LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 15 May 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Whangarei dairy factory is now slackening operations for the winter months. Churning only takes place now on three days per week, viz., Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Motorists report a certain amount of annoyance from children in Bank street. Yesterday evening, about 5.30, as Mr F. ,Lowe was drivingdown the street a lad threw a handful df small stones at the car, one of the missiles striking the driver on the cheek.

The following players have been chosen to represent High School Old Boys against High School in a Rugby football match which is to start at 3.30 p.m. to-morrow: —Full-back, Macken; three-quarters, Hutchings, Day, and McKay; five-eighths, McMillan and Carmichael; halves D. Todd and Finlayson; forwards, Moody, McGregor, Lamb, Fendall, Todd, A. Lamb and Quinn.

Judgment was given by Mr E. W. Burton, S.M., yesterday in the following undefended civil cases:— Noton and Staple v. J. Maunsell, £35 Is and costs £3 4s; K. G. M. Kelly v. Grey Tito, £3 10s and costs £1 9s; Parua Bay Road Board v. C. Hopkins, 6s costs ss; Parua Bay Road Board v. Eru Pohe, £5 19s 2d and costs £1 18s 6d; R. G. Hosking v. F. Carpentier, £6 3s and costs 6s; G. Walker v. C. S. Over, £10 10s and costs £1 10s 6d. An order in the judgment summon ease of D. Bryce v. A. Barron, £19 17s 3d and costs 15s, was made at the rate of 5s per week.

The latest meteorological report issued by Mr Clement Wragge says: "Since Sunday evening the barometer .has risen considerably, and th« Auckland province is now under the influence of the apex of the highpressure crest. These conditions, beautiful although the weather is how, cannot be regarded as a favourable sign, because the reaction by natural law is sure to occur, and therefore when the barometer begins to fall the approaching lowpressure system will be all the more marked, and there is every reason to believe that a prolonged spell of unsettled weather will follow the present high barometer."

"Did not the constable, see you trying to make the bet and attempt to take the money?" was asked a witness yesterday in the Whangarei Court. "Oh, no," was the reply, "I think the constable's too good a sport," and even the Bench smiled. "Did you hold out money in the street and offer to make a bet on the issue of a fight between the parties' in this case?" was a question put by counsel to a witness in an assault case heard yesterday at the Whangarei S.M. Court. "No, Sir," was the reply; "as a matter of fact I am not holding too strong just now and I've just paid the rent." Further, he volunteered: "I have no money to speculate on such matters. What speculation I do is at Puhipuhi."

The search . instituted by the County engineer yesterday for the body of William J. Temple, drowned at Purua bridge on April 16, proved unsuccessful. Five boats and ten men were employed all day, but no trace of the body was found. The search' was conducted for two miles down the river and the bottom was carefully investigated in the vicinity of the point where the body was seen l to disappear, but without result. It is concluded that the body must 'either have been caught in a shag or has floated away. Mr Fraser, however, has arranged to keep a boat upon the river until after the next flood, and a'search will b"e made as far as Poroti. If these measures fail the attempt to recover the body will be abandoned.

Some interesting licensing cases affecting this district are set down for hearing at the Supreme Court in Auckland on Wednesday, 22nd inst. The Hon J. A. Tole will move, on behalf of Superintendent Kiely, of the Police Force, for an order that the' applications of Edward Swarm, of Hikurangi, and William McCutcheon, of Poroti, in respect of publicans' licenses for the Hikurangi and Poroti Hotels respectively, be removed to the Supreme Court for hearing, and that the certificates issued to these applicants ,on July 3rd and 4th be quoted, on the grounds that it was outside the power of the Bay of Islands and Marsden Licensing Committees to issue such licenses. Members of the respective committees have been cited to give evidence The meaning of the actions is somewhat obscure, but it is understood that the validity of increasing the status of these houses from accommodation to publicans' licenses is questioned.

-**A serious accident befell a married man named John Norton on Monday while employed getting logs at Ngunguru for the Waipuna Sawmilling Co. It appears from what can be learned of the accident that while Norton was at work a stump, loosened by the recent rains, came hurtling down the hillside, pinning the unfortunate man against a log with the result that both', his thighs were badly fractured. 'The accident occurred about 3.30 p.m. and it was necessary to carry Norton about a mile and a-half on an improvised stretcher to the river whence he was taken another two miles by boat and then carried to Ferguson's store where the party was met by the hospital ambulance. Although terribly injured Norton stood the trying journey with wonderful fortitude, > his mates speaking highly of his remarkable courage. Reports from the hospital this morning state that the injured man is progressing as well as can be expected in the circumstances.

