LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 March 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The usual sitting of the Nelson Supreme Court will commence to-morrow morning.

Charged with being found drunk while in charge of a car, Homy Arthur Cotton was fined £lO by Mr T. E. Maunsell at the Magistrate's Court this morning.

The first move in the direction of mechanisation of the military forces in New Zealand is likely to be the acquisition of a large number of sixwheeled lorries for moving guns and other purposes. Tanks may appear later. So far the Defence Department has only one of the lorries which may be put to such purpose, and it is in use in Wellington as an ambulance.

"There seems to be an awakening among certain business men in New Zealand in regard to buying British goods and also among farmers," remarked a commercial traveller to a Wanganui "Herald" reporter. This has been brought about by the lower prices for wool, moat and dairy produce, and in moving about from place to place, the traveller said the proposal to buy British goods was being more freely discussed than ever it had been during his many years on the road. Of course, on the other hand, he said, there are thousands of people who do not give a continental what goods they buy so long as they are goods and answer the purpose. Those are the people who require to be educated and not the "hard-thinking business man" and farmer.

"Is the blowing of a church organ an industry?" This question was raised at the Devonport Borough Council last evening, when tho vestry of Holy Trinity Church asked for a reduction on their water account on the grounds that the quantity used was over 100,000 gallons per half-year, and that therefore they qualified for a special discount given to manufacturers and industries. The council demurred to the suggestion, and expressed the opinion that there was a diH'ercnce between the community value of using water to produce musical sounds and employing it as an agent to make bricks or wash clothes. They suggested the advisability of installing an electric motor, pointing out the municipality's main concern was not the selling'of water, but its conservation. Tho vestry replied that their difficulty was a financial one, and so long as they had to pay full rates for water they could not consider the purchase of a motor. "It's all a matter of raising the wind," commented a councillor, and a motion to adhere to the standard charge of 1/6 per thousand gallons was carried.

Satisfaction is being expressed in South Westland at the prospect of the conference in Christchurch on 7th May to deal with the control of deer. In the remote and mountainous unpopulated localities in far South Westland, deer are reported to be increasing fast, and are said to be even now travelling into the farming areas, where their depredations are causing loss and concevn to farmers. In addition, they are doing considerable damage to young bush trees, which will, if not checked, adversely affect the natural reafforestation in the district. Some systematic method of controlling by culling freely is looked upon as the only feasible method of dealing with the menace in South Westland.

Reporting to the Blenheim Borough Council last week on the Municipal Conference, at which he and the Town Cleric (Mr 'J'. F. Bull) represented Blenheim, the Mayor (Mr M. McKenzie) threw out the suggestion that, as the Conference was to be held in the South Island in 1952, the Council should apply to have Blenheim made the venue (says the "Express"). "I am satisfied that it would do the town a great deal of good to have the Confernce here," said His Worship, "particularly as the South Main Trunk Railways ought to be Hearing completion bv that time. Blenheim is very central for the delegates, while, for another thing, the hotel accommodation has improved out of sight during the last 12 months. It would be a big thing to have ISO delegates from all over New Zealand in our town. I just throw out the suggestion for your consideration."

"The Crystal Ball" is the name of a new parlour game, brought to Auckland by a much-travelled citizen (states the Auckland "Star"). It is evidently of Continental origin and designed to make fortune telling easy. A glass ball, about the size of a big marble, has scores of tiny facets, each marked with a number. "Roll de ball" (so the card of instructions directs! and the number on the topmost facet supplies the answer to problems of "Love, Marriage, Finance, The Home, Luck. Surprise or Your Wish" as the card quaintly puts it. There are thirty facets and thirty answers to given questions under the separate problem headlines. So one has plenty to choose from. Nor are they all of the old-fashioned and stereotyped order. "Beware of the moonlight; it will cause you to lose botli heart and head!" has quite a snappy ring, like "Beware of that 'gay widow! and "Don't many the dark-eyed charmer! There is sound sense in one or two of the adjurations, such as "Don't be a good fellow abroad and a poor fellow at home." There are other wise saws of the same tvpe. Zero is twice represented, the single cypher standing for health, wealth and happiness and the double nought for disappointment. You pays your pfennigs and you takes your choice.

Seven coupe or observation cars for use on the main express lines are at present under construction at the Aldington railway workshops, (states the Christchurch "Press"). Standard Pullman lines are being followed, as was done in the construction of the ViceRegal car and that for Mr H. H. Sterling, General Manager of Railways Movable seats and other comforts wiII be furnished in the rear portion of each car, which will be the observation compartment, while the front half will be equipped like an ordinary first-class passenger car.

