LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 24 April 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

1 : . A consignment af potatoes from Timaru was skipped this week for Rio de Janeiro, being the first shipment of the season. It is reported that Mr Charlie Taylor, of the Tarylor-Carrington Company of entertainers, has received a legacy of some £4000 from family lands, and, with Mrs Taylor (Ella Carrington) will shortly leave on a trip to England. A Ash about twelve inches -in length, and resemtling a hedgehog, was recently found on the Otaki beach. Nothing of the kind has ever before been seen by the Maoris. 1 Otago farmers are reported to be [ holding their yields of grain in the hope of a boom in the market. Very little grain is coming forward, and business is almost stagnant. What is claimed to be a remedy for sea sickness, on entirely new lines, has been compounded by a one-time steward on one of the intercolonial steamers, and has been taken up by a New Zealand syndicate. Some 18 months ago a boom groyne composed of turpentine timber from Australia was placed in the Hutt m er, and after this lapse of time the timber has started to throw out growth. Tt is doubtedly a phenomenon, as the timbsr is not near the earth. There is no immediate prospect of a recurrence of last year's boom in New Zealand potatoes (says the Dunedin Star). v The Melbourne market has collapsed, prices having dropped to £6 per ton, and it is anticipated that Sydney will draw largely on the Victorian market instead of dealing with iNew Zealand merchants. The solicitor to the Municipal Association recently gave an opinion to the effect that the State-guaranteed Advances Department has gone beyond its rights in raising the rate of interest on the'later instalments of a loan of £19.200 made to the Whangarei Borough Council in 1911, and has, in effect, broken a contract made with the local body. "Everything Is working perfectly," remarked the head of one, of the big Wellington freezing companies on Tuesday, when asked how were now proceeding at the works. The maximum output is being maintained, and the companies could not kill more sheep if they wanted to. Altogether conditions on the boards are reported to be much more satisfactory than they have •been for many years past. The establishment of a farm for incorrigible drunkards is advocat-ed by the Acting-Premier .of Victoria (Mr Murray). He says that there is a class of men and women who are not criminals, but who steal to obatin the means for the purchase of liquor. Most of these are hopeless cases, and he has announced that as soon as funds are available isolated farms, like that on an island in the Hawkesbury, in New South Wales, will be started. "Healthy work," he says, "is in itself a great power towards the cure of drunkenness." "I am sure that the declarations made by solicitors in issuing judgment summonses are too often made without regard to the truth/ said Mr C. C. Kettle, S-M., at the Auckland Magistrate's Court. "The declaration sa;\s that to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief the defendant has had, since the date of the judgment, sufficient money to pay the debt, i have warned the legal profession on this point before, and unless something is done I shall endeavor to have an en^ put to the practice of bringing debtor.into Court when there is no reasonable prospect that the money will be forthcoming. Many debtors are brought here at the loss of half a day's or a day's pay, and in addition to that they have to pay Bs, the cost of tb^e judgment summons. No judgment summons ought to be issued unless there are honest and reasonable grounds for the belief that the debtor is able to pay." It is the intention of the Defence authorities, so far as the Wellington military district is 'concerned, to give non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial force precedence in the question of appointments to the commissioned rank. Officers commanding units have been instructed to forward to headquarters, at the end of each training year, a list of those noncommissioned officers who wish to obtain commissions and whom they recommend as suitable for appointment as officers. These non-commissioned officers will be required to attend a six days' course of instruction at the end of which they will be examined. Should no non-commissioned officers be forthcoming, then recommendations of men in the ranks will be received instead. A euchre party and dance will be held at the Te Roti Hall on April 24. A dance at the Riverlea Hall is advertised for May 6. In flannelette values the Melbourne as usual leads. Reputable goods at lower than competitors' prices admit of no argument. Read these: Horrockses' strined flannelette, wide width, 7£d yard; famous, French twill flannelette, soft and warm, 9d _ yard; white and cream flannelette. 32in, grand value, 6d yard; Horrockses' white, B£d yard; Horrockses' "Ideal" fabric, for pyjamas, etc., Is Id yard. —Advt. Same?' Pisnov—d'pr Z 5? 000 in use; nont:nn« pnorv kO"'.«'i irrifjf ni/»mpnr • an lv ooiifiru tneai <i. m» K ...... -/niv

