LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, 31 July 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

On Tuesday an- unusual sight was seen at the Napier Breakwater, when a- pair of killer whales came fairly close in and swam in the direction of the Inner Harbour. The giant dorsal fins must have been five or six feet in length, and were of the typical longitudinal shape. Fishermen at the Breakwater often see denizens of the deep -which few people would imagine to be in the vicinity of a town of over 10,000 population. In addition to sharks and l rays, strange fisluv and crabs, baby penguins occasional'/ come close in, and recently a young albatross, so young, that it could net fiv. swam round the artificial harbour pick ing up scraps of fish.

The usual monthly meeting of the Red ■Cross Fund will be held in Hallensteins* rooms to-morrow. Tue.-dav, August Ist at 2.30 p.m.

A child of about seven, a daughter of Mr Clark, of Vanguardstreet, was knocked down by a horse in Trafalgarstreet this morning. but beyond a scratch or two, was not- injured.

Our Murchison correspondent wire? that the well-known- and verv substantial residenco known as "Edge Hill " Murchison, was burned down on Friday night last, all the contents being lost. The cause of the. fire is unknown. The building was erected by Mr Alex. Sutherland, and had recently been 'purchased by Mr W. Hodgkinson. (As stated on Saturday there was an insurance of £450 on. the building).

The conditions at Nelson for the earlier stages of the partial eclipse of the sun .\esterday afternoon were perfect, but the later stages were obscured by a haze. A large number viewed th 3 eclipse from the Atkinson Observatory, while a great many people were out with telescopes. Mr E. L. Morley informed -a Mail reporter that the eclipse as see l from the Atkinson Observatory, openeel very favourably indeed, but shorty before the maximum phase a haze began to come tip, and soon afterwards it was veri- thick, and the final phase, was not visible. By the aid of the 5-inch equatorial telescope at this observatory, several mountains and valleys on the moon's limb were observed projected en. the sun. Three small sunspots were -i~ siblo on the sun's disc, and these the moon transited in the course of t!ie eclipse. One photograph secured just a little before the maximum phase, Mr Morlev states, came out very well, and one on a larger scale was also successful.

During the past yeir, says the- .annual report of the Dominion -Analyst am] Chief Inspector of Explosives, there lias been considerable increase in some .branches of the work as a direct result of tho Avar. The water supplies of the various camps have been frequently tested, and the water on the transports occasionally. Some. drugs and medical supplies for use on transports have also been analysed. Analyses have been ma.de. to assess the value of the numerous consignments of scheelite shipped to Gre-at Britain by the. Director of I-n----oerial Supplies. At the request ,of the Minister for Munitions an investigation was made into the possibility of utilising tho manuka (L,eptospernum scoparium) and the kamahi or red birch (Weinmmva racemosa) fo i'the production of khaki ■dye. Reports have, also been made on other suggestions for the use of various lopal products in the. manufacture of munitions and military supplies. "Di dthey -request your presence at the wedding?" "Yes, and also amy ip-re-sents.''

j The remarks made by Senator Pcarec [regarding .Mr Fisher's appointment to the Dardanelles Commission are als > applicable to Sir T. MacKenzie's appointment. The .matter ha-< treated considerable comment, and Mr Alassey tis likely If> make a statement on th« I subject, this "week.

A. .Raknia bird-u. -eived- £22 for birds trapped bi:i«.-ui .inly 3 and only 17. Another party trapped £2O wort!) of small birds during the same geriocl.

T pon inquiry being made on Monday it was ascertained (reports the Dominion) that no further crises of infantile paralysis have been reported recently. The disease j-cms to have practically died out now. as far as fresh rases are concerned.

The .Magistrate's Court at JTokilika was ei ma lied all Thursday in heating two charges t-.rising out. of neighbours' quarrels 'at South Spit. To "emphasise the warmth of foeliim in the locality anion!! the Twties. a witness stiicd that the Spit ' had been dubbed "Verdun.."' and Ins. home had: been nicknamed "Hill 60." to sinnifv! the hot iime they were having there".

A mine manager"* lot is not always a happv one (says the Tnangahua- Times). He has to aeconrplish maiiv things often tinder extreme difficulties. The other evening the Willard-Johnson fight was billed' 'to show in Reef ton with the result that in one mine, only a few miles frcm Reefton. not one man went to the afternoon shift —they went to see the fiirht- instead—and the result was the worksNwere closed down until next day.

It was resolved, at the Farmers" Umon Conference, on the motion of the president- (Sir James Wilson): ■"That the Farmers" Union recognise the necessity for fxtendinc and organising scientific research in New Zealand as this will inevitably benefit- the primary industries, and hope that the committee set- up by the Philosophical Society will be able to sus<resi. practical mefhods in which this union ian co-operate and' assist. '

"•V great number of children leave our schools without anv knowledge of _ trie subject from which, in a great majority of 'cases, thev are to earn their livelihood." said Mr G. "L. Marshall (Wellington) at the Farmers' Conference in moving the following remit:— Ifiattne Board" of Agriculture be urged to vigorously push on the development of agricultural education, as on it depends in a large measure the future prosperity o* the Dominion." Too many of our bright boys, he said, were induced to 20 into offices instead of going .upon the kind. It was a big mistake. Mr K. Dunn (Taranaki) seconded the remit. SiJames Wilson stated that the Board of Agriculture was working in the connection desired. A start had. been made ; n connection with the Ashburton District High School, which was going to be a miniature experimental farm. The remit was adopted.

