LOCAL & GENERAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 21, 6 January 1928, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL

There has been an early appearance of diphtheria in Gisborne during the past week or two. but the indications are not regarded as serious, says the “Poverty Bay Herald.”

Revenue received by wav of fines throughout the acclimatisation districts of New Zealand, together with half the net revenue derived from fees and royalty with resoect to the taking of opossums, amounting to £4196, is to be shared b.V tho acclimatisation societies and domain boards throughout New Zealand.

Two hundred acres of flax swamp have been affected by a fire which has been raging for several days in a swamp about a mile from the Foxton township, and which is still spreading. Damage is estimated at present at several hundred pounds. The total area of the block, situated near Hartley’s Bend, is 350 acres.

The liquid bell-like notes of the tui are again to be heard at Havelock North, the birds having returned ,this week, which is an earlier reappearance than in previous years. Usually they come at the time the flowering gum trees burst into blossom, staying through the winter and early spring, and take their departure with the last of the lucerne tree flowers.

The public generally do not seem to be aware of a concession made by the Department to families going on railway journeys. By this re gulation a man and his wife, with their family up to 16 years of age, may procure a family ticket on payment of three adults’ tickets faro. Thus a man and his wife and. say, 10 children could travel by rail on payment of three ordinary adult fares.

Five eclipses will take place in 1928, three of the sun and two of the moon. A total eclipse of the sun on May 19 will be visible as such only in the South Atlantic Ocean : South Africa will witness a partial eclipse. Two partial eclipses of the sun occur on June 17 and November "12, the former being visible in Siberia and the latter over the northern part of Europe. The first of the lunar eclipses is a total one on June 3, of which we may obtain a glimpse in New Zealand; the second is another total eclipse on November 27, also visible in this part of the world.

It has been stated that gome of the Gisborne motorists who fill up at the petrol bowsers are careless in the matter of draining the hose, and that as much as a pint of benzine has been found therein (states the “Herald”).' During a visit of the inspector of weights and measures to a bowser he was rather surprised to find after a fanner had taken a fill that not a drop of the fluid could be drained out. He mentioned this fact to aji attendant, who remarked: “You’ll never- find a drop after a dairy farmer has been at it, because he knows the last thing about stripping.”

Realising that the present time was inopportune for a large building scheme, the Auckland Harbour Board recently dropped the idea oi building an administrative block that would cost about £2.50,000. It was proposed to utilise the old dock site, but the scheme is in abeyance, as the board as approved an expenditure of £lO,OOO for additions lo the present block, and remodelling of the interior, which will meet the needs of the board and staff for about the next 15 or 20 years. By that time the board expects to Ire in a position to put in hand a larger scheme.

A race which took place more than 60 years ago was recalled by two “old-timers” as they sat watching the trotting at Epsom (states the “Press”). Although on e of the pairhad struck a winner, neither liked the modern style of trotting. In the old days, they sard, men used to ride their horses, not drive them. Sixty years ago there was a trotting race from Hawera to Patea, a. distance of 20 miles. The big, bony animals of those days were real “overlanders.” possessed of great staying power, and the winner did th e distance in record time. Competition was keen, because the parties interested were a doctor and a military settler, each of whom sought to go one better than the other. One of the horses expired after completing the course, and the skeleton was found many years later when a sandbank opposite the Patea Domain was being levelled to make a toad 4“ Mas I’atea Heads.

Mails which left Auckland on November 22, per Niagara via Vancouver, arrived in London on December 24.

The Havelock North Fire Brigade desires to thank the following for their yarly donations:—Mrs. Denton Tanner £5, Mrs. J. B. Campbell £2 2/-, Mr. B. £2 2/-, Mr. J. B. McLennan £l, Mr. G. F. Roach £l, “G.M.8.” 10/-.

The matron of France Home, Eskdale, acknowledges with thanks the following:—Outing to Napier, Mr T. P. Clark. Mr. McCormack• games, Mrs Beattie, Miss Clark; lamb, Mr. T. C. Clark; peas and sweets, Mr. O. C. Smith; sweets, Mr. W. E. Saunders; cakes, Miss Tuxford, Mrs Halstead, Mr Packer; fruit. Mr. Yule, Mrs Blair, Mrs Ellis. Mrs T. J. Waterhouse.

