LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2123, 15 May 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The fifty-mile cycle road race, which was fixed to take place next Wednesday afternoon, has been postponed indefinitely owing to the poor support so far given it by cyclists and public alike. The County Council has just replaced a bridge near Maharahara station. To see the rotten planks and stringers lying beside the road makes one apprehensive of the safety of many other wooden bridges. Miro, one of the best-known of New Zealand timbers, is being brought to the railway station along the line from Woodville to Dannevirkc in fair quantities. Growing, it much resembles the niatai. The wood is red In colour, hard and close-grained —a valuable product. A prospective “Labour” candidate in a'neighbouring constituency lias solved the labour question. His wife does the, fencing, ploughing, and milking, also the housework, sewing and nursing. The chief problem in his campaign is to explain the slump in wages in that locality, A puzzled junior clerk with pocketbook and pencil was trying to make clear for his law officer’s guidance the mail notice at the posting boxes of the Palmerston North Post Office. A sympathetic bystander said, “You’ll find a proper notice in the “Times,” and the clerk closed his pocket-pook, relieved. The vast plain upon which the prosperous town of Dannevirkc stands was known to the older Maoris at Tahora-lti —the little plain. Their vision was probably bounded by dense forest, which has long since gone. It is almost a pity, though, that a Maori or an Kngiish name was not selected for the future city. The election of the Public Service Appeal Board resulted as follows: Mr H. C. Hulme, Lands and Survey Department, Wellington, 2604, elected; Mr C. de H. Andrews, Valuation Department, Invercargill, 2461, reelected- Mr J. H. Irvine, Government Printing Office, 1512; informal 448. The total votes recorded were 40S-, out of a roll of 6668. Huge logs of dry rata, 6 feet in diameter and 20 feet in length, are being cut into 3x3 inch arms for hydro-electric wiring at Dannevirke. The industry is so extensive that it will have an immediate effect, upon our firewood supply. One far-seeing farmer has taken a contract for the supply of a million feet heart of rata at a good price. The dry kiln process mentioned in connection with the visit of an eminent authority on forestry is interesting a number of people. We have consulted the local forestry officer, who explains that it refers to seasoning green timber in 24 hours. He remarked also, incidentally, that in Germany they utilise 90 per cent, of their wood products, and in New Zealand we waste 67 per cent. Mr A. Matheson, who is about to return to his home in Johannesburg, says that 95 per cent, of those who live there have the peculiar yellow face known as the South African complexion, which is thought to be. due to excessive coffee drinking. He is taken with Palmerston’s Citizens’ Lunch Club, and has carried its programme with him in order to introduce the idea to his adopted city. Councillor Lancaster is worthily devoting much time and energy to the interests of the children. It has been suggested to us that when the Council dedicate the children’s playground to which he is now giving his attention, it should be named “Lancaster Park,” not in opposition to the Christchurch sportsground, but in honour to our child benefactor —Steve Lancaster, as he is affectionately known to his many friends. A correspondent writes to the “Manawatu Times”: —There are at least two railway crossings in Dannevirke which should at once be provided with warning bells. The sad accident of Friday, and others previously, would have certainly been avoided by this simple means. The crossing at Piripiri is also dangerous. The County Council should make it an overhead crossing. This could be done at a minimum cost, where the iiine puns In. a. cutting.

Another draft of immigrants, numbering 305, is due to arrive at Wellington to-day by the lonic. A meeting of dairy farmers from Rongotea,' Glen Oroua and the surrounding districts will be held in the Rongotea Coronation Hall to-morrow. Delegates to the annual district conference of the Returned Soldiers’ Association passed a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the conference to the Manawatu Club for its hospitality at the Korero on Saturday evening.

At the Magistrate’s Court, Palmerston North, on Saturday, before .Messrs J. Mowlem and W. McKenzie, J’s.P., Leslie Ellis, alias Leonard Willis, was fined 20/ for drunkenness or in default seven days. A first offender was fined 5/.

The Feilding Borough Council last month made a net profit of £77 IS/8 on their electric light undertaking. At the beginning of the month the department had 1030 consumers, over one hundred new connections having been made during the previous month.