For the kiddies! Brushed Wool Bauchelte Sets, coat cap and leggings 21s to 32s 6d. McKay's.* A famous London physician. Sir Bruce Porter, on smoking: "Tobacco is an extraordinary comfort to a great many. I would particularly wish to reassure old folks, so that they may not be terrified from enjoying one of the few pleasures remaining to people of advanced years. Tobacco in moderation is not going to do you any harm." Of course if isn't ! When tobacco proves harmful it is owing to excess of nicotine in it. The American brands are full of the poison, and you can't smoke stuff like that constantly without danger. The world's purest tobaccos are the. New Zealand, and the secret of their purity is thai they are. toasted. That kills the nicotine, and develops the flavour and aroma for which these to baccos are famous. You can smoke toasted New Zealand "till further orders" with impunity, and the more you smoke them the belter you like them. Sweet, pure and fragrant they appeal to all smokers. Ask fur liiverhead Cold, Cavendish. Navv Cut or Cut Plug No. 10. They are all good !* Children's Frock ami Bloomer Sets in fine woven cashmere sizes 16 inch to 27 inch. From 17s 6d at McKay's.*

As the result of a deputation to the Minister of Minis some time ago, Dr. J. Henderson, Director of the Geological Survey, arrived at Waihi last week to confer with district mining experts on the question of the further exploration ill' the goldfields in the hope of making fresh discoveries of importance. Dr. Henderson, together with Messrs A. H. Kimbell, Under-Secretary of Mines, and J. A. C. Bain, chief inspecting engineer, attended a conference. It was later announced that following a visit to tho Coromandol district Dr. Henderson would return to Waihi at the weekend, when his services would be at tho disposal of those associated with the effort to locate further deposits of payable ore. All information in the possession of leading mining men in the district will then ho supplied to Dr. Henderson, who will also he taken to the various points likely to be worthy of investigation (states the "Herald"). Horace, aged ten, wrestled laboriously with his homework—a sum which appeared to be a complication of multiplication, division and subtraction (says a writer in the Auckland "Star"). , He puckered his mouth and enlisted the help of dad, a prominent man in the financial world, who writes F.I.A.N.Z. and other mystic letters behind his name. Dad plunged into the arithmetical problem enthusiastically, but soon came to a dead end—that is, in an' endeavour to work it out as Horace insisted it had to be done. Horace is now dubious about dad's ability when it comes to tackling figures. Dad is convinced that the ways of working sums have changed vastly since he was a boy at school.

In his address on unemployment to Wanganui employers last week, Mr T. 0. Bishop, spoke of an endeavour to create a public "conscience" with regard to shouldering the burden. He thought that if eveiyonc realised his obligation to aid alleviation there would be no difficulty about developing a fund. "Wo are not going to navo many dodgers," lie said,- referring to the "proposed tax. "Who is going to dodge paying 24s a year? Who will dodge going down to the post office to fill in a form so that he may get 24s off his conscience. We will have no trouble if wo can raise that public 'conscience' I have talked about.' " Mr T. H. Rice: That will be the hardest part.

Those present on the Nelson bowling green on Saturday afternoon were able to listen to a broadcast description of the Donovan-Sarron bowling contest at Wellington. Mr McComish kindly installed a wireless set for the occasion, and the excellent reception of the contest was listened to with a great deal of interest.

A "Mail" representative in conversation with a visiting Victorian regarding the present outlook in the Commonwealth gathered that this was not considered particularly bright at the moment. "All sober and reflecting Australians must be forced to the conclusion that the immediate outlook is the opposite of reassuring. There are grave indications that the country is rapidly advancing towards a crisis in her history. The magnitude and the violence of the Labour troubles have been very serious, witli serious results. The present condition of. the finances and the impossible rate of interest being paid on recent loans all unfortunately confirm this view. The costly loans are almost instantly and wholly swallowed up in interest bn former loans due and overdue."

At the Convent garden party on Saturday afternoon Archbishop Redwood told some interesting stories of his early experiences, some of which had happened practically upon the spot on which he was standing. The steep bank behind him was the very identical bank he and. the other boys had vied witli one another to see who could jump down the farthest. The great crisis of his life arrived at the moment when the sailing vessel Mountain Maid happened to call at Nelson. The chance suddenly came to go to France, there to continue studies impossible here at that early time. Would he go, or would he not? That was the great question! He decided he would go, and only a very few days were available in which to arrange the necessary finances, etc. His parents, particularly his mother, were sadly perplexed as to how to provide him with a suitable "kit" for the voyage and for his lengthy sojourn beyond the seas. Stocks in shops were not then as they are now. However, shortly before a rather small man named Whitehead had arrived in the settlement. "Frank" was a well grown boy for his\Tge. The things just about fitted, or near enough. Whitehead for a consideration parted Svith an outfit for which he had no great use. But when "Frank" got to France trouble arose with his landlady. Said she, "How now is this? One half of your clothes I see are marked Whitehead and the other half Redwood. How did you come by all these various things? Tell me." 'However, she was finally reassured and her conscience set at rest by the explanation that in English "White"-head and "Red"—wood stood for one and the same thing. The terms were identical and inter-change-able—another proof no doubt of the vagaries of the perplexing English language which she would never fully comprehend.

