OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16538, 11 November 1915, Page 10

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

A sharp earthquake shock •was felt in Wellington about 10 minutes to 7 on Sunday night (says the New Zealand Times). It wae afterwards noticed that the chimes of the Post Office clock missed tho last note of each chime, but whether this was due to tho earthquake remains to be seen. The establishment of cool stores at Bluff marks another advance in the evolution of the dairying industry in Southland (says tho Times), and incidentally meets a muchneeded requirement that has long been felt by those who have the interests of the industry at heart. Waters' Chap Lotion is unequalled for Rough Hands. Is. —Waters' Pharmacy.... A company has been formed for the purpose of Greeting a huge arcado in Willis street, Wellington. The building will be known as the Royal Arcade, and will contain electric elevators to take passengers to tho heights of Boulcott street. Mr George Beckett, the Williamstown diver who had charge of the successful diving operations on the wreck of R.M.S. Australia, close v to Port Philip Heads, has left for Cocos Island in connection with the salvaging of the Emden. Ex Ritnutaka and Arawa. have beer! landed some of the new season's coffees that make and keep " Bourbon " brand the best breakfast beverage in tho dominion.... Wairarapa was visited on Saturday by tho most violent gale experienced for years. Tho wind swung round to the west about 2 a.m., and commenced to blow with hurricane force. For nearly three hours a violent thunderstorm raged, the lightning being of a most vivid character. Fenccs and sheds were blown down, gardens and orchard? stripped, and considerable damage done by flood water. It is feared that there will be considerable loss among tho newly-shorn sheep.

Tho South Canterbury Executive of tho Farmers' Union is of opinion (says the Christchurch Press) that there will bo ao shortage of farm labourers this year It is considered that the crops will be comparatively light, and that by co-operating farmers will be able to cope with the harvest.

The Bruce Woollen Mills have been working at high pressure during the past few months on Government orders for khaki, grey blankets, and underclothing for equipment of the troops. As a consequence delay has been experienced in completing orders for ordinary purposes, and (says the Bruce Herald) to overcome this it has been decided to work longer hours. The holidays are nearly here, and dressmakers are very busy. Whether it is a costume or a frock you want, bo wise and order now. Patterns forwarded on application. with quotation for finished article. — A. F. Cheyno and Co., Mosgiel.... In connection with the will of the late Lieutenant T. M. Grace, killed in action with tho Maori Contingent at the Dardanelles, the question has been raised as to whether the application for probate should be made to the Supreme Court or to the Native Land Court (says the Dominion). His Honor Mr Justice Chapmam on Friday reserved decision on_ the point. Duntroon and vicinity were Tinted by a business-like hailstorm on Monday, the gauge showing 110 points within 40 minutes. The fall was particularly local, and about four miles away there was very little rain. At Duntroon (an informant of the Oamaru Mail points out) there was very nearly as much water inside the houses as outside.

New American Pile Cure, a wonderful effective remedy. Cures blind or bleeding. 5s box contains one month's treatment. Marsha.!!'* Pharmacy....

Mr J. B. Laurenson, president of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand, arranged for a conference of delegates from industrial associations to be held in Christchurch on Tuesday, but. (says the Lyttelton Times) as it was impossible to find accommodation for the delegates the conference has been postponed. It will be held at tha end of January. None of the hemp graded by Government officers last month was classed as ."superfine," though the quantity handled, 12,297 bales,' was more than double that put through in Octobef of last year. There were 123 bales graded "fine, 3640 "goodfair," 5836 "fair, high-point," 2372 "fair, low-point," 179 "common," while 123 were rejected and 24 condemned. Prices at J Waters, chemist, are always lowest; Cash or Credit.... The Bluff Press, states that Mr Peter Svendsen, of Bluff, who served through the Chilian-Peruvian war (South America) in 1881, applied to the P.O. lor a national registration form, giving his age as 36. He was refused, and it transpired that Mr Svendsen expressed the view that his age of 63 should have the figures reversed to 36, as the world and everything in it is topsy-turvev at the present time! During September there was an appreci- [ able increase in the amount of telegraphic business in New Zealand Ordinary telegrams increased by 35,748, bureau, messages by 34,063, and the total for all codes by 70,967 messages. The total in net revenue amounted to £3554, the increase in number of telegrams being almost ,9, per cent., and the amount slightly over 13 per cent., as compared with September of the previous year. This_ all-round increase of business is highly satisfactory to the department.

