LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 24 July 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

All arrangements in connection with the forthcoming Returned feolcbeis Association annual ball are »« ' A 1 SincS^rXhwifrbSst^ully marquee m the g.uim aUpndaiiw this year. Advertisement regarding ticket* appears in this issue. \ very successful ping P°"g evening organised by the social committee was held in the R.S.A. clubhouse on Satuiday. A number of very exciting games were plaved, and those present spent, a most enjoy ible evening, lui pnzesweie presented by the Rev. I'. Bring Ibme Li'dit refreshments were provided In the Association. The tournament was conducted by the Rev. F Bm.g Rowe, Messrs C. Sowrnan and G. Jamieson.

Owing to some of those taking part- in the Presbyterian entertainment in the Prcsbvtevian Hall, announced for tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, being hud !liS ido with influenza, the function has bad to be postponed till further notice, which will be advertised.

Evening Sprays and Hair Bandeaux, very smart goods, in gold and silver leaf, tinsel and floral effects, all shades ,to clear at 3s lid and 5s lid. —At McKay’s.*

Over a considerable portion of the main trunk line at the present time the railway authorities are occasioned considerable anxiety due to slips and threatened slips. It is stated that bis '.’'Jii■ dition is not improving. Wet weather aggravates the trouble. Land slides and soil erosion in almost every instance are due to destruction ot the natural forest cover, and tend to become worse and worse as time goes on. In older countries largo areas of land have been totally ruined for the habitation of man by the same cause, there is only.one remedy, replace the forest cover. Plant I'inus Insignis, the premier timber tree. li. G. Kingsland, Wakefield.*

Evening Gown Clearance! Balance of our Stock in Black, Taffeta, Georgette, Crepe do Chino and Shot Silk, to clear at 70s, at McKay’s.*

Notwithstanding the frantic efforts of numerous imitators, our factory has to continue at top speed to cope with the ever-increasing demand. (The manufacturers ot 1 ‘No-Rubbing’ ’ Laundry Help).* Emms mail cars leave Nelson for Motueka, Takaka, Collingwood, Rockville and Bainham daily, from the Booking Office, 29 Hardy street (’phono 527), at 7.30 and 3 a.m., arriving in Takaka at 1 p.m.. Leave Takaka for Nelson at 7.45 a.m. and Motueka for Nelson at 10.45 a.m. and 3 p.m., arriving in Nelson at 1 p.m. and 5 P.m.* DAWSON’S, Rcefton, the leading Hold on the West Coast. Patronised by T-I.R.H. tbe Prince of Wales.—Francis B. Stallard, Proprietor.*

Members of (lie Rep-it nation Committees tlifmigli.iut (lie Dominion have rereived the following letter ff'om the Minister of Repatriation (the Don. W. Nosvvortliy): "As ihe work of the Repatriate) i Department is now practically completed I desire to express the Governments high appreciation of the valuable patriotic services yam have rendered as a member of the Repatriation Commit tee in the work of resettling cur soldiers, and would convey to • oil ti.r sincere thanks for all you have done towards making a success of the undertak-

Whicli is the fiercest fish? The shark is terrible enough, but he is a lamb compared with a small fish that haunts the rivers of South America. Tile pidliana, as it is called, does not grow much bigger than the perch or roach, but it is provided with an enormous cavern of a mouth filled with long dagger-like teeth. Should an unwary traveller stop to bathe his feet in a river he will he attacked, first by a single fish, and then by a whole shoal. If he does not beat a hasty retreat he will be dragged under in a few moments by scores of finny demons and devoured. The pirliana is dreaded bv all beasts, for he is absolutely fearless and will attack any animal, no matter what its size. The shoal seems to know almost at once that one of their number has found aquarry’, for no sooner is the victim attacked by a single pirliana than the water is thick with frenzied fish biting and tearing as though possessed with the fury of killing. When in the South the Mayor (Mr W . Lock) paid a visit to Port Chalmers and noticed that there were not so many U.S.S. steamers laid up as there were on his last visit about 12 months ago. Yet there were still seven steamers idle including the Monowai and Paloonn, the largest being the Moana and the two smallest the To Aitau and Pateena.