A good and true shark story was told by the Hon. E. W. Alison in his talk about old times to the Credit-men's Club at Auckland (reports the "Star"). A large shark was devouring the carcase of a horse that had been thrown overboard from a vessel anchored in the stream, just about where the end of Queen's wharf now is, said Mr Alison. "It was a spring tide, and the body was being carried rapidly down the harbour. At short intervals the shark, in his attacks, would pull the dead horse under the water. At Beddoe's shipyard, in Devonport, there was a blacksmith who had been a whaler, and when 1 called his attention to shark and carcase lie mustered eight hands, got a whale boat, a harpoon and the necessary gear, and set oft to capture the shark. I handled the steer oar. Halfway down the Rangitoto Channel we came up with the shark. The old whaler had not forgotten how to use a harpoon, which he dexterously threw into a vital part of the huge fish. Immediately it was struck the shark sounded, and pulled the bows of the boat down so much that.l thought we would have to cut the line, but just then the tension slackened. After he had sounded several more times, but not so deeply, the shark was exhausted, and we towed him back to Devonport, beaching him opposite the Masonic Hotel. It" was an immense shark, 16ft. lOin. long, and had five rows of saw-like'teeth, measuring from three-quarters of an inch to two inches and a quarter. When we opened him up, we found inside him three large tins of red herrings, two tins of had soup and bully, each with tlie jagged opened top still adhering, the horse's tail, bitten off at the root, the horse's hind legs from the hocks downward, with heavy cart-horse shoes still on, several pieces of corned beef, and a moderate-sized stingaree. I was told that the same shark had followed the ship all the way from Sydney."

Alfred Gould announces an auction sale of toys, dolls, etc., on account of Mr W. White, on the premises Bridge street, opposite Y.M.C.A. for to-morrow. Brushed Wool Coat and Cap Sets for children from 17s 6d at McKay's.*

Mr Victor Hooper, late with Hugo and Shearer, Masterton. has arrived and has taken up the position as window dresser with W. McKay and Son Ltd.

"Is it bettor than the Sounds?" the Mayor of Blenheim (Mr M. McKenzie) was asked at last week's meeting of tho Borough Council when, in • the • tiourso of his report on the Municipal Conference held in Invercargill recently, ho mentioned that the delegates were taken on a trip to Stewart Island (says the "Express ). "I think we have prettier scenery in the Sounds, and certainly more of it, although there is a similarity," His Worship replied. "Yes, 1 think the Sounds are better—but you wouldn't get anyone in Invercargill to admit it. I did not hear anyone in Invercargill admit that there was anything to beat anything that Invercargill takes a pride in; and that ",vas one thing I admired them for. They are out to boost their city all they can, and what s more, they have every reason to boost it, because it is a beautiful place—clean, well-equipped and well laid out."

Judgment by default was given by Mr T. E. Maunseil S.M. at the Magistrate's Court this morning, in the following civil actions: Constance Olive Washbourn v. Louis Morel, £4 Bs, costs 3s; Gurdon Samuel v. Samuel Crooks, £l2 14s, costs £1 3s.

The historical records connected with St. Joseph's Church, Wakefield, are taker: from the diary and minute book of Father Garin. For many years he was in tho habit of carefully recording anything of importance. These documents are valued possessions of the Nelson Presbytery.

A correspondent writes: For some time past those receiving short wave transmissions must have noticed the particular activity of the Russian broadcasting station R.F.M. Siberia. This station seems to be on the air much oftener, and for longer periods, than any other foreign station. Although the Russian language has always been used. I could often make out the various countries they were endeavouring to call up, such as Japan, China, Australia, South America etc. Just recently, however, I have heard two lengthy but well delivered speeches, given in English by a woman with a foreign accent. This woman gave an account of Soviet propaganda in various countries including China, India. U.S.A. and Australia. I understood her to say that the results of their efforts were such that the workers of the world would eventually come into their own, be emancipated, and freed ; from the dominating heel of the_ wealthy ruling classes, and also that their efforts had been less successful in the United States than anticipated, and that they intended to concentrate on Japan, Australia, and China. Judging from an article in the "Standard" the leading paper of Montreal, Soviet propaganda is also being actively conducted in Canada.

That New Zealand was better known in the Middle East of Europe than Australia was the opinion of a visitor to New Zealand, Mr J. de Vilnits, who has spent a good deal'of his time travelling through Europe. He thought it was because there was a good deal of Slav emigration from those regions to New Zealand, and little to Australia. v The immigrants wrote back to their' relatives in the Slav countries, explained where their new home was, and gave a feneral account of living conditions, here was no better method of advertisement. The doctor admitted, however, that the knowledge of New Zealand's whereabouts was rather vague, and very many people, who considered themselves well educated, thought that the Dominion was "somewhere near Australia."

The Jellicoc Shield and the Lady Alice Fergusson Cup, both of which were won last year by the Nelson Provincial Girl Guides, are now on view in a window of the premises of Louissons Ltd. Both trophies were presented by the Lady Alice Fergusson at the Girl Guides' rally in Wellington in January last. The hand-made baby garments which won the cup are also on view, at H. Hurst's premises. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., announce an extensive clearing sale on account of Mr James Pagan, Kohatu, on Wednesday next, commencing at 1 p.m.