Local and General

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 211, 24 August 1926, Page 4

Local and General

About a dozen letter boxes were plundered in Sydenham during the week-end, states a Christchurch telegram. It is believed that a gang of thieves are operating in this district.

The fortnightly euchre tournament m the Foresters’ Hall, Havelock N.. last night was well attended. The prize-winners were Mrs. W. J. Millar, Mr. A. Frost, Miss Crombie, Mrs. Norwell

The work of beautifying the Hasttings railway platform is taking practical shape, in that the ornamental beds on the open platform, from Queen street to the station building, are in process of formation and, when finished, the flowers and shrubs will be planted. The improvements should make a brave show in the coming spring.

For the first time in the Poverty Bay district, purebred cows will be put under a semi-official test this season, an application having been made to have the two cows at the hospital tarm tested in this manner. It is expected that as the result of this departure other breeders will bring their stock forward for testing, and if such proves the ease it may be anticipated that there will be a gradual building up of the class of stock—a thing which recent clearing sales have shown to be necessary.— Poverty Bay “Herald.”

Children of the New Brighton school on Friday afternoon were farewelled by Mr. G. W. Bishop, who has been headmaster for a number ol years and who is now retiring. Mr. Bishop concluded a fatherly talk to the children by saying that during the past week he had thrown away a lot of rubbish and now he had much pleasure in throwing away the last bit. So saying, he threw his strap into the midst of a big crowd of boys, who immediately proceeded to cut it into fragments to keep as souvenirs—(Exchange.)

lama warm admirer of the tropical fruits ot the Island, many of which are unknown to New Zealanders, and strongly advocate importing them,' said Mr. H, E. Vaile on ms return to Auckland from the Islands on Monday. “Grenadillaf, mango, paw-paw, alligator pears, limes, and countless other fruits are wasted in huge quantities there, and the only fruit ex ported is the banana. These others would doubtless prove great favourites with New Zealanders. It would surely be a good thing if the Fiji Government opened a depot in Auckland, where the fruit could bo exhibited and sold. No doubt trade between the two countries would be greatly increased if the respective Governments were to give the subject the serious consideration it deserves.”

At the annual meeting of the Napier Chamber of Commerce reference was made by Mr. W. Harvey to the preservation of native scenery in Hawke’s Bay. Mr. Harvey was one who waited upon the Minister of Education when in Napier recently on the subject . He moved: “That the Chamber urge on the Government the necessity for conserving native bush and bora adjacent to tourist routes.” This was seconded by Mr. R. D. D. McLean and carried. Mr. Harvey stated that he was arranging to have a map made showing the various areas of scenic bush in Hawke’s Bay, including Puketitiri, Taupo and Waikaremoana routes which should receive the attention of the Government.

Maoris in the olden days were greatly concerned about tieing up the first horse. According to one of the orators at the Maori pageant at Wanganui on Friday night his ancestors had discovered that it was of no use to tie up a pig by the neck, because owing to fatness the porker was easily able to release itself by pulling its head through the noose. Experiments proved that the only way to secure a pig was to attach a rope to its leg. That difficulty having been overcome it was decided that the same principle of attachment would apply in ever case. Consequently when the first horse came along, the leg rope was attempted on the horse, with dire results to the unfortunte Maori. Men were sent kicking in all directions. The dusky orator spoke in his own native language, but his expressive antics left no doubt in the minds of his audience as to the behaviour of the horse when an attempt was made to leg rope it- The incident caused great amusement. Teh Maoris subsequently learned that while a leg rope was all right for use on a pig, it was no good to a horse—nor, incidentally, to the one who attempted to secure the animal in that way.

A Christchurch shopkeeper named Martin O’Loughlin, who sold a packet of cigarettes to a boy on Sunday and retained 5/- from the change of a pound note, had to pay over £lO in fines at the Magistrate’s Court today. O’Loughlin admitted Sunday trading and the theft.—(Press Association.)

There are no further developments at present, regarding the assault stated to have been committed on the farm employee (H. Ivers) who was left in charge of the premises, on the occasion of Saturday night’s fire at Mr. Jamieson’s house, "Irongate,” but the police have the matter in hand.

Di J. Allan Berry, medical superintendent of the Napier Hospital, will deliver an address to the Hawke’s Bay Philosophical Institute on Thursday evening next in Napier, his subject being (1) “Notes on a New Fossil Seal from Cape Kidnappers,’’ and (2) “The Volcanic Deposits of Scinde Island.”

Acting on behalf of the constable who was recently dismissed from the police force at Wellington, after a Police Department inquiry into allegations of having used undue violence against a civilian, Mr. A. J. Mazengarb has appealed to the Minister of Justice against the decision. Police appeals may be heard by a Magistrate, a police officer of superior rank to the officer concerned, and a civilian, all being appointed by the Minister.

