NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19351, 11 December 1924, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF.

A Wanganui solicitor, in conversation with a Herald reporter recently, stated that money for good securities on first mortgage was now more plentiful than hod been the case for some time, the rate of Interest being per cent, andi 7 per cent, in leases.

Useful Presents. Plain and Fancy Socks, 2s 6d to 7s lid. Novelty Pyjamas, 9s 6d to 47s 6d. Shirts—cambric, tncoline, silk—--6s 6d to 32s 6d. Ties, latest from London, Is lid to 7s 6d.—Kilroy and Sutherland (Limited), 192 Princes street.... The New Zealand Native Bird protection Society in its latest bulletin reports that two “sports’’ out in a northern district to get anything moving that came their way fired at and brought down a carrier pigeon Attached to the bird was the message: “Mother dying; come quicldy—Sylvia.” ’ An Ashtmrton farmer sent a line of 98 prime lambs to the Fairfield Freezing Works the other day, for which he received 52s a head. This established a record for the Ashburton district, and probably for the whole of the South Island.

Cameras for Xmas gifts. A splendid selection best makes. —Waters’ Pharmacy, 20 Princes street....

It is stated that important developments in mining are taking place in the Big River district, where two companies outside of the Big River Mine itself are proving bodies of good gold-bearing stone (says the Westport Times). In a few weeks fuller information may be expected. Corresponds nee or money order business with .lames Lomax and J. L. I/omax, Sydney, is prohibited within New Zealand, as the Postmaster-general has grounds for believing that they are carrying on a lottery. Buy for Xmas, Penfold’s rich port wine, 4s 6d; Invalid. ss; Meukow Brandy, 13s per bottle, at the Prince of Wales’s Hotel; tel. 721.—Charles Hinchcliff, proprietor.... At a meeting of the Timaru Borough Council complaints were received from bixi drivers in regard to not being allowed to ply for biro off their usual stands, when other conveyances were using the main street to pick up passengers. This was a tegular >ccurrence on nice days. An old iron surf-boat, which for 40 years has rendered valuable service at Timaru, first.,in the roadstead and later in the harbour as anchor punt for the Harbour Board's dredge, has been condemned. It baa been decided to dispose of the old craft by towing it out to the Ninety Mile Beach when the wind is favourable and allowing it to sink. Barton and Trengrovo specialise in orders by mail. Satisfaction guaranteed. Send money with order, goods forwarded by return. Equal to personal shopping.—Manse .street, Dunedin The contractors for the big undering in connection with Ihe hydro-elootrio works at Arapuni have made a start on the huge diversion tunnel which will be necessary to divert the whole flow of the Waikato River while the concrete dam is being constructed. Another gang is engaged cutting the rock walls of the Arapuni Gorge on the eastern side preparatory to the construction of the immense abutments for the dam. Auckland is short of farm hands* Hundreds of applications from farmers all over the province are received every week by the registry offices and labour bureaux, and the complaint, of the people who deal with these applications is that they have never been so busy as they are now. For months they have tried to catch up with the shortage, but since the beginning of spring they have got further and further behind. A glass of Corban’s makes you (eel good. Order with cash. Port or claret 52s case, red or sherry 58s, assorted 56s.—Corban’s Agency, Dominion Chambers. Dunedin, A suitable booklet, on sex hygiene will be ordered by the Auckland Council of Christian Congregations for distribution through the Auckland churches. This decision was reached at a meeting of the council recently os a result of a report by tho Rev. C. J. Tocker, who said he thought that 2000 or 3COO booklets should be secured, as they would bo of great value to parents who had difficulty in explaining tho subject to children. "Coffee and rolls” for breakfast. But be sure the coffee is “Bourbon.” If not oolamnble from your grocer, send to the proprietors, A. Durie and Co., 32 Octagon, Dunedin..,.

Recently a Wanganui resident attended a local mart, and in preparation for Christmas purchased two neayy-weight roosters. Later in the day ho arrived with a crate to take the birds home, and learned to his' sorrow that some unauthorised person had commandeered the roosters. The auctioneer, in ‘addition to losing his commission on the sale, has to hand over 9s to the vendor.

