LOCAL AND GENERAL

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 March 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Canadian geese have increased at such a rate in the Ataahua district, 23 mile® from Christchurch, that they have become a nuisance, according to a letter received at a recent meeting of the council of the North Oanterburv' Acclimatisation Society from Mr. F. It. Coop, of Ataahua. Sir. Coop asked what steps he could take to keep the birds off his land. The council decided to instruct its ranger to inspect the property.

At the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club meeting, at Hawera last night, reference was drawn by Mr. R- Symo to the erection of a liut in memory of climbers who lost their lives _ in the tragedy which occurej some time ago on the Tasman Glacier. The hut was being erected near the scene of the tragedy and was being financed by public subscription. While subscriptions were not being called Mr. Syme considered that the club should donate an amount. It was left to the committee to make a donation.

At the swimming sport® held at the convent baths, St. John’s Hill, Wanganui on Saturday last, Miss Veronica Quin (Hawera), won no less than sis of the events, • including the 25 yards (open), 50 yards open, diving, plunge, and two other events. Miss Quin gamed the points prize, carrying with it the cup donated by Mrs O’Neill, a gold medal, and several other -prizes. The competitions were open to all the pupils of the district Catholic schools.

A special meeting of the Kaponga Town Board was held last evening to consider the question of staff wages and salary reductions. It was decided to reduce the salaries of the town clerk and engineer bv 7J per cent, and the linesman by 5 per cent.

Charged with having failed to account to the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society for £6OO received by him from W. H. Buckthought, Harold John Moule Thomson, solicitor, of Inglewood, was again remanded on bail when he appeared before Mr. It. W. Tate, S.M., in 4 the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Detective P. Kearney applied for a remand, which was consented to by Mr. L. M. Moss on behalf of accused.

The Northern Conipany’s steamer Clansman was towed last week to the Shoal Bay anchorage in the Auckland harbour, where she is to remain for an indefinite period. The vessel broke her tail shaft off Cape Brett on March 14 and she had to be towed to Auckland by the tug Lyttelton. The accident hastened the Clansman’s withdrawal from the Bussell and northern ports passenger service, it having been the company’s intention to abandon the service owing to the slackness of trade. The furniture and fittings of the Clansman have been dismantled, nearly every article of value which was detachable has been taken on shore. The Clansman has now joined the Earawa and Ngapuhi, favourite passenger steamers before the extension of the railway system and the improvement of roads diverted traffic from the sea.

An exceptionally heavy wind that was blowing at Nelson one day last week was responsible for a phenomenon that surprised a party of Botarians who were motoring from Blenheim. The party witnessed an extraordinary sight when traversing the road along the edge of the mud-flats. Here the force of the wind was so constant that it had lifteH up a quantiy of the wet silt or sand, and was holding it in a state of suspension 3in. or 4in. above the level of the mudflats. The wet material was too heavy to be blown away, as dust or sand would have been, but was drifting slowly along, just clear of the ground. The tense atmosphere prevailing on a bowling green at Invercargill last week during the final stages of the champion of champions tournament was shattered by an xisual incident. A rabbit ran out from some bushes and made straight for the part of the green where the finalists were waging battle. Quick as a flash a fox terrier belonging to one of the bowlers dashed out in pursuit of the rabbit. An exhilarating course took place before the eyes of the spectators, and the contestants stopped their match. Afer a close race the rabbit eluded the dog and sought shelter in a hedge. The terrier, however, ran into the hedge. There was a yelp of satisfaction and the dog emerged triumphant with the rabbit in its jaws.