NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21221, 30 December 1930, Page 14

NEWS IN BRIEF.

. “You’ll not buy sheep like this for 15s in a few months’ time,” was the optimistic prophesy of an auctioneer while selling a line of-store ewes at 6s 3d at TVaipukurau. A contributor to the Christchurch Press says he regards the New Plymouth beaches and the accommodation provided . for campers as being equal to the best in New Zealand.. , He finds the main roads of Taranaki a sheer delight,” J |r H. Murray, of Eltham. recently made mb i 1 fifty-first ascent of Mount Egmont within 51 months. Mr Murray who was one of a party .of five, states that the snow was very good for climbing, but it waswery misty on top, and one could not see beyond a couple of yards. Grandism (1214): All the cards on the table. The Grand is alone by issuing a complete Price List of Wines and Spirits.—-Ask for one..'. ' “ There is no dole in South Africa,” remarked Mr R. Wilson, a South African industrialist, to a Christchurch Press reporter the other day. “We have our unemployed, but, so far as possible, we find work of a developmental nature for them, for this kind of work we hope-will prove productive sooner at la ter.”

It is stated in South Taranaki that wells which have been in constant use for more than 40 years have gone dry during the East year. Some seem to think that the ig earthquake has been responsible for this, but it must not bo forgotten (says the Herald) that the past two years have been dry years. What England expresses, Ireland emphasises and Scotland endorses, is the fact that the India Tyre '..manufactured in Scotland is an outstanding example of the, ability of the British manufacturer to produce the world’s best tyro. Otago agents, The Otago Farmers’, Dunedin... The actual number of persons who were provided with Christmas dinners by the Timaru Rotary Club,, in conjunction with the Mam School Committee and the combined bands was 645. The quantities of goods supplied was as follows:—Meat, 5001 b; peas, 6451 b; pudding, 5001bs; potatoes. 3501 b. A quantity of sundries was also distributed.

“ The bowels of compassion are not completely dried up,” said Mr G. Petherick, chairman of the Wellington Social Welfare Committee, last week. “I have had a letter from a city business man, who desires to remain anonymous, saying he will present 50 joints of meat to deserving cases on a written order issued by me.” For summer weather a man’s good sun hat for 2s 6d may be procured at James Gray and Sons, Milton...

The presence of works buyers operating on their present. low limits of 6d a lb for lamb, and 9s 6d for prime ewes has had its effect on the Hawke’s Bay fat sheep markets as represented by the Hastings and Waipukurau sales (says the Napier Telegraph). Works'buyers took a large proportion of a large yarding at Hastings, operating mainly on ewes, and values ruling in the fat sheep section were about on a par with works limits. “It s a boy.” “ No, it’s a girl.” “ Surely it’s a boy,” were remarks made by the crowd during a ladies’ race at the Takamatua horse sports (says the Christchurch Press), concerning a young Maori whose horse played up considerably. The “ girt ” turned out to be a small boy who had donned female attire for the fun of the thing. In every succeeding event in which he appeared he was known by the undignified title of " it.” Earthquakes on the ocean, bed of the East Atlantic have caused so much upheaval that 200 square mtiee wilt hnva to be wehartei

Discomfiture was the portWof a y o «th who, pushed forward by a surging crowd of onlookers, gave expressibn to criticism, of the police ag they helped an arrested man into a taxi in Christchurch on Christmas Eve. A tall constable .stepped forward and vigorously pulled his nosel Much favourable comment is passed by through passengers at the Ashburton railway station (says the Guardian), and indeed by many residents at the attractive display of crimson rambling rosea on the fence bordering the railway platform and extending down toward the Post,'Office, These blooms are at their best and the blaze of colour, together with the green of the well-kept stretch of lawn provides a colourful effect.

Hams, ox tongues for Xmas and New Year; primest quality, prices lowest; unlimited supply.—Barton’s... “ Try to meet the farmer, when hie requests are reasonable, and you will have the backbone of the country behind you,” said Mr M. Maindonald, a member of a deputation which met the Minister of Railways (Mr W. A. Veitch) in North Canterbury recently. “Go against the farmer,” the speaker added, “and you will find him as stubborn as a pig.” " Yes, and- squealing as loudly,” assented a second member of the deputation. While old coins have been brought into the limelight again it is not Very often that a pound note is seen among the collections of enthusiastic coin collectors. But this was so when a collector in Winton showed a number of old coins to the correspondent of the Southland Times. The pound note was considered the most valuable of the collection, for it was the first, one Issued by' the Union Bank of Australia in New Zealand. Much larger in size than the pound note of to-dny, it was issued at Christchurch on March 1, 1859, and distinctly bears the number, one.

Ladies’ Intimate Lingerie.—Rubber sanitary knickers, 2s lid, 4s lid; Southall’s and Mene towels. Is lid, 2s 6d, 2s lid, 3s 6d; Southall’s compressed towels, most suitable for travelling, 3s lid: Medex soluble towels, easily disposed of; elastic belts, fitted two safety pins, Is lid, 2a lid- Posted carefully to any address from. T. Ross. 130 Princes street... Weaving by hand, as practised by the deft-fingered Maoris, has a fascination for Europeans. This fact was demonstrated when the Matson liner Malolo was in Auckland recently, and an exhibition of the art of weaving kits and similar articles was staged for the benefit of the American visitors (says the Auckland Star). The Akarana Maori Association has decided to arrange further exhibitions during the holidays, which should prove particularly interesting, as visitors will have an opportunity of witnessing Maori women at work in front of the carved house in the museum—an almost natural setting, A suggestion that the Wanganui Harbour Board should secure the old steamer Mararoa, now lying at Wellington, fill her with metal and have her towed to Wanganui for the purpose of sinking'her outside the south mole extension, was Smade at a meeting of the Development sague. It was stated that the same ocedure had been adopted with satisfactory results by the Gisborne Harbour Board. It was recently announced that the Union Company had arranged to have ' the old ship towed out into Cook Strait and scuttled.