Two secondary school cadets, who were in possession of a .303 military rifle, caused no little alarm to the people living next door when they discharged two cartridges, being ignorant of the penetrating qualities of the projectile at short range, savs the Star. The rifle was aimed at a box in the back-yard, and, when discharged, the bullets passed through the box, thence through the wall of an outhouse, through tlin wall of the neighbour’s house and into the dining-room, whizzing across the head of a lady sitting at the table, to thud into Hie 'wait with a loud impact. There was trouble brewing for tlie boys, who excused themselves on the ground that they wanted the empty cartridge shells for’ pencil-holders. Attempts at removing the bullets by blows from a hammer had failed, and to five the carl ridges off was deemed to be the easiest way. There was a Police Court sequel, when tile lads were warned not to offend again, and an ovyler was made that they pay costs.

‘‘There’s no need for a lock on the woodshed at- our school, said a member at the. Education Board meeting yesterday. “Evidently you don’t live in a progressive district,” remarked the chairman.

What must he described as a dangerous practice is in use amongst a certain section of the community—namely, the transference of medical prescriptions from a patient ter a. friend. A few days ago (relates the. Gisborne ’Times), a wellknown chemist was handed a prescription containing a deadly’ drug in common use. The prescription was made up for an adult, and the chemist wrote the directions as usual on the label. An hour or two later he was called to the telephone and asked if a- child was to take the same dose as he had written. He hurriedly answered in the negative, and had the bottle returned to him. It was then ascertained that the woman who had handed in the prescription hud received it from a friend who had consulted a medical man. The woman’s child was suffering apparently in the same way’, and to avoid a visit to a doctor she had in good faith obtained her friend’s prescription. But for her forethought in questioning the size of Hie dose it is probable a medical man would have been hurriedly called in, and the subsequent expense would have paid for manv visits to the doctor.

For several years the dairying inchistrv lias been expanding steadily m Hawke’s Bay, and many people are of opinion that there is still room for greater activity’ in that direction (says the Napier Telegraph). Three prominent farmers of the Wairoa. district recently made a, tour of the chief butter producing districts and they have now returned with over 100 Jersey heifers, which were purchased at an average of £l4 a piece. These are to be used for extending the milk production of the Wairoa district and in the near future it is hoped to start a. modern butter or cheese factory’ near Mohaka.

Passengers to Wellington are reminded that the well-known and reliable carrier, G. Baker, still meets the Nelson boats. Luggage for rail and South boats attended to, also stored. No worry. Just give your luggage to Baker. Charges moderate as usual *

That the terseness of the wording on signposts for the direction of motor traffic can be overcome considerably was evidenced at the meeting of the South Canterbury Automobile Association last ’night, when the direction to “Drive Slowly’’ when near schools was mentioned. One member stated that in several towns of the Dominion these notices were accompanied a short distance further along the road, by a signpost on which were the words: “Thank you.’’ “Thirty or forty miles an hour is no excessive speed, for a fairly competent man on skis,” declared Mr F. W. Vosselcr, lecturing at the Y.M.C.A., Wellington, on “New Zealand Scenery.”

Mr A. Gould announces the following auction sales. To-morrow at .1.30 at Richmond Avon ic, furniture and effects, on account Mr Dowdell; Thursday, at 1.30 p,m., clearing sale at Orinoco, on account .Commissioner of Crown Bands; Friday next, at 1 p.m., clearing sale, Wakapuaka, on account Mr Tntiered; Monday next, 30th inst., at 1 p.m., at Bi'ightwater, clearing sale on account, Airs Lewis and others. See auction column.

