LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 August 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An offer to purchase its works at Kaiapoi is being considered by the directors of the North Canterbury Sheep Farmers’ Co-operative Freezing Company,. states a Press Association message from Christchurch, but the amount or identity of the prospective buyers has not been cjisclosed. The matter will be submitted to the shareholders.

Mr W. Hill, manager of the Self Help store atrßeckeiiham, who was injured by aii assailant on Wednesday evening, is still in hospital but is showing a'satisfactory improvement (says a Christchurch telegram received to-day). A seventeen year old youth who was arrested and charged with the assault has been remanded till 16th August. Miss Jean Batten left Napier at 9.45 o'clock this morning for Dannevirke (states a Press Association telegram received to-day. Reports of the presence of white butterflies in the Auckland Province are being received a little earlier this year than was the case last year (reports the “New Zealand Herald”). A few days ago a white butterfly was seen at Mount Albert, while last Sunday two were observed at Cambridge. A letter received from a resident of tho Frankton Junction district stated that he saw and killed a white butterfly this week. By killing them as soon as they make their appearance and before they have had time to lay their eggs gardeners will be doing something towards the prevention of crop ravages later in the season..

The Nelson Hockey Association will hold a complimentary dance -in the “Mayfair” for the visiting Marlborough teams to-morrow (Saturday), at 8 p.m. The visitors include the Marlborough ladies’ representative team, the present holders of the Pope Shield. Mr Clarrie Lee’s full orchestra has been engaged and a popular programme selected. Mr A. R. Kingsford will be master of ceremonies for the occasion.

A farmer at Lepperton, Taranaki, witnessed a strange and fascinating phenomenon on a recent frosty morning shortly after sunrise. The cows had been brought to the milking shed and as they were released they browsed in a paddock in which the grass was covered with a feathery rime from the night’s frost. As tlie sun rose the frost was quickly dispersed, but some of the cattle liad stood still long enough for the shadow they cast to prevent the thawing of the frost, and outlined on the grass were the shapes of several of the cows as they had been feeding. The frosty shapes, of course, quickly disappeared as the cows moved away.

One of the most interesting recent additions to the geological section of tho Auckland War Memorial Museum is an uninteresting looking piece of pumice (says the “Auckland Star”). But to a geologist that piece of volcanic pumice tells a long and fascinating story. It is from the Burrell shower of volcanic ash which was discovered about a year ago in the Taranaki district. This layer of gravelly sandstone deposit covers an area of some 12,500 acres radiating fanwise from Mount Egmont, where it is 12in deep, to about three miles from Stratford, where it thins to some 3in. As the layer was found to cover a Maori oven, it proved that Mount Egmont had been in eruption within the last 400 years, or very recently, geologically speaking. The pumice was presented by Mr N. H. Taylor, a well-known New Zealand geologist. The No. 7 Transport Licensing Authority concluded the third day of the Nelson sitting yesterday, and has gone to Blenheim where it will sit to-day and to-morrow. The Authority will hold meetings at Westport on Tuesday, and at Greymouth on Wednesday and Thursday, returning to Nelson on Friday.

The social committee of Loyal Howard Lodge will hold its fortnightly old-time dance on Saturday. Twilight and all the old favourites will be on the programme, and the committee assures patrons of ati enjoyable evening.

The final rehearsal of “Psyche” held last evening gave good promise of a most enjoyable concert on Tuesday evening next at the School of Music. The soloists will be Miss Jacobs, Mrs Noble, Miss Jarmcy, Messrs Huggins and Farmer. Tickets may be obtained at Begg’s..

Market Gardeners, Ltd., Wellington, report to-day: Nelson green peas 10d and lid; new potatoes 2J,d.

Asked by one of those inquisitive New York reporters why he carried an empty pipe about (generally in his mouth), the j great Einstein—of Relativity fame—reI ulied that be found an empty pipe as soothing and satisfying as the pressman 1 doubtless found tobacco. Well, the Einstein way certainly has one advantage, it’s cheap. An empty pipe is full of i nothing and nothing doesn’t cost much. Most smokers, however, prefer a pipe . full of tho weed—especially the genuine “toasted” and it couldn’t be filled with ' anything better. “Toasted” —there are only five brands of the real thing: Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead). Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish. Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold —is not only remarkable for bouquet and its exquisite flav- | our, but cannot hurt even the heaviest ■ smoker. Tho toasting—a very elaborate process—rids the leaf of most of its I nicotine, and renders it absolutely safe to smoke to any extent. But avoid imitations when you buy! Scrutinise tin and label, and make a point of seeing what you are getting !*

The Waimea County Council engineer reported to to-day’s meeting of the Council that the widening of Oldham’s creek bridge had been completed, and that work was now proceeding on tlie approaches. Councillor Herbert Everett remarked that a great improvement to tlie bridge had been effected. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day Colin Berdett Hunt was charged that on 11th Juno at Koliatu 0 u a one-way traffic bridge lie did drive a motor car in a manner that might have been dangerous to the public. An application for the adjournment of the case for a week was granted.

In commenting on the difficulties drivers of lorries had in estimating the weight of certain loads, Mr H. H. Darnell, in the course of his defence J? a man charged in the Upper Hutt Court with overloading his lorry, said that the regulations concerning loads were brought out mostly at the time when the vehicles had solid tyres. It had been shown that approximately 50 per cent, more could be carried on pneumatic tv res than solid. He believed that the whole system of weighing motor vehicles was at present under consideration; indeed, he would go as far as to say that the system would probably be changed so that tyre pressure would be the factor on which weights would be fixed.

A report by Ranger P. W. Willson on dispatching trapped opossums, received by tlie Wellington Acclimatisation [Society, stated that the present method was to bleed the animal by cutting tlie throat (states “The Post”). There was nothing inhuman in this. By bleeding a clean pelt was secured. What was most objectionable and cruel was to bludgeon the opossum without bleeding. He had heard of instances where tlie opossum was bludgeoned until apparently dead, and found to be alive hours afterwards. Only a few inexperienced trappers would do this. With reference to a suggestion by the S.P.C.A. regarding the use of pea rifles to dispatch trapped opossums, it was stated that it was not desirable that pea rifles should be permitted in the forest by trappers, as this would result in the shooting of pigeons and other native birds.

Three teams of hockey players from Marlborough will be playing teams of the local association to-morrow. The ladies’ team is a particularly strong one, being the holder of the Pope Shield. Supporters of hockey are requested to note advertisement in this issue.

A very full day’s business was transacted by tlie No.'7 Transport Licensing Authority in Nelson yesterday. In an endeavour to deal with all the applications for goods service licenses the Authority continued its sitting until 10 o’clock last night. However, in a number of cases the decisions were held oyer and the Authority will sit again in Nelson on Friday next. The Bush Union Rugby representatives who were defeated by Golden BayMotueka by 16 points to 5, returned to the North Island by last night’s boat. The Railway representative (Mr E. S. Brittenden) received a rather unexpected reply when cross-examining an applicant before the Licensing Authority yesterday. Asked as to the number of trips ho had been making the truck owner, H. J. R. Smith, said there had been extra trips. Mr Brittenden: “And what were they for?” “One was to take a coffin and a totalisator,” was the answer, which was received amid general laughter. A wonderful evening is assured all at tho dance in the Velma Hall to-morrow, commencing at 8 p.m. , Tlie chief attraction, among many, is a substantial cash prize which is being offered for the Monte Carlo. Twilight, tap and streamer dances also occupy prominent positions on the attractive programme. An excellent supper will he served, while all the latest music will he rendered by the Premier Dance Band.