LOCAL AND GENERAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15301, 15 November 1911, Page 11

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A str&ngo instanco of perverted maternal instinct is reported from St. Kilda. A gentleman who residw in that suburb slates that whilst examining tho nest of a sitting lion lio was surprised to find that the hen was mothering a young kilton which had barely opened its eyes to tho fact that r.o siißtenanco was forthcoming from its strange fosier mother. As tho poultry run was completely enclosed, tho owner is quito tinablo to aooount for tho felino addition to hia flock. Tho hen strongly resented tho temporary removal of her chargo whilst tlio latter was being fed, and, on being returned to the nest, tho kitten was wcloomed back with ovory manifestation ef pleasure by its foster mother. According fo latest report both were "doing well." Tho only caso that cAtno before Mr H. Y. Widdowfon, S.M., in tho City Polico Court yesterday morning was for drunkenness, .a first, offender, who did not appear, beinj fined 10s, tho amount of her bail, in default 24 hours' imprisonment.

A young woman who was found by Constablo Jones lying on tho grass in Hyde Park, Sydnoy, in an unconscious condition, and dressed in malo atliro, was admitted to Sydney Hospital. Subsequently sho regained consciousness, and when naked her name, and whero 6ho resided, Bho replied that fiho did not know. Mr M'Kenzio, son of. tli(3 proprietor of tho Wa.verley Daity, Bondi, Jiowovor, identified tho woman. It appears that sho had been employed at tho dairy, milking cows, etc., for about 10 days, and nu known by tho other employees as "Jack." What her-real namo lis tho polico aro at loss to know. Mr M'Keniie, - when ho engaged tho women, was undor tho impression that sho was a boy of' about 16 years of age. Sho told 'Mr M'Krnio that sho had just arrived from tho Richmond Itivor. Tho womaji, who is about 22 years of ago, has her hair cut short, and is of dork complexion, and bears a very striking rescmblanbo to a boy.

Another Kltliam ifrm of auctioneers (says tho Argrfi) has retailed against tlio long credit system of business, mid intends for tlio future to trado on cash lines. After liavT.ig given tho creditsystem a fivo years' trial it has now decided to fall into iino with the auctioneers of Now Plymouth, Wanganui, and l'slmcrston North, am! gall only for caeh. ,Tho orcdit gyetcm has half tho tradesmen by tho throat, and it is strangling legitimate trado and progress, and tho newspaper bifcineascs probably sudor aa much as any other business

A cmo of an uncsuul naturo occupied the Magistrate's Court at Palmers ton North last week, in wliioh Gcorgo Powell (Mr Cooper) sued Miss J. B. Bland,' of Woodville, for tho refund of £50 alioged to havo heen advanced. It appears (reports tho Palmorston Times) that tho parties wcro engaged to bo married, and the plaintiff gavo defendant £50 and a Pest Ofliro Savings Bank book with instructions to pay tho money into tho bank. It was eontended that instead of doing tks dofendant paid the money into her own account. For tho defonoo it was contended that tho money was given for tho inoonvenienco to tho dofendant for breaking off tho engagement After hearing tho evidence on both sides, his Worship reserved judgment.

A eojtain degreo of slackness in trado is reported liy nwny of tho retail tradespeople in Auckland. This is stated to be quito a usual cxpcrionco during pre-elec-tion periods. In acting a reason for this tendency on tlio part of purchasers to keep thoir iconcy in tltcir pockcta pending tho giticroJ election, a Herald reporter met v/ith at Icaet one interesting theory. A Queen street shopke-C|x\r eaid that his ex-t'-crieiico ha# always boon , that trade slackens in the Octobcr and NoTombcr preceding the polls. "A surprisingly large number of man," ho slid, "aro engaged in electioneering, and on election commitIcea When tlioir wives dix>uss tho purchase of a new hat or pown, a set' of 'books, or any article or group of articles, • tho husbands will say they are tco busy to attend to the matter now, and induco,their wives to wait 'till after tip elections.' In tlio saino way tho tlioatrcs suffer. Tho busy husband oannot go to tlio place of amusenient owing to political < ngngeinent!', and his wifo will r.ot go without him. If tlie busy man bo tinglo ho lias no time for the customary evenings with his ' best girl.' Tlio worst of it all is," .said tho speaker, " wo always get a tremendous rush of btistnc-Ss when tho elections aro over—too heavy to oopo with rc.idily—and this jear liumbors of us tro sorry that tho dato of tlio poll has boon fixed so late. Undoubtedly wo aro in ftxr a particularly buiv Christmas."

