LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 23 August 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

-■ Speaking on the subject of Agricultural Instruction at the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, Dr Reakes (Director of Agriculture) said: Herd-testing of ordinary milking herds was a valuable form of instruction. This year, in Taranaki, 13,725 cows had been tested against 9727 last season. Of these 9500 tests bad been done by Government testing officers and the rest by co-operative"dairy companies. An average of 2621 b of butter-fat bad' been attained,, which was much higher than bad hitherto been believed possible. Last- year the- Government had tested 6534 ’cows, returning an average of 229ib of butter-fat.. The season had been an exceptional one for dairy produce, so perhaps the largo increase in butter-fat per cow was to be regarded as exceptional also. However) the whole average for the Dominion was a high one —2401 bof butter-fat per tested cow.

The Hon. R. Scott. M.L.C. (Otago), arived in Nelson this morning on a short visit, to the district. lie is being taken through the country districts today by the Hon. W. W. Snodgrass.

“I think that if T bad been in their place I would have done the same myself,” remarked Mr IT. A. Young, S.M., at the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court last week, when two men came before him on a charge of vagrancy, having been found by night without lawful excuse in an empty house at Frankton Junction. R appeared that the two accused had arrived penniless from the country in search of work, and having no place to lay their heads they had made themselves, at home in an empty house at the railway suburb. The bouse bad been unoccupied for months, and was unfit for human habitation. Both accused were convicted and discharged. ' The NTinister of Defence (Sir Heaton Rhodes) wrote to the High Commissioner recently asking if the War Office had reached any decision concerning the issue of clasps for the war medals. This matter has interested many soldiers, who have been _ wondering if they were to be supplied with clasps to indicate their campaigns. The Minister has received a reply stating that the War Office has not made any decision, and that further consideration of the question has been postponed until after the close of the current financial year on March 31 next.

Tho Colonial Motor Company’s new building in York street, Wellington, is now surmounted by a wireless aerial of the latest description. This has been erected by an American wireless companypany, which intends to institute a broadcasting nows and music service at an early date. Such a servicc( and there is likely to be more than one in Wellington in tho near future) is, of course, only of advantage to those who have the necessary receiving plant, and one of the reasons for such a service is to encourage students of wireless to go in for plants of their own, so that they can “listen in” whenever they feel so disposed. At present Isays tho Dominion) there are only a few dozen experimenters with aerials in Wellington, but the study of wireless telegraphy is a fascinating thing, and a considerable development is expected.

The annual ball of the Nelson Returned Soldiers’ Association to bp held at the School of Music to-morrow evening promises to be a successful function, and a large attendance is anticipated. The hall will be attractively decorated; and supper will be served in a largo marquee adjoining the building. The music will be supplied by Miss Fowler’s orchestra?. Ordinary tickets are obtainable from the committee. Association members are reminded that their tickets are obtainable from the secretary only, and must be secured not later than 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Clothes actually worn by Norsemen of tho 12th, 13th,and 14th centuries were discovered in an ancient churchyard in Greenland. It was the custom to bury people there ip their best clothes. Trees wore very few in number in so cold a climate; wood could not be spared for making coffins. By a marvellous chance many costumes were found fresh and well preserved enough to be put together. The Norsemen of the Middle Ages are shown by these discoveries to have worn long flowing cloaks reaching to their feet; on their heads they wore tight hoods with tails falling down their backs. Such hoods are well known to have been part, of the costume of those centuries in Italy. France, and England. A simple but effective method of dealing with aphis was shown a Levin Chronicle representative by a local fruitgrower. He gave bis trees a liberal treatment of lime up to a height of 18in to 2ft above ground, and scattered lime ffeely round the base of the trees. He maintained that the. insects lodged in tho soil at the foot of the tree in the winter, and the use of lime in this way killed a largo percentage of the pest. He .had got good results from this treatment.

Details of the recent police raids on gambling schools in Brisbane show that die “Tumors’ Club” and City Tattersail’s were visited, and 72 men were arrested. One man was killed by striking a verandah when he jumped from a window. He fell 45ft to a concrete yard, and his neck was broken. In tho Police Court Patrick J. Smithwick (43) and Henry Marsclen (30), the principals, were sentenced to three months’ and two months’ imprisonment respectively, the magistrate stating that he had given a previous warning that fines would be dispensed yith. Of 66 men charged 16 appeared, and were fined £2 each, and 49 who did not appear bad their watchhouse bail of £3 estreated in each case.

