NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19373, 8 January 1925, Page 14

NEWS IN BRIEF.

A Masterton angler fishing In the Ruamahunga just below the Waipoua (Wairarapa) landed on a light, trout line an eel weighing Sib or 10lb. This is a feat (says an exchange) which, unaided by net or spear, is probably unique. " Our statistics of drunks during the holiday season have been very Tow,” remarked a Wanganui police officer to a Wanganui Herald reporter. “ There does not appear to be much kiak in the beer of late,” lie added. Great assortment of Bathing and Diving Caps at Waters’ Pharmacy, 20 Princes street.... Deck tennis, which is a sort of combination of lawn tennis and quoits, appears to bo becoming popular in Napier (says the Daily Telegraph), and recently many people wore enjoying: the game on their front kvwns, for which places the pastime is admirably suited. Mr H. J. Wilson, of the Auckland Star literary staff, who is organising a transTasman seaplane flight, is on a visit to Wellington in connection with the project. It is expected that (he attempt will be made to fly from Sydney to Auckland in May next. A Masterton naturalist states that prior to tho recent flood ho observed snails, woodlice. and earwigs climbing very high, an indication of heavy rain (says the Wairarapa Age). In one instance snails wore found securely sealed under the top leaves of a 7ft hedge. A glass of Corban’s makes yon feel good. Order with cash. Port or claret 52s case, red or sherry 58s, assorted S6s.—Corban’s Agency, Dominion Chambers, Dunedin. 'Flio speedy increase in tho population of Wanganui has been enhanced by tho oppoaranco lately of an unprecedented number of twins. _ No fewer than five pairs have been registered lately, and it is said that some of tho parents have viewed their Christmas boxes with mixed feelings. Buy Penfolrl’s rich port, wine, 4s 6d; Invalid, ss; Mcukow Brandy, 13s per bottle, at the Prince of Wales’s Hotel. Tel. 721: Charles HinchclifY. proprietor.... Scantily clod and without food, a young man named James Ail,ken, of Teroti, was lost in (he hush on the Mount Egmont reserve for 53 hours. Tho lad. for whom search parties had been scouring the country, arrived in an exhausted condition at the homo of Mr and Mrs Thompson, on the Palmer road, Mahoe. Obonism (1077): OfT on the fourth year of Obanising. Have you ever seen the same ono repeated?—Oban HotoL...

