GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3538, 21 February 1927, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS

A humorous American tourist on the Franconia describes his first impression of Auckland. "I looked out the port this morning; and saw a Ford sign and a roller coaster, and I guessed it wasn't such a wild place after all.” Some years ago chamois were liberated in the Mount Cook region. It is now clear not only that the introduction has been successful, but that the chamois have spread far afield. Three distinct pairs have been noticed recently on the slopes of Mount Rolleston, which is near Arthur's Pass. There Is an impression that they graze on the blooms of the mountain lily. Pickpockets were in action in Wanganui during the summer racing carnival, several visitors to the river city being among the victims. The racecourse on Saturday was the scene of their operations, while on Thrusday other portions of the town were visited by the lightfingered gentry, and, judging from accounts, very successfully. On the application of Senior-Detec-tive Quirke, a young man, Robert R. Simpson who appeared before Messrs G. H. Espiner and W. G. Ashworth J.’sP. at the Magistrates Court on Saturday morning to answer a charge in respect to the theft of two racing cycle wheels, valued at £3 >lO/-, the property of Ray Spiers, was remanded until Thursday morning. .At a certain entertainment in Hawera recently, the loyal toast had just been proposed and the gathering stood waiting a few moments while the pianist took his place at the piano. Instead of playing the National Anthem, however, he unconsciously struck up “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow,”, and it was not until he had played several opening bars that he realised his mistake. A message from Wellington states that a fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in Munt, Cotterill’s stables, in Tinakori Road, in which were twenty-five horses. ATI were brought out alive, but seven were sb badly burned that three had to be destroyed while the other four will\ need the attention of a veterinary surgeon. The building was badly damaged.—Press Association.

Persistency does not always bring the desired results even In the case ol a counsel cross-examining a witness, (remarks the Gisborne "Times.”) The other day counsel was persistently heckling a witness in regard to past bookmaking episodes, Several protests were made but they had ho effect till the- witness retorted; "X don’t know why you keep touching on that. You got well paid for defending me one time.” Counsel sat down. / ~ A lady passenger by the Moeraki relates that soon after the vessel left Melbourne and was passing down the bay, a number of medical men specialists most of them—and bound for the Australasian Medical Congress in Dunedin, were discussing the pathology of sea sickness'and some of them maintained that it was only a matter of will power and "hold your breath.” A few hours later the party again met and had to admit with feeling that there was no cure for sea sickness. The tedium of the process of the law in the case heard on Saturday against three brothers in respect to breaking, entering and theft, was relieved by a bright interlude, when Senior-Detective Quirke was giving evidence. Witness explained that on February 7 last, he went to a spot in the Manawatu i Gorge, where two of the exhibits in the case were found by one of the accused. Counsel for the accused (in a surprised tone of voice) : “Tou wen to the Gorge and had a spot?” "No,” corrected witness, “We went to a spot. .You cannot get any spots in the Gorge .except ot water.” (Daughter.) The number of wiseacres who would have had Admiral Jelliooe adopt a different course to that which he pursued in the Battle of Jutland, were effectively dealt with by Commander Marsden, R.N., in his address to members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce last Thursday. The Commander claimed that Jelllcoo had shown his greatness as well as his soundness of judgment in refusing to rush into the fog and "mix it” with the retreating Germans, and his policy resulted in the retention of the British command of the sea. It is all very well, said Commander Marsden, to say that "if Jellicoe had done this, or if he had done that, certain things Would have resulted.” "If your aunt had been a wheelbarrow, then you might have been a Ford car.’* That preparations for the visit bf the Duke and Duchess of Tork are being finalised, was demonstrated on Saturday, when the Royal train and a number of well-proportioned men—the pick of the New Zealand Police Force —who are to comprise the distinguished visitors’ . bodyguardpassed through Palmerston North, en route to Auckland Despite the fact that it was not generally known when the train would proceed north, a large crowd witnessed its arrival at about 5.30 o’clock, and manifested much interest in its luxurious appointments. Painted In burnt sienna, the train, which consists of a wedpolished engine and five carriages, is replete with every modern railway convenience provision having been made for dining-room space, a kitchen —through which it is not necessary for passengers to pass—ordinary seating accommodation, lounge, and sleeping quarters. The upholstering and frame work of the Royal conveyance generally forms a striking tribute to the excellent workmanship of the employees in the New Zealand Railway workshops.

Wo have received advice that our neqt shipment of “Vega” Separators will have to be sold at a higher figure. We have several machines left at our present remarkable prices, and would suggest you inspect same at once at: Booth Macdonald and Co.. Ltd.. Rangitlkel Street. ’Phone No. 6327-

Tuesday evening's W.E.A. lecture will be delivered in the St. Andrew’s Memorial Hall and not in the R.S.A. Club Boom. The subject will be ‘Heredity and Human Progress," and the public are cordially Invited to attend Another dangerous obstacle to motorist, i—the level crossing at the foot of the Turalcina Hill—is being removed. An overhead bridge is being erected and another three or. four months should see the bridge ready for traffic. ' “I have only one objection to attending a New Zealand race meeting, and that Is the method employed In tho Dominion of wanting the horses round and round the birdcage, and •wasting as much time as possible. It certainly docs the horses no good, and I cannot see the benefit derived by the public from the practice.” This was the opinion Mr Spencer Gollan, a well-known sportsman, expressed to a pressman in Napier. In order to give a vivid touch of ‘‘local colour” to the Jubilee celebrations the organiser (Mr. H. E. Bennett) is endeavouring to secure the use of one of the old .coaches which rendered such valuable servic e in the early days of the Dominion’s history. No doubt on© or two of these ancient vehicles are still., in existence, probably encumbering the yard of some coachbuilders’.’ factory. Information concerning them would be welcome at the Jubilee headquarters.

In nfcgltiating the Palmerston North side of the Wangaehu hill a motorist on Saturday had an unenviable experience. It would appear that ho was attempting to pass a motor lorry at a particularly narrow part ofntho road, the car going over the bank, but fortunately being help up'by a tree about ten feet from the edge of the road. The lorry was being used to haul the vehicle from Its precarious position, at a time when the motor traffic from the Wanganui races was at its heaviest.