Excellent results attended the efforts on Poppy Day of the committee of the Rongotea branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and its energetic secretary (Mr R. Ahearne), no less a sum than £42 10/9 being realised by public subscription, and in addition two wreaths were purchased by the returned soldiers for £7 1/6.

Arrngements are now in hand for this year’s annual re-union of members of the Palmerston North branch of the R.S.A., which takes place early next month. An endeavour is being made for a departure from the usual and more or less stereotyped musical programmes that characterise such functions and the presentation of a number of original and novel items.

A special meeting of the Manawatu sub-provincial branch of the Farmers’ Union was called for Saturday morning, but lapsed for want of a quorum, not four members attending. Those present, however, discussed the remits to be presented to the conference to be held at Wanganui to-mor-row, at which delegates from both sides of the range will be persent, and decided upon their position on the matters brought under notice.

Delegates to the district Returned Soldiers’ Association conference in PUmerston North during the weekend endorsed a remit to be forwarded to the Dominion conference that the system of restricting immigrants to only those nominated be discontinued, and that the very best of immigrants obtainable be selected by officers in London, and that the Go\eminent be urged to see that such officers are experienced men capable of making good selections.

A reserve of bush on Mr Stevens's property at Pohangina was proclaimed a sanctuary .for birds last year. Mr S. R. Lancaster says there are now flocks of native pigeons taking shelter and feeding there. Many New Zealanders have not even seen a native pigeon. The main road runs through the edge of this piece of bush, and travellers may see them from the road. They may be approached very closely, and their tameness constitutes the main danger of their extinction.

Regarding the merits and demerits of the district Returned Soldiers’ Association scheme, discussed at the conference of representatives of the various branches in the Wellington district held in Palmerston North during the week-end, Mr B. J. Jacobs observed that the branches were scattered and many obscure. As for Eketahuna, where a branch had just been formed, the executive had not known of its existence on the map. "And wo have never heard of you either,” retorted Mr A. H. Herbert, of Ekctahuna, amid laughter.

Two Palmerston men, whose chivalry was stronger than their avowed dislike of the road hog, witnessed a narrow escape through a car turning on the wrong side near the Occidental Hotel. They gave the car number to the police, on condition that they warned the driver, and did not prosecute. It should be noted that this motorist was young and handsome. Both gentlemen were married, but apparently still susceptible to fascination. If more pedestrians would follow this course in respect to men drivers, a salutary check would be placed upon careless driving.

At the close of the Returned Soldiers’ Association district conference held in Palmerston North during the week-end, Mr G. Mitchell, M.P., referred to the concord in which members had deliberated, even on the most vexed questions. “It has been largely due to our worthy president” (Mr B. J. Jacobs), he observed. "He has a rather charming manner, and it will find him in Parliament yet.” Uproarious laughter was evoked from the assembled ex-“diggers” by Mr Jacobs's reply: “My charm of manner.” he. said, “never appealed to Colonel Mitchell in the army.”

A round-table conference rvil! be held to-day between representatives of the Dannevirke Farmers’ Union and representatives of the local Labour Partv to discuss matters of mutual interest. This arrangement is the outcome c/ a discussion at the last meeting of the Farmers’ Union, arising - out of a remit from the North Canterbury branch, which suggested that occasional conferences between the farming community as represented by the Farmers’ Union and members of the local Labour Party would prove useful in eliminating much misunderstanding between these two branches of the community.

That forceful speaker from the Wellington branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr A. B. Sievwright, was holding forth at the district conference of R.S.A. representatives held in Palmerston North during the week-end, on the necessity for the abolition of the district scheme, when a band in the street struck up. Mr Sievwright continued undismayed, and it may truly be said of him that he beat the band. Later Dr Gow, of Levin, observed tthat though the case for the abolition of the system had been put with musical honours, he could put forward a better one for its retention, and this, was decided on by a big majority. The fame of the Erasmic preparation is expressed in our latest consignment of Fancy Soaps. Erasmic Herb Soap, a delightful toilet adjunct, 10/ doz, post free. Erasmic Floral Box, containing 3 cakes, 3/ post free. Erasmic Aix Fleurs, a dainty soap, 3 cakes handsomely boxed, 4/6 post free. Write for some of these exquisite and most moderately priced soaps. Manson and Barr, Ltd., Palmerston North. For Bronchia! Coughs, take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cu^e,

