LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1980, 23 November 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Palmerston North R.S.A. has agreed to accept affiliation of Apiti as a sub-branch of the Association. The body of Mrs Campbell, wife of a New Brighton resident, was found in the river near the tramway bridge on Monday. Seven new members were elected to the Palmerston North R.S.A. last night. The total membership is now SOS. Thero are 50 honorary members. Yesterday the members of the Land Purchase Board inspected a property at Makowhai, which is under offer to-the Government for soldiers’ settlement purposes. In view of tho fact that the Palmerston North R.S.A. is shortly to take over the lease of the Soldiers’ Club, that body* has decided that the R.S.A. representation on the Club Committee be restricted to members of the Executive. While in America Mr Alfred Seifert visited North Plymouth, where the Pilgrim Fathers landed 300 years ago. The original rock on Avhich the landing was effected is still In existence, and during Mr Seifert’s visit preparations were being made for a large pageant to commemorate the event. Tho large number of Americans who undertake motor and other tours in their own country appealed to Mr A. Seifert during his recent visit, and he stated at the Luncheon Club yesterday that the systematic manner m which such holidays aro arranged resulted in their being taken at a veryreasonable rate. Mr J. H. P. Strang has made a gift of the very fine grand piano at the Soldiers’ Club to the Palmerston North Returned Soldiers’ Association. When the Club was first established. Mr Strang lent the instrument to the Association. Tho Executive, at its meeting last night, passed a vote of thanks to Mr. Strang. While it was true that America had made an effort to gain a larger control over the world’s mercantile marine, and while many larger American shipping firms might succeed in obtaining larger interests than previously, he did not think that the time would ever come when the United States could oust Britain from her position as mistress of the seas. Mr A. Seifert at the Luncheon Club yesterday. The Whakaranga sub-branch of the R.S.A. has requested the Palmerston North body that the levy of 5/- on eacii honorary member on their roll to bo paid to their funds, and that all sub-branches have tho right to appoint a delegate to the Palmerston North Executive; The Palmerston North Executive has decided to appoint a sub-committee to confer with the sub-branch with a view to arriving at a tentative agreement. Mr A. Seifert informed the Luncheon Club yesterday that the “ silent policeman” was extensively used in America as an aid to the control of vehicular traffic. It took the form of a dome raised about four' or five inches above tho surface of the intersections of streets. While he was in New York experiments were being carried out in Fifth Avenue with a series of signals, different colours being used as controls for the various classes of traffic. A final reminder is given of the sale of work in aid of St. Paul’s Methodist Church funds, to bo opened at the Empire Hall at 2.30 p.m. this afternoon by His Worship the Mayor (Mr, J. A. Nash, M.P.). A splendid selection of produce will be on sale, and an additional attraction to housewives will be a meat stall. Sweets and other dainties will also be procurable, and various side shows will contribute towards the amusement of visitors. ,

Referring to the relations between the United States and Japan, Mr A. Seifert informed members of the Palmerston North Luncheon Club that a large amount of propaganda work in Japan’s interests was being effected in America, but the feeling against the Japanese was very strong in California and the other Pacific States. He thought it would never ho likely that the Japanese would ever be assimilated as citizens by America, and was of the opinion that the colour bar would be applied to them for all time. Referring to his remarks of the previous week regarding road formation, Mr Seifert said yesterday that he wished to make it finite clear that he did not advocate, scraped earth roads as a permanent formation for the main roads of New Zealand. In manv parts of the Dominion they could bo so treated until it became financially possible to further improve them by metalling and a more permanent formation. The temporary process would prove comparatively inexpensive, and would give satisfactory results. “Why is it that in America no one trespasses on unfenced gardens, while in New Zealand even a live or sixstrand wire fence will not keep some people out?” This question was asked of Mr A. Seifert by Mr M. Cohen at the Luncheon Club yesterday. In reply, the former stated that in New Zealand stock was allowed in the •owns, and also that the wind was more prevalent and shelter by fences accordingly more desirable, and these facts probably accounted for the erection of fences rather any desire for trespass on the part of citizens. The city of Chicago, said Mr A. Sei. fert at the Luncheon Club yesterday, had always appeared to him to be nothing more than a great business centre, and on his last visit there he was very interested to find that it abounded in parks and recreation grounds, which were open to tho general public for the playing of various games. Ho considered that the principle of providing such areas might be applied in the case of New Zealand towns, so that as the population increased citizens would have additional means of relaxation and enjoyment. Bargain Day to-morrow. Men's Glace Kid Derby Dais, sewm soles, guaranteed wear; an ideal business boot. Special to-morrow, 2 r ,/_ pair. The C. M. Ross Co., Ltd. Kindly mention the “TIMES'’ when corresponding with advertisers.

