NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21163, 22 October 1930, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF.

, Particularly on the northern coasts (says the Northern Advocate), ragwort is becoming a menace to Auckland pastures, and the Agricultural Department has organised a campaign aiming at educating farmers in better control measures. A narrow escape. while motoring near Tauranga was experienced by Mr \L. M. Estcourt, Government orchard instructor, of Thames. A gale was blowing, and a large wattle tree was blown down across the road just as Mr Estcourt passed. Fortunately j he saw the danger threatening, and accelerated. Thd tree fell only three feet behind the car. A ( schoolboy who descended into a monkey pit at Taronga Park, Sydney, recently to retrieve ■ some coins which he fancied he could see was soon surrounded by a chattering circle of infuriated spider monkeys, and as he made his escape he was scratched and bitten about the legs. Just arrived, a very choice assortment of Stuart Crystal Jugs, Tumblers, Salad Bowls, Vases, etc., suitable for wedding presents.—Peter Dick, Jewellers, Watchmakers, and Opticians, 490 Moray place, Dunedin... “ Rotten trading,” was the terse description applied by Mr C. B. Smith at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce the other night to some of the coupon and “ gift ” . systems in vogue. Other members spoke depreoatingly of the schemes, and Mr P. H. Clapbam considered goods would be cheaper if they were abolished. An example of wasted ■ endeavour was afforded in Invercargill the other day (says the Southland News). The City Council’s spick and span street watering cart, drawn by a tractor, made a 'round l of the city streets sprinkling the surface generously with water to prevent dust being scattered by the gusty wind. Scarcely half an hour after the journey had been completed .a heavy downpour set in. There were 60 new consumers of electric power in the Wanganui-Eangitikei district last month (says the Herald), 24 of these-being in Wanganui city area. Revenue for last month was £BOll 18s sd, an increase of £232 13s 7d' on the figures for September, 1929. The total number of consumers in Wanganui city is now 6037. Blue Mountain Jamaica Coffee stands far and away above every other Coffee for delicious flavour. Ex Taranaki, we have landed our new season’s supply.— Durie’s, 32 Octagon,. Dunedin.,. The, __ new settlers ■on the Poroporo block, bn the east coast,' who secured their sections in a recent ballot,’ are all in residence (says the Poverty Bay Herald), and are felling portions of their bush in anticipation of burning during the coming summer. The Natives employed on adjoining land in the same block have brought down a good deal of bush, and good progress with the breaking in of this land under the Native. Minister’s development scheme is being made. Spring Show in full swing. New Goods are now opening in all departments. A call when convenient will be appreciated. All at our famous low prices. The Mobgiel Warehouse. . Over 48 years’ service.— A. F. Cheyne and C 0... The merits and demerits of worm-fishing for trout were discussed at a meeting of the Palmerston North Anglers’ Club, when the opinion was expressed that an effort should be made to abolish it. The president (Mr F. Cousins) said he was-hopeful of the Manawatu River being closed to the worm fisher before long. Mr R. R. Thorbyrn pointed out that the worm seemed to have been abolished in all rivers but the Manawatu, and he- could not see any reason for it. As the result of the exclusion of a large area of land from the borough of Waipewa effected recently on the recommendation of a special commission, the question of the reorganisation of the staff is occupying the attention of the Borough Council. The cutting off of this land has meant handing over_ certain roads to the control of the adjoining county. The consideration of the matter has been postponed until the whole council has made an inspection of the roads in the borough and those roads transferred.

Annual sale is now in full swing. Allwool worsted suits, reduced from £6 6s, now 69s (3d. Pullovers 12s 6d, now 8s lid. Sports coats 28s 6d, now IBs 6d. Fawn twist working shirts Bs 6d, now 5s lid, posted. Money back or exchanged.— “Ascot,” Dunedin... A young woman who was sitting quietly sewing on the beach at Rarangi the other days (says the Marlborough Express) felt something crawling on her leg. It proved to be a strangely-marked spider—jet black, with a dash of brilliant red down the back—so she induced the creature to enter a little transparent box. It has since been identified as a member of the vicious katipo tribe. Katipos are very rarely seen on Marlborough beaches, so that this specimen- is something of a cuno.

