GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3496, 4 November 1926, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

A poll of ratepayers at Te Awamutu yesterday approved of the constitution of a Fire Board, by a majority of 24S votes. Rating on tne unimproved values was also adopted by a majority of 186 votes.—Press Association.

A challenge game for the Takaro Cup, was played on the Manawatu Bowling Club’s green yesterday, the challengers being a rink from the Takaro Club, Hinc, Usmar, Gallichan, Morgan (s), who beat the Manawatu representatives. Andrews, Cutler, Ekeralcy and Gorrand (s), by 24 to 17.

A painful injury above the left eye was sustained by Mr. W. J. Jordon, M.P., on Monday while he was ininspecting an orchard at Avondale in company with the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. O. J. Hawken_ Mr. Jordan was examining some fruit on a tree, when he was accidentally struck by the point of a knife carried by another member of the party. A cut about an inch in length was Inflicted.

A very busy time is being experienced by the Dunedin Government Tourist office and during the last three days there have been at least 30 bookings from Dunedin for Milford Sound, principally for Christmas, although a few are making the trip earlier. There has been a rush I’oi Queenstown and indications point to the accommodation being fully taxed. Stewart Island is also popular with holiday-makers.

The Petone Borough Council decided on Monday evening to withdraw from sale all the sections it owns in Bouverie street. The motion of withdrawal was passed on the motion of Councillor J. Sharpe, who contended that the council should hold the sections with the idea of increasing the area of the recreation ground or putting the sections to use for some other public purpose. Sections in Petone were now so scarce that once those were disposed of the council would find it a very difficult matter to acquire others.

The 'Nelson Acclimatisation Society for the last few years has been endeavouring to stock Lake Rotoiti, the source of the Duller River, with rainbow trout. Two years ago 75,000 fry were put in at the head of the lake, but little evidence has been obtained that the fish have survived. Mr. W. Andrews, the secretary of the society has established a hatchery at the lake, from which it is hoped to obtain sufficient ova to stock the rivers and streams shortly to place 250,000 brown trout fry in various streams in the district.

Complaints as to lack of noise are unusual, but on Monday night the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association decided to write to the Railway Department regarding the electric train on the Little River route. Mr. F. W. Freeman, in speaking on the subject said that the Railway Engineer and himsolf were nearly run over while on a railway crossing "it creeps along like a thief In the’night,” he said. "It’s whistle has a most peculiar sound, a sort of cross between a motor-horn and a baby’s cry.” It was decided to ask the Hallway Department to equip tire train with louder warning signals.

At the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Automobile Association, Mr. W. Benton (vice-president) presided. The annual report which was adopted stated that the membership has now reached 825, being an increase of 125 for the past twelve months. During the year numbers of sign-posts were erected on main roads and the majority on the lateral roads from Palliser Bay to Woodviile. Tho camping ground near Foatherston was now improved. Arrangments were being made to erect additional fencing on the Rimutaka Kill. Conditions notices regarding the Hanawatu Gorge Road and Rimutaka Hill were erected at several convenient localities.

Native birds, according to the Native Bird Protection Society, can be ■attracted around homes by artificial feeding, as well as by planting suitable berry-bearing plants (says an exchange). Tree tuis were successfully supplied with food in tne Oamaru district for many weeks by placing a bottle filled with thin honey up a tree. A better mixture would bo four parts of water to one of sugar by measure, as this is akin to the nectar, upon which tuis feed. The silver eye can bo made a regular visitor by feeding with beef suet, and the aphis on roses kept exterminated by the birds at the Sams time. AH artificial feeding is doubly effective during winter months. All food should bo placed in a suitable receptacle well up a tree or a thin pole.

You can’t blame the police officer for not wanting to take part in this Olympic contest.” said Mr. Jnstics Herdman at Auckland on Tuesday morning when summing up in a theft case. His Honor had informed the jury that the accused suggested to a detective that ho be given i.OO yards start and he would show the detective where the stolen goods were hidden- “ The officer very properly refused the invitation,” added his Honor

While Mr. P. J. E. McKay, of Christchurch, was motoring from Timaru to Christchurch on Saturday a bullet hit the cowl of his car. A hole about three-quarters of an inch In diameter was made in the cowl where the bullet entered .and a similar hole was made in the opposite side where it emerged. The occurrence took place at three o’clock between Winchester and Timaru. The bullet passed only a few inches in front of Mr McKay’s head. No one was seen shooting in the vicinity, and it la surmised that the shot was fired by a rabbit shooter in one of the paddocks adjoining the road.

The devastation wrought by the recent frosts in Central Otago has proved a serio.us thing for many growers, who in a night have seen the fruits of their arduous season’s labour wiped out. An ex-Invercargill resident writing to a member of the "Southland News” staff, states that In the Alexandra, Clyde, and Roxburgh districts acres upon acres of aprico,ts, peaches, cherries, and apples have been completely destroyed and many are wondering wbat they can do to earn sufficient to tide them over the season. Some are buying cows to make a cheque from milking. The writer states: "Even the strawberries are practically ruined, and I saw a huge bed of lily of the valley blackened by the visitations. Though It 13 twenty years since they suffered a

similar disastrous frost, I am satisfied that fruit growing is not only a hard but risky occupation.”

A Scottish lad was weary after a tramp through the country looking for work, related Commissioner Hay, of the Salvation Army, at his reception in New Plymouth on Monday night. So he stopped at a farmhouse to ask for a drink of water. The housewife herself came from the Highlands, however, and when she found that the visitor was a countryman of hors, and that he had been to the war she expressed a wish that ho should have milk rather than water. But when she had filled a bowl with milk her heart was filled with a desire to be more generous, so—very wrongly of course—she emptied a glass of whisky into the bowl. Tho Scotsman took the drink with evident relish. "My what a coo!” said he as he handed back the dish. After one meeting at which I told that story a man came np to the platform and asked for me,” continued the Commissioner. "When I was free he asked me for that woman’s address.”

Show Week Store hours at The C. M. Ross Co. Ltd.’s this week will be as follows. Closed this (Thursday) afternoon for the Show, late night Friday and closed Saturday from 1 p.m. for statutory half holiday. See tho glorious array of voiles whilst in town —an unequalled selection and most outstanding value.