NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF

"I might swear now and again, but I don’t use bad language,” remarked a woman witness at the Supreme Court at Wanganui the other day. For unlawfully removing kauri gum from a ‘State forest, two men were each sentenced to three months’ hard labour by justices of the peace at llawene. Grandisrn (2829): Now more than ever before you should buy Grand Hotel quality wines and spirits. Times are hard, therefore buy the best... Interesting figures were given by Mr H. H. Seaton at the annual meeting.of the Wellington District Honorary Justices of the Peace Association concerning the number of people imprisoned in New Zealand for debt, and their cost to the State. In 1930 there were 319 persons imprisoned for debt; 1931, 327; 1932, 262; 1933, 155; 1931, 164, The cost to the State is £59 per headi “ I do not think the car could do the speed claimed,” said defendant in a traffic prosecution at the Auckland Magistrate’s Court. ”If you wanted to sell it you would say that it would do that speed,” replied Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M.. imposing a fine. Later, a witness in another case said he was travelling at only 15 miles an hour. “All cars involved in accidents travel at 15 miles an hour,” said Mr Hunt. New goods suitable for the present season are'now being opened up at Gray’s Big Store, Milton. Inspection is invited to all needing the latest for comfort and fashion... A severe electric shock which caused him to fall to the floor unconscious was received by Mr C. D. Broivn, an Opotiki hairdresser, when he was usin~ an electric shampoo blower in his rooms. A part of the blower fell out, and the plug accidentally touching a water urn, the full ccrrent passed through Mr Brown’s body. He endeavoured to get free, but found his arms paralysed, and then fell to the floor unconscious, breaking the contact. Assistance was procured, and in a short time Mr Brown recovered consciousness, and was ablq to resume work.

A “ spring ” commenced bubbling merrily in the Pukekohe show grounds after one of the elephants from a circus had passed by. A water-pipe, about six inches below the surface, had been broken and a small lake nuickly formed. The taps of the only two meters which could be found, were turned off. without effect, and the services of a plumber had to be obtained before the water, could be stopped. As the “spring” was alongside one of the main tents, it was fortunate that the water drained away quickly. "Bourbon” Coffee. Users of this favourite brand of breakfast coffee will, be pleased to hear the price is reduced 2d per lb; all grocers.—Durie’s, specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin... ! Several residents have made complaints to the Napier Aero Club concerning the low and fancy .flying over the town alleged to have been indulged in by aviators. When approached, Mr' Arnold Wright, president : of the Napier Aero Club, pointed out the fact that the aeroplanes concerned were the property of the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club, and aviators using their machines were also under their jurisdiction. Any pupil not abiding by the regulations is severely disciplined. A feeling that something more might be done ;to impress on Wanganui the value of its observatory was evident in a discussion at the meeting of . the Wanganui City Council the other night, when a motion by Gr F. C. Atkinson that the observatory be taken under the wing of the Opera House and Art Gallery Committee was carried. It was pointed out that the observatory had a significance much the same as nb-man’s land, in that it had no direct committee to look to for guidance and support. Mr Atkinson pointed out that the late Mr W. Ward was one of the world’s greatest astronomers. and his ability was not recognised fully until after his death.

Best quality regulation dust drums obtainable at Dickinson’s, Ltd., tinsmiths and sheetmetal workers, 245 Princes street, Dunedin... The foolish action of a youth in discharging a rifle near a highway and the miraculous escape from mortal injury by a passing cyclist form the main points of an unusual -incident which occurred in Renwick recently. The victim of the affair (says the Marlborough Express.) was an elderly man named Mr W. Brooks, who was cycling along the rOad near the Renwick School, He was struck in the neck by a piece of metal which pierced the lapel of his coat and lodged itself against his body, causing a painful wound. An investigation disclosed that the lad had been firing a .22 rifle into a pond and one of the bullets ricocheted out on to the roadway. An incident,, highly amusing for those* who were in a position to witness it but not so much so fox the person concerned, occurred recently (says the Marlborough Express) on the French Pass wharf, \\ueh a member of the police force stationed at a small town near Blenheim was loading a boat in preparation for a trip. Walking to the edge of the wharf from where he intended to throw some articles down to the boat which was from 10 to 12 feet below him, he stood on the end of a new plank which hod not been nailed down. Like a man disappearing through a trapdoor, the sturdy constable was flashed into watery surroundings, and it. was through the medium of a boat hook that his friends retrieved him.

When Donald was helping himself father liberally to M'Pherson’s bottle of Whisky (bought at Wullie Crossan’s) MTherson cried out: “ Hold on, Donald, >er toasting a New Year, not a Centenary.”. . The fact that, while Wellington hae been experiencing unpleasant weathpr, and similar conditions have prevailed, at Palmerston North, it has frequently been, relatively fine in the area of the. 30-mile ■coastal belt from PaekakarikDto Levin, was put by Mr A. J. Phillipps to Dr Kidson (Government meteorologist) for, an explanation when Dr Kidson addressed the Palmerston North Rotary Club the other day. Dr Kidson said that ■ the belt mentioned was naturally protected from the strong southerly weather which brought rain to Wellington, and likewise from south-westerly weather, but the district mentioned appeared to have no particular immunity from the effects of .weather. The legend that a death in the house follows the sound of a death watch beetle in the wall was corroborated by Mr Rene Natusch, in an address to Napier Rolarians recently. Mr Natusch said that this story was quite correct, but not in the way that most people accepted it. When the peculiar knocking of this beetle is heard it is usually answered by a mate. The death follows shortly after mating, but it is the death of the male beetle. Having no further use for him, the female disposes of her mate shortly after the mating. Last 10 days of sale. Oddments at gift prices. See windows displays. Hate* frocks, coats, and summer underwear all greatly reduced. New winter goods opening.—The Mosgiel Drapery Warehouse. A. P. Oheyne and C 0... Six buoys which were anchored on the surf at Castlecliff Beach for rise in the West Coast (North Island) surf life-sav-ing championships were washed away by the heavy seas which were pounding tno coast. Two of the buoys (says the Wanganui Chronicle) were painted white and green, and the remaining four green, yellow, black, and red respectively. They were attached to a length of 180 yards of one and a-half inch rope, and when last seen were drifting up the Wanganui River on the tide. Climbing Mount Egmont barefoot seems to be becoming almost as .popular ns wheelbarrow derbies were last year. Mr Jack Allen, an 85-year-old visitor from’ Taumarunui, recently made the ascent in that fashion from the. Stratford Mountain House in five hours. On the descent he wore shoes and made the trip in three hours. His only remark was: “It was a bit tougher' than I thought.” Two Hawera boys, Jock anil Hardy Murray, aged 11 and 14 years respectively, climbed barefoot from the Dawson Falls Hostel to Fantham’s Peak. On the way back the elder of the two complained of foot soreness, and put on his shoes, but the younger was undaunted by the hard scoria. They were accompanied by their brother, Trevor Murray, aged 16 years, who wore light shoes on the climb. The Government guarantee the price Of bread and flour and wheat; Hitchon’s guarantee the quality Of their bacon —it’s quite a treat...