Lovely real ostrich boas, rich long feathers. Finished with heavy silk taesel ends. Colours: Black, white, grey, and black-and-white. • Price (posted), 10s 9d, 17s 9d, 22s 6d, 295, 32s 6d.—T. R063, importer, Dunedin.... During the Manawatu Show a number of pig-breeders met, and it was decided to form a pig-breeders' association for New Zealand (says the Wellington Times). Mr' J. jB. Oobbe, of Feilding presided, and the following committee was 6et up to forward the movement: —Messrs J. Drysdale (Levin), ■ R. Perritt (Sanson), F. L Fetch (Feilding), W. Griffiths (Dannesvirke), E. Law (Shannon), J. B. Cobbe (Feilding),: H. E. Eyman (Pohaij.gina), P. Johnson (Dannevirke), and J. Linton (Feilding), who is the secretary pro tern. - An incident haßpened on Sunday last at Waitara which has an amusing side, although not for the one most concerned (says the Mail). Several townsmen were lolling on the beach when a burn of the gorse was started. The flames, tanned by\ the breeze, spread rapidly, and reached the spot whero the bathers had Some of the mem rescued their clothes, but one map was not so fortunate, for every article of his clothes was burnt, and he had to remain in the "altogether," while fresh ones were secured, for him. Orders'for wines, spirits, etc., promptly attended to if legally made. Sign name, give address and occupation, ana neither telephone nor telegraph.—Win. Crossan, Waterloo Hotel, Caversham... Whitebait are "running" in the Moljrneux at present at a great rate, and millions of these tiny fish are being caught ' by boys and others' with dip nets (says -the Balclutha Free Press). On Sunday a Balclutha boy caught a kerosene tinful, and then retailed them round the town, netting 15s. At Kaitangata even larger hauls of whitebait ara being made. One result , of the influx of whitebait is that tront fishing in the river is decidedly "off." The fish are too well fed, and are besides scared by the "baiters." No difficulty has been experienced during the month in placing unskilled workers willing to take up work in the country (states the Labour Department's report for October). There are still a number of positions vacant for milkers and general farm hands. During the period under review 356 men. were assisted. These comprised 190 single men and 146 married men, with 420 dependents. Men sent to private employment ,numbered 63,' and 273 were sent to Government works. _ _ The men hailed from v tho following localities: —North Island 92, South Island 72, commonwealth 26, Great Britain 134, elsewhere 12/ Four wives were also assisted.

Frank H. Blakeley, surgeon dentist, 174 Princes street South (over Kilroy and Sutherland's). 1483. • Most of the tree planting* work at Rotorua now is under the control of the Prisons Department. With, prison and free labour, something like 16,000 acres have been planted. The land is pumice land, generally regarded as being unsuitable for settlement, but- the Hon. Dr M'Nab, during a recent visit, found that the best |trees that grow in New Zealand .are thriving there. For instance, th:rewere varieties of eucalyptus, pinus insignis, Austrian and Corsican pines, and the Oregon pine. The Forestry Department has "lined out" at one of the prison camps (Kaingaroa) a million and alialf trees for next season's planting. At a meeting of the So.utn Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union in Timaru on Saturday, Mr John 'Talbot, referring to the grain crops, said (reports the, Christchurch Press) that the rain had saved the grain, and would do an immense amount of good to the pastures. Viewed from the roads the crops had a good appearance, but closer inspection showed them to be spindly and maturing prematurely, some of the wheat already coming, out in head. The coming harvest would probably be a moderately good one; it could not be a heavy one. Waimate seemed to have been rather more fortunate th tn the rest of the district in the matter of rain. On Thursday Waimate had _ apparently had enough to damp the sub-soil An illustration of the cupidity of seagulls was instanced a day or two ago in Waitara- East (reports the Mail). Some ducks had been laying away, and the owner of them had failed to discover the nest. Not so the seagull, however, for the farmer, his curiosity aroused by the evolutions of one of these birds, watched it and saw it dive to a certain spot; fly up 20 or 30 feet; drop an egg, and then go to the ground and eat it. This' it repeated several times and the farmer then found that the gull had discovered the duck's nest, and was ( taking the eggs and dropping them on the ground to break tie shell in order to secure a meal.

A motor car accident—fortunately not followed by serious consequences—befell Messrs W. F. and F. Knight and a friend named Moynahan on the main road between Eketahuna and Pahiatua c_n Wednesday. All three gentlemen were riding in Mr Frank Knight's car along the road nearing Eketahuna, when they came to a very sharp bend more or less unexpectedly. The car skidded and turned a complete somersault and precipitated its three occupanta into a ditch at the side of the road, Mr Frank Knight being imprisoned under the car, -while his brother was plunged heavily into the mud. Mr Moynihan escaped clear. Mr Frank Knight, though in a precarious position, escaped without a scratch, Mr W. F. Knight being less fortunate, sustaining a broken collarbone and a few bad bruises.