From a scientific and commercial vie.v point alike, a demonstration given in the Post and Telegraph Stores, Pipitea Point, Wellington, yesterday afternoon (says Friday's Post), was of much interest. It was the first public demonstration in New Zealand of the process of soldering and welding aluminium, devised and perfected by two New Zealandei's, Mi\ Overend and; Mr Grinlinton. The nrocess", as displayed yesterday iiy Mr Grinlinton, appears i , emarkab'K r simple. Hitherto the difficulty has been to reach the pure aluminium owing to the coating of oxide, and this invention provides' for a preparation containing pure metal and some impurities. When this is placed on the aluminium and

subjected to tho required heat the oxide on the aluminium. and the impurities mingle and rise in a scum to the surface, while the pure metal descends and makes a perfectly amalgamated surface. Several examples of work were given and subjected, on completion, to vigorous tests by those present, but in each case, the invention proved itself to be all that was claimed for it. It has been adopted, after rigorous examination, by the British Admiralty and War Office, and it is gratifying to think that such a notable invention should be the work o'. two men from this Dominion.

"T have gone nlmost to a shadow, and now only weigh, about 15 stone." humorously remarked his Honour Mr Justice Chapman on Saturday afternoon in referring to the length of the'oß.ua case. It was half-past 3 when the Crown Solicitor, Mr Tole, looked, pleadingly at his Honour, and asked him if ho desired another witness that Afternoon, hoping all the tfme for a negative answer. "The jury are the real sufferers," observed his Honour, and then M.r Tole put in the open air plea, urging the necessity; for a few breaths. "'We are tired of the case," -said Mr Graham, foreman of the jury, "but we do not mind adjourning just to oblige." All concerned then appeared happy, and went out to 'enjoy what, was an ideal Auckland winter afternoon.

; The local school of instruction in telegraphy for girls was fairly launched on its six or eight months of life the other morning, says the Cbristchurch [Press. At first it was proposed to have a class of 50 girls, and' yesterday morning there was an attendance of -.-a, so there should be little fear of the full complement not being reached. Some of the girls had already learned the Morse alphabet, and some know how to send a few words, and these were immediately put on the keys, but the majority, who have not as yet mastered the Morse Code, were given instruction in the alphabet. All the pupils seem very keen, and' as all have been specially selected, there should be very few dropping out owing to incompetence. The work is at once interesting and instructive, and at the end of the course it is anticipated' the ranks of the competent telegraphists of the province should be considerably strengthened.

The latest letters received from our boys at the, Western front show that the Censor there is far stricter than he was at Gallipoli (says the F'eilding Star). The iCensor in Flanders is not content with the ordinary blue pencil, but uses a pair of scissors, as the mutilated condition of several letters goes to show. But the Censor also gets that tired feeling. According to a letter received in Feilding recently, the bluepencil lor went along the is v cw Zealand lines and protested against lengthy letters. "S'ome of you fellows come it a bit too strong, ,von know. Why. I : ve juist finished a letter of 16 vlo.U'Jy-written pages one of you New Zealanders lias written to his girl ! Go easy, chaps !"

Mr J. Orehisou, Chief Telegraph Engineer of the Post Office, reports that one of the six cables across Cook Strait had developed' a serious break. The cable which is known-as No. 1, was laid in 1595. As soon a-s the necessary arrangements are made, the cable steamer Tutanekai (now lying at Wellington) will be despatched' to the scene. Mr Drchiston states that very little inconvenience has been occasioned to southern -messages, as -the remaining cables are quite capable of handling the traffic during the breakdown. It is thought that the break has been caused by the ravages of the toredo an, insect which has caused untold' damage to cables in ■the tropics. The toredo was practically unknown 'in these waters until about six months ago, and it will probably be necessary to adopt special measures to •prevent any fui'ther trouble in the future.

The final of the Ladies' Tug of Wax has been, postponed until further notice.

In tho House of Representatives _on Saturday evening the War Regulations Bill was considered in Committee. Tho Bill was passed with the excep—on of the rent section', which was partly discussed ami postponed lor further consideration, and the clause providing for the postponement of local elections, which was deleted. The House rose at 11.50 p.m. until 7.30 this evening.

Tlie suggestion was made in the House of Representatives on Saturday, telegraohs our correspondent, that this session might end on Wednesday. This is not taken seriously, as there is sufficient work left to occupy Parliament till about the end of tho week.

A well-known American recently had

an interview with General Falkenhayn at the front, in the course of wliieh he offered tho German general a very fino fat cigar. But after three ineffectual attempts at lighting it Falkenhayn said brusquely: "A good cigar, but 'it does not burn." "Oh." said the donor, "it must have got wet when I was toruedoed on the Sussex."

