NEWS AND NOTES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume V, Issue 766, 5 April 1884, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES

At Mr. F. R. Jackson's sale yesterday the attendance was not large, and there was no improvement in prices. Nice forward steers made &A ss ; forward cows, £2 ss ; fat sheep, 9s 4d ; lambs (shorn) 4s Id.

The Liirafean Society of New South Wales has, in accordance with a request by a member, accompanied with a donation of .£IOO, offered that amount as a prize for an essay on " The Life History of the Bacillus of Typhoid Fever."

We have been requested to state that arrangements have been made for holding a picnic on Good Friday. A number of gentlemen have formed themselves into a committee, and we understand that a large number of invitations will be distributed. With Mr. Frank B-ett's kind permission, the affair is to take place on that gentleman's farm, Normanby ; and a more charming spot it would be difficult to choose. Should the day be fine, no doubt a majority will avail themselves of the opportunity of enjoying a day's outing. Some people aver that picnics and tea meetings are fast becoming unpopular; but the tea meeting recently held here, mid the energy which seems to have been displayed by a few of our young men in the getting up of this affair, tend to somewhat overthrow this statement. It has also been said that picnics lately held have not been so successful as might be wished, owing to the conspicuous absence of males. This may be explained by the fact that on most public holidays other events take place more fascinating, perhaps, to the v nd of the modern youth ;

but such an argument cannot be accepted as an excuse for absence on the day mentioned.

A short distance to the east of the recently-discovered pyramid in Mexico is a small mountain of about the same height. Iv the rock of this mountain are hollowed out hundreds of small chambers from 5 feet to 15 feet wide, 10 feet to 15 feet long, and about 8 feet high. They have only a single entrance and no windows. The walls are covered with hieroglyphics and fantastic figures, with human hands and feet. Here aud there scattered stone implements. It is thought that the pyramid aud these cellular dwellings aye the work of the ancestors of the Mayos, an ludiau tvibe winch still exists in the south of Soaora, and which possesses a system of writing and a knowledge of mathematics and astrouomy.

The first hop picking which has taken place in toe district came off at Normanby yesfcerdoj T , when the vines on the land at the back of Mr. Morrison's house were stripped. Some were engaged by the company on pay, but there were a good many volunteers. During the day there were many visitors from various places, and a Hawera legal gentleman did the correct thing by sending for a keg of Johnston's first brew of porter. The hops came off the vines iv very fair condition, but the outer leaves of many buches had been bruised by wind last week. As soon as picked, the hops were carted off to the kiln, aud last night were to be dried, Mr. Coker, of Okaiawa, who has done plenty of the same work iv the old country having been engaged for the purpose. Mr. W. liowe was, of course, at the head of afiairs, and must have had a pretty heavy day's work.

We have been favored with samples of jam made at the Lepperton Jam Factory, about half way between here and New Plymouth. The samples are of excellent quality, the jam being well marie, the fruit clean and carefully selected, and the tins (which are of local manufacture) are neatly made aud dressed with an attractive label. Mr. Keilly (manager) deserves success, and if he can keep his jams fully up to their present level of excellence, may rely upon achieviug it. This satisfactory inauguration of another local industry proves that there are openings for enterprising men outside of the wellworn grooves of meat and wheat growing. Although the mixed jam fovwavcled to us are of good flavor and well- blended, perhaps Mr. Beilly will excuse us for suggesting that as a rule it is preferable to furnish unmixed jams, or, if mixtures are found to be popular, at least to give those who prefer uumixed jams an opportunity of procuring them.

At a time when economy in public expenditure is supposed to be the order of tbe day, it is incumbent upon those who desire to see it practised rather than talked of, to draw attention to instances of waste and extravagance. A glaring case is that of the new Central School in New Plymouth. A highly elaborate and very expensive tower is being erected, which is really simply for show and ornament, thougli probably the architect would aver that it is absolutely required £or ventilation purposes. Even New Plymouth residents admit that it is an iajustißable extravagance, and there are many who affirm that the money thrown away cm the tower to the High School, and on this one for the central school would have built two good country schools in places where they are much needed. One thing is very certain, that if residents in the district had had to find the money for these school buildings themselves, instead of having it provided for them out of loan, the expenditure would have been cut down by half and the accommodation for scholars need not heave been very much curtailed.

Special railway arrangements ]are notified for Tuesday next, in connection with Waverley races. The Oddfellows meet on Monday. The Victoria Mns.io Books coutdiu all the newest son^s and dances. Price, Is. 6d. each. FRED. JONES is selling off his Sheet Music at the rate of one pound's worth for five shillings. Leisure Hour, Sunday at Home, and Family Eeader, div. 51, iust received. — Advt.

We notice that C. C. Fleming is going to give the public a treat in the way of Cheap Boots aud Shoes. This stock was slightly damaged by removal at the late fire, but many lines are only slightly soiled ; and the public will have the benefit of Cheap Boots, as C. C. Fleming is determined to sell out the whole of tbe stock. We would advise the public to make an early call and secure some of the Great Bargains. C. C. Fleming's is next door to Max. D. Kind's Cash Palace— Advt.