For some time now the tides in Wellington have been most extraordinary. Both, in rising and ebbing the sea has reached points some feet away from the positions where it generally turns under normal conditions. Barton and Trengrove now boohing orders for their famous sugar-cured hams and bacon for New Year. Early inquiries solicited to minimise rush.—Manse street and all branches.... A ' correspondent of tie Christchurch Press voices a Complaint against the extreme discourtesy shown by a section of the crowd to visiting teams at Lancaster Park. “The way in which these persons show their own opinion of the cricket is revolting,” ho says. “Canterbury, it seems to mo, has not yet learnt the art of being courteous.” Death overtook a starling flying over a Napier suburban section in sudden and curious fashion (states the Daily Telegraph). Several small boys were playing cricket, and a juvenile batsman hit out lustily at a short-pitched ball. The hit was well-timed, and the boll whizzed away like a bullet. Suddenly it stopped almost dead in us course, there was a flurry of feathers, and a starling that had bean flying across the Course of the ball dropped to the ground, stone dead. To our numerous customers on the Taieri and throughout Otago we extend the compliments of the season, and trust the coming year will be prosperous for them. We thank them for past favours, and_ assure them at all times of our best service.—A. F. Cheyno and Co.. Mosgiek... For some time past the Northern Wairoa Co-operative Dairy Company has put in each hex of butter exported a card which the purchaser is asked to fill in particulars os to the date the box is opened, the quality of the butter, and whom it was purchased from, also asking that the card be returned to the factory with postcard views of the town or district where the purchaser resides, in return for a postcard view or illustrated booklet of the Wairoa district. Mr T. Downs, manager of the factory, informed a newspaper representative that by almost every mail the company receives cards filled in, also postcards. Barton and Trengrove specialise in orders by mail. Satisfaction guaranteed. Send money with order, goods forwarded by return. Equal to personal shopping.—Manse street, Dunedin.... What must bo regarded as the height of superstition was attained by a visiting bowler playing a tournament final at the Masterton Bowling Green recently (saye the Wairarapa Age). After delivering his bowls he sat down on a seat on, the bank, and happened to occupy the space allotted to a piece of chewing gum, which, .being exhausted of its aromatic flavour, had been given a rest by an opposing player. Rather than remove the morsel from his nether garments, and perhaps with it his luck, the ardent No. 3 and won the game, with it clinging to him. Useful Presents Piu-n and Fancy Socks. 2s 6d to 7s lid. Novelty Pyjamas, 9s 6d to 47s 6d. Shirts—cambric, tncolme, Bilk—--6s 6d to 32s 6d. Ties, latest from London. Is lid to 7s 6d.—Kilroy and Sutherland (Limited). 192 Princes street.. . All kinds of stories are told as to the origin of the Christmas tree, and several Continental nations, vie with each other as to owning the honour of having R’ven, birth to the tree. We know that in olden days pagan races Used the fir tree in decoration for heathen feasts, and during the Roman • Saturnalia the fir tree was utilised, little images of the E°d Bacchus being fastened on its brenenesThere is a Scandinavian legend which tells that the famous rose from the . SQII re l lovers died, the springing to light tor re membrance,” but . far « can be vouched for the modem Christmas tree can bo traced back to the 16th century, and it was not until nearly the end of 18‘h conturv that it was introduced to England. “Coffee and rolls” for breakfast. But he sure the coffee is ‘ Bourbon, obtainable from your grocer eend tc, the proprietors, A. Dune and Co.. 32 Uotagon, strawberry season in Auckland is now nenrino- its end (says the New Zealand Hcralcf). It is expected that a few berries will continue to come forward for about a, fortnight vet unless the weather proves very hot. g A continuance of such weather os that experienced recently will oatiso supplies to cesse in about a Larger quantities of the berries havoco ™® forward this season than in the last fe years and the quality has been very good. Tlie ’demand during the holiday season, however, has not been sufficient to maintain prices at as high a level as usual. There is said to have been a great improvement m the packing of the crop this year owing to the system of Government supervision which has been instituted. . To Motorists and their Friends.—Furlined Gauntlet Motoring Gloves, suodeand plain finish. A raper,or article, m.table for a Xmas gift, 27s 6d and S3s 6d. Call or I write—Otago Farmers, Crawford street.... A capsize of a pleasure boat in the upper reaches** of the Wanganui River recently noarlv ended in serious consequences, (says the Wanganui Herald). Three boots were coming down the river and in the last bSrt were Messrs W. Mitchell and Skein, of the Technical College staff. The craft cansized in a rapid. Mr Skein clung to the drifting boat and Mr Mitchell swam for the bank, but only to find it too steep to land He swam out into the river again but was forced by the backwash again to make for the bank, where the only footing he could get was on a ledge with his head just above the water. As considerable time wont by his position became critical in the extreme, but 'fortunately the river steamer came in sight and rescued him. It is pleasing to note that the Government are tackling the reading problem, and quite a lot of valuable work has alreadv been done in this direction. The roads around Westport are now receiving attention, and to facilitate operations the Pubho Works Department has purchased one ot the latest Two-ton Vulcan Tipping Lornes for this important work... . , A deputation of workers arrived at the Wanganui Herald office the other day. thumped heavily on a door of Iho literary department, and after gaming admission were most eloquent in their protestations against the tramway officials for refusing to accept concession tickets on January s.. The spokesmen, after making numerous “complimentary” references to ‘ the officials” and the tramway system in general informed his listener that he need not put anything in the paper about their grievance. “Those council Johnnies are all away on holidays and they wont read it, ho added in explanation. Gray’s “Big Store, Milton, offers excellent value in ready-to-wear suits I All standard sizes, in all-wool materials.... \ regrettable incident occurred at the Wei mate Caledonian Sports (says the Vaimate Daily Chronicle), when, after the finish of the John Ross Memorial Handicap, two competitors indulged in short and interrupted bout,of fisticuffs. It was believed that the incident had something to do with a previous race. However, both explained matters to a committee, who, after hearing evidence from both parties, decided that a fine of £1 and an apology to his adversary would be sufficient warning to the aggressor not to indulge in such tactics again, the decision was taken in good spirit, the two men shaking hands. Waters’ “Vi-Oatta” for sunburn—a holiday necessity. 2s fid posted. W aters Pharmacy, 20 Princes street. .. To grow oats on one piece of land for two years in succession is usually regarded as unwise farming practice, but the fine land at To Awamutu permits this to be done, as was shown by the experience of Mr J. T Bryant, of Matangi. who owns (ho h«j Form (states iho Hamilton correspondent of the New Zealand Herald). Mr Bryant said that last season he sowed 30 acres of Algerian oats at Tiki, applying lewt of superphosphate and lowt lime to the acre. The orop was a splendid one, yielding 5* tons of oats to the aero. This season be put the same piece of land down in oats again increasing the manure to scwt of bonedust and superphosphate mixed. Mr Bryant said he was very well satisfied with the crop, the estimated yield being tons to the acre. |vuinjy pnttojoo ‘rnraispoas ‘p/Cof[—-pfs PrP ‘pass Samos ooaj.me pipuojds ipox ‘rsAop ■ttßep pooS lei '(joojsifooo paeeaap-auirfovH Building. Dunedin.- 1 - One of those coincidences which attract attention occurred recently at Ellerslie, and had a direct interest both for the GovernorGeneral and Lady Alice Fergusson. For many years past photographs of all the distinguished men who have filled the position of Governor or Governor-General have been hung, in the order of their term of office, on the walls of Hie stewards’ luncheon room. When Sir Charles sat down the other day he found that facing him on the wall was Ihe photograph of his father, the late Sir James Fergusson To carry the coincidence a stage further. Lady Fergusson likewise found that immediately facing her was the photograph of her father, the late Earl of Glasgow. Johnny had a little lamb. Then followed tea with broad and jam. Mum and dad, all cares forsaken. Dined sumptuously on Hitchon’s bacon....