It has been the invariable practice of the Mount Eden Fire Brigade (Auckland) to proceed to fires and extinguish them promptly, but recently there was one of those rare instances of a fire being brought to the brigade’s headquarters fpr atten-’ tion. One of the Mount Albert tramcars, inward bound, showed a tendency to catch alight below the flooring, and black smoke floated upwards. The motorman drove the car as far up as the Mount Albert Fire Station, pulled up outside the door, and the brigade then got to work. “Unless the provisions of the Unemployment Bill help materially, I am convinced that we are going to spend £50,000 on outdoor relief this year,” said the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board (Mr W. Wallace) a few days ago (reports the Herald). The board’s estimate for the year was £42,000, Mr Wallace said. A large number of the unemployed had no money to register, as was required by the Bill, and it seemed that the board would have to provide them with the necessary amount in order to protect itself.

Painted in bright and. striking colours, the new signposts erected by the South Taranaki Automobile Association have been very favourably commented upon by motorists, and they are proving of great assistance to travellers in unfamiliar parte of the district (says the Eltham Argus). Undoubtedly the new signpost erected at the corner of Anderson and Mountain road must have been a great temptation to young boys who are forever looking for a target at which to shy stones, The signpost has already received attention from the stone-throwers. The sign had not been very long in position when it was observed that one of the arms had been displaced. Barton's.—Desiring to move with the times and increase my turnover, please send me a trial consignment of smallgoods.—Country Storekeeper... Owing to existing financial conditions the Education Department does not intend to issue this year an edition of “Careers/* a pamphlet on vocational guidance which has in recent years been distributed to schools. In notifying its decision to the Auckland Education Board the department stated that a few copies, of the issues of last year ,and the previous year, which were instock, would be available for distribution on application. Some amusement was caused at a meeting of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce when a remit was considered.. “That the time had arrived when the Government should curtail the setting up of commissions.” The general opinion was that ■ certain commissions were 'necessary, and it was resolved not to support the remit. There was a burst of laughter when the next remit was read: "That the Government be urged to appoint a commission of experts to go into the whole question of the constitution and procedure of Parliament, etc.” Five china tea. sets in choice designs are now on vieW at James Gray and Sons, Ltd., Milton... An extreme case of practical joking occurred at a wedding in a Wellington suburb recently. The bridegroom’s new car had been cleaned and polished for the start of the honeymoon, but when the husband took his bride to it after the ceremony and celebrations it was covered outside with inscriptions in chalk intended to be humorous and the inside was filled with rubbish and cumbersome objects. Few who knew of the couple’s .plight could appreciate the prank as a joke. A considerable shock, followed by general laugher, occurred in 1 the Napier Police Court the other days (says the Telegraph) during the hearing of the evidence in the alleged attempted breaking and entering charge against four men, Several exhibits had been produced in court, one of these being a large and heavy crowbar, which during a-tense silence preceding cross-examination by counsel, crashed to the floor, with a noise resembling an explosion. Even the police gave a start at thp suddenness of the noise, while several members of the public upon the benches at the bade of the court leapt several inches from their seats. Grandifim (1155): “I love the joys of the open road” - If you heard them being opened with an electric drill in the small hours of the morning you would, change your mind... “Considerable progress is being made with the construction of the Napier-Wai-roa section of the East Coast. railway, particularly at the northern end,” remarked Mr F. Tolerton at a'recent meeting of the council of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce. Other members 'declared that equal progress, was being made on the Gisborne-Wairoa section, i despite the fact that the work was of a heavier character. In most places the construction work was hidden from the Main South road, and much of the activity had gone unnoticed in consequence. Some idea may be obtained of the magnitude, of the outside plant of the Auckland telephone exchange system when it is stated that the - total length' of the circuits (not including the' internal wiring in the exchange or subscribers’ premises) is approximately 100.000 miles. Of this total approximately 81.000 miles of wire are contained in underground cable, 13,000 miles in aerial' cable, while 6000 miles are erected on poles. The length of underground cable is over 250 miles, while the poles on which the 6000 miles of open aerial circuit are erected number about 15,000. Flannels: Doctor, Shetland, or NavyMen’s, 6s 6d; 0.5., 7s 3d. Kaiftpoi, SheV land. Men’s, 7s lid. Petone Hospital, Shrunk, Natural, or Navy Men’s, 8s lid; 0.5., 0s 6d. Posted anywhere for cash.— Kilroy and Sutherland, Ltd., 192 Princes street, Dunedin... Steel power poles were not satisfactory owing to the expense involved in paint ing them from time to time, said Mr 3. Webb, at a meeting of the WanganuiRangitikei Electric Power Board. On the other hand, concrete poles suited the board’s requirements admirably. These, however, were not suitable for country districts, it being impracticable to transport them. Concrete poles could be made in Wanganui and Marton for Use ih those towns. Mr Webb stated that the City Council poles were showing rapid signs of decay and would be replaced by com crete’poles before long. Mr W. Morrison said the time would come when all wires would be placed underground, and he did not think it would be wise for the board to lay down an extensive policy lor the manufacture of poles at present. For a charming Trousseau or holiday outfit: Ladies’ Conlon Silk Underwear, trimmed dainty insertion and lace; Apple, Sky, Peach, Flesh, Helio., Cream; Knickers, 6s lid; Vest, 6s 6d; Underskirt, 8s lid; Nightie, 14s 6d; Dressing Jacket, lls Od; Full Set. 45s.—T. Ross, 130 Princes street...