Some youngsters at Waikaraka indulged in a novel form of sport, which was reminiscent of the ostrich riding episode in ‘ ‘ Swiss Family Robinson ’ ’ (says the Northern “Advocate”). When three porpoises became trapped in the Waikaraka stream, the daring lads threw a lassoo over the tail of the largest of the fish and allowed it to tow them up and down the river. They seemingly enjoyed the experience untr.,’ it was ended by the falling tide leaving the porpoise stranded. Since then the three fish have been skinned.

It is anticipated that at least 200,000 dozen eggs will be exported from the Dominion to England this-year, this marking an important revival of a trade which was suspended last season. Canterbury will take a leading part in the business, which appears to be limited solely by the capacity to produce the necessary surplus above the Dominion requirements. An important aspect is that the eggs are not being shipped on consignment, but are being sold on a f.o.b. basis by the producers. It will be a big fillip to the industry.

The Magistrate, Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., will preside at the sittings of the Hastings Court to-morrow, when the following business will be submitted: —Police cases: One charge of fraud, one of having an unregistered firearm, one of bringing into the country an unlicensed firearm; one of using insulting words; one of being found on premises without lawful excuse and six maintenance cases. The civil list consists of 65 cases, including ten judgment summons and six defended actions.

At the Hastings Courthouse this morning, a man named Lionel Bishop appeared before Mr. A, A. George J.P., charged with issuing a valueless cheque for £6O in connection with the purchase of a motor car. Accused was remanded to appear at Hastings on Thursday morning. Maurice J. Corkery, charged with breach of his probationary license at Auckland, was remanded to appear before the court at Auckland on Thursday. Accused asked that his name be suppressed, but the bench refused the, application, as it was not in accordance with the procedure of the court.

The completion of the Taranaki Power Board’s works at Tariki was brought appreciably nearer yesterday when the Motukawa tunnel, a mile and threequarters long, was pierced. Thi s marks the completion of all the several main tunnels. The tunnel will eventually convey water from the Wanganui river to turbines developing 4000 h.p. The engineer stated last night that there was a possibility of -the scheme being in operation before Christmas. At noon yesterday two tunnelling parties who have been working from either end removed the last barrier, a result they have been working for for two years.

Not many persons are likely to know that there is in New Zealand (or was until recently) a lease for a term of ten thousand years. Actually there was such a lease, and the property it related to is in Dunedin. The lease was dated 1880. It was of a small strip of ground between the Bank of New Zealand and the structure known as Stokes Buildings, this strip having been left vacant so as to give light to the back windows of both premises. The arrangement suited both parties, and in the year mentioned tho Bank of New Zealand and the National Insurance Company executed what is known as a cross lease, each party giving the other occupancy for ten thousands years, so that neither could build and block the light. In 1924, however, the Bank of New Zealand bought Stokes Buildings, and the lease, with other rights, merged into the bank’s freehold-

Judgment by default was given bv Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., at the Napier Magistrate’s Court this morn, ing in the following undefended <’-il actions: —Napier Gas Co. v. T. Curran £1 3s 6d, costs £1 2s; H L. Harston and Co. v. C. O’Brien, £5 12s Bd, costs £1 14s 6d; T.M.V. Wines Ltd. v. T. Ditchfield £2 Bs, costs £1 3s 6d; G. W. Venables v. C .O’Brien 12s 6d, costs 16s; 8. Harris v. J. Cullen £l5 Is, costs £2 14s; Sisters of St. Joseph v. Ean Mete £l4 14s, costs £3 2s; McGlashan’s Ltd. v. H. Nicholls 9s 6d, costs 15s 6d, E. Cresswell v. N. Cresswell £32 ss, costs £4 Is; M. Spriggs v. J. Peters £l3 Is 3d, costs £2 14s; G. W. Venables and Co. v. C. M- Jenkins Bs, costs 9s; Vigor Brown Trading Co. Ltd. v. C. Harbot £5 Is Gd, costs £1 10s 6d; Napier Gas Co. Ltd. v. T. E. Martin £2 4s Gd, costs £1 4s 6d; Bryant and Co. Ltd. v. G. Green £1 6s 6d, costs 17s. Judgment summons: Jack Guillemot was ordered to pay F. A. J. Annan and Co. £3 2s in one month in default ten days’, imprisoumen*.

The Waikato Regiment has received a silver statuette of a drummer of the period of 1783 from its sister regiment in England the West Yorkshires, as a mark of good feeling between the two units.—Exchange.

A protest against the practice of legislating by Order-in-Council '■■as passed at this morning’s meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, the feeling of the meeting being that too much was being done by this undemocratic method of government.