It is understood that the session of I Parliament is to be adjourned on December 22nd until January oth. One case of scarlet fever, three of enteric fever, and one of tuberculosis were reported in the’ Palmerston North health district for the week ending Monday last. Building is stated to bo exceptionally brisk in the Auckland district, during the past six months the West Tamaki Road Board has issued building permits for the erection of dwellings o£ a total value of £24,750. The recent spell of hot weather ex. perienced in Hawke’s Bay culminated in a most refreshing rain on Monday night. Although this district has enjoyed a reasonable amount of moisture during the spring, and has looked better this year than for the past three years, the hot sunshine and winds were beginning to make themselves felt. The rain, however, which has the appearance of being steady for some time, will prove most beneficial. Prohibition of the importation of Asiatic egg pulp into the Dominion is desired by the New Zealand Poultry Association, and representations on the matter are to be made to the Government shortly. The provision of cheaper fowl wheat is another subject which the Government is to be asked to consider. It is stated that under present conditions eggs are being produced and sold at a loss, and a remedy in the direction named is said to be urgently' necessary to tho industry. A meeting of settlers interested in the question of the amended regulations in connection with rural mail delivery was held in the Kairanga Hall on Monday night. Mr P. J. Small presided. It was decided to support the action of the P. and T. Department in imposing a delivery fee, as it was considered that opposition would load to the loss of the service altogether. It was further resolved to canvass settlers along the route to obtain signatures to the document issued by tho Department, agreeing to pay the necessary fee. “Talking of hens,” remarked the American visitor, “reminds me of an I old hen my dad once had. She would I hatch out anything from a tennis ball; to a lemon. Why, one day she sat on a piece of ice and hatched out two quarts of hot water.” “That doesn’t come up to a club-footed hen my mother once had,” remarked the irishman. “They had been feeding her by mistake on sawdust instead of oatmeal. Well, sir, she laid twelve eggs and sat on them, and when they hatched eleven of the chickens had wooden legs and the twelfth was a wood-pecker!” A visitor to Palmerston North cannot fail to be impressed with the cleanliness of the Square and streets in the vicinity. This pleasant feature was to some extent marred by a cloud of smoke issuing from the chimney of a factory in Kangltikei Street on Monday, and being blown downward by the wind, much to the-an-noyance of a business man whose premises were in the “line of fire.” He spoke of seeking the assistance of the local inspector to have the nuisance abated. Prom all appearance, had the top of the chimney been raised contemporaneously with the prices of the products of the factory, the'trouble would cease to exist. The shortage of work is apparently forcing some- men into jobs in which they are, to say the least, not at home (says tho Ashburton “Guardian”). An “experienced teamster" arrived at a farm near Mayfield tho other day, stating his experience at two and ahalf years at general farm work. On arrival he was told to take the gfubber out to a certain paddock and commence work —the grubber was in the yard. The teamster, self-called, found a double-furrow plough and a grubber in the yard, but apparently imagining that one was as good as the other, said he * would take “the narrow one, as it would be easier to drive through the gates.” He was a.t once promoted to the garden, where he is still working till the week’s notice expires. It is no unusual thing for commercial travellers to while away the tedium of a long railway journey with a game of “solo-whist,” although on occasion the, latter part of the name is more honoured in the breach than the observance. There is one “ambassador of commerce, whose headquarters are not in Palmerston North, who expresses his thoughts aloud to such purpose when taking part in a game, as to merit the title of “The Silent Salesman.” Quite recently a “knight of the road” who was evidently not familiar with the vocal powers of the salesman in question, was persuaded to "make a fourth.” On being asked at the conclusion of the game what success had attended hia efforts, he replied, with profound disgust, “I couldn’t get a ’speak’ with that gramophone going!” The following letter has been received from the Postmaster-General by Mr Edward Newman, M.P.: — “Wellington, 12th November, 1921. — Sir, —With reference to the question of advising Shannon of the presence of flood water at Woodville raised by the town clerk, Shannon, in his letter to you of the 18th August, I have tae honour to inform you that arrangements, which I hope will be satisfactory, have now been made tor tne transmission of flood warnings. The Railway Department bridge-keeper at Ngawapurua will act as river reporter during his working hours,, and will advise the postmaster at Woodville, through the railway station, of the state of the river. The postmaster will, in turn, telegraph warnings to officers lower down the river.—l have the honour to be, etc., J. G. Coates, Postmaster-General.”