At the huge sale of Auckland wholesale stocks! ! Smart new ready to wear hats for the spring 10s 6d each. Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.* W. E. Gladstone favoured legislation “that made it easy to do right and difficult to do wrong.” The moral is, use “No-Rubbing” Laundry Help and you can’t go wrong.—M, A. MoBride. DAWSON’S, Reefton, the leading hotel on the West Coast. Patronised by EI.R.H. tho Prince of Wales.— Francis B. Rtallard. Proprietor » Emms’s mail cars leave Nelson for Motueka, Tabaka, Oollingwood, Rockville and Bainham daily, from the Booking Office, 29 Hardy Street, (’phono 527.), at 7.30 and 8 a.m., arriving in Takaka at 1 p.m. Leave Takaka for Nelson .at 7.45 a.m,. and

At the present time hundreds of spurious half-crowns are being circulated in Auckland (states the Star). The coins are rather a good replica of the genuine piece, but are somewhat discoloured and slightly lighter in weight. The counterfeit closely resembles the minted money in respect of milled edge, inscriptions, and the coat-of-arms, while even the letters “8.M.” on the King’s head have been reproduced. The ring does not give much indication as to its not being a bona fide coin, but the faintness of the impress from the die or moulds arouses suspicion.

One can well imagine (says the Wanganui Chronicle) the chagrin of a biidal party who left Wanganui for Wellington,' when they were accosted by a railway porter, who peremptorily asked: “Here, what’s that you’ve got?” The suspicious object referred to was nothing more than a nicely framed photograph about 18 inches by 12 inches, and on being advised to this effect the porter continued: “You can’t take that on with you, that’s furniture, unless you pay for* it.” It cost the travelling party four shillings for permission to carry the picture by train, and one can only conclude that it would be cheaper to have presentation pictures framed at their destination or restrict the size of the photographs.

Reasons why the system of rating on unimproved values should not be adopted for Northcotc were expounded at a public meeting (says the Auckland Herald). The Mayor, Mi’ W. E. Richardson, presided. Several points were emphasised by speakers to indicate that the system would not work equitably in the borough, which was closoly built upon in portions, _ while a large area was utilised for fruitgrowing and small farms The unimproved rating, it was maintained, would work inequitably to those engaged in getting their living by cultivating tho land.

Arrangements arc well in }smd for the official opening of the Y.M.C.A. building in Wakefield on Thursday evening of this week. Brigadier-General Richardson will he the chief speaker, and will declare the building officially opened. The actual opening ceremony commences at 7 p.m. sharp and will bp over by 8 o’clock. Immediately following this portion there is to he a musical treat. _ A programme has been prepared consisting of a number of first class artists from Nelson city and the surrounding district. , During a suitable interval in the second part of the programme an interesting addtess will be given by Mr G. W. W. B. Hughes, Y.M.C.A. National Secretary from Wellington. At the conclusion of the musical programme supper is to be provided by the Ladies’ Auxiliary. A hearty invitation is extended to all, to be present at this interesting function. __ ' Macquarie street, as everyone knows, is the Harley street of Sydney. Doctors are there in scores, indeed the charm of the beautiful thoroughfare which has the palm-fringed thoroughfare _ Domain on one side is to some extent diminished by the array of brass plates, suggesting all the disease that man is heir top and some that he never suspected existed until his vision was ensnared by the inscription.. Sydney Hospital is Ithere, too, and altogether it is a street of pain (writes the Sydney correspondet of the Melbourne Argus). Doctors are not so immersed in their profession that they do not operate in other realms, including the Stock Exchange, as recent unbosoming indicated. Indeed, it is wellknown that Macquarie street has more shrewd investors to the furlong than any other area in the city. The latest indication of commercial instinct is the petition of medical men and dentists, praying for the extension of Martin Place to Macquarie street.

Among railway officials very emphatic reference is made to the fact that the. derailment of the express last week at Drury was caused by what is characterised as “the chronic curse of _straying cattle,” states the Auckland 'Herald. The danger, it is stated, is a constant menace, both to engine-drivers and the travelling public. It is pointed out that four young cattle were on or about the main line at a curved approach to a deep cutting near an overbridge, and on!/ a little distance farther on was a level stretch of tnade-up ground with a falling bank on either side. As it happened, the accident caused nothing more damage than to the permanent way and some rolling stock. But, with less of that intangible factor known as luck, the heavy train might have collided with the bridge or have been precipitated over the embankment. Railwayman assert that the public should insist upon heavier penalties being inflicted upon the owners of straying cattle. Experience has shown that penalties in the ftast have not had the effect of enforcing the repair of | boundary fences. It is suggested thati possibly the loss of a hundred lives j through the curse of cattle wandering; on the railways will some day bring! about an essential improvement. I

In the Supreme Court at Wellington on the 19th instant on the application of Mr E. B. Moore, His Honour, Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, granted probate of tire will of John Evans, late of Wakefield, to Herbert Hamilton Evans and Percy Augustus Baigent, the executors named in the said will.