Community singing is to be introduced to New Plymouth to-day. Several hundred holiday-maker* are still camped at the Foxton beach. An order constituting Foxton a fire district appeared in last week s “Gazette.” In spite of the low price of fibre, five flax mills are still operating on the Manawatu River at Foxton. Five punts are at present employed in the conveyance of flax down the Manawatu river to the mills at Foxton. As showing the wildness of the season, it may be mentioned that one family in Palmerston North is still getting’ green peas and French beans. Rabbits arc apparently making their way towards Taranaki, which has hitherto been free from the pest. One was shot near the Onaero dairy factory a few days ago. The Palmerston North Municipal Band rendered a choice programme of music in the Esplanade on Sunday afternoon. The music was much appreciated by tli£ large crowd of people who were present, A young man was arrested in Palmerston North on Saturday on a charge of conducting himself in a manner calculated to create a breach of the peace. It is alleged that he knocked a man down in the street. “China’s tremendous surplus of labour is going to determine the ruling rate of wages for the whole world in the future, and so her morals, or lack of them, will affect the world. China needs Christ/mising for her own sake and for humanity's sake.” —Rev. McDouall at Aill Saints' Church yesterday evening. A cable message has been received in Wellington, stating that the Brooklands tourist trophy motor cycle race, one of the big English events, was won by Emerson on a “Douglas” motor cycle. Emerson, who won by two miles, broke the hour records, and also two fifty-mile records, with a speed of 78.91 miles per hour. The carelessness of parents in allowing young children to roam about i the streets was very nearly responI oible for a tragedy in Fitzhcrbert St, Palmerston North, on Sunday after--1 noon. A car was proceeding along 1 the street at a fast pace, when a child I about three years of age deliberately Iran across the thoroughfare. It was | only by the prompt application of the I brakes of the car. and the swerving ! of the vehicle, that a serious accident I was averted. j Entries in the various sections of [the Manawatu Competitions Society’s I first festival, to be held in July, are coming in rapidly, and the members of the teaching profession have signiI fled their desire to help in any way to encourage children at the various schools to participate in the juvenile sections, which promise to be a feature of the affair. The local Society of Professional Musicians has made a i donation and a promise of support. A number of valuable prizes for competition have already been received from various firms of music dealers. Honorary membership may be obtained to the Society at a fee of £1 1/. and one of the privileges’is that the member is entitled to a couple of tickets of admission to all sessions during the period of the competitions. “The average able-bodied navvy can be placed fairly well, but the man who is up against it is the man who has been in an office, or is partially incapacitated and is unable to do labourious work,” said Mr G. Mitchell, M.P., at the Returned Soldiers’ Association conference during the weekend. Those interested in the returned men’s welfare found this the greatest problem confronting them. Employers would not engage men who were inefficient, and the small pensions received in the case of partial incapacitation were not solely sufficient for a man’s upkeep. Inter alia, the speaker mentioned that there was a natural drift of the unemployed to the big centres. At the moment, it was stated by Mr Sievwright, there were 300 returned soldiers out of work in Wellington. A couple of Palmerston North residents who visited Foxton on Saturday were much impressed with the progress made in the coastal township in recent years. Many old buildings that have been destroyed by fire have been replaced with handsome new brick structures. The main thoroughfare has been asphalted, and and presents a cleanly appearance. The old Maori cemetery has been converted into a well-kept domain, and a new park has been laid out in the centre of the township. A high pressure water supply and drainage system are now being installed. The water is being supplied from several artesian wells, and is to be pumped into a tank on the top of a huge tower. fhe septic tank, which is situated on the bank of the Manawatu River, is very nearly completed. Taking it on the whole, Foxton has a bright and cheerful appearance, and there is an air of prosperity about the place that is most refreshing.

Knowing that this season’s magnificent grass has “saved the situation” for so many farmers, we surmise that you’ll bo top-dressing again this winter to keep production up to its maximum. The question now is, will you pay £7 7/6 or £6 17/6 for your “Tui” Top-dressing? For cash with order we’ll knock off 10/- a ton, or you can book your order and pay cash when ordering its delivery. ’Tui’’ A is £8 7/6, or £7 17/6 cash with order. Some 2000 used “Tui" last season—there's a reason! Hodden and Tolley, Ltd., Palmerston North. *