ha\ r ing lunch, and his wife was with him, ivhen he collapsed. All attempts to revive him failed. Death Avas due to heart trouble, from Avhich he had suffered for many years. He AA*a.s formerly a. prominent athlete, and strained his heart during his university career.

In the last 80 .years only seven people have been killed in NeAv Zealand as a result of earthquakes. A shock in October, 1848. Avrecked a. Avail in Wellington and three people AA r ere killed. Seven years later Avhen Wellington was shaken by a severe earthquake, another death occurred, the victim being struck by a falling chimney. A child met its death in the Cheviot earthquake in November, 1901. There Avas another long interval of freedom from fatal injuries due to earthquakes until April, 1913, when falling material from the post office at Masterton killed a Maori. The last recorded death traceable to earthquakes Avas that of a shepherd, who was killed in Gisborne in October, 1914.

There were 42,801 radio receiving licenses on issue in the Dominion at December 31, compared with 38,185 at the. end of 1927. Transmitting licenses increased in the same period from 136 to 169, Avhile dealers’ licenses decreased from 1728 to 1464. Broadcasting licenses, which totalled seven in 1927, now total 14, of which five are held in Otago, four in Wellington and tln*ee in Canterbury. The number of receiving licenses in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago compare surprisingly, there being *14,437 in Auckland, 17,272 in Wellington, 8167 in Canterbury, and 2925 in Otago. About the same ratio is observed in transmitting and dealig licenses in these provinces.

Illustrating the chivalry of the Maori in the old days to the visiting bowlers at Otaki on Sunday last, it was recalled that there was an historic occasion during the Waikato War, when a British force was seriously beleaguered .in an impromptu fort, where they were cut off from all support, and there seemed to be hut tw 0 alternatives left —to fight to the last man, or honourably surrender to the enemy. Probably on account of stories as to the fate of captured prisoners the Britishers had no intention of surrendering, but it was obvious to their Maori beseigens that the defence could not be sustained, as the British force—men o.f the Imperial forces—were running out of both food and ammunition. This, with civilised people, would have meant the end of the story, as the Maoris only had to wait to starve the foe out, but that was not their way. What did they do but send in supplies of ammunition and food to the beleaguered saying that it was no use fighting a foe who' was without food or ammunition. Possibly this was the most unique example of the highest chivalry in Avar knoAvn to exist. It shoAved spirit and an imagination that lifted the Maori far above most of the aboriginal, races, and indeed above many Avho boasted a higher state of civilisation.—“Dominion.”

The opinion is expressed by the financial correspondent in New York of the '“London Daily Telegraph” that America oaavs her industrial position

to-day, AA-hether it be for good or evil, to her expansion Avhile supplying the Avorld Avith materials during the war, and to the post-Avar necessity to catch ur, Avith the shortage created at Homo. The fewer of production, .-justified then, has continued more or less steadily until to-day in .almost every important line of business there is complaint of oA'cr-produetion. Too many coal mines, oil Avells, cotton mills, steel mills, and motor car factories, all producing at capacity, c\ r entually resulted in competition so keen that prices A\ r ere cut and great amalgamations Avere formed in an effort to reduce costs. Still greater production and installation of most modern macainery have accomplished Avonders in this direction, but while the great combines, because of their tremendous output, have succeeded in piling up huge profits, the mortality among the small business units has been heavy. Employment in the manufacturing industries of the United States has declined about 12 per cent, since 1923, despite the fact that the industrial output has increased by at least 9 per cent, and the explanation is that improved machinery is always displacing man-poAver. The' writer thinks it conceiA’able that in the long run, Avhen production keeps pace Avith the normal rather than the abnormal rate of consumption, the ajiange' through Avhich America business is noAV passing i will be beneficial. '

