NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20963, 28 February 1930, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Harvesting operations, are now in progress at Ratana (states the Wanganui Herald). They are .threshing out of the stock at the present time, The yield is a particularly good one, 40 bushels to the acre being recorded on land which was cropped last year in wheat. It would compare more than favourably with several areas of Canterbury wheatgrowing land. ' j . A big consignment of sheep was landed fay the s.s. Ngatoro from Gisborne last Sunday for Westport butchers. This is reminiscent of earlier days, when practically all the‘meat required by West Coast butchers was secured from the North Island, the cattle_ from Wanganui and the sheep from Gisborne, Come and see our Show To-mght. We are open till 9 o’clock Friday nights.— Scoullar and Chisholm (Limited)...

Two' very fine specimens of brown trout were on view in Messrs A. and W. M'Carthy’s window the other morning (says the Southland Daily News). They were caught on. Sunday at Thompson’s Crossing, on the Oreti River, and the heavier of the two weighed 9 Jib, the other being a quarter of a pound lighter. Brown rot in ripening fruit is reported by stone-fruitgrowers in the Henderson district (says a northern exchange). One grower estimated his loss of .peaches as the result of the blight at 800 cases, while another orchardist assessed his loss at 600 cases. The effect of the blight, it is stated by growers, is being reflected in the low values ruling for the fruit at the markets.

The increasing demand for “ Bourbon proves the housewives’ appreciation ot a genuine breakfast beverage. “ Bourbon” is produced by A. Durie and Co., coffee specialists.-32 Octagon. Dunedin... A curious accident occurred at Taihape last week, when a test was being made by filling a new tank with water in the Shell Company’s yard at Mataroa road. The stand supporting this 12,000-gallon container collapsed, and the tank rolled over, levelling about 12 yards of iron fence. Luckily no one was traversing the stretch of footpath at the time. It is estimated that the tank contained some 40 tons of ’ water.

A valuable opal ring -\Vas lost, in an unusual way on the Fitzroy Beach on Saturday (says the Taranaki Herald). Two dogs started fighting on the sand and a woman who owned one of them attempted to part them. The _ other dog snapped at her hand, and without touching the skin, whipped off the ring with its teeth. The ring fell into the sand,.and in spite of a diligent search it could not be found. Conn's Footrot Cure. Only two applications needed to cure footrot in sheep or cattle; prices, 5a 6d, 10s fid, and 255, only from Conn’s Pharmacy, Ltd., High street, Dunedin... Some comparisons and contrasts are given in the Christian World relating to the position of England in 1830 and at the present day. In 1830 England had emerged victorious from the Napoleonic wars, and there was a slump coupled with unemployment. It was a crime punishable by imprisonment or transportation to Botany Bay for working • men in an industry to combine to defend themselves from conditions little better than serfdom. In_ 1930 a Labour Government rules Britain, which is abig advance even for 100 years. The best sports coats value in Dunedin this year is at “Ascot,’’ corner Princes and Rattray streets. They have 230 coats in single and doable-breastei to pick from; prices from 17s 6d... Operations by the Public Works Department in preparation for the erection of the new bath buildings at Rotorua are in full swing (states the New Zealand Herald). Huts have been erected for married men, and some are already occupied. A large number of huts are also being erected for single men. As soon as the concrete work of the old' Duchess bath is pulled down the foundations of the new one will be started. The timber needed is being prepared. An amusing incident took place' at the Pictou Court last week. A defendant who had been fined for conducting an illegal game of chance asked for time in which to pay. His Worship gently reminded him that, even though time might be allowed, the fine would have to be paid ultimately. '‘Oh, yes,” rejoined the defendant. “ I know that, and I can assure you that I would like to pay you now. but I can’t.” “ Surely.” broke in his Worship, “ you don’t think I get the fines?” “Perhaps not,” replied the defendant, “ but, anyway, I would rather , have your job than mine! ” —(Laughter.) Do. not miss this; jPrinoe of VVales ■ house whisky 10s 6d; four or more, 10s. I Fine old port, 35.-—C. Hincholiff. proprie- I tor. Phone 10-721... i

It was mentioned by Mr W. H, Gane, chairman of last week’s meeting oUthe Blenheim Farmers’ Union, that the local flourmillers were very satisfied with the clean character of the wheat threshed this season (reports the Express). One prominent miller had told him that the threshing mill owners had excelled themselves this season, and even the worst offenders amongst them had turned out good, clean wheat. The miller was very grateful to the branch for having taken up with the machine owners the necessity for more care in threshing wheat.