Tho N«w Zealand Shipping Company's liner Ilciiiuoru, which arrived in Wellington from London on Saturday morning, brougnt out a largo supply of stoics and equipment for Captain Scott's Antarctio expedition, which is at prefent engaged in its operations in tho Ear Soutli. Tho steamer is duo in Lvttelton about' tho end of tho week, and the stores will bo transhipped into Ik T&rra Nova, which « at present undergoing an overhaul of hor rigging arid engines in tho port. Arrangements havo been made to place tho Terra Nova in dock on Friday, in order that he* hull may reccivo a cleaning and her propoller an overhaul. On Officers' Point tho chip's carpenter (Mr F. E. Duvies), together with a number of assistants, is busily on gaged erecting oil cbscrvatory hut. It was brought from England lost year, but owing to no hpaco being available i« tho ship it l:ad to bo k-ft behind in Lyttclton. However, tho structuro will bo taken sourh this trip. Tho hut measures about 16ft by 12ft, and is of stout material, bring specially liirilt no that tcicnbifio' observations can bo nmdo from tho roof. After a few miner alterations havo been mudo, tho parU of tho building will bo awmbored and taken down in rendino« to bo shipped. Tho ponies and dogs at Quail Island aro in good health, and when opportunity offers the carotakor, Mr W. Thomas, puts thom through Hlodsi! work. On Sunda.v morning Major-general Godle.v, Commandant of tho Now Zealand For<S*, paid a visit to tho Terra Nova, and ha<f lunch on bean', with the officers. The TerraXova will toko in eoal about tho end of tho month, and after Iwving her oompasses adjusted, will leavo on Deoomfcor IB far tho South.

Now cameras recently introduced havo a coinbiimticn whioh gives a focal length of no Ithan 32in, with a magnification M) largo that inuigee of considerable sire aro produced at distances of over 100 yards. By tlii.s means the photographs o( tatsmen lit Die wicket aro tukon from so far away as tlio balcony of tho pavilion. Tho operator watching tlio player through tho telwoope lias been wmNed not only to snap his wicket being "Iwttered, but tho ball that hud dono it before it had gone 4ft from the wicket, although it is travelling at 20 miles an hour. Tho exposure will be. l-400th of a sreond.

X layman at the Methodist S.vnoii at KatoomLa got down to thn corn of things, fays the Sydney Daily Tdcgraph, in roffard to hindrances to Church progress in lii.i centre. 110 camo from a circuit not far from Sydney, itnd ho had l:oon commissioned to indiiw tJio Synod to allow his circuit' to help itself to l>ito from i neighbouring one. The Synod was in a (wlpably obdurato mood, and tlio representative wis constrained to Iw momentarily confidential. "I'act is," lio admitted, " what is wanted is to get the people converted, unci their pnrfes too."—(" Hear, hear.") " Many of thorn havo tho money, hut they lighten up their puree-strings, and wlurn we ootr.o to quarterly meetings tJic ttewird looks at me, and I look At liim, and " But tlic situation appeared to Ixi only too do.rty understood by thn iroro experienced members of both ministerial and lay ranks. The lay member had pot down to l)edrock as to n fairly prevalent dilTicjilty in CTnirrli work: but what will happen to him wJieti ho gets bock to liia antra is a matter of imagination.

A poll of the ratepayers of tho South Ward of Maori Hill will bo held to-day between tho hours of 9 a.m. and 7 pm. on tho proposal (o raise a loan of £1200 to orect a publio hall, library, and oounciT chamber.

Our Oreymouth correspondent informs us that tho local waterxido workcre have presented an ultimatum to tho manager ir, the Union Steam Ship Company demanding tho removal of one of tho foremen on tho wharf. It is stated that if thoir demand is not complied with within 48 hours they will refuso to work tho company's vessels. Mr Cartor asked that a deputation should bo appointed to wait on him and explain tho reason for tho men's action, It is understood that tho interview took placo yo-terday morning, but tho result cannot bo ascertained, all tho parties maintaining tho strictest rotioonco over the matter. When approached this afternoon tho secretary of tho union (Mr J. Goodall) stated that he oould not mako a statement to the press on tho subject. It is rumoured that tho notioo will expire this afternoon.

Professor Mills » announced to deliver an address to-morrow evening in tho Presbyterian Hall, Momington. A no-license meeting, under tho auspiors of tho Projbylorian General Asjombly, will 1* held in First Church to-night. Tho Green Island Presbyterian Church choir will rendur somo Entlioms during the evening. Messrs Thorn, M'Dougall, and Maddox, riding their " trusty" Triumph mAtor cycles, covored 214}. 196J, 156 miles to tho gallon of petrol. Thorn wins cup. TTiis explains why tho Triumph is £10 premium. Stedman and Wilson, Duncdin agents.— Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Ana tralasia, oofnor of Bond and Rattray tbeeta (next Telegraph Offipe). Telephono 1569.— Advt. Jsnaneso crept* just opened,. in nsvy, butcher, sky, red. and cream. Special quality and value—Sd per yard.—Mollisons Limited.—Advt. Wo do expert watch and jewel I err repairs of every description on the premises, and aro confident we can do any you require to your satisfaction.—o. and T. Young (Ltd.), 88 Princes street.—Advt. We recommend for watch, clock, and Jewellery repair* A. J. Shaw, 13 Rattray street Absolutely tho befit in Diinodin,Advt . Compound _ Sulphur Cakes contain a largo proportion of sulphur, tho best spring medicine, keeping the blood puro and skin clear.—Wilkinson and Son, Pharmacists. —Advt

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