LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXI, Issue LXII, 7 April 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A No-License Convention is to be held at Palmerston North on Easter Monday.

A fish-curing establishment on a large scale is about to be established at the Thames.

The population of Greater Auckland is now estimated to total 101,446, ever 20,000 in excess of Christchurch, the next most populous centre of the Dominion.

Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, recently, delivered a reserved jlfugment to the effect that two life policies were not liable for payment of the debts or the deceased. He held that the policy moneys should bear the funeral and testamentary expenses of the deceased and also the succession duties chargeable on these moneys, but the residue was not to be made available for his creditors.

"The only way we can save tne native race from becoming as extinct as the moa is to make farmers of them, remarked an old Maori chief to a Wairarapa Daily Times representative at Papawai. ' 'Keep the Maori upon the land prevent him from drifting into the towns and we shall soon see an increase instead, of a decrease in the number of fullblooded Maoris.'

Under the heading "An Important Enterprise,' the Ohakune Times announces that a number of leading business men at Ohakune are occupied with a proposition to run an electric tram service between Ohakune East and Raetihi; and also an electric lighting enterprise. An expert, it is further stated, has-been invited to report on the project.

An error exists in the military tiaining procTammatlon posters which nay permit of the inference that persons between the age of 20 and 21 are not liable to serve. This is wrong. All British subjects who had completed 14 years and who had not attained 21 full years of age on March 1, 1911, are liable to serve and must r&gister, .rovided that they have been resident in New Zealand for not Ipss than six months.

An Otaki fruit-grower (says the >ranawatu Evening Standard) has gone in somewhat extensively for cucumber growing this season. The cucumbers are used by a New Zealand pickling firm, and are bought in large quantities. Last week the grower sent 'away* one rot of nearly three tons ,and during the se &&on he has sold from ten to twelve tons of cucumbers, which gives some idea f the quantity he has grown.

In Southland the opinion is gaining ground that 40s per 1001b for primest ox beef will again be reached in the coming winter. Twenty-eight shillings to 30s per 1001b is now the current rate, but offers of contracts for forward delivery are refused in most quarters at anything below 30s, and not many holders are willing to enter into forward dealing at the figure. Fat stock are not numerous, and as they are in the hands of a few of the leading graziers, the saleyards market will probably be regulated to avoid any over supply. Cow and heifer beef has also risen and may be quoted at from 22s 6d to 25s per lOOlbs.

During the next few weeks most men will be requiring a good pair of boots for the coming winter. For best values in same call at Fitzzell and Shaw's, High street. *

A piano out of tune pleases no one, Get L. G. Grace to fis it. *

Mr C. J. Reakes, M.R.tf.V.S:,. mil* under the auspices of the Opunake branch of the Farmers' Union, .give a lecture in Opunake early in May.

Methodists are asked to note the advertisement giving changes in ordinary list of Sunday's services. Rev. Copeland will be at Hawera 11 and 7, and Ararata 2. Rev. Hammond at Normanbv 11 and 7. *

Several old time champion wrestlers were interested spectators at Kaponga sports. Mr J. Heslop, the judge, has a long and honorable record in sport in South Taranaki. He has been paid the compliment of being asked to judge at all the district sports where wrestling has been on the programme. Mr R. Hutchinson, a well-known Kapuni settler, wears a gold medal for amateur championship at Auckland in 1886. R. Carroll has a good record of wins to his credit in.:this district.

Each town should in its early stages make some provision for preservation of \_^ any natural beauty spot in its neighbor- "" hood. Kaponga has a stretch oT river front, the Kaupokonui, backed by a, green wooded bank, which is, as seen. from the road, of extraordinary beauty. An effort should be made at an early date to form a society that would take* the matter in hand. Town planning is m the air. The experience of many towns. has been that no effort is made until toolate. Often great expense and extra, trouble might have been avoided by an. early effort.

Writing to a resident of Masterton, a. Chatham Islander states that there ere plenty of wild ducks and thousands of "black swan on the islands. The big; lagoon, called Te Whanga, is fast fceo- >ming over-stocked with them. llthougb;. thousands of eggs are taken every year,, and many birds are shot, thirty thousand would be a low estimate to rut upon the number of swans on the lagoon.

At an inquest at Greyinouth, whileDr McKay was giving nis evidence, the coroner said it was extraordinazy what a man could do while suffering, from a broken skull. One of the most' extraordinary cases on record was that, of a business man who played in a. cricket match, scoring 25 noiFbut, then, going to his business for a fortnight or so, when he died suddenly, and it was> only fnen discovered that his skull had^ been fractured. Dr McKay said a case occurred while he was studying in Edinburgh in which a fellow-student, while, playing golf, had been struck on the> head by a golf ball, and -hough his skull, was fractured, he went about his work for some days "before he died.

At a social gathering at Trentham the. other evening, Mr M. Welch, whosename had been coupled with "Parliament," understood the chairman to say "The Farmers" .and proceeded to castigate me Government, Vho had done, nothing for farmers since John McKenzie died. "Look at the dairy regulal&tions^' said the speaker amidst ap— lause, "what did it mean to me? They fined me thirty shillings and costs oecause I hadn't my name on my milk, cart; they fined 15 of us about £150 on. forty different charges such as selling, milk without a license, exchanging milk, for vegetables, .supplying it to boarders (or rather the farmer's own hands living in his house) without a license." — Petone Chronicle.

Last August a member of the Australian Butter Committee in London paid a. visit to Russia to investigate the supplies of timber suitable for butter boxes. He has a crate of new butter boxes he< is sending to Sydney—boxes which contain only half of the usual quantity of timber, with lids that slide on and off with a leaden seal. This package allows a current of cold air, when in store, t*> pass completely round each box, and: last, but not least, the box, though, strong, has not sufficient timber in itscomposition to allow of brands being, planed off to prepare the boxes for other than their original butters. This new box, which is being also sent to Victoria,, it is reported, costs about half the price; of an ordinary box, and is half the weight. The edges are bound with thin strips of toughened steel, and the patent is held in America.

The Hawera Show will be held sometime in July, but for a good show of men's boots call right away and inspect the well-known makes at Fitzzell and Shaw's, High street. * It is very likely that classes in veterinary science will be formed at Eltham, Hawera, Patea and Waverley. It is hoped to arrange for the services of Mr Quinnell, 'M.R.C.V.S., of Wellington. *

Smith and Easton will sell to-morrow amongst other lines 82 shares in the Normanby Dairy Factory in lots to suit purchasers. Poultry, furniture and fruit will be sold as usual.

Beekeeping class meets to-night at 7.30. AH those desiring to get an insight into this fascinating subject should make up their minds to join this term, when, beginners are being taken.-

A. H. Moore, Opunake, directs attention to his announcement of farms for sale or lease.

Feilding Jockey Club insert a notice toowners and trainers.

Acceptances and general entries for all events at Patea races close with the secretary at Patea on April 10 at 8 p_.m.

Gillies and Nalder hold their Manaia. stock sale on April 11.