LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2709, 17 June 1925, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At Bowls. Now Zealand defeated Cluitswood by 74—G7. A fishing parly secured 500 flounders at tho Wairarapa lake. In one haul, SO flounders wore caught, only two of which were under-sized.

The Eire Brigade was called shortly after seven o’clock last evening to Chaytor street, where a chimney in the residence of Mr. Andrews was blazing.

Tho public is reminded of the annual meeting of tho Plunket Society (to be followed by an address by Sir Truby King) in the Municipal Hall at 7.30 p.m. this evening. A Chinese syndicate is engaged just now in buying valuable properties in Christchurch. The activities of tho syndicate arc attracting the attention of property buyers and sellers in the city.

Broadcasting of church services is being gradually extended in Auckland, and reports from listeners-in show that the recent improvements at tho broadcasting station have added much to the clearness of the transmissions.

To procure the BSJ tons of honey produced this season oh tho West Coast, the bees flew 4,45(),T500 miles collecting nectar (calculates the “Grey River Argus”), and probably an additional quarter of the distance was occupied carrying water and pollen. The load carried by a bee is l-300th of an ounce.

A most unsatisfactory state of affairs in regard to the milk supply for the City of Auckland is disclosed in the latest report off the Auckland Health Department’s bacteriological examinations carried out by the Department's Laboratory in Queen Street. A few dairy farmers have put on the market a clean milk, but no inducement is offered for this to be done', as the price obtained is no more for a clean milk than if a dirty milk is supplied.

From well-informed circles a “Now Zealand Times” representative gathered that an engine driver on tho Now Zealand railways quite recently took over £9 in overtime for a fortnight in addition to wages. The informant saw the wages docket, and expressed the opinion that the fact that an engine driver worked such long hours constituted a real source of danger on the railways, as a man could not keep mentally and physically fit when working such long hours.

Mountaineers who are keenly interested in ski-ing on the snowy slopes of Ruapehu, which will present a very fine alpine appearance if this weather continues, make grave objection to the difference in cost of skis between Whakapapa and Mount Cook. On the Auckland snow playground at Whakapapa tourists and climbers are charged 5/- a day, of 15/a week, for skis, whereas at Mount Cook they are obtainable at 1/0 a day or 7/6 a week. At Mount Cook instruction is also provided, whereas at Whakapapa there is none.

People around the tickctbox fit HU Majesty’s Theatre in Blenheim were convulsed by an incident in which a well-known Maori took the leading part (states tho Marlborough' Express.) Ho was informed that a seat in the dress circle would cost him 8/9. “By corry!” he said. “Do you think Lauder is worth that?” He was informed that it was worth 8/9 to hear such a well-known comedian. “I suppose he is a loud singer?” inquired tho Maori, and, on being answered in the affirmative, concluded ■"Well if he is a loud singer I can hear him from outside!” A novel example of the community spirit has been demonstrated in a pen in the Wellington Zoo, where a pair of pukekos, the New Zealand swamp bird, and a pair of blue gallinule are housed. All the birds are very much alike and the first signs of the community* spirit were observed when it was found that the four of them were taking part in tho building of one nest. Then a couple of eggs appeared and no one could determine to which pair the eggs belonged, tho pukekos or the gallinule. Whatever the true state of affairs, each of the four birds took it in turn to sit on the eggs until they were hatched, and toclay the youngsters are thriving well. The problem of their parentage is not yot solved, unless it be that the parents themselves have solved it, for each pair attached one of the youngsters to themselves and bestow |all' care upon their particular charge. When the young ones have assumed a more definite plumage the curator may be able to solve the problem.

ißg Winter Clearance Sale of Millinery lias commenced at The C. M. Ross Co, Ptd. All the season’s trimmed hats included—many being reduced to half price. Remember special bargains are now ruling throughout ovory department of our store. Pay Palmerston’s Fashion Centre a visit whilst you a xa in town: