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Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 280, 26 October 1932, Page 6

On Friday next (October 23) Czecho-Slovakia will commemorate the 14th anniversary of the declaration of her independence.

“The richest alluvial find I have personally seen in New Zealand,” is how Mr James Horn, ex-M.P.. describes the recent gold discovery on the banks of the Kawarau River.

His Honour Mr Justice Blair, after hearing the excuse offered by a juror for non-attendance at the Supreme Court yesterday, this morning remitted the penalty of £1 which he had imposed. When a number of veteran Methodist local preachers were entertained in North Canterbury last week it was stated that three of them had been preaching for 50, 58 and 65 years respectively. It is stated in Christchurch that Sir Joseph B. G. Smith, C.1.E., formerly Chief Engineer and Secretary of Irrigation to the Public Works Department, Punjab, India, may visit Canterbury to enquire mto irrigation in the Morven district. South Canterbury. Nearly 50 miles of the Te Anau-Mil-ford Road have been completed by the Public Works Department, but future progress will be slower, as rougher country has been reached, and the number of workmen is to be reduced from nearly 100 to 50 by Christmas. About 22 miles of road have yet to be constructed. New Zealand’s unprecedented early spring represents something like £5 000,000 over and above the ghastly experience of the spring of last year, when there was drought and a backward season, declared Mr T D. Burnett member for Temuka, when speaking ’in the House of Representatives last evening. The prospects, he said, were for big lambings, big clips, bumper crops, and an excellent dairying season. That even as a young colony New Zealand took an interest in horticul-. tural matters was shown by Mr 1. J. Nathan, president of the N.Z. Institute of Horticulture, at the meeting of the Palmerston North district council last evening. He stated that in 1843—only three years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi—the first Horticultural Society was formed, the Hutt being the venue. A year later Auckland followed the example set. “When you are starting a new factory give it an English name —there’s more in it than you tlrink,” said Mr W A. lorns, chairman of the Dairy produce Board, at the Southland ward conference on a recent afternoon. He explained that in Great Britain many people tried and liked the produce of some New Zealand dairy factory, but they could not pronounce the Maori name, so hesitated to ask for it. Many misconceptions existed at Home about New Zealand. For instance in Bristol he saw a box of New Zealand butter on a shop counter. He remarked on it, and the shopkeeper said: “Yes those niggers make good butter.”’ Mr lorns told him there were no ' “niggers” in New Zealand. The name on the box, “Waipukurau,” had probably helped towards creating the misconception.

To-morrow afternoon at 3 o’clock in the Rosy Theatre Hall Mr IC. C. Anderson, of the New Economic Research Society, will give an address on ‘‘The Woman, and the Economio Situation, Her Future.”

Sharks are unusually numerous in the Manukau Harbour this season., according to a party which was engaged in fishing during the week-end. Twelve fish, averaging Bft in length, were caught on Monday by the party.

A mild sensation was created in the Auckland Town Hall on Monday evening, amongst the fair listeners in the front row, by a large rat, which ran along the floor in front of the platform whilst Mr S.zigeti was in the middle of playing.

“The nucleus fund for the Waikato Land Settlement Society’s scheme is still rising,” said Mr D. Y. Bryant, of Hamilton, the .originator of the scheme. “Provided the public continues to give its support and approval as it has done, the desired amount, £20,0C0, should be assured.”

Mr Claude Kingston, director of the Grand Opera season for J. C. Williamson Ltd., arrived in Palmerston North, to-day from Auckland, to make final arrangements for the presentation of Verdi s “Rigoletto” by the Williamson Imperial Company, on Friday evening, in which all the leading principals of the company will appear. Perhaps the two shortest speeches on record were made at a farewell luncheon given to Canon Wilford in Christchurch by the clerical members of the synod who had their training at College House. After a very happy meal the principal proposed the health of the college in the words, •‘Gentlemen. College House,” and Canon Williams proposed a further toast, “Gentlemen, Canon Wilford.” Nothing more was said. A decrease of 781 in the number of motor vehicles of ah types imported into New Zealand in the first nine months of this year, compared with the total imported from all sources in the January-September period last year, is shown in a return prepared by the Comptroller of Customs. A total of 2328 vehicles was imported in the first three quarters this year, against 3109 in the corresponding period of 193 L and 12,669 up to September 30, 1930. After having been required to proceed with caution over a section of line in the vicinity of the Kopua viaduct where a wash-out occurred about six weeks ago, the express from Napier to Wellington to-day was able to proceed over the line without having to be pushed, from the rear. The gap has gradually been filled in until it is now considered to be safe. However, the express, which was delayed en route, did not arrive at Palmerston North until 1.10 o’clock, 20 minutes after schedule time. At present creating interest among horticulturists is a kenetia palm at the the residence of Mr F. J. Nathan. The plant, which is normally of the dwarf variety which has not been known to bloom” in the Dominion, has attained a height of 20 feet and, after flowering, fruit has commenced to form. In the meantime Mr Nathan is waiting to observe whether the palm will produce seeds. The plant grows in a very shady corner and is very difficult to photograph, this being unfortunate in view of its phenomenal developments. After spending over 11 weeks in the Auckland Hospital, Mr Thomas Joseph Grace, aged 19, of Grey Lynn, is now at his home, rapidly approaching full and complete recovery from a broken neck. Mr Grace broke his neck while practising acrobatics at the house of a friend on July 24, and for four days afterward continued to go to his work in the city. However, he was suffering from partial paralysis of the left side and was finally persuaded to visit the hospital, where an X-ray examination. was made and the full extent of his injuries discovered.