Tile coal, timber, produce and general merchandise railed through the Okirt tunnel last week totalled 13,060 tons, compared with 13,165 tons for the previous week and 10,366 tons for the correspond: ing week a year ago. It is reported from Ross (says the Grey Star) that the two sawmills of Messrs Stuart and Chapman, Ltd., have closed down indefinitely for want of orders. For the past two months they have been chiefly engaged - in' cutting stock, in the hope that the demand would improve. The yards now being full and no further orders being obtainable,' it has been found necessary to close indefinitely. If the mills remain idle for any length of time the position at Ross willbe serious, as the majority of the male population, amounting to between 60 and 70u is employed at the mills. Women's Crepe Bloomers,' assorted colours; strong elastic at waist and knee; most wonderful value; post free for one and eightpence in stamps from Gray’s Mail Order House, Milton...

A young man met with a painful accident while engaged in fishing off the rocks just beyond the boat harbour at Sumner last Saturday afternoon. He was swinging his line preparatory to a cast, and, on letting it go, a hook caught his" hand, embedding itself in the forefinger of his left hand. The hook was a fairly large one—cod hook size—and it penetrated the flesh deeply. The man left his lines, etc., on the rocks and set off .to obtain surgical aid. He did not return for his possessions, and these are now held at the Christchurch Times office awaiting the return of the owner.

A party (whose names are not known) had a mirculous escape from death on Saturday when their car, a closed model, left the Blenheim-Nelson highway near Blackball, and plunged down a. steep cliff (says the Marlborough Express). It was prevented from ending its wihi career ’ in the depths of the Pelorus River only by the fortunate intervention of a sub-' stantial tree. The occupants scrambled out to safety, and the car was later rescued from its precarious perch. Special shipment indies’ woven marl art. silk jumpers, newest V neck style; two pockets, trimmed contrasting colours; red-white, black-white, royal-white, fawnnigger, red-black, red-navy, green-nigger; 18s goods all at 11s 6d. —T. Ross, 130 Princes street...

, “Py korry, Mr Reporter,” said Honi to a representative of the Wanganui - Herald, ‘®l go up to te top y of Gentle Annie Hill to get te breath of fresh , air, apd there I see. a lot of fellows in ' sweaters and short strides climb ta hill. Py korry, te pig hunters, 1 think, and ‘ te bit of wild pork for te wahine and me ail right. Too hot to catch him my- . self; Then when te fellows get nearer I notice te members of te Marist 1 football team and te Jack Kennedy and Jerry Crawley too, all out training. Py korr.V, that te way to keep fit for- te football season. Nest Sunday I promise them plenty of training on my place to cut te ragwort and plackperry, and te good feed of tuna and plenty of milk from te old cow to top it with. I guarantee te Marists. he fit to play te English team if him spend te week-ends at my place.” 1 These towels are sterling value: \ Coloured striped guaranteed fast to washing; 18 by 38, Is lid; 20 by 42, 2a 6dl 23, by 49, 4s 6d per pair. White Admiralty, 24 by 48, Is lid per pair, posted . anywhere for cash.—Kilroy and Sutherland. Ltd.. 192 Princes street, Dunedin.-. “The disinclination of young people farm positions is a singular thing in a country which is now and is destined for many years to remain a. primary producing country,” states the annual report, of the council of the Auckland Chamber . of Commerce. Machinery was' set tip during the winter to facilitate the placing of city lads in farm employment, and the chamber had been instrumental in placing some SO lads. Although unemployment has remained acute, there had not been sufficient lads coming forward seekins farm positions to fill vacancies, of which the chamber'had particulars on its hooks. So the scheme virtually broke down. ' At the beginning of the milking reason there were still a number of farmers names on the hooka of the chamber. ' ■

Owing to enormous demand for Barton s tainous sugar-cured ; Bacon, more, and yet more Pigs are wanted to meet it; highest current prices.—Bartons, bacon carers. Manse street, Dunedin,..

