LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 271, 18 November 1919, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

On the information of the borough by-laws ranger, William Atwood was charged to-day with having allowed a horse to wander at large. A fine of 10s with 7s costs was imposed.

Owing to the Hillersden Hall being engaged for Friday evening, the Wairau Valley Settlers' • Association has decided to hold the meeting, advertised in last night's paper, on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock.

A meeting of Spring Creek residents will be held in the Maxlboiroughtown Hall on Thursday evening, to arrange a "welcome home" to the returned soldiers of the district. Ladies aire specially requested to atttend. .

.For making default in respect to a maintenance order made in favor of his wife and family in April, 1917, Charles P. North was convicted in the Magistrate's Court this morning arid was? sentenced to one month's imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as the defendant continued to pay the arrears, amounting to £80, at the rate of £5 per month. A solicitor's fee of £2 2s was allowed the complainant.

. The annual sale of yearlings from the principal, studs of the Dominion was held at Christehurch on Thursiday^ Among the purchasers were Mr F. Dillon, of Marlborough, who bought a bay colt by Boniform—Miss Birkenhead, for 575 guineas, and a chestnut filly by Boniform—Puttee for 350 guineas and Mr L. Griffiths, Marlborough, who secured a bay filly by Kilbroney—Suhbird for 200 guineas. .

A westerly wind was prevalent throughout New Zealand this morning. On the average the sea was moderate and the . tides were good. The sea at Cape Palliser was smooth, while at Cape Campbell it. was rough and at Stephens Island moderate. The temperature returns were: Dunedin 61, Christchurch 72, Blenheim 69, Wellington 61, and Auckland 60. The highest temperature was 72 at Christchurch. The tide at the Wairau Bar was good and the sea smooth.

/The "hard-up" social, in support of the candidature of Miss Kate Barry in the Queen Carnival competition, held at St. Patrick's Hall last night, was very successful. The dancing was most enjoyable, and keen interest was evinced in the card games. The euchre prizes were won by Mrs Wadswoi-th and Mr Twist. "Te Koa" were present by invitation, and several of the members played extras* Miss Birch, the lady merry-maker, contributed a whisth'ng solo.

The jubilee of the Marlborough Lodge of Unanimity was celebrated last evening, the gathering of Freemasons being the largest ever seen in Blenheim. Nineteen different Lodges were represented, visitors coming from all parts of Dominion. After a short ceremony at the lodge-room, an adjournment was made to the Town Hall, where over 150 brethren sat down to supper, the catering being in the hands! of Mr J. H. Scott. The usual loyal ■ and Masonic toasts were honored, and several musical and other items helped to make the function a most enjoyable one.

A young man named- Noel Kitching, who had been arrested at Nelson, was charged at the sitting of the Magistrate's Court to-day with having committed a breach of probation in failing to report himself to the sergeant of police. The probation was granted in connection with an attempt mad© a few months ago to commit suicide by swallowing matches. The . case was adjourned till Friday to give the defendant an opportunity of providing for the payment of expenses amounting to £6, made up by the account for hospital treatment and the cost of bringing him back from Nelson.

"Te Koa," the merry-making soldiers, concluded 'their enjoyable season at His Majesty's Theatre last night, when there was another large audience. Each and every item was* encored. Mr Vie Elliott scored a success in "Mona," in which he showed to much greater advantage than on Saturday night, and Mr Les Walter's xdreani scene from "The Silver King" was one of the best items of the night. Mr Pritchard, as before, was the pivot of the fun, and while he occupied the stage, which was for the major part of the programme, he kept his audience mirthful. The company appears at Picton to-night.

There is so much misunderstanding in regard to. the present position in the United States of the liquor question that the following is published for general information:—At present the whole of the United States is under War-time Prohibition, which will continue until all the American troops have been demobilised. Before War-time Prohibition was introduced 32 States had gone "dry" by the people's vote, leaving 16 "wet" States, parts of which . were also "dry" by local vote. If demobilisation is completed before 16th January, 1920, these 16 States can begin selling liquor again until that date, when the whole of the United States will again come under Prohibition by reason of the 18th amendment to, the Constitution. This amendment has been ratified by 45 States out of the 48, and marks the end of the liquor trade in the States. It cannot be repealed or modified either by the President or by Congress.

Settlers interested in the erection of a weighbridge for Spring Creek are reminded of the meeting to be held at the Road Board's office, toi:.orrow evening.

There is again a heavy delay on traffic from the United Kingdom via the Pacific cable. Messages have been received in Wellington which occupied four and five days in transit.

The following, reading-matter appoars on the inside pages: "Maintenance Claim," "Dried Milk Industry," Wellington Topics, "General Birdwood,'' Miscellaneous Cables, Correspondence, Suorts and Pastimes, "South African Parties," "The Meat Purchase," "The Cost of Living," "The Commonwealth Bank," "ll-h-gal Practices Denned," and "Ger-ir-an Intimidation of Denmark."

"To call yourself a farmer nowadayik/' said Miv Justice Kosking in summing up at Wellingtpn on Tuesday the evidence in the trial cf a man for obtaining goods under false pretences from prominent city firms, "appears to be a sufficient indication that you are a man of substance— at any rate to Wellington shopkeepers."