Presents for Xmas are in great demand. Wo have everything suitable for men, women, and children. Ladies’ Fancy Handkerchiefs, from 0d to 4s 6d each: Hand-embroidered d’Oyteys. from Is lid to 3s lid —very suitable for posting away.—A. F. Cheyne and Co., Mosgiel....

The Titnaru Borough Council has met a long-felt want by attaching a go-cart carrier to one of its single-decked buses (says tire Tinrirj Herald). It is understood that this is an experiment, and that if satisfactory a similar attachment will be put on each of the council's single-decked buses. Another improvement which has just been provided, and which is greatly appreciated, is the provision of two long and comfort able seats for waiting bus passengers in. front of the Bonk of New Zealand.

Idle little brown woka or woodhen, which is noted for its thieving propensity in running off with any trinket or brightlycoloured- article, evidently does not stop short at stealing inanimate things (states the To Anau correspondent of the Southland News). A lady on the Milford Track wag fondling throe little fluffy paradise ducklings which she caught in the grass on the track, and one of these wriggled out of her hand A weka which was near instantly pounced on the chick and carried it off into the bush, no doubt with the abject of eating it. Native birds are known to guard their from the attentions of the weka, but apparently their young require shielding also in the earlier stages. Delightful Bath Salts—the best makers from 2s 6d at Waters’ Pharmacy, 20 Princes street..,.

A Wanganui motor lorry driver had a narrow escape from injury a short time ago while bringing a load of wool out from Waitotara Valley. He was negotiating a treacherus bend on the road when the rear axle of the lorry broke, causing the vehicle to fall over on its aide. Fortunately, it toppled away from the brink of a high bank, and the driver was not injured. The lorry was eventually repaired, end the driver, little the worse for his experience and lengthy delay, brought the load of wool to Wanganui some time after 5 o’clock the following day. Barton and Trengrove now booking orders for their famous sugar-cured hams and bacon for Christmas. Early inquiries solicited to minimise rush.—Manse street and all branches....

Different methods of remedying a defect revealed themselves somewhat humorously at a recent meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council. Finding that as a result of the use of council’s mower, grass had fallen into (tome of the street channels, and blocked the gratings, one councillor mftde a complaint on the subject during a discussion on borough works. “Oh, that is so!” drily remarked another councillor, “but it sometimes bapeens that people who live near the blocked gratings clear the grass away !”—(Laughter.' What will you give at Christmas? Don’t decide till you visit the old-established “Peter Dick,” 490 Moray place. Speciallyselected jewellery, watches, silverware—newly imported.... So good has been the season for Hawke’s Bay to date that an extraordinary growth of graos baa been noticeable in country districts, and if a dry period follows there is likely to be a danger of serious grass fires, unless great care is exercised (states the Telegraph. Many fine oat crops have been raised by agriculturists. In one field near Ngatarawa the oats are over sft high, ripening well. Another field nearby was levelled, and practically ruined, by a small localised windstorm, which apparently traversed a well-marked cyclonic path. Holiday feet, aching corns, or other foot troubles can spoil your holidays. Avoid such calamity; consult Chas. Buchan, the experienced chiropodist. Treatment painless; charges moderate. —85 Stuart, street (over Fraapr’s Groopry). ’Phono 1713.... A Manawatu farmer has in his possession a well-preserved curiosity in the form of a pigskin side-saddle which was used by his mother and bv her mother as long ago as 1851. His children know it as a “three pronged” saddle. There are hundreds of people here who have never even seen such such an article (remarks the Manawatu Times), and he thinks of presenting it with the double-reined bit and bradoon bridle to the Palmerston North Museum. Fifty years ago it was a necessity in every household, and even occupied the place of the family perambulator.