To our numerous clients ! A new shipment of “Faulat” collars just arrived, including the double shape, and they look smart. Trathen’s.*

< The “Faulat” collar, both in double shape or Peter Pan, is the greatest innovation in men’s dress since the hard stiff brimmed lint gave place to the modern soft felt hat. Sole agents—Trathen’s.*

Good reading! Back numbers Pic tor ini Review Magazines to clear 6d each McKay’s Sale.*

Thiulhen’s Thrift Week still going strong. Only two more days. Terrific bargains for concluding days.* Ladies’ Evening Gowns! Just to hand, ten only handsome Beaded and Sequin Evening Robes in Black, Copper, and Silver with Satin Slips. Special price to clear £5 19s Gd and six guineas.—McKay’s Sale.* Still going strong, hut only two more days. Amazing bargains for final days. Trathen’s Thrift Week.*

Knitting or Crochet Silk, formerly 2/6 now 1/6. Concord and Corticelli makes; black and colours only. McKay’s.* Wanderful bargain attractions at Trathen’s Thrift Week. Special bargains in all departments, including half prree remnants.*

At (he meeting of the Education Board veslerditv a-member commented adversely <>» tup quality of a certain 'Mr Scantlebury .capped the speaker's remarks by mentioning another coal, whereoi he had I >UL tk.reo shovels on the fire in the e\ oiling and taken out lour of rock the m-xt morning, i ho discussion wont no further.

At the conclusion of the Allan AlcElwnin eoncert broadcastcd by Auckland Radio .Service, Ltd., from Scots flail last week, file operator broadcasted a request to listeners in "who had enjoyed the entertainment to write or telegraph the station." The result of this request was remarkable, and reports poured in from all over New Zealand, and as far south as Invercargill, excellent reception was experienced. Mr f fazeldenc ot that city telegraphed that using a loud speaker the full programme was heard perfectly all over a large room, lie reported that the tone and quality was perfect. Anolher remarkable long-distance report came from Mr Angus, Cromwell, Otago, who telegraphed reporting strong, clear, reception on a single valve receivin'. 'Jhe air line distance from Auckland to Invercargill is approximately 800 miles and to Cromwell YUO miles.

Statistics arc valiant destroyers of illusions. It lias been widely accepted that, since the war, the general tendency Jins been tor both men and women to marry later (says the Manchester Guardian). The British Regis-trar-Generals figures for 1921 show that the favourite age for men is 24, and for women 21. Moreover, nearly one-lifUt of the. persons who married in that year were under 2t. With the exception of tile periods 1915-1920, there has not been so busy a marrying year since 1874. Yet the birth-rate was the lowest since 1837, when the statistics began, again with the exception of the war years—a fact from which two or three morals not neccssarily'in agreement with each other, may be drawn.

A humorous little incident occurred at the Taumarunui Courthouse the other morning ’ during the course of a "sly grog” case (states the Press). A rather dishevelled looking fellow, who bore the appearance of getting over a wild carouse, wandered into the silent Courtroom, and eyeing the exhibits with envious eyes, sighed quite audibly: "i wish I could get one of those bottles ot whisky." Before be could proceed further to express bis desire to all and sundry. there came the roar "Silence! At this the young man being unable to.bear the smiles that wreathed the faces of the other spectators, slunk out of the Court.

The katipo is more numerous t his winter on the Taranaki coast than in any previous year since 3909 (says a writer m the Taranaki Herald). These insects are found under drift-wood and wreckage cast ashore near the mouth of the \Vaiwakilio river. I found two on the Opunake shore and two at the month of the Kapuni liver. I also found one—a- ‘urge, robust specimen—a week ago at the mouth of the Heimi river. Hitherto I have not found the eggs, cocoons, or spiders in the neighbourhood. As the katipo is strictly nocturnal in habits, minimises the possibility of bathers being biton by these dangerously venemous animals during the bathing season.

One of the most remarkable creatures ever known is an oyster in the possession of a famous scientist. This extraordinary pet can change its sex. It was found when it was a male, and the scientist who found-it “adopted” it. and went so far as to give it a pet name—Oliver. Nothing happened for about a year, and then the astonished scientist found that Oliver had presented him with thousands of baby oysters ! He immediately changed its name to Olivette, but a fortnight later it was found that “she” had again became a member of the sterner sex. And so, in order that there might be no further mistakes, the strange creature became Oily .which is equally suitable to a “boy” or a “girl” ! It is thought that Oily’s changes are caused partially t>y changes of environment. For instance, a warm bath is sufficient to change the oyster from a male to a female, and vice versa. But it- is also thought that Ollv can effect these changes at will, and that if can join which sex appeals to it most at any particular moment.