NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23672, 2 December 1938, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF

To illustrate his definition of “ inferences ” Mr Justice Blair, while addressing the jury in the Supreme Court at Napier last week, commented that if a person ordered a can of milk and found a trout in it he could reasonably draw inference that the dealer had put water in the milk. “ I do not think that there are any cyclists id New Zealand more careless than those in Wanganui,” said Cr O. Hales at the last meeting of the Wanganui City Council when a recent cycle accident was under discussion. Cr Hales added that every day one could see cyclists riding with their hands off their handlebars, dodging in and out among traffic, and carrying large parcels on their machines. Cr J. Siddells said he agreed with Cr Hales that there was too much dangerous cycling in the city, . Special showing of New Spring Goods in all departments. Call now while the assortment is at its best. First in 1882; still leading in 1938.Mosgiel’s Drapers, A. F. Cheyne and C 0... The claim made by a Mataura breeder of budgerigars that his bird, m laying 10 eggs for a sitting, had established a record, is disputed by a Tara-' dale resident, who reports that last season one of his birds laid 14 eggs and settled down to hatch them: However, the breeder considered such a number too much for one bird to hatch and reduced the number to eight, all of which were successfully hatched. An Opotiki poultry farmer who has been troubled with a plague of rats in his sheds organised a hunt recently. Men and dogs stood by while a concrete floor in a shed was torn up, all exits having been blocked with fine mesh netting and corrugated iron. A startling number of rats was revealed, and when the hunt ended it was found that 242 had been killed.

Come and see our show to-night. We are open till 9 o’clock Friday nights,— Scoullar and Chisholm, Limited... Young maize, potato, tomato and other tender vegetable crops growing on farms in Northern Wairoa districts have been attacked by caterpillars, according to reports received by Mr E. H. Arnold, instructor in agriculture at Dargaville. As far as can be ascertained the caterpillars are of the species which usually attack pastures in the late summer and autumn-follow-ing floods. It is feared that trouble is likely to be experienced throughout this district wherever crops are being sown, and on this account farmers are being recommended to use poisoned bait. Holiday hampers are carefully packed and promptly despatched to town or country orders by Crossan’s Waterloo Hotel. Caversham... While not stating the actual figures, in the absence of the, statistics dealing with the position, a - dairy factory executive recently informed a Manawatu Standard reporter that, on the total arrivals last year of dairy produce iii the United Kingdom and taking them as a basis for this year’s return, the Government was now standing to lose about £7OOO a day over the whole year with the price for butter remaining at 104 s a cwt, or 20s a cwt below the guaranteed price. The holdings of stocks in London amounted to over 25,000 tons, as against about 9500 tons last year, and so the outlook for a rise, with heavier New Zealand, shipments coming on the market, did not look promising for the Dairy Account. Ex Doric Star, the first of our new season’s “Jamaica”—the world’s finest coffee. Only, from A. Durie and Co., coffee specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin. .. The cry of a baby in the back seat of a car proceeding along Papanui road was the direct cause of an accident, according to a statement by a defendant who was charged in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court recently with failing to give way. The defendant, a man, said that he had turned round when he heard the baby cry, and momentarily his attention had been taken away from his driving. He had failed to see the other car, and as a result there had been a slight collision. Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., imposed a fine of 20s and costs.

Canister sets, bread bins, etc., make useful Christmas gifts. Call and inspect our selection. We are open Friday night.—Dickinson’s, Ltd., 441 Princes street, Dunedin...

Another example of a good deed that went wrong is given by a Waipukurau motorist.- A few days ago he left his car standing in his drive. When no one was about his young son, anxious to be helpful, unscrewed the cap of the benzine tank and, dragging the garden hose into action, added about four'gallons of water to the contents of the tank. Fortunately the “good deed” was discovered before the engine was started.

Grandism (3666). Our hampers are sent out with satisfaction. You will greet one with gratitude. Place your order early. Grand Hotel... “He was engaged In mowing kumeras? ” interjected Mr Justice Blair incredulously in the Napier Supreme Court last week, when counsel was referring to a phase of his Maori client’s farming activities. “No, your Honor, moulding them,” was the reply. “I thought I was sufficient of a farmer to know that one doesn’t mow potatoes.” remarked the judge. Now is the time to think of highgrade ingredients for the Xmas baking. Gray’s, of the Big Store, Milton, concentrate on