Special offer of sports coats, usually sold av 35s 6d. reduced to 22s 6d; flannel trousers, now 16s 6d; white tennis trousers, 12s 6d. Post anywhere. Money refunded if not suitable.—The Ascot, corner Princes and Rattray streets.., A pleasant surprise was received by the Mayor of Christchurch when he was caffed upon by a man who expressed his to the Mayor and City Council for giving him a fresh start in life, ibe man stated that some time ago he bad been given relief work by the council, and with the money he earned he had saved sufficient to enable him to come to Dunedin, where he obtained a permanent job. The man is a returned soldier with a good war record.

For those who have not seen' a an* i- 1 ? 6 ■ Dixon training •» r, r?°,T r °h exhibition at the Wanganui Unll Hall, will prove more than interest.mg (says the Herald). It is controlled in the same manner as an aeroplane and is an excellent piece of workmanship.. The wings and tail art finished in yellow ochre, the wooden portions in rosewood stafti and the base dark red. It is the work of three young men who have 'been quietly engaged in its construction since June. A tragrant and unusual Xmas Gift! oend your friends some “Blue 1 Mountain ” al ' l \ alca “-the finest, coffee grown on earth. Only ■ obtainable from A. Durio and Co., 32 Octagon, Dunedin... A flutter of excitement, as well as of wings, was provided in Napier the other morning, when a hen, apparently tired of cpnnnement m a cage, escape cf from the vicinity of an auction mart and moved vapidly mto the street. The fowl was pursued by a number of men, and the task of mustering it back to its temporary home was watched with great interest. The hen. which was of a resourceful nature, held the u Pp. ei , fihnd for a-considerable time, and with deft turns and leaps managed to avoid tlie many.Tiands outstretched to seize her. The weather was hot and the pursuers perspiring; however, they were determined that victory should come their way if they chased all day. Eventually with i L ,. 8q " a "; k aU( i gurgle, the hen. dived blindly for an opening and met the fond embrace of one of the’pursuers. Men’s working shirts, sizes UJ to 17, striped “Tiger Twist”' or plain grey “Oliver Twist,” 7e lid. Khaki Veldt, 8s 6d. Posted anywhere for cash.Kilroy and Sutherland, ltd.. 192 Princes street, Dunedin... .

Dr Guy Scholefield, parliamentary librarian, is at work on a “ Dictionary or National Biography” for New Zealand. S e j made some progress Willi it* and hopes to complete it within a reasonable time. New Zealand has no “ dictionary ” of famous men of the past and present, but there is a large amount of material avilable iii the numerous biographical and autobiographical volumes that abound. It is sometimes difficult to obtain readily (he essential facts about the big figures of the past, and a reliable “ dictionary ” on the lines indicated by Dr Scholefield would be a valuble addition to the Dominioi’s litera if 6- Hr Scbolcfield is already the author of a useful “ Who’s Who? ” of New Zealand.

We are selling Penfold's port wine at 4s per bottle, bouse whisky 11s, pints 6s; cash with order. Prince of Wales Hotel. C. Hmclicliff. proprietor..., i.i Hr ’ S> . Browue . owner of a farm at the Mangorei. Cross road, recently made an interesting discovery of an outcrop on bis property (says the Taranaki Herald). This is in the form of a small reef in the bed of the Hemn stream, which may possibly prove to be Fullers earth. The stone crushes readily and has wonderful cleansing properties. For brass and copper and other metals the powder produces a high polish and yet does not leave any trace of a scratch. It has been used, too, as a tooth powder with excellent results, ft -applied with very hot water it will remove greaase stains from clothes. For cleansing milk cans it is also satisfetory. firowne is sending sample of the rock to the Dominion analyst, and the report will be awaited with some interest. Mr Browne thinks that some 14 years ago the reef was discovered; but as it was wartime nothing further was done to test its real value.

Money savers and spring cleaning bargains the order of the day at the Mosgiel Warehouse. Big reductions in all departments. Call or write early.—A. P Cheyne and C 0...

Two Hawke’s Bay women who recently returned from California relate the following amusing experience. Unaware of the loss of the Tahiti, they were partakmg of one of America’s national dishes—' viz., fried chicken—in a Los Angeles hotel, when they noticed a man reading a paper some little distance from their tableland struck with the words, “New Zealand Steamer Wrecked.” Filled with curiosity as to what steamer it could be, they continued their meal, and presently the man departed, leaving the newspaper on ms chair. Calling the nearest ' Waiter, they asked if they might have the newspaper that the gentleman had left. “ Certainly, raadame,’ replied the waiter, who, to their astonishment, went and tore a |iage from the paper and gave it to t’acm. im sorry tp trouble you,” said one of the ladies, but wfe wanted to see what New Zealand steamer it was that has been wrecked.” The waiter Was full of apologies and explained that he thought they wanted a piece of paper to 'wrap ro . u >m the chicken bones, so that they might take them home for tueir dog. Christmas time comes once a year. Hitch on’s hams ate always here; Give your folk a treat, old man— Boil it, roast it, fry in pan.. .