Limestone boulders which have been encountered in the reclamation of the South Pond at Port Ahuriri have caused trouble by blocking the pipes of the dredge Apiti (says the Napier Telegraph). A diver was engaged to examine the bottom of the harbour and found that as for as could be ascertained the boulders wore in the top layer, about two or three feet thick, overlaying a stratum of pug-clay below which is shingle and sand. The layer of boulders appeared to be chiefly to the north of the old bridge. The stumps of a number of piles were struck to the north of the bridge line, being evidently the remains of some old dolphin. A strip of filling has been made about six chains across the pond,' being nearly to the required height for about five chains. This strip is being widened on the northern side and a channel left on the south side for the discharge of the water.

The Prince of Wales Hotel offers, at the tariff, the best accommodation in Dunedin. Best liquors stocked. Phone 10-721. —C. Hinchcltff, proprietor... Having heard of a proposal to import a shipment of 4000 sacks of Australian malting barley, into New Zealand, "Mr E. F. Healy, M.P., telegraphed the secretary of the Blenheim branch of the Farmers’ Union (Mr R. Wanden) asking him to ascertain what quantity of local barley was still, available for malting. The secretary reported to the union that he had advised Mr Healy that present stocks were adequate. It was understood that New Zealand Breweries’ malthouse at Picton had been closed for a period in order to reduce stocks. The new season’s requirements were fully assured by the fact that there was a 25 per cent, increase in the acreage of barley being grown under contract. Mr Wanden said he understood that the shipment had not arrived. His action in reply to the member’s inquiry was confirmed. Barton’s make more smallgoods daily than any other butcher iu South Island, which demonstrates the excellence of their products. We recommend a trial. Guaranteed fresh daily-—Barton’s Manse street, Dunedin... An important meeting of farmers took place at Turin (says the Poverty Bay Herald) when Mr J. M. Ferriday, stock inspector, demonstrated the results of experiments for the eradication of ragwort in the Puriri district, and explained the methods adopted. A visit was made to an area which was sprayed nine days before with sodium chlorate; The treatment proved entirely successful, the plants being completely killed. ■ Addressing the meeting, Mr Ferriday explained that sodium chlorate could be procured by any merchants, and when mixed with water could be sprayed on plants by a specially designed pump. The preparation, which was inexpensive, was not harmful to cattle. After many questions, had been answered, the meeting passed a vote of thanks to the Department of Agriculture for assistance given in tbia important matter. When out camping you should try. When your head is aching, To make a meal of something nice, For example—Hitchon’s bacon... !■ , , I-— 1 -■ ■ 1 " ... lit