LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Lake County Press, Issue 2392, 7 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Peter Dick, the well-known watchmaker, died suddenly in Dunedin on Sunday morning. Throughout the district there arc evidences of early spring. Unfortunately present indications point to a dry season, which will not at all bo welcomed by either the fanner or the minor.

There have been a thousand deaths from cholera at Chorum since Juno. The population of neighboring villages has been almost wiped out. Three robbers, one being a negro, held up the Southern Pacific express, California, and blew open and rifled the safes, and than escaped.

There was a discussion at the British Association as to whether the recent remarkable discoveries regarding tumorous growths on plants may possibly lead to the discoveryjof the origin of cancer.

The residence of Mr J. Mclntosh at Wyndham has been destroyed by fire. The Farmer says Mr Mclntosh, who is wellknown in the Lakes District, must have had a narrow escape.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Arrow Brass Band will be held in the Press office this evening, Thursday, at 8 p.m. As the Band is a worthy institution and deserving of the public’s support, wo hope to see, in addition to the members, a full attendance of the public. We remind our readers of the grand social and dance in aid of St. Patrick’s Church, Arrowtown, which will take place in the Athoneum, Hall to-morrow evening. A capital musical programme and refreshments will bo provided. We anticipate a large attendance. The charge for admission is most moderate.

But little time should be lost in fixing Arbor Day for Arrowtown. Wo would suggest that His Worship the Mayor fix the time and place for some day in the forthcoming week. Last year it was generally agreed that Arbor Day should be an annual fixture.

On Thursday next Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. will sell on the farm, Malaghans, Mr W. Cumming’s stock, farm implements, household furniture, etc. As Mr Gumming has sold his property the various lines given in the advt are for unreserved sale.

The largest cargo of superphosphates ever imported into New Zealand was brought by the steamer which arrived at Auckland on August 20, from Osaka (Japan). The cargo totals 6750 tons 1800 tons of which will be landed at Auckland, and the balance at Napier, Lyttelton, and Timaru. Being in bulk the whole of tho cargo will be put into bags before being discharged.

A shooting party in tho Waauate district bagged 32 wallabies on Sunday last. These marsupials are now fairly numerous in that district. It is not likely, however, that they will become a pest, as they are easily thinned out with gun and dogs. The fur of those secured by the parly referred ti was ki excellent condition. Oppossums are also* aid to be making headway in various parts of the Dominion.

Attractive dress skirts in white lustre and white serge have been opened by Thomson and Beattie. Invercargill. They are well made and drape beautifully. The prices are moderate. With a white blouse they make a handsome spring or summer dress. If you send a P.O. order for 25/with your waist measure and skirt length, a skirt and blouse will be posted to you. if unsatisfactory return and money including return postage will be refunded.

It is estimated that during the past 12 mouths over 50 miles of were netting have been erected in the Mastewton district by settlers for the purpose of keeping rabbits off their properties. An anthority informed a Daily Times reporter that in the Miki Miki and Opaki alone there were about 40 miles of wire netted fencing. The settlers have recognised this class of fence as an excellent method for keeping the rodents off their holdings, and further work in this direction will be carried out by other farmers.

When you can bo supplied locally, as well, if not better, why patronise outside people. “Support local industry” is a motto which has proved itself of more value than a hundred other such sayings. Support the man who lives in your midst and spends his money with you. Try S. B. Pettersson Queenstown, for watches, clocks, jewellery etc., and you’ll never regret it. There were some peculiar circumstances connected with an accident which occurred to the late Mi Walter D. Cossar at Auckland shortly before his death. The deceased, who was a law clerk, was entering the front door of his house when tho wind blew it to. Mr Cossar put out his hand to check it, and unfortunately put his hand through tho leaded glass in the middle of his door, seriously injuring the ligatures of his wrist. The result was that he found he was unable to close his hand, and it was with the object of obviating this difficulty that ho decided to undergo an operation, during tho performance of which ho died.

A comic song saved an ugly situation at a picture show at Oneensoliff (Melbourne) last week. The operator of the biograph machine found that the connections between the gas cylinder and the projector were deficient, and to remedy this he obtained a length of rubber hose. When he turned on the gas an explosion occurred. The people in the hall rose to their foot in a muss, women screamed, and a rush was made for the doors. One lad saved the situation by raising his voice and singing, “ What’s the matter with Father ?” The people paused in their scramble. They realised that the machine was contained in an iron compartment, and they saw that the operator was safe. Seats were resumed and the entertainment proceeded. The scene was the Magistrate’s Court, and the judgment debtor in the box was a contractor, who attributed Ins inability to pay to the fact that a contract had not turned out profitably. Dr M'Arthnr, S.M., was on the bench. “They come here,” said His Worship, “ and if they have had a good contract they say nothing about it, and if they have had a bad one they want to get out of paying their debts. I will nob have this Court made a sort of infantile Bankruptcy Court.” The debtor complained that the cause of the loss on the contract was someone elso’s fault. “ It’s always the way with you fellows,” wont on His Worship. "If you make, it’s through your own cleverness; if you lose, it’s somebody olso’s fault. You will have to pay the money in 14 days. lam tired of you fellows coming hove with those yarns. It is ‘ Heads 1 won, tails you lose’ with you chaps every time.—The Dominion.

Still another case is reported of “ waiting at the church,” tins time in a suburb of Christchurch (says the Lyttelton Times). The bridegroom-elect was a young man who, until a few days ago, was a highly respected employee of a local firm, so much so, in fact, that when the news of his approaching marriage was noised abroad he received a substantial cash present from his follow workers as a tangible token of their esteem and affection for him. The waiting bride was an employee of another Christchurch business firm, and she was the recipient of a monster wedding cake, made specially for her and presented to her by the management. The day for the ceremony was fixed, and elaborate preparations had boon made by the bride’s parents to ensure her being well “ sent off.” The eventful hour arrived, bringing with it a coterie of well-wishers and gossipers, but, after waiting some two hours, it was decided to postpone the ceremony until such time as the bridegroom should think lit to appear. The disconsolate would-be bride philosophically remarked that it would lie all right. Hut there arc those who say that a worriedlooking man set sail on the following evening for Australia. Tuno and tide wait for no man, and without a reliable watch a man is found wanting. Time is absolutely essential, and a good time piece is one of the most valuable personal assets. Try S. 1L Pettersson, watchmaker, Queenstown.