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Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 304, 21 November 1928, Page 6

During the voyage of the Aorangi from Sydney one of the passengers wrote a letter of sympathy to a little girl who is a patient in the Auckland Hospital. The matter was mentioned to Cardinal Cerretti, who graciously added a postcript in his own handwriting wishing the child a speedy return to health.

“This is the first of what I trust will bo a chain of similar parks distributed throughout the borough. With the rapid increase in population, it is the duty of the Borough Council to provide ‘lungs’ for the people.” With these words, the Mayor ot Takapuna, Auckland. Mr J. W. Williamson, declared Taharoto Park open to the public on a recent afternoon.

A spectacular fire was witnessed in Masterton last night, when a Large wooden building owned by Mr H. H. Daniell was burnt to the ground. The structure stood on a section adjacent to the town, but there were no other buildings in the vicinity. The brigade was helpless as the fire had a strong hold when the alarm was given. Tho building was used for storage purposes.

The market for city property in Christchurch lias shown signs of quickening during the past few weeks, and another sale to be recorded is that of a property in Armagh Street with a frontage of 67ft. at £2OO a foot (states a Press Association message from Christchurch). Property in Armagh Street has shown a big rise in value, for four years ago the property was offered at £4O a foot, and was difficult to dispose of. “Service by post is not very satisfac. tory as far as the country places are concerned,” said Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui in adjourning a civil action for a week in order that proof of service might be furnished. “It certainly is not proving satisfactory as far as the natives are concerned,” said Mr Currie. “It has spoilt the whole registered letter system. They won’t take a registered letter.”

Quito recently an old pioneer settler, Mr Reuben King, of Taita, Wellington, celebrated his birthday, having reached 100 years. Mr King is a wellknown resident of the Hutt district, having settled there 70 years ago. In his younger days he was a keen rifle shot and won many prizes at championship meetings. A local resident who visited Mr King at his home last week informed a “Standard” representative that they discussed old times and he had found that the centenarian was in splendid health and spirits. Ho had, despite improved methods of transport, for many years driven his own conveyance once a week into Wellington. Mr King was the recipient of many good wishes and congratulations on reaching liis 100th birthday.

A man who pleaded guilty to an offence in the Auckland Police Court on Monday morning liad 75 previous convictions on liis charge sheet.

Japan is a fenceless country, according to Mr C. T. Salmon, of Palmerston North, who has just returned from a visit to the East. He informed a “Standard” reporter that fences were rarely seen. On the run between Auckland and Frankton last night the tablet of the southbound Main Trunk express was lost, causing some little delay. The train arrived in Palmerston North half an hour behind the scheduled time this morning.

It is reported that some person or persons entered a house in George Street, Masterton, on Saturday and stole the sum of £3. This is another case of burglary to be added to several which have occurred in the town of late.

A type of building admirably suited for its purpose, the Plunket Society’s rest room in King Street is now practically completed, and it is expected to be ready for occupation within a very short period. With its erection the society will have filled a long felt want in Palmerston North. Progress with the erection of the new municipal library has been rapid, and a general idea may now be obtained of the structure, particularly of the Fitzherbort Street side. Although weather conditions lately were not favourable to the work, it would appear that the building will be completed sooner than was anticipated.

Of all the people who on election day tried to pick the state of the elected parties, one of the nearest was Stella Andrews, a little girl attending the school at Fendalton, Christchurch. The headmaster, Mr A. R. Blank, offered a prize for the nearest estimate. Six of the young politicians put United in front, and the winner’s estimate was: United 30, Reform 28, Labour 19, Independent 3. The unique spectacle of an opossum running across the intersection of Customs and Queen Streets, Auckland, was witnessed on a recent evening. Dodging the traffic with remarkable speed, the animal darted along the pavement until it reached a shop door. Here it remained timidly huddled in the darkness until the flash of a policeman’s torch frightened it. Then, with a lightning turn of speed, it ran across the street and disappeared. A resident of Wanganui was the victim of a mean theft. She was awarded a first prize for vegetables at the Horticultural Society’s Show, and the fact was published in the evening. On visiting her garden early next morning she found that all her tomato plants had been dug up and taken away, the thief leaving the stakes in position. The plants were grown from seed imported from America and were planted for observation purposes.

