GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6669, 24 July 1928, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

The Auckland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union at Hamilton yesterday resolved to support the cash on delivery system of goods from Empire countries.

At Greymouth yesterday John Mason, a Eewanui State miner, was fined £3 with costs on each of two charges of removing a leather token from tubs of coal in an attempt to indicate that the coal had been hewn by him. Mr. George Bartholomew, of Folding, who has made a life’s study and work of tho products of the Forest, speaks at the Citizens’ Lunch Club today. His subject is “Timber.” Mr, E. M. Maunder is his chairman.

An information by the Official Assignee against James Douglas Adams, retired bant manager, late of Levin, that his bankruptcy was caused by gambling drunkenness or unjustifiable extravagance, was heard in tho Wellington Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Adams, who did not desire to <bo tried summarily, pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supremo-Court for sentence. , On Friday a- sdaled money-box was banded to a member of tho Christchurch Unemployed Committee (states the/'Lyttelton Times”). It contained 9s Oid. The bearer was asked if ha wanted the box back again. “Oh, no,” was the reply, “I think we have cured them.’’ “Cured them what of?” “Oh, swearing,” Half tho amount was made up of coppers. There was a two-shilling piece, which seemed to indicate that someone had either paid up arrears or purchased exemption.

The executive , of Associated Chambers' >of Commerce .considered a suggestion that slot ;■ telephones should be installed on railway platforms, instead of at, or near, railway entrances, as at present. The secretary reported having interviewed , the officials of the Post and Telegraph Department on the matter, who wore of opinion that the needs of both the'travelling public and of the general public were better served by continuance of the policy of installation at station entrances. ‘With this view i the executive concurred. Flats are shooting up at such a rate in apd around Sydney as to suggest that, many owners will find them a financial burden instead of a profitable source of ' income. There must, however, be h strong demand for flats, in preference to houses, since they are now. rapidly, spreading to the Outer suburbs of Sydney, and are going for beyond the ordinary accepted flat centres. Evcn : the more exclusive neighbourhoods of Edgecliff, Darling Point, Bellevue Hill, Double Bay, Point Piper and Mosman, ■which know not tho vulgar mob, have been invaded by flats of the most expensive type. Perhaps the flat in these aristocratic suburbs, where one wants quite a lot of money Sven to rent the better class home, is one means of finding oneself in the upper social strata.

A smoke concert without hot saveloys is like corned beef without carrots, and those in charge of the catering at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club’s smoko concert at Wellington on Saturday saw to it that the members wore not disappointed in this respect. Mention of this was made by the vicecommodore (Mr. J. E. L. Cull) when he proposed the toast of the club’s patron, His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, and ho expressed the hope that the distinguished visitor would find the faro to his liking. 'ln his reply, Sir Charles Pergusson said that ho would enjoy himself- in any case, and ho acl'dcdj “I shall enjoy myself doubly if that particular comestible is pr» duced.” (Laughter.) His Excellency was as good as his word when the saveloys appeared'on the table.

A giant 'truffle, weighing- 401bs, has been dug up by Mr. R. W. Davies in the Taranaki Permanent Forests (states the “Taranaki Herald”). The truffle is a species of underground fungas, and the specimen is considered hy Mr. Davies to bo extremely old. Ha discovered it, ho .states, in ground on which tho forest' was foiled forty years ago, tpd it still bears tho impression of a root, long sinde decayed, around. which it grew. Truffles have the same appearance as potatoes, but their structure' is entirely different. When old they become J full of brown spores, much like puff balls, but when young aro fleshy in texture. Several species are edible, and are highly valued as flavouring agents. They are found in forested countries, usually under oaks, and dogs, sometimes pig?, are specially trained to discover them beneath tho surface.

“It would simply mean the destruction of our dairy herds, one after another,” said Mr. F. M. Winstone at a meeting of tho council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, referring to the need for the most i stringent precautions to prevent foot-and-mouth dis'ease from being introduced into New Zealand from Great Britain (states the “Now Zealand Herald”). Mr. Winstone said the' Auckland Seed Merchants’ Association realised tho danger that the disease might bo brought in by means of seeds. It had written to the authorities in Britain to ascertain whether tho gorm could live for any length of time in or on vegetable matter.. The reply was that research had shown that germs had been found healthy and vigorous on hay after 15 weeks and on bran after 20 weeks. This, showed that no risks must be taken with commodities that might possibly bo affected. Another member of the council- remarked that hay and straw packing round goods had been prohibited. Woods’-Great Peppermint Cure First aid for Coughs, Colds, Influenza,