The new^ valuation of Hawera and Waimate West Counties is now just about completed. It is anticipated tnat the assessments in a considerable part of both counties will be materially in advance of those now appearing on the rolls. The Timaru Herald has been informed that the Christchurch Meat Company, as regards killing operations, is ahead of what it was doing at this time last year, although work did not commence till six weeks later this season. The two freezing uorks are killing 30,000 sheep per week. At the Christcburch Magistrate's Court a young man was charged with trespassing on the railway lines. His offence consisted of crossing the lines at the Christchurch station from one platform to another. The defendant, according to the evidence, had explained that he had made a bet of 2s 6d with a friend thai he would cross the lines. As it proved, the bet was a costly one, for he was fined 40s and costs, so that even should the "friend"-have paid over tho 2s 6d. the accused lost over £2 on the transaction. The people of Christchurch have lately been arguing much with each other concerning the origin of the name of their pleasant city; but the Press has . apparently settled the dispute by obi serving that, on a previous occasion, when the question was being debated, ' Lord Kilbracken (better known as Sir | Arthur Godley, son of the founder of Canterbury) wrote to the editor of The Press, stating positively, from documents in his possession, that the city was named after Christ Church Oxford. Arthur T. Firth, who has discovered a method for replating metal which has complefcely upset the old ideas of electroplating, and is backed by American I financiers, is a New Zealander (says the San Francisco Argonaut). He spent years in working out a formula, only to see it fail utterly when put to a practical test. Nothing dismayed, he went back to experimenting, knowing that! he had the right idea, and in the end perfected a system which did good work, quickly and cheaply. He brought it to America, demonstrated his achievement, convinced doubting scientists, and obtained the financial backing to promote this new business. A party of pickniekers. who recently drove out from Nelson in a landau, were preparing to return, in a strong wind, and with the covers fulled up. While the horses were being turned round the wind gfit under the cover, lifting the landau bodily and capsizing it. The pole was broken off, and the driver thrown to the ground, happily without ii jury. The picnickers were complied to make the return journey in a spring-cart, kindly placed at their disposal by a settler in the locality. A meeting of those interested in the revival of the Hawera Literary and Debating Society was held in the Hawera Technical School on AVednesday evening. There were about a dozen persons present, and Mr D. G. Smart occupied the chair. Close on forty names were handed in from intending members. It was therefore agreed to resuscitate the old society, and a committee was set up to go into details. It will meet on Thursday, May 1, to decide on,the first debate and to arrange for the opening night. The Auckland money market must be very "dry." The New Zealand Herald gives an instance quoted by a Avellknowu Auckland builder. A few days ago a suburban resident who is the owner of a freehold valued at £250, wished to erect a house on the land valued at £750. He had £400 cash to his credit in the bank with which he had been dealing for some years, and he was unable to borrow the remaining £350 required to cover the cost of erection. And yet there appears to be money for picture theatres, for another is projected at a cost of £10.000, to be completed prior to the opening of the Exhibition in December; also for a huge grandstand at Eden Park football ground. "This is the cheapest-rated city that 1 know of in the British Empire," said Mr A. J. Entrican at a recent meeting of the Auckland City Council. '"It was marvellous," he said, "that so much work had been done and that so many improvements had been effected In the city without the rates being raised. There was no city of the same age and having the convenience possessed by Auckland which existed' on the same amount of rates. They had heard much of Glasgow and Birmingham. In Glasgow, for instance, very large profits were made on the tramway£vrnter, and gas services, but the rates were about 10s in the £, of which the owners paid half and the lessees half. They had to police the city and to pay a heavy poor rate, but he believed that Glasgow ' paid about 6s 6d in the £ for the conveniences for which Auckland paid 2s 9t}d. He recognised that in Auckland the valuations had gone up, but Auckland was, nevertheless, to be congratulated upon the great improvement that had been effected in the last few years without any increase in the rates. The increase in the valuations was fully met by the increased cost of labour and j materials, which had advanced al out j 50 per cent, in the past 15 years." The Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. advertises farm properties for sale and lease. George Uavies, Ltd., advertise in reference to suits. A. Grant advertises a list of houses and sections for sale. Entries for Newton King's Stratford cattle sale are advertised. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co. advertise a clearing sale for Mr C. A. Simons, Tariki. Horse owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for several events at \the Auckland Racing Club's winter meeting close on Friday, April 25. '• M. J. Campbell draws attention to Royal Doulton ware. ; AN OVERCOAT IS A WISE INVESTMENT NOW. You'll never know what a splendid investment an Overeat is until you've seen the grand selection at "The Economic." My word, there is variety and value in the fine assortment now showing at Spe»**?'s. It will be neees- | sary to prepare for the wittier, and J men will readily recognise how easy it is to choose warm, comfortable garments from this grand assortment. All the latest styles m good, serviceable Tweeds, Friezes, etc.; a fine showing of Rainproofs, too. They are all such grand values, and the low prices which reign at "The Economic" make them decidedly wise investments at the present time. W. Spence, "Economic,' Hawera. —Advt. Classes in Drawing and Painting meet at the Hawera Technical School on Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m., Thursdays at 9 a.m., Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.—Advt. Look up W. H. and A. McGarry's land advertisement on page 1. List of farms is well worth inspection.—^dvt It was a fearful shock' to see His look of pain and misery; His cough, it made the houses quake; His wife ? she wept disconsolate. His children joined the mournful throng, And said: "We won't have father long;" But all is changed, his life's secure— He's taking Woods' Groat Pepnerrnint I Cur*. —A-lvfc