The authorities in England are extremely careful about lights after dark. English papers just to hand contain mgjay cases of people being fined lor failing to screen lighted windows. Tin} caretaker of a Wesleyan church was fined for not screening windovs duriag evening service, a farmer for having 'i tire burning in a field, residents for Hot shading -windows, a waggoner for carrying an unshaded lantern, and a soldier on; leave for using a headlight on a motor car. These are samples of the offences punished by fines.

The keen, competition of motor-driven.' vehicles and the increased price of horse feed since the war, were among the reasons given for his failure by Jamus Johnston, a Wellington. livery-stablo proprietor in indifferent health and with a wife and seven children to support, at a meeting of his creditors recently. Bankrupt stated that he had been in the livery and "bait business for the last 2t) years, and up to 1905 the business .had' paid.

The Anzacs in France are not much in love with the new steel helmeats served out to them—that is regarding them as headgear,though they say)that if they are not proof against bullets they are a protection against shrapnel (states the Manchester Guardian). But as cooking utensils, say the Anzacs, the helmets are beyond all praise. There is nothing one cannot cook in them—eggs, tea, soup, all are excellent. Unfortunately the authorities frown on the custom, and the severest penalties are threatened if it continues, so now the ltien dare not do more than, wash their faces in the helmets.

According to a Press Association cable message from 'Sydney, Canon Garland,' speaking at a, universal service meeting, asked what objection could, there, be to conscription when, every Australian, lived in a daily atmosphere of compulsion. Now 'Zealand, in time, and. extent, was far in advance of Australia in socialistic legislation, yet New Zealand) fed Australia in the adoption, of universal service. •

A case of unusual sacrifice and hardship entailed by patriotism was mentioned, in the House of Representatives the other day. The circumstances as outlined by Mr Sykes, were that a young farm worker in the Wairarapa, in the interval between his being accepted for active service and .the date' for his going into camp, sustained a slight accident to his knee. It did npt trouble him, but, fearing that he mignt not be allowed to with the forces, he went into hospital* to undergo a minor operation. Complications ensued, and he lost his leg. The M to Z Petitions Co.mmittee _ recommendVid the ment to give most favourable consideration to the prayer ,of the would-be soldier for some compensation.

The following- is vouched for (says the Manawatu Times). A Iddy of-some-what portly dimensions went in -with hubby's washing to ia local iChiheset ■laundry last week-end, and after depositing the. bundle, -waited for receipt of the customary ticket. "All * li," said John, "you no want ticket. Me know you next time."• When she called for the parcel she was surprised to find that it was., readily handed' to her without question. When she got home the mystery was explained, and her pained surprise -can he far better imagined than described; for on examination, the paper enclosing thecollars was found, to be inscribed with the truly identifying word, "Fat."

There was a strange double misadventure on the premises of a Hawerahome on Tuesday (says .the' Star).. While the lady of the house was removing things from, a clothes-line she stepped on the wooden cover of the dry section of a septic tank, and, as the boarding gave way, she fell down into the tank, which was about seven feet in depth. As the lady is not tall, it was fortunate that she had, in falling, dung to a sheet which happened to be in her hands, for it remained fluttering at the. top of the tank, and this with the lady's calls for help attracted the notice of her little girl, who, unable to do anything pov'ally, nushed out'into the street, calling for assistance. The fh'st passer-by went, to the rescue not knowing exactly what it was that was amiss, andilio, too, dropped into the tank! Fortunately other citizens were soon 'attracted .to the scene, and those in 'distress were duly rescued, the man being slightly injured, and the lady more or less (painfully bruised: a.iul suffering from shock to her nerves. It would appear that the coverings of septic tanks should be carefully ox-" amined at regular intervals, for it is not long since a somewhat similar accident happened at Hawera.

At folic annual meeting of -the New South Wales . Institute of .Journalists lield last week, an interesting' speech was made -by Dr. F. W. Ward (for many years editor of the.Sydney Daily Telegraph), who was welcomed back to Sydney after an absence of over two years. There would, he said, be some haicpy happy outcomes of the war, and one of the best would, he that there would bo mew international friendships. They wero all proud of France. The idea Mi.-**, Franco was decadent had proven a colossal blunder. Franc© was never so grer.t in all her -history as she was alow, ■ (Applause.) It would'have beeu &/ crime ..".»-' a-ins't mankind to blot out Fnaiice from the map of Europe—a. crime against all that was most high. It was a that our race helped France to defend' herself, and that France was go/rag to stay in the list of first-class civilised Powers, and that she always \vo\ild he England's friend. There were a great many Englishmen) .buried- in France, and one could not imagine that there would ever be war between these two countries.' again. Then there* was Russia, who wo were so sure was going to have a terrible 'fight with Great Britain, one i:o ->ne> was surer of this than Germany, and when, the hear and- the lion had' finished someone else would have had ft say. That war had been, happily avert-.-*, ed, and they are looking forward to a friendship with Russia. A misapprehension, had existed! with regard to Russia,. the same as ini 'regard to France. Russia was goinsr to be a better and -m greater nation after the war, and he thought her political situation 'would undergo very radical changes.