LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 October 1926, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A veteran tramp, known throughout North Utago as “The Shiner" is spending the eve of a romantic life, in the seclusion of his home in Onmarii. Just how many miles he lias tramped, with his bundle on his shoulder and bis billy in his hand, it is impossible to sav. Some old settlers hazard the opinion that, he walked well over 50,000 miles during the half century lie was on the road. Even now tie is restless, and a few days ago took it. into bis head to walk about, 30 miles. His nomadic habits have gained for him a reputation far'beyond the limits of the. province in which lie is so well known.

The remarkable development of the motor services catering for travellers in New Zealand was mentioned by Mr C. W. Albrecht, a visitor from South Africa, in conversation with a press representative. In a long tour through New Zealand, he had experienced their consideration, the courtesy of their officials, and the capabilities of their drivers. It was a great thing to be able to get, through a country as he had done, without one difficulty as to route, or question as to stoppages. He had seen nothing like it elsewhere. “One of (he curious things that struck me during niv tour of vour country was the lack of" respect, shown by many people towards the National. Anthem,” said a. South African visitor, Mr C. W. Albrecht, in the course, of an interview with a- Northern journal. "In theatres and picture shows," he continued, "South Africans stand at attention when the Anthem is played, but here the first bar seems to be a signal for a. rush for hats and coats. It probably does not indicate the real feeling of the people towards their sovereign, for New Zealand is known as a highly patriotic country. it grates on the visitor, though.”

The handsome obelisk at Dunedin in memory of the men who fell in the Great War is now nearing completion. It towers above tlio trees in the Queen's Gardens and is an imposing sight. The contract price for the monument is £3450, of which a. little over £2OOO is still to be found. The date of the official unveiling of the memorial has not been settled, as it depends upon whether the Duke of York will accept the invitation to petfoim the ceremony.

An Auckland Press Association mes sage states that a cablegram is to he sent to Mr Coates seeking his co-opera-tion in the raising of a loon of £1.000,000 under the British Trade Facilities Act to construct a bridge across Auckland harbouP at Northcote.

An old Scottish resident of the Oamaru district recently wrote to the Prime Minister suggesting that, with a view to uniting the Empire, a Gaelic name be given to the whole. He received a reply from the Rt. Hon. J. CL Coates prior to his departure, stating that,the subject would be brought before the Imperial Conference when the question of an Imperial Parliament was under review.

The number of overseas tourists who will visit, the Dominion during the, coining tourist season promises to he a record. Auckland tourist agents have renei'cd advice frbin their New York principals that a party of 25 American tourists is expected to reach Auckland in March. 1927. The visitors will remain in the Dominion for about three weeks, arid will visit the principal resorts m the North and South Islands. Usually the conducted parties remain only a few days in the Dominion, and it is pleasing to note that more time is to be spent here. The latest method is to teach the alphabet by touch. The Education Department has forwarded to the Auckland Education Board 312 sets of celluloid skeleton letters (says the New Zealand “Herald,”) each set containing lbO letters, for use by Infant classes. 'Hie board decided to distribute them to schools recommended by the senior inspector. witli an admonition, suggested by the chairman, Mr A. Burns, that they were highly inflammable. Asked by a reporter at Christchurch if the Government contemplated making a move in the direction of establishing a direct line of steamers from South Islnnd ports to Melbourne or had considered subsidising such a service, the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. Downie Stewart-, states The “Mail's” correspondent, said the matter had been considered from time to time, but, be added, no feasible scheme had been put forward which would not involve tho Government in expenditure which the results of the service to tho Dominion as a whole would not justify.

A rnbbitor from the waybneks, states (he "Otago Daily Times,” when charged at the. Kuroiw Court with being drunk and disorderly, asked the justices to let him off lightly, 'as he had been robbed of £7O on the Kurow racecourse. The police constable interposed and staled that the accused, although a complete stranger to him, had asked him on the course to take care of his money. I his ho had done, and the amount was duly entered on the charge sheet. Accused (excitedly): Is that so? Thank you, constable. Never again will 1 get drunk.

The trustees and matron of St. An* drew’s orphanage desire to thank the following for gifts of various kinds for the use of the Institution during the month September Miss Pungent. Mesdames: Beriyon arid Cairns. Mr A. .T. Skvring. Messrs (.Toucher and Pons and The Nelson Fruit Co.

The Church of Christ Tennis Club will open its season at 2.30 p.m. next Saturday. 16th inst. Ladies are asked In bring a basket.