A Beaumont young man with a penchant for chocolate had a unique experience a little, while back (states the Tuapeka Times). He had provided himself with his usual Saturday night's, supply of a well-known brand, and on Sunday proceeded to share his cake with a latiy friend. To his surprise it refused to break, and, on closer investigation, he found , securely embedded in the centre a well-worn rubber from a lady's heel

Probate is being sought of the will of Sir .Henry Edward • Agincourt Hodges, of Dreamthorpe, Mt. Macedon, senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, who died, on August Bth (says the Melbourne Argus). By •will "dated March Bth, 1910, testator left personal restate valued at £3968 to his children. The will is in Sir HeAry Hodge's handwriting, and is written upon the back of a sheet of brief paper containing the judge's notes m litigation concerning the gi'ounding of the steamer Boveric.

The controversy in connection with the value, or otherwise, of lucerne as a fodder plant seems likely to become a matter for the decision of the law courts of the Dominion (says the Ghristchurch Press). It is known that some comments published in Christohurch in respect of the campaign advocating lucerne, growing were considered of a libellous character, though no legal action was taken by the, Department of Agriculture in the matter. Some reference in a North.lsland journal to the Department's! campaign have been of a more definite and allegedly of a'more libellous character, and it is understood that the question of proceedings against the journal is under consideration at present.

Humor is .usually- foreign to a chifrch service, but on a recent Sunday niight at) a. Wanganui church there was an exception to the rule. A processional hymn was announced. Owing' to a misunderstanding three of the male choristers dn the lead commenced a tour of tihe aisles of the church—the customary rout© of a processional hymn—but the resit of the procession went straight to tihe choir stalls. Serenely unconscious of ■'their; abandonment the trio, with stately tread and fitting composure, went their lonely way and sang in plea&ing unison. Great was their surprise when they discovered that they were like the sheep that had .wandered from tihe fold, and equally great'was the amusement of the congregation, who awaited the climax of the 'little contretemps ; with, evident relish

An important factfojr in-the'.'great-building activity in Auckland at present is the large amount of renovation work that is being undertaken (says th.3 Herald). According to one large employer engaged in the trade, more repairs are being done now than, at any time during tho last ten years; This is attributed to the fact that during the war people put off making alterations to their buildings, and, in warticular, much-needed painting is deferred. The consequence is tih'at painters are now exceptionally busy. "At present," one employer said* '"we are taking onethird of the- work offered to us, and as for looking for new jobs it is quite out c<f the question." Ho had enough work in hand and in sight to keep him going at full pressure until the end of next March. In regard to prices, there was no prospect of a. decrease, as the cost of whit© lead, linseed oil, and! wallpaper had recently risen. In common with other park of New Zealand, there was a, great scarcity of labor in Auckland, and it was very difficult to get competent men. Apart from repairs, the principal work dn which builders are engaged is tihe construction of numerous" warehouses1, .factories,1 and liousesJ

The Stratford County ratepayers? recently carried proposals to borrow*; £90,000 for road works.

Farm tractors are coming largely^ into use in the W&irarapa, and that draught horse- is slo.vly, but surely^ becoming a tiling of the past.

The Dunedin drapers and grocerywill close from Wednesday evening, till Monday morning, during Christ--ii:as and New Year weeks.

Don't have that untidy heap of music about tho house. Got your songs or pieces bound in books of twenty, in boards, with piano back, at the ''Exoress'' Office.—Advt.

It is almost impossible to got a. new telephone m Wellington. There is a long waiting list, and the officials when applied t% c«in give no certainty as to when machines applied for a month, or two ago, will be put in.

Sir James Allen, Minister for: Finance, was asked last week whether the two millions required to make^ up the ten millions of tihe , Victory! Loan had yet been raised by the compulsory process. : His answer : was,:' '"The notices are not out yet. -There has been a good deal to do, and the procedure is necessarily^ taking & little time, but we are going on with it. The Treasury Department has been through, the notice forms that are to go out, and has sent them ott to the Commissioner of Taxes ia order' that the income-tax in each* case may be checked."

Case 3of hardship are daily occmv ring in Masterton owing to the shortage of houses. One bearing outstanding features recently came under the observations of an Age 2'eportor. A. F'arried man with a delicate wife and. a, family of six children was sent adrift owing to the house he was occupying having been sold over H» head. The children were a handicap t) his getting lodgings, and failing to induce the holders of empty houses to let him one, he decided to erecb two tents on the banks of a river to accommodate the family. Unfortunately, there was a gale on Sunday night, and on Monday morning the calico tenements were not to be found the family suffering painful hardships owing to the wind and rain*

Speaking at the opening of the sew* glaxo factory at Matangi last week^ Mr E. H. Pacey referred to the Kigbj prices of land, and safu they were causing people to go in; for in-tensive cultivation. He mentioned that on one farm last> season the gross income ,from 26 acres was £700. This year the same farmer had 34 acres. He wintered 41 head of cattle, was milking 27 cows, and expected to get 80001b of butter-fat for the season. This at last year's prices meant a gross return of £900. That was the sort of farming that would contribute to the country's prosperity.

Up to the present (says the Star) no steps have "been taken to ascertain what are the prospects of securing petroleum in ,the Kaikoura' district;, notwithstanding the fact that oil can be seen oozing from the ground in various localities, in one instance at a spot within half » mile of the township, and on the foreshore. In another locality a- stiream of water, is saturated with oil to an extent that a match. * .thrown •in the stream will ignite the liquid. Coal also abounds) in Kaikour^ good dimples taken from different localities'. ; d!emonstratjing the existence of coal reefs in the. district.