LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2728, 10 July 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Whitebait have already made their appearance in Taranaki streams. Usually they do not appear until about September, and the fact they are up so early is considered by the Maoris to be a sign of a long summer. An unpleasant surprise was yesterday afforded a Palmerston North resident who opened a case of oranges from Rarotonga. He discovered a huge centipede alive, and measuring about six inches from tip to tail. It had only 42 legs, but looked a particularly poisonous specimen. Attention is called to the Jubilee re-union of past and present teachers and scholars of St. Paul’s school to be held at the schoolroom this evening (Friday) at 7-30. A good programme is to be presented. The Revs. T. G. Hammond and J. .1. Dewis will bo present. Refreshments will be dispensed.

“When are you and Mr. Hawken going to get married?” was a question asked of Mr. J. R. Corrigan, M.P., at a function at Hawera the other night, the questioner referring to the suggested “wedding,” or fusion, of the two parties. Mr. Corrigan was equal to the occasion and replied; “There must be a funeral first.” A contractor who is building a bridge inland from Moumahaki has his camp near a small patch of native bush. He states that the native bird life is remarkable. All night the men heard the call of the kiwi, and in the early mornings pigeons, bellbirds, tuis and a number of the smaller birds are plentiful. He added that it was a striking instance of the value of shelter bush as in the locality in question most of the country is cleared.

One of the least-known centanarics of the present year is that of the hire purchase system of buying goods, which had its origin in France as a result of the impoverishment that followed the Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. The system was introduced into England in 1828, when the Countess of Blessington, on her return from Paris, suggested it to a firm of cabinmakers. They saw the advantage of the scheme and adopted it at once.

A traveller who returned to Wellington after a motor trip right through the West Coast, states that at Berlins, in the Buller Gorge, he saw two live kiwis —the first he had ever seen. They were quite tame and did not, mind being handled. They wore being kept in a stable with a yonng pig, but they have since escaped. It is reported that there is quite a number of them in the Buller Gorge, and that they arc frequently seen by those who traverse the road at night. .

The differing pronunciation of the word “year” by a barrister and a Dalmation who was giving evidence caused some amusement in the Supreme Court at Auckland. Counsel, in the course of cross-examination, asked the witness in what year he made out a certain account, but the man replied that he did not understand and did not think he had heard the words before. The question was repeated, and finally the Dalmatian, with a look of understanding, replied: “Now you say it two or three times I understand You call it ‘yah’ and I call it in broken English ‘year.’ ” A most interesting case was recently discharged from the Cook Hospital (Gisborne) completely cured. Some time ago a man working at a local timber yard ran a big splinter of wood between the nail of one of his fingers, and before very long tetanus set in. Ho was taken to hospital, and as usual, the muscles of his whole body contracted, causing what is commonly known as lock-jaw. The man suffered intense agony during the attack, and was treated throughout with anti-tet-anic serum. Fortunately some of his teeth were missing, and he was fed by means of a tube placed In the gap. For a time the spasms caused by the dread germ were very severe, but gradually as the serum took effect they became less severe, and the man was finally discharged perfectly fit again. Never were silks more alluringly priced than now at The C. M. Ross Co. Ltd’s Great Winter Clearance Sale. All silk fugi smartly striped in colour makes up delightfully into the daintiest and most serviceable frocks, etc. Usually 4/6 and 4/11. special now at 2/11 sale price, A Gas Cooker is cheap, clean, quick, and efficient.*

The Hawke’s Bay members of the All Blacks 1925 passed through Palmerston North yesterday afternoon uy the Wellington-Napier- express. The Minister of Health has approv-. cd of a grant of £l5O to the Palmerston North Hospital Board towards the expenses of the bacteriological laboratory.

The managing secretary of the Hospital Board informed yesterday’s meeting that the Otaki and Pukoora Sanatoriums were full, and ho had patients waiting for admission. The medical superintendent (Dr. G. A. Forrest) suggested the appointment of a House physician at yesterday’s meeting of the Hospital Board. The matter was referred to the executive for further consideration.

According to the managing secretary of the Hospital Board .the admissions to the Palmerston North hospital have increased fifty per cent during the last two years. The average number occupying beds each month now was about .150, The annual report of the British Board of Education points out that New Zealand, which is taking up the scheme, is the only Dominion assenting to the new interchange of teachers recommended by the Imperial Education Conference in 1923.

Crippled children at the Palmerston North Hospital, victims of the infantile paralysis epidemic, are to be sent to Rotorua for treatment soon. At least twelve children will be going, and they will be accompanied by nurses. Some of the cases are of a severe type and will require prolonged treatment.

Its an 111-wind! During the recent flooded state of the country the permanent way was on its best behaviour. The result was a marked increase in the volume of railway goods traffic. In particular the amount of benzine handled was enormous such freight having to some extent gone to the fleet of motor lorries on the road. The Town Clerk (Mr J. R. Hardic) wrote to the Hospital Board yesterday stating that the Borough Council was prepared to construct a footpath in Terrace street in front of the Hospital provided the Board contributed half cost of the work. The Board, however, thinks the Council should do the whole of the work and decided to make further representations in the matter.

The charitable aid officer (Mr F. Aishcr) reported to yesterday’s meeting of the Hospital Board that during the month he had assisted five cases in Palmerston North and two at Shannon. It was noticeable that now the winter had set in, there were more men on the road looking for employment and he expected to have still more cases to attend to.

An independent opinion of the refereeing in the All Blacks v. Wel-lington-Manawatu-Horowhonua match at Wellington on Wednesday was to the effect that Mr. A. W. Thompson’s work was “only fair.” The writer pondered over this for a while as he had heard from many Palmerstonians, who witnessed the game, that Manawatu’s leading referee had done "alright” in difficult circumstances. Then he remembered that the “independents” team had played a Ranfurly Shield challenge in 1920 and suffered defeat by nearly tvrenty points. Mr. A. W. Thompson was referee!

Capt. M. B. MacDonald, organiser for the Wellington provincial court at the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition was in Palmerston ‘North last evening. He went on to Marton by the limited express for a meeting ther e to-day of representatives of all local bodies in Rangitikei. The four Wanganui authorities voted £950 amongst them last week, as tae Government is arranging for legislative sanction for local bodies to raise money by way of overdraft for provincial' courts, the Manawatu authorities will no doubt find something like f 1000 to provide for local exhibits. The Acting Director-General of Health forwarded particulars of the treatment of crippled children at Rotorua to the Palmerston North Hospital Board yesterday, He. pointed out that adequate treatment, including surgical appliances, where necessary, was afforded, and an early decision was given regarding the possibility or otherwise of satisfactory final improvement. The primary education of the children was not neglected while treatment was being given. Arrangements for the admission of patients could 1 be made through the nearest Health officer.

People who delight in music will be interested to learn that Galli-Curci and Kreislcr, during their New Zealand concert tour, were accompanied upon the Steinway piano. This instrument was supplied by The Bristol Piano Company Ltd., who are the Dominion Agents for the Steinway.