The bazaar organised by the Presbyterian Ladies’ Guild was well attended last evening and exceptionally good business was done. A varied programme of musical and other items gave much enjoyment to those present. The bazaar will be. concluded this evening, when another good programme is promised.

Alfred Gould announces an auction sale for Saturday next, at the rooms, Hardy street, in the estate of Robert fieri, deceased. Russell street. New Repp Coats in smart styles and latest shades, 75 -to 5 guineas. At M’Kav's*

Ensemble Suits in the very smartest designs. Shades of rosewood, raisin, gieon and tirforco blue, from £8 15s.— M’Kav's.*

Coat Frocks in summer weight wool repp. Wo have a large assortment of various styles and colours, reasonably priced, from 75'-.—M Kay’s.* Emms’ Motors are advertising a revised service for the. coming season. Their mid-day car and also weekly orvy service will prove a great benefit botn to the local residents and tourists, giv ing as it does A surer means of transport between these places *

A par tv of .Marlborough yatehsmen intend visiting Nelson next week in Mr Norman Parker’s yatch Queen Charlotte, a new boat. iHer dimensions are 47 feet overall length 13ft beam, draught sft 6in, schooner rigged and carrying a large area of sail made at Franzen and ( Vs., Nelson. She is also fitted with a 4 cylinder Steam's engine. The inernal equipment is very- complete including all conveniences for cruising and a modern wireless set.

A definite charge that harmful insects are being imported into New Zealand si’as made by Professor TI. 11. Corbin, professor of forestry at the Auckland University College, in. u lecture under the auspices of tbe Auckland Institute. “The insect menace." said (he lecturer, “dues not diminish in this country, by reason of the fact that pests are being imported in sawn timber, poles, piles, and possibly in other ways. The outcome of these avoidable importations is difficult to foretell. Any one or all of them may secure a hold, or they may not.”

Wellington’s record in Rugby football representative games during tbe season just, concluded was poor (says “The Post”). With defeat following defeat- the selectors came in for a good deal of criticism, but these officials were in the unfortunate position of being without much of the material they required to make the teams fully representative. According to a statement made by (lie chairman (Mr .1. Prendevillo) at this week's meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union's Management Committeo, no fewer than sixty-eight players had taken part in representative matches, the employment of this large number being due to the fact that many of the players had been injured in some of the games, and in consequence were not available for other games. The season had been a most disastrous one.for players.

When repotting to a meeting of the Wellington Bowling Centre regarding the negotiations which have been enteral into by the Dominion Rowling Council for a howling team to visit South Africa, Canada, and England, Mr F. Meadoweroft said that it lmd been suggested that the next team sent abroad should be composed only of men, as were cricket and football teams. There were, many married howlers, however, and as they were “under authority,” it was not deemed wise to carry the proposal into effect for fear of what the wives of the tourists would, sav when their husbands told them they were to stav behind.

The lender of Messrs Cook and Sons, Limited, of Palmerston North,. has been accepted for the milling timber in the railway plantations on the Faxton branch line. The trees were not planted for commercial purposes, but the Department’s revenue will, benefit by about £3OOO as the result of the sale. The Foxton railway was opened in 1876, and several years afterwards —in 1884—in order to cope with the trouble of the drifting sand that menaced the track, strips of land several miles along were acquired on the western side of the line. These areas were planted by the staff with pinus insignia, and the experiment was attended with success. The plantations encouraged the growth of grass, and other vegetation, and no trouble lias been experienced with the drifting sand for many years. The greater number of the trees have now matured, and as the plantations were'l.nore likely to decrease than to increase in value, it was considered advisable to sell off the trees and replant the land with trees of greater value on scientific forestry lines. The work will he carried out under the supervision of the State Forest Service. The concert presented at the Presbyterian bazaar lasPevening was a pronounced success. The a( tendance was very good, and the audience enthusiastic. 'fhe songs of Mr Dalton, who has not been very lc*ig in Nelson, and Mr Bishop, who made his first public appearance here last night, were greatly appreciated. Other items were a pianoforte solo by Miss Bensemann, recitations in character by Miss Sylvia Silk, songs by Misses Kerr, Trussing and Bowman. Mesdames Tains and Hunter, and quartettes bv Mrs Hunter and Messrs Hunter, K. Dalglish and Boyne. Air Smith ahlv accompanied throughout the programme.