Government Caucus.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 77, 28 February 1938, Page 8

Government Caucus.

Consideration of the proposed legislation regarding the national health scheme and superannuation is to be given at a special caucus of the Eahour Party this week, the caucus will open on Wednesday. Marlin Swordfish.

A black marlin swordfish weighing 9031 b, a record for this season in the north, was landed last week by Dr. G. B. Pierce, of New York, on his first day out at Whangaroa. The fish, which is 731 b lighter than the world record catch of Captain Mitchell in 1926, was landed only after a struggle lasting three hours. ,

A Splendid Display. “I have never seen such a fine display of quickstep marching,” said Mr E. Palliser (president of the New Zealand Brass Bands Association) at the Showgrounds on Saturday at the conclusion of the military display and quickstep competition. He added that the military judges had had a most difficult task in making their awards, as the exhibitions by the bands were so uniformly high-class.

Profit From Rugby. A profit of £490 16s lOd on the Hawke’s Bay-Springboks match is mainly responsible for the very satisfactory financial statement presented to members of the management committee of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union. The net profit on the season’s working is approximately £990. Premier Greeted.

The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) passed through Palmerston North by the Limited express, last night, on his way to participate in the Catholic centenary celebrations at Auckland. He was joined by Mr J. Hodgens, M.P. Cheers were given for the Prime Minister and the Government by Labour supporters who were present at the station to greet the Premier. Many Court Exhibits.

Enough articles to jirovide a comfortable load for a hand-cart were produced in the Magistrate’s Court today as exhibits in ia case in which a woman was faced with 57 charges of theft, all arising from alleged shoplifting. The articles presented a very wide range, from immersion heaters, books and wearing apparel to kitchen supplies. The goods covered the front of the jury box and were then ranged in rows on the floor. Letter to Prime Minister.

“Poor Mr Savage 1” said the Magistrate, Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, in the Auckland Police Court, when a. man charged with relief . frauds explained that he had written. to the Prime Minister about his case. “It is no wonder that he is so ill and knocked out if he gets letters like that,” the Magistrate added. “I think that in my case I had a perfect right to communicate with the Prime /Minister,” the man replied. “Of course you had,” said the Magistrate. Maori Triplets. Triplets were born recently to Mrs John Manuel, wife of a Maori employed by Mr V. Wilson, at Waiotahi Valley, Opotiki. None of the children survived. Much interest was taken in the event and Maoris from all parts of the district visited the liofne. The triplets were accorded the honour of a tangi at the Kahikatea Pa. This is the second occasion in recent years that triplets have been born to Maori women in the Opotiki district. The last occasion was at Op ape about fqn years ago.

Landmark Destroyed. Fire has destroyed the old Lockerbie homestead, which is situated on a hill overlooking Morrinsville. The old building burned quickly and fiercely, the roar of the flames waking the occupants, Mr and Mrs E. A. Death and their two sons and daughter, who saved only a few personal effects. The homestead was built between 40 and 50 years ago and was a well-known landmark iii the district. It was built when the whole of Morrinsville was included in the Lockerbie Estate of 30,000 acres, owned by the late Messrs T. and S. Morrin. The old house was for two decades a popular meeting place for the AVaikato Hunt Club s meetings at Morrinsville. Lesson in Styles.

The inspection of the bands prior to their competing in the quickstep competition, which took place adjacent, to the small grandstand at the Showgrounds on Saturday afternon, was an object lesson in the various methods favoured by the drum-majors to arrange their men and square off the files. It was particularly noticeable that, while the drum-majors of military bands used the army method, there was a diversity of style among the other bands. In one instance the drum-major, commencing at one. end of the front rank, passed down the row, halting at measured intervals and testing his files by glancing along his outstretched arm.

Popular Sports. Continued popularity still attends the Oroua Downs sports, and at the 23rd fixture held on Saturday the attendance was estimated to be well above that of last year’s gathering. The horse events attracted many entries and the varied programme created interest throughout tjio day for all in attendance. The grounds were in good order, and the weather, though pleasantly warm, was not hot enough to drive the spectators to the shade of the lines of trees adjoining the ground. The sports this year were more fortunate than those of last year in that the weather on that occasion was wet and showers made conditions somewhat unpleasant at times. The car parking area was full, accommodating about 350 vehicles. Kindness Appreciated.

Prior to the commencement of the demonstration concert in the Opera House on Saturday evening, Mr G. Pownall (president of the Wanganui Garrison Band) thanked the citizens of Palmerston North and the visiting bandsmen for their kindness and sympathy in the bereavement suffered by the Francis family and by the band. When Mr Francis, the conductor, had been approached to bring the band back to Palmerston North for the quickstep, added Mr Pownall, he had immediately consented. “If Palmerston North want us we will go,” he had said, “because the kindness of its people demand it.” It had been all very sad, concluded the speaker, but it had brought Wanganui and Palmerston North closer together than they had ever been before. Children in Peril.

With gas rushing at full force through two penny-in-the-slot rings, two children wero found locked, in a cubicle situated at the side of the Napier municipal bathe, in the vicinity of the paddling pool. They were rescued, however, before the effects of the gas were felt. Apparently the children had been playing in the pool, and tiring of the water they had begun a systematic search for attractions in the immediate vicinity. Finding the gas rings unattended they had turned the taps on, and in some manner the protecting doors had closed, leaving them inside the box with gas escaping from the rings. Noticing the smell of gas two bathers informed the custodian of the baths, who upon investigation located its source and released the two children.

Drought in Otago. With the continuation of the long spell of dry weather and with the temperature daily soaring in Central Otago up to about 100 degrees, a serious situation is threatening most of the Otago and Southland districts. Sheep farmers are those most immediately affected, as there is no feed for stock, and they are also threatened with a shortage of winter feed owing to the failure of the turnip and other feed crops. At recent sales prices were much below those ruling at this time last year, and stock is being railed out of tlie worst of the affected .areas. In areas where irrigation has been carried on, the position is not so serious, as sheep are obtaining good feed on irrigated pastures, but this area is extremely limited. Domestic water supplies in roanv cases have long since been exhausted, and it is necessa.ry to carry supplies to meet ordinary requirements. This state of affairs applies to Cei tral Otago, and in lesser degree to the whole of the country south of Milton, to all of South Otago with the-exception of Inchclutlia, and to Southland.