Mr. J. W. Harding, “Mt. Vernon,’’ supplies the following record of the rainfall in the Waipukurau district for 1927:—January 1.62 inches. February 1.09, March 2.92, April 1.72, May 2.85. June 9.99, July 6.97, August 3.15, September 2.76, October 0.64, November 3.36, December 4.90; total, 41.97 inches The total for 1926 was 29.95 inches. It is necessary to go back to 1897 for a larger total, 42.23 inches being recorded in that year

An invention which may have farreaching effects in the mechanical world has been patented by a Te Kuiti resident. The device, which has been named the gravity motor, is said to be capable of harnessing the forces of gravity and converting the same into mechanical power without the aid of fuel, such as petrol, oil steam, or gas. The inventor has already several successful patents to his credit, including a special manure mixer and bagger.

One does not often hear of a hawk tackling a person, but this happened on Thursday to a boy of thirteen on a farm near Hawera, when he was out after the cows. A similar happening is reported of magpies on the Eltham golf links. It seems probable that in each case the bird had its nest nearby, and that it was f 1... natural desire to protect the nest and eggs, or perhaps the young, which caused the attack

A peculiar incident happened in the motor garage at the Settlers’ Hotel, Whangarei, on Monday last. An Auckland motorist had parked his car there, but the carburettor happened to be in a leaky condition. The rays of tho sun ignited the benzine and set fire to the engine, but as the outbreak was caught in its early stages, little damage was done, though the tourist ’a proposed northern trip was delayed for a day to enable necessary repairs to be effected.

An unusual “find’’ was made by Mr. W. F. Fryer in the course of a chimney-sweeping operation (says the Nelson “Mail”). His brush disturbed a small copper coin, which fell at his feet. Apparently it is a farthing fairly well preservi'd, and bearing the head of Charles 11. The date. 1675, is clearly discernible. How the ancient coin came to be up a chimney is a mystery—unless it may bo suggested that it dropped from the pocket of Father Christmas on one of his annual visits.

“The new syndical laws by which Italy is going to be mobilised into a Socialistic State is one of the most interesting experiments in economics,’’ said Mr. H. Hall, a Timaru architect, on his return to New Zealand (reports the Auckland “Star”). He said that Mussolini had forced down the prices of all commodities by 20 per cent. This was done by proclamation, and wages had to go down accordingly. The position was accepted without dispute by both employers and employees. Frank Prefect, alias William Prefect, charged with intent to defraud by means of a valueless cheue for £lO on tjje Bank of New Zealand, was remanded at the Napier Court this morning by Mr A. E. Renouf, rill January 13. John W. McClure, alias IVallaee. alias Martin, who also appeared, charged with being an idle and disorderlv person, was also remanded to the same date. A Hindu named Mahommet. charged with disorderlv behaviour whi'rt drunk, was fined £l, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment.

Professor J. C. Sperrin Johnson, Professor of Biology at Auckland University, was an interested visitor to the Waipu Sports on Monday (says the “Northern Advocate’’). He has been engaged for some time writing a book on Celtic folk-songs, and went to the Waipu Sports for the sole object of seeing at first-hand the efforts of people of Scottish descent to keep alive the traditions and customs of their forefathers. So impressed was Professor Johnson by what he saw and heard that he will probably include in his book the page of the Waipu programme which sets out the youths’ games.

Taranaki Oil Fields report:— Waiapu No. 2 well drilled to 2908 feet in shale; inch diameter casing to 2890 feet. Gisborne No. 1 well drilled to 2140 feet; 8f inch diameter casing to 2120 feet; shale from 1934 feet to 1940 feet; also 1960 to 2000 feet, and 2045 to 2060 feet; the balance in sand. Samples of tho sand between 2000 and 2050 feet were treated with chloroform, and show definite traces of oil. There is a showing of gas from 2060 to 2065. Gisborne No. 2 well—Transport somewhat delayed by rain; now nearly ready to commence construction w-ork.—Press Assn.

Two young boys were seen in the vicinity of the fire at Braeburn House, King street, Hastings, on Wednesday night, and it is believed they might be able to afford information regarding the initial stages of the outbreak, probably of an important character. One of the lads seen at the front gate was about 14 years of age, of slim build, dressed in blue shorts and white shirt, with collar over the coat, and wearing boots and stockings. The other was about the same age, slim and with very fair hair, also wearing blue shorts with a grey jersey. He was sees on the back verandah. Anyone recognising these descriptions should communicate with the police, as three unoccupied houses have been ou fire within the past fortnight, and the public safety demands an elucidation of the matter.