Californian thistles, about which so much has,been spoken and written, and to the means of destruction of which so much time has been given in vain, are flourishing at the present time in many parts of Ashburton County (says the Guardian). In districts near the jeoast there are some prolific crops of thistles, most of them heavily seeded and, under the influence of every wind that blows, the seed is scattered, infesting other areas. Cutting has -evidently been ‘ carried out during the past month or so, but there is new growth to be seen oni all sides. Showers of seed balls were to be seen in several places along the seaboard the other afternoon, when a strong north-west wind was blowing. Much time Has apparently been spent by farmers in ploughing the sides of the roads where the thistles grow, but . from the new thistles that have sprung up it is apparent that this method of dealing with the pest has results than are most transitory. . . Country Storekeepers.—Handle the famous, acknowledged best, srnallgouds in the SontlTlsland, and increase your turnover; liberal margin.—Barton's. Manse street .. - . “ When we ■ caught a young wild pig in the early days and wanted- to tame him we smoked him.” said an old Wanganui resident to a Herald reporter, . “ I don't mean to say that we turned him into bacon and then smoked him,” he added. A fire was lit of fern, etc.! and the young pig held up by the hind legs over the smoke. This had the effect of taming it, and it would follow a settler about like a dog. A settler at Makirikirf used to catch weaners in large numbers, and, after applying the smoke test, fed them for a while on small potatoes. He would then load up a canoe with about 40 and bring them to Market Place for sale. Before leaving home he gave, the pigs a drink containing a mixture of brine. The young “ Captain Cooks ” were naturally very thirsty when they reached Wanganui, and, on being let out of the canoe, blew themselves up like footballs with water from the river, and, to prospective buyers, looked nice and plump, and'naturally brought good prices. Grandism (955); Fill up your glass with Aragon Wine, taste its rich fragrance, smell its delightful aroma, enjoy its natural wine its satisfying taste... ’ ' A little girl who attends the Lowcline School has to travel 18 miles from the time she leaves home till she returns (says the Ashburton Guardian). Frohi her home her father conveys her two miles to meet the school bus, which takes her six miles to the school. In the afternoon the journey is repeated, in the reverse order. “Modern invention offers us-the robot. —the mechanical man, controlling traffic or directing other machines,’’ said the Rev. A, N. Scotter at the Methodist Conference in Wellington; “The dramatist has imagined a world of robots, and lias sought even to endow them with emotions. Now for mechanical exactness yott .Kill depend upon a machine. He might be a statistical secretary, or even ■ read an inaugural address; but the Methodist preacher and the Methodist Church must escape from the deadening influence of the mechanical. We must have the prophetic note.” Annual Summer Sale in full swing. Bargains for all. Special display of School wear this week. See windows, all at Sale Prices. The Mosgiel Ware-, house.—A. F, Chayne and C 0...

For the easy and rapid conveyance of sheep about the county the motor truck is becoming a more and more popular method (says the Ashburton Guardian). Some of these trucks have been turned into double-deckers, after the fashion of the sheep wagons on the railway. It is stated that the construction of several of these double-deckers is being undertaken by an Ashburton firm. It is well known that a sheep will lose three, four, or even five pounds on a long drive to the sale yards on a hot day, and in the aggregate this loss means a considerable difference to the sheep owners. The truck method of transport, • therefore, is coming into its own, and as 150 lambs or 120 or so fullgrown sheep may. be shifted at one time, lorries will soon be a common sight on the road. Trailers, constructed somewhat like the trucks, are also being used. In curing bacon there’s an art. Possessed by Hitchon Bros., .sure. Is not the object of their heart To provide ham and bacon pure?..