Under the War Pensions Act new regulations have been framed relative to supplementary pensions for men who are in need of medical or i curative treatment. A pensioner who on account of treatment m progress cannot follow any occupation may apply for an increased pension. If merely compelled to absent himself from work for short periods he may apply for an allowance to cover loss of wages or out-of-pocket expenses. Men under treatment m authorised hospitals or other institutions shall not receive more than 10s a week by way of pension. Any balance remaining shall be allowed to accumulate till the patient's discharge, or shall be paid, at the discretion of the Pensions' Board, to his wife or other dependents. If a man is recommended by a medical board to undergo or continue medical or curative treatment without cost to himself, and is certified to have refused without reason to do so, the Pension Commissioner will call upon him to show cause why the treatment offered should not be accepted. If the refusal is maintained, the Pensions Board may withhold part of the man's pension.

There is a coupon in every tin of Hudson's Balloon Brand Baking Powder that entitles you to receive a free copy of the famous "Balloon"' Baking Book. Buy a tin, to-day.- - All grocers. Everywhere.

According: to an Auckland report an improvement in the quality of the oysters received at the city depot from the Bay of Islands has been noted since complaint was made at the beginning of the oyster season. The Department, it is understood, is now drawing upon beds of more advanced growth than those first attacked. The margin of difference between the Northern oysters and those from Hauraki Gulf is still, however, very wide.

At a recent meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Farmers' Union discussion ensued on the subject of the wear and tear of roads, caused by motor traffic, with reference especially to the abnormal traffic to and from the last Manawatu races. The union carried a motion, urging that the Government impose on racing clubs a tax of 1 per cent, on the totalisator returns, to pay for the repair of roads damaged by extraordinary traffic to race meetings.

In the Whangarei Magistrate's Coui't yesterday, Mr Burton, S.M., gave judgment in the claim and counter-claim of J. McCullough v. Joseph .Clegg. In the first "place McCullough claimed from Clegg the sum of £60 10s, of which there was an admission of indebtedness for £56, and judgment was given for the plaintiff for the balance in dispute. In the counter-claim for £65 6s judgment was given for £4. Costs were made "costs in the cause" in each case.

An application was brought before Mr E. VV. Burton, S.M., yesterday for the issue of a'wine license to make, and sell New Zealand wine by Andrew Maros, Marsden Point. ' The application was opposed by the police, they alleging that excessive drinking was going on at applicant's premises on Sundays, that the premises were within a mile of the freezing works, and that wine was being sold to the freezing works men in bottles and other quantities not allowed by the statute. The applicant was a naturalised Dalmatian with an imperfect knowledge of English. The application was refused, the Magistrate holding that applicant was not a fit person to.have such a license granted to him.

•""•It's just as well at this juncture to know what to expect—in case. General yon Liebert in January last at a congress at Halle spoke candidly thus:—-"For us there is only one principle to be followed, and we must recognise no other. We hold that Might is RighL We must know nei : ther sentiment, humanity, consideration nor compassion. We must have Belgium and the north of France. The curse of God is on the French peopel. Let us consider ourselves fortunate that He has separated us from that nation, which is as ungodly as it is infamous. The Portuguese possessions must disappear. France must pay until she is bled white. As for Australia, it has been already informed that its men are not worth preserving, but that some of its women may serve a purpose."

A conference of representatives of the butter producers from the whole Dominion was held recently in Wellington. Mr Morton, president of the National Dairy Association presided and some 20 delegates present. The whole butter position" was discussed. The report of the delegates from New Zealand to the Commonwealth butter and cheese producers was presented and discussed and the delegates were cordially thanked for their service. _ It was recognised that the whole idea of New Zealand and Australia taking united action in the disposal of dairy produce was to the advantage of the dairy farmers of both countries; The position with reference to the local market was also fully gone into and'a Dominion committee set up to deal with the disposal of butter.during the next twelve months.

The Ministerial motor trip through to Maungaturoto yesterday was 1 accomplished without difficulty. The roads were in good order and the party (in two cars) arrived up to schedule time. After a halt at Waipu, where the Minister was hospitably entertained, the journey was continued to Maungaturoto at _ 4.30 and completed without incident. Messrs Nutsford and Hannam's drivers, however, ran into bad luck* on the way home. Heavy rain fell and the-mud roads soon became almost impassable, and when about ten miles this side of Waipu the cars become hopelessly bogged. It was impossible to proceed and the men remained in th« cars all night. To-day the roads dried up somewhat and the cars arrived back in Whangarei about 2.30. Their appearance was ample testimony to the difficulties encoun-' tered.