A dominion conference of the Presbyterian Church was held in Palmerston North a few weeks ago. One of the delegates who (returned to his own pulpit, tells the following story of his experience in the Square gardens (says_ the Manawatu Daily Times). He was enjoying the cool evening shade, when a little one, about five years old, sat beside him and engaged in a friendly chat. He asked what she sang at Sunday school when she at once piped' out sweetly and tqnefully two songs she had probably learned from . the family phono§'aph. “On the Road’’ and “Yes. We ave No Bananas.” Just landed direct from the manufacturers, a full range of linoleums. The patterns have been carefully selected, and the prices are right. Call and inspect.— The Otago Farmers’ Co-op. (Limited), Crawford street... Speaking to a large garden party in Christchurch recently of the New Zealand Food Xleform and Anti-Cancer League, Dr Thacker stressed the importance of the three things necessary, for good health—namely, Fresh air sunshine, and fresh food. Ho deprecated the habit of keeping pet ppodles and other vermin-encouraging creatures. Many deaths from hydatids from there creatures were wrongly attributed to pneumonia and other diseases. Flies were obnoxious filth carriers and in America they rarely saw a. fly. The TJ.S.A. authorities pay "by the pint to people who nasist in exterminating those - posts. In Now Zealand flies had picnics and parties on almost all we ate.

Hurrah for the bathing season! Bathing Suits for men, women, ,and children are cheap at the “Big Store,” Milton.... The season promises to be a record one tor the Poverty Bay dairy farmers, judging from the returns for November. It (p stated that in that month more butter was made at the local factories than ever before, the factories working to capacity. Observations from the country point to the fact that next month also should follow m the footsteps of lost month, as the pastures are in excellent condition, and the dairy herds in first-class order. The first of the local butter placed on the English market brought up to 220 s per cwt. and, although the sales are now dropped to a slightly lower figure—namely, 2125. the price is very satisfactory from the dairyman’s point of view. It is not very likely that beyond a slight drop at the New Year there will ha any slump in butter this season. It is pleasing to note that the Government are tackling the roading problem, and quite a lot of valuable work has already been done in this direction. The roads around Westport are now receiving attention, and to facilitate operations the Public Works Department has purchased one of the latest Two-ton Vulcan Tipping Lorries for this important work....

A good story is told of a country blacksmith carrying on business within a day’s journey of Matamata. He advertised in the Record for a strong boy, and on the day of publication his wife presented him wjth his desire. The boy, tnough strong, is still rather small to blow the bellows, but as the new arrival has two brothers, two and four years respectively, older than he, it looks as if there will be no need to advertise for help in the smithy, in the not far distant future.

An accident in which a tram car and a motor bus owned by Mr J, Kipirner were concerned, occurred the other day in Symonds street just below East street (says the New Zealand Herald). Although the colliding vehicles were well-filled with passengers, no one was injured. Both wore travelling toward the city when the driver of the bus, which had overtaken the tram car, attempted to pass between it and another vehicle a short distance ahead. A piece cf iron protruding from the side of the hood of the bus caught a stanohion on the front platform of the tram car. The apron of the tram was tom away, the controller extensively damaged, and the windscreen smashed to fragments, but the bus was only slightly damaged. Ohanism (1061): One oozen ale or stout (local), any brand, securely packed in straws and cased, delivered to your railway station (carriage paid), 20s.—Oban H0te1.... As showing the trend of the times and the way our city is following on in the way of big cities of older countries (say» the Auckland Star) it was seriously considered at a meeting of church managers recently whether the church should close down for a month at the beginning of the year while the great majority of the worshippers with their children were away on one of Auckland’s many beaches on holiday, so that the minister, the organist, and the choir might also have a holiday and oome back fresh for their work to bo carried on during the 'rest of the year. It is said that the City Temple in London was quoted as a example to follow. It was decided, however, that Auckland was not yet at the stage when so radical a change trom the usual procedure could be made, even in a city church where the church services each Sunday were attended very largely by a different lot of people. The boss said : Men. get on with your work. And stop the row you’re rnakin’, Or I’ll ring Hitchon Bros, up And stop your Hitchon’s bacon....