A Hawera solicitor, speaking to a representative of the Star, stated that he had recently visited the greater portion of the agricultural and pastoral centres of the North _ Island, and as the result of his inquiries on the subject he is convinced that in- South Taranaki the mortgagees generally are meeting mortgagors more readily and more generously than in any other part, probably better than in any other district, in New Zealand. His own experience was that mortgagees came to conferences already prepared to meet the mortgagors liberally, and adjustments were made without difficulty. He had seen mortgages up to £SOOO and £6OOO thrown in and the mortgagor still left with assets. In full swing! Big sale Auckland wholesale stocks. 30 inch plain ami striped ginghams Is yard. 54 inch black and white Shepperds checks 3s lid yard. Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

Mr A. Gould announces an auction sale at the Rooms to-morrow at 2.30 p.m.; on Wednesday next, at 1 p.m., piano, superior furniture, etc., at the residence of Mr W, P. Deal, Mount-st.

Sheeting Snips at the sale of Auckland warehouse stocks! 54 inch white twill sheeting Is lid yard. 70 inch white twill sheeting 2s 6d yard. Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.* Messrs E. Cann and So. will offer by public auction freehold properties in the estate of the late J. W. Satherly on Saturday September 2nd, at noon. To-morrow’s sale snips, women’s black cotton hose Is 3d pair. Black silk ankle hose 2s lid pair. 35 inch white and cream Bretonne net Is yard. Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

Mr F. A. Carlisle announces in the auctioh column his usual sale of farm produce for to-morrow at 2.30 p.m. They’ll soon be gone! Sample suit lengths in all wool English worsteds and tweeds, 30s suit Big sale Auckland wholesale stock, Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

Final attention is called to a popular concert with its excellent programme in All Saints’ school, to-night. T(5-morrow! At the big sale! beautiful knitted silk jumpers and knitted

A Gore Press Association telegramstates that Miss Dryan, aged 31, from Southbridge, collapsed suddenly at Gore station last evening, death resulting. It is believed the cause was heart failur.

Mr Templin, the electrical expert, who is associated with Mr Toogood in the Nelson electric light scheme, is expected to be in Nelson within a fortmgnt m connection with the reticulation arrangements.

A Timaru Press Association tcleg'a.n states that at the Magistrate s Court six slaughtermen at Parcora were each fined £4 12s 6d in connection witn the recent strike. "*

A reminder is given of the entertainment to be given by the 2nd Canterbury Regimental Band, assisted by leading artists and pupils of St Mary » Convent, in St. Maiy’s Schoolroom, • to-nigut-Lollies and home-made cakes will m on sale. '

The German mark is still being purchased in large numbers by Dunedin speculators, f rom what can be_ gathered from local sharebrokers, their collective purchases during the week must run into millions, says the' Star. Prices fluctuate very much, and are stated - to have varied from 3500 murks to the £ to 4200 to the £, the latest quotation being in the vicinity of 4000. to the £. It is generally recognised’.by the purchasers that it is a very wild •speculation, but it is a novelty to purchase tho currency of a nation by .the thousands for a few pounds sterling. A sad case came before the Magistrate’s Court at Dunedin. A man who had rendered good service during the war pleaded guilty to theft. He had a wife and four children, .and was unable to procure _ employment. His family were starving, and in order to buy 'food for them he purloined articles to a value of £l, sold them to-a secondhand dealer, and obtained bread. The defendant was convicted, and ordered to refund. 10s, the amount-ha leceived from the second-hand, dealer.

Tlie fact that freemasonry is an established institution in China is not generally known, but evidence that the ramifications of the Chinese Masonic Society extend even to Auckland is given by the arrival on Saturday of five members of a mission to the brotherhood) two coming from China, one from Sydney, and two from Wellington, says the Herald. The Chinese order has'its lodges ineyerv country and clime, and in Auckland there is established in Grey Street a meeting place for members-. Some 4Q or 50 of these assembled .last evening at a dinner given to the visitors, the repast being laid out in true Chinese style, and was furbished by a plentiful supply of cigars and cigarettes. Apparently . the gathering was mainly of a festive naturejudging by the broad smiles on every face, and proceedings were npt so serious as to exclude the presence of children, who romped about very happily* A general meeting of: the Nelson R.S.A. will be held in the Club House on Wednesday evening next, 30tU inst., at 7.30 p.m. • • .-