Mr J. D. Hunt, a market gardener of South Carterton, had a narrow escape on his property when one side of a 4000-gallon concrete water tank gave way when it had been filled up and was being tested. Mr Hunt was only a few yards away when the collapse occurred, and the force of the water carried the concrete slab, which broke into pieces, through the walls of a glasshouse adjoining. The filling pump and piping were completely wrecked.

Whon three electric locomotives were discharged from the Federal steamer Hertford at Lyttelton an honour was incidentally conferred on the port. The three locomotives are said to bo the heaviest lift over discharged from any vessel at any New Zealand port. Each lift weighed 50 tons. The undertaking was made possible through the port possessing the 80-ton floating crane Rapaki. Another big lift that was undertaken at Lyttelton in recent years was the discharging of the electric locomotives for the Otira tunnel. These weighed 23J tons each. Following the experience of several of its nurses contracting scarlet fever whilst attending patients and those nurses being unable to obtain compensation under the existing Act, due to the disease not coming within the definition of an accident, the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board is considering the insuring of all its nurses against all diseases. The suggestion was made by a member at a meeting of the board that the board should establish its own insurance scheme. The secretary of the board is to report on the whole matter at the next meeting.

After a period of very unfavourable weather conditions, shearing is now in full swing in the district and the indications are that the clips will be heavier than was the case last year. Flocks have done exceedingly well this season and, provided that the wool demand is maintained, the indications are that prices for this season’s clip should be most satisfactory. It is generally stated that there is less trouble from bidi-bidi than in previous seasons, owing to the fact that the weed has not dried off so early, and that in its green state it does comparatively little damage. The effect of an electric shock upon animals was remarked upon at tho last meeting of tho Wangaiiui-Mangitikei Electric Power Board. Li connection with the electrocution of four bullocks on Doughty’s ltoad, Bulls, on November 8, tho resident engineer stated that horses and cattle were unable to stand the shock that a man could, and offered to give a demonstration up to a certain voltage. Some members were inclined to be incredulous, and one advised the engineer, when giving the demonstration, not to lose Ins grip oil the contrivance for giving the shock in order to moisten his hands.

With the object of forming a lifesaving club in Woodville, Messrs W. C. Collier (president of the Manawatu branch of tho ltoyal Life-Saving Society), Edgley and W. E. Dudson met enthusiasts in the town last evening. Mr Collier detailod the necessary qualifications of members and stressed the value of such a club to any town or district. The Manawatu branch would assist the Woodville Club as much as possible in every direction. Mr Collier then put a class through tho land drill of rescue and release methods and expressed his pleasure at the progress made. Judging from the enthusiasm shown, it should not be long before the Woodville club is a credit to the district.

“When you’re in Napier you must do as Napier does,” remarks the Gisborne Times. A visiting magistrate, motoring through the town, was informed of this with due dignity by a constable. He had the tail-light of his car set high up in the oentre of the hood when ho drove into the Hawke’s Bay capital. “Why haven’t you got your tail-liglrt in the proper place?” asked the constable who stopped him. “The police allow us to have the taillights there where I come from,” was the magistrate’s reply. “But you’re not in now; you’re in Napier, and the regulations say it shall be as near as possible to the right-hand side, on a lovel with the chassis,” replied the man in blue. The magistrate had tho light shifted without further ado.

“After you with the ‘Radium’ boot polish” is an expression heard every morning in many Now Zealand homes. Try it—Advt.

The social committee of the Takaro Church Hall will hold their final old time dance on Thursday, November, 22nd. Extra competitions will be held so patrons are assured of an excellent evening’s entertainment.