GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

Aorangi arrived at Sydney yesterday morning from Auckland. Ulimaroa left Sydney at one o’clock yesterday afternoon for Wellington. There have been 21 additional deaths at Toronto from influenza since noon on Wednesday. The will of Mr. John McCaughey, of Dariinghurst, New South Wales, has been valued for probate purposes at £185,844. When in Wellington next week, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., will interview the Minister of Defence (Hon. T. M. Wilfmd) with reference to the Palmerston North Aero club receiving government recognition and assistance. Mitchell Arthur Walker, aged about 50, died in an Auckland hairdressing saloon yesterday morning. He was a visitor to the city. His identity was discovered from a Post Office Savings Bank book and a testimonial showed that he had worked as a cook at Taumarunui. The sale of the freehold of Andrew’s •hotel, Danncvirkc, which has been in tho possession of the Andrews family for about 30 years, has just been completed, tho purchaser being Mr M. Green, a retired gentleman, residing in Wellington. The purchase price was close on £50,000.

Starting off with a ruby ring, and adding various articles from time to time to stimulate the bidding, a Wanganui auctioneer succeeded in bringing tho price offered to him for the collection up to £23. Ho was asking whether there was any advance on 23 when a Maori appeared on the scene and promptly called, “Twenty-four.” No one seemed prepared to go above this, and the hammer accordingly fell, knocking tho article down to the dusky bidder. A hitch then occurred in the proceedings, as tho Maori, on going up to the auctioneer’s assistant, entered into an argument with him, the upshot of which was that it was learned that the successful bidder had thought- the 24 was in terms of shillings and not pounds. The sale was declared off as far as the Maori was concerned, and the articles . went to the next highest bidder.

An application for further bail by James Morton McGill, who is awaiting trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of breaking, entering and theft, was made in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The presiding Justices, Messrs. R. Edwards and H. J. Canton, granted the request, tho sums fixed being two of £IOO each and one of £2OO. SeniorDetective Quirko stated that accused had been committed for trial and bail had been fixed at £4OO. One of tho bondsmen had withdrawn his surety on December 29, but at that time McGill had been reporting to tho police daily. Tho police had no objection to further bail being granted for the same amount as previously flxecd, and the detective was of the opinion that the situation had not altered. Accused had stated that he would report twice daily. The senior Justice said that there had been a lot of talk about the case, but the Bench would bo guided by the police and bail was allowed as stated. Accused is to report twice daily.

A horse attached to a hawker’s cart attracted a good deal of attention in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, when it fell down near tho tramway sheds in Moorhouse Avenuo, and was unable to get up again. A crowd soon gathered, offering tho usual abundance of good advice, but the horse, in spite of all efforts, refused to get up or was unable to do so. A constable was sent for, and arrived armed with a gun intended to end the sufferings of tho animal. The constable took careful aim, and fired, missing the horse, and •putting some pellets in the leg of a young lady standing by. There was immediate consternation, but the girl’s injuries wore not serious, and treatment in a nearby house from a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade soon put her right. The pellets had barely gone more than skin dcop. The constable's second shot was more successful as far as the destruction of tho horse was concerned, and the carcase was hoisted on a truck and taken way.

The attention of our readers is directed to the Railway Department’s announcement in another column regarding the running of an excursion train from Palmerston North to Wellington and back on Sunday, 13th January'. The trains are at very convenient times and the fares are at a very low rate. Another of tho popular week-end excursions has boon arranged by the Railway Department, viz., to Wellington and Palmerston North on Saturday 12th January. The fares are at half ordinary rate from Napier, Palmerston North, and intermediate stations, and the fast excursion trains are at very convenient times. Tickets may now bo purchased and accommodation at Wellington may also be secured on application at any railway station. See advertisement in to-day’s issue.