A million - and a-half superficial feet of timber Avas unloaded on Tuesday at Wellington from tne Golden Harvest, winch arrived at Wellington from San JArancisco on Sunday. The timber is mostly Canadian, Avhich. Avas consigned under local contract. Such importations J of timber through Wellington are made it is stated, at the rate of about tAvo a month, and is being imported on this large scale because of its cheapness. The intensive campaign launched in Australia Avith a. vieAv: to making NeAv Zealand’s attractions better known and to induce Australians to come to the Dominion for a holiday is bearing fruit. Each boat that crosses the Tasman is bringing a fair number of Australian tourists. The Ulimaroa, Avhich arrived at Wellington on Tuesday from Sydney, brought a party aaTio are to be conducted around the beauty spots of the Dominion by a specially engaged guide. Usually people are readier to criticise and complain for poor serA'ice than to express appreciation of good service, more especially in regard to Government departments. In order to. give publicity to Avlvat he considers a A-ery smart and helpful service rendered by the Rnihvay Department, Mr W. J. Linldiorn called at this office and related that on Thursday at one o’clock he sent a telegram to Auckland ordering a truck of flour to be forwarded to HaAvera on liis account. The truckload arrived at Hawera station by the early goods train this morning, about 3 a.m. It is apparent that exceptionally good service Avas rendered in this instance, as the truckload reached its destination after 400 miles of travel within 38 hours of the despatch of the telegram. O'n Wednesday the early boat caught the fish. Avrites a Rivei-ton correspondent of the Southland “News.” Only one of the Riverton fishing fleet Arentured to the grounds, and was fortunate to secure over half a ton of blue cod and groper for the day, with a crew of three, Avhich is a- record catch for some considerable time. Next day the Av-hole fleet \ r entured out, but only to be driven home again shortly afterwards, not because of A r ery seveije AA*eather, but for unfavourable conditions- for fishing. Next Aveek hoAve\*er, will see the market glutted Avith all kinds of fresh fish, as the jelly fish and other small feed are noAV being driven ashore on to the beaches, and the mutton birds, together with the barracoota,' will be driving the sardines ashore this month. Preparations are already in train for Rat-ana.’s birthday celebrations, Avhich. wiLI -be on a grand scale. It i® expected that the gathering will be nearly as large as last Januairy 25, Avhen * Rat-ana -temple was, dedicated. There Avill be no- such ceremony on thlsi occasion, but the fesrtiviities will include sports, with; plenty of birthday cake and soft drinks. “There Avifli be no hard stuff,” remarked a Maori ,to a newspaper man. “Any Maori want te hard stuff, he have to- buy it outside and take it into te pa in him inside.” The rule is strictly enforced that no liquor is to be brought into the pa except inside the person, and if a man ’happens to have an overload aboard, fines are inflicted. Consequently very few Maoris go there intoxicated. As a matter of fact the followers of R-a-tana are a sober people.

NeAv Zealand road organisation, and the abundance of -service oars to all the outlying parts are 'among the principal aspects of this country that have j struck Sir Hugli Povnter, who arrived !in Christchurch a few days ago from the North. “The whole country looks so clean,” he told a “Press” reporter. “The farmhouses look ydlil painted, and everything has an air of prosperity. Nerv Zealand, of all our overseas Dominions. ■ seems to me the most ■suitedi for British immigration. I have suent five years in Canada and two; in Australia, .so I can judge for myself. ’ ’ One feature of the Dominion he remarked upon Avas the tremendous number of commercial travellers who had 1 to sell to a relatively small population. “The competition.” he said, “must be enormous, and- it certainly makes it difficult for anyone outside. Of course, I the public may ’benefit noth isuoh rivalry [among the various firms.” \ With almost- every advance in public j transport there passes some picturesque sight (remarks the Wellington “Dominion”). The piercing of the Tawa Flat tunnels and the construction of the nerv deviation will bring Avith it the diversion of heavy trains from the present route Avith its difficult grade, and so the majestic sight of powerful locomotives struggling up the incline past Ngaio will be less common and perhaps become unknown. During the present holiday season those living or AA-orking in sight of the railway have been struck by the unusually large number of heavy passenger trains traversing tlie line. For several trains of over 15 carriages to leave Wellington in one day with two locomotives in front and one pushing behind is not uncommon, Avhile many doAvn trains have tAA'o engines. At least one ex- 1 press bound for the city during the holidays consisted of 20 carriages, and numerous other trains almost- as prodigious have, passed. ' The handling of such strings of vehicles apparently presents difficulties on this section of single suburban line, since many a passenger has to Avait on a siding at Ngaio for the line to town to clear.

A correspondent of the Auckland ‘ < gtar ’ ’ writes: When people talk about the Avrreless mews taking the I place of newspapers, and the talking \ pictures taking the place of the simple [ movies, they forget how very unreliable sound is compared Avith the Avritten Avord or the picture. The telephone is the greatest fraud of the lot when it 'comes to accuracy. No'matter- how excellent the machine and .the Aviiring, it takes a person of remarkable intelligence and! singularly acute hearing to take d’OAVn correctly a conversation, over the telephone. There are so many sounds in' the English language that sound alike, or nearly so when slurred ever so. slightly, that no man who has bad much experience over the Avire would guarantee .that he had heard correctly. For instance, the letters “f” and “s” sound precisely the same nine times out oif 10 over the telephone. It is the same with “p” and “b” and malniy other paii-rs. That is why you see a man’s' initials grtem-. as W. F., when you know they are W. S., and dozens of similar instances must •be familiar to most readers. Some peo- j pie, in telephoning, are singularly dense, and get quite confused when you I cross-question them on the lines of the | old post office custom by spelling by' names. For instance, the word “get” becomes ‘‘ G ’ for George, E for Ed-' ward, T for Thomas, and other words are dealt with in the same manner. It is .tedious, ibu.t much safer. In. the army they get over the difficulty by renaming the confusing letter—'hence ak, eminia, beer, don and so> on, ridiculous sounds that '.bring back mixed memories to all Diggers.