Mr I. H. Jan son, who was admitted a solicitor m 1835, celebrated his hundredth birthday recently. He was oa the council of the Law Society for 37 years and during that time saw. the membership increase from 2000 to 8000 In 18/3 he filled the office of president. . An American cigar salesman, who has Snn^ lre?.' Cl^ im-S to have distributed: £3600 in tips during 20 years. This is. not a mere estimate; he has kept detailed accounts of his expenditure during the period, and has added up theitems m some 50 small account-books. Dr Solf, the German Colonial Secretary, has addressed a public appeal to. the women of Germany to renounce theuse of .feathers from birds of paradiseon then- millmery. The Colonial Oftice, he announces, is already doing alt m its power to discourage the prac-" tice by raising the export duty on birdskilled m the German colonies. He hopes, that the increase in the dutj is. only a. foreiTjnner of a law which will entirelyprohibit the killing of the birds, whichare now so much in favor on women's.: nats. The Eketahuna Express states that: tat sheep are available at present in excess of the ability of the freezing \\orks to kill them, and various drafts have to wait their turn. It is expected that killing will extend .into* June or, m fact, as long as the sheep. C3-u fe keJ rt IJ\ option. Tie season, will tnus be a long one. Mr W. Warwick. a>i engineer, whoat present employed «t the foundry femora, Jvew South Wales, has in^ vented what he terms an expansion train Ihe invention, it is claimed, wilf enable trains of the different States tobe run on the same lines without making any material alteration to theexisting gauges. He has submitted the*matte)' to the State Government for consideration. A country correspondent, of the Sydney Daily Telegraph tells a story' pfa nine-months-old heifer, which recently develooed symptoms of illness. As theanimal could not be cured it was killed. A post-mortem revealed the fact : tliatthe stomach contained .a table-cloth a veil, a child's nightdress, a buckle, some hide, a safety-pin,, and other odds, and ends. Apparently "Hie heifer w-ae-a martyr to indigestion. The Canadian Anglican Mission has, purchased the ancient site of the Jewish Synagogue at Kai-fengu, Honan, the memorial stones of which bear witness to the fact that the synagoguewas erected not later than 1163, in th« 7 period of the Emperor Hsiao-Tung, after which it became the centre of Jewish worship in China. During the last generation no religious observances; have been held, and consequently the Jewish descendants have finally disposed of the site, and its transfer has been officially confirmed. The mission alsohas custody of the memorial stones. Mr J. Pomeroy, late of Invercargill.. Zealand, a well-known bulldogbreeder "down under," is at present on a business trip to this country (saysthe English weekly Our Dogs). He decided to present a typical specimen tothe gift cruiser H.M.S. New Zealand. He visited the kennels of Mr George, Bruton, The White Horse, Ampfield, Hants, and was struck by this seven-months-old puppy, which he became thepossessor of at a stiff figure. ThepuTjpv. on presentation, immediately a great favorite with captain and crew, was favorably commented on by Lord Beresford (who knows what a bulldog is), and patted and spoken kindly to by the King. Mr GeorgeBruton will be remembered as thebreeder of such well-known docs as Ch. Chineham Paradox. Ch. Chineham Maluma, etc. IVorus Jack is by Pleasant Bertie out <if Pride of the" Veldt, find i* christened after the well-known New Zealand fish,'whose life was protected by special Act of Parliament. The term "scab" is still occasionally - heard in Waihi, though the strike wasdeclared off several months ago. Its use by a married woman reside-it in Waihi, named Mary McCullock, resulted in police proceedings, before ?Jr P. J. Burgess, S.M., last week. Mrs SicCullock was charged with hiving behaved in an offensive manner at the Waihi railway station platform on April. 8. Sergeant Wohlmann described the woman's objectionable behaviour at therailway station and on a train to Ka^ rangahake, and repeated some of the language which she used. It included 7 the prohibited term "scab,", with various impolite embellishments. Sergeant Wohlmann added that Mrs McGullock was the only woman who was still fostering ill-feeling by senseless annoyingremarks. After hearing the evidence, which was lengthy, the magistrate ccnvieted the woman, and fined "«r 20s, and costs, totalling £3 19s; in aefanlt, I seven days' imprisonment. Entries for Newton King's Douglas; sale appear in another column. Overcoats and tailor-made suits aredealt with in a replace advertisementfrom Adamson and JRobb. Mr J. H. Thompson, land agent, Stratford, advertises farm properties for sale. Navy Serge One-piece Gostumes, trimmed.black .braid a»d Oriental tvivanin^ saibin collars, newest cut,. 276 6d' jto 37s 6d; Coat and Skirt Costumes, Kav- Sersre. "Petone," £4 4s; Tweed j Norfolk Costumes. £3 lfs 6d; Mixed Tweeds. 37s 6d to 47s 6d; Fancy Tweeds (imported), from 17s 6d. At the Busy Draper, J. C. Gillett.—Advt.