What is a “roller sweat”? In the Supreme Court at Christchurch it was stated that such an article had been found in the possession of a prisoner. A “Sun” representative put the query to a police officer. A "roller sweat,” he was told, is a many-sided length of planed wood, each side of which is painted. It is used in gaming. The operator has a piece of oilcloth, marked with strips of colour corresponding to those on the roller. Each of these strips is marked with certain odds. The roller is sent spinning over the oilcloth. If when it stops, the uppermost colour corresponds with that upon which the roller rests, the operator pays out on the odds stated. As played, however, it is not really a game of chance. The roller is so delicately constructed, from the point of view of balance, that the operator, if he desires, can make it turn up a particular colour. Special.—An unusually attractive line of ladies’, good Navy Serge Costumes aro being offered by the C. M. Ross Co., Ltd., to-day at £5 1 2/G. See special window display. Open all day to-day as usual. Washing day no longer to be dreaded. The “0.K.” Washer converts drudgery into pleasure. Write for particulars about our great laboursaving devices for the home. Manson and Barr , Ltd., Hardware Mer-I chants. Palmerston North.*

| The libel action of H. W. White and Elizabeth White, of Kaiwaka, against the Hawke’s Bay •’Tribune,” Ltd., for £-000, has been settled out of court. A Taumarunui telegram says: —- William Atkinson, who escaped from Taumarunui gaol on 12th November, was recaptured at Ohura at 11 o’clock on Monday night by the police. A Gisborne telegram says:—A body seen floating in the Waimata river by a boy this morning has been identified as that of Samuel Jarvis McCormick. manager of the Bank of Australasia. The body has a severe gash in the throat, presumably a cut by a sharp instrument. Mr McCormick retired as usual last night. He had been in the habit of rising early and gardening. He was not missed till breakfast. He had been, recently suffering from influenza. In a letter to a friend in Nelsen, Mr George Bush, writing under data 9th September, from Berlin, stated that he had just arrived there by' aeroplane, and was proceeding to Vienna by the same means of transport. He also forwarded a postcard of Le Quesnoy, which contained the following inscription: "This is where the New Zealanders scaled the walls,' and re-captured the town and 2,000 Huns. A monument is bhlng erected on tho spot to New Zealanders.” At last night's meeting of the Palmerston North R.S.A. a letter was' read from Mr I. Wilson Wlndford, on behalf of tho country members, in regard to rural mail delivery charges. The letter stated, inter alia, “Men who have been disabled through the war, and who have taken up farming' occupations, are asked to pay the sum of £2 per annum for a delivery or go' to the nearest P.O. for it. We have done what we could for the country,’ and since returning have taken up farming, and paid high revenue on same. Now wo are asked to pay£2 per annum, while foreigners, shir-, kers, Germans, etc., get a free delivery twice daily in the towns." Mr, Jacobs, tho president, stated that district headquarters had taken up this question, and the meeting decided to accord that body its support. A disease known as ‘‘bark blotch,*’ which attacks citrus fruit trees, and [which hitherto has not been located in the Dominion, has made its appearance in some of the commercial orchards of the Auckland district. It. is found on both orange and lemon, , trees, but chiefly on the latter. Mr J.* ; W. Collard, orchard instructor for | ; tho Department of Agriculture at ■ Auckland, stated that trees affected ■ with the disease had been found in . orchards between Avondale and, . Swanson. He added that probably it was prevalent in other districts, and had been mistaken for “collar rot,” , which was well known in some dia- | tricts of the Dominion. Mr Collard . said the disease very likely had been. introduced from Australia, where it . had been established for some years. The treatment for the disease, he . said, was the same as that for collar rot. The affected parts should be cut away, and the wound painted with , corrosive sublimate at a strength of ■ one in a thousand. When this had ; dried the part should be painted over with coal tar. By this treatment [ the life of an affected tree could be' . prolonged for several years, but the fruit would not be as good as that ’ produced by healthy trees. The only method of prevention was the careful selection of stocks.