Local and General.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 24, 11 January 1924, Page 4

Local and General.

A Wanganui draper predicts that, in accordance with the rise in wool, hosi ery for sale next summer will show an advance of from 15 to 25 per cent, in price.

The Christchurch Fire Brigade has been having a very busy time of late. Since December 1, a period of 40 days, it has received no fewer than 60 calls, including falsealarms as well as calls 'to actual fires. To show this number of calls is quite out of the ordinary, it is stated that the total number received from July to November 30, 1923 (a period of five months), was 90. “I think we have put up a Dominion rescord,” said Superintendent C. Warner. No doubt the dry weather has had something to do with the increase in the number of calls. Grass and hedge fires have been fairly numerous of late.

The robberies of and other remarkable incidents connected with the jewels of famous stars would make an interesting and hair-raising volume in themselves. But in the whole category it would be difficult to match for artless human nature the jewel story connected with the name of Lady Forbes-Robert-son. A Sydney interviewer recently asked her if she could not recall some unusual or romantic incident connected with her jewels. “Yes,” answered the celebrated actress. “I can. A few years ago a youth who made himself conspicuous at m»ny of onr performances, and who had written several letters expressing his ardent admiration for ma. marked or.e evening by

sending me a gilt of wonderful diamonds. . . Hiy mother called next

day and asked for the return of the jewels, explaining confidently that her son was out of his mind. That was mv only jewel romance.”

A Wellington indent agent was offer ed sonic razors that, could be landed there at 8/6 a dozen. The sample was good and he promptly made inquiries as to the duty he would be charged. A Customs official informed him that the customary procedure was to impede a tariff that would bring Ific goods up*to the price of the similar article from other countries than Germany. Upon reflection that ho would gain nothing by | such a venture, save the pleasure of selling an BAd razor for 7/6 the gent decided not to indent.

Owing to dissatisfaction Councillors Cockrell. Kilsby and Kilniister have resigned from the Otaki Borough Council, says a Press Association telegram.

The annual return of the Sydney City Coroner, shows that 65 persons were killed in motor accidents than by any other form of violent death during 1923, as against 57 in 1922. A greater number were killed in motor accideif.

Mr Robert Ball, managing director of the “Lyttelton Times,” and a member of the executive of the Press Congress of the world, has been informed by cablegram that the next sitting of the congress will be held in Spain in May, 1925.

A man named Ambrose Joseph Lipinski was arrected at Rai Falls by the Blenheim police, charged with incest. It is alleged the crime was committed in September last. Accused was remanded till Wednesday next, bail not being sought. The manager of the Hawera “Star” had the unusual experience recently of receiving £2, forwarded as “conscience money” in payment of copies of the paper supplied about 15 years ago. The unknown writer concluded: “Wishing you a Merry Christmas.**

Some of the dealers in opossum skins this year on sending the skins Home to market, lost considerable sums of money. Unless the trade revives before next trapping season, it will not be profitable for trappers to go out after skins. Some of the losses made on skins aggregated 4s. The Eketahuna “Express” says a local carrier has put on the road a lorry, with attachment for carrying fat lambs. There are two pens, one above the other, and the floor of the top deck is watertight. There is also a race (carried in sections) for loading the lambs, of which 100 can bo carried at a trip.

A fire caused by the fusing of wires at the back of an electric switch board broke out in th© office of Messrs Higiop and Lawry, solicitors. Tennyson street. Napier, at 6 a.m. to-day, but was quickly subdued by the Brigade. The only damage was a hole burnt in the wall by the fusing of the wires. The Taihape Caledonian sports will undoubtedly be a very big draw again this year. The prize money is very good and the gathering should be a huge success. They have been successful in securing the North Island catch-as-catch-can wrestling championship. The first prize is £3O, second £l5, third £5. Lovers of sport should write the secretary, Box 86, Taihape for a full programme.

Dr. W. A. Chapple, an ex-M.P. in New Zealand, was opposing Sir Robert Horne in an, election in Stirlingshire. Having heard that Dr Chapple was a native of New Zealand, Sir Robert told his audience; “I see around me so many old friends with whom 1 have played on the green as a boy, and I venture to think that you would rather have the home-bred stock than New Zealand mutton.” This was received with cheers and laughter, but its effect was spoiled by an old Scot, who shouted: “We can do fine wi’ the mutton—it’s the horns we dihna want. ’ * Sir Robert was not returned.

The existing contracts for the Saa Francisco and Vancouver mail services will expire on March 31st next. The Government, it is understood, has decided that under the new contract provision shall be made so that letters ar riving by the incoming mails can be replied to a few days afterwards. Under existing arrangements it sometimes happens that correspondence, from Southern offices in particular, misses tha outgoing mail. As a new conttract will necessitate a change in the arrival and departure of steamers, the Union Company is delaying the issue of its timetable beyond date of expirty of the present contract.

Arrangments have been made by the town clerk for the delivery at Wellington of the equaltorial telescouo recently purchased by the City Council from St, Mary’s Seminary, Greenmea'dows. Professor Somerville has visited Greenmeadows and has made an inventory ot the telescope and its parts, and it will shortly arrive at its new home. The site for its erection in the Gardens has been donated by the City Council, but a building worthy of the instrument, which is said to be well worth £2OOO, will have to be erected before it can be adquately housed, and it is probable that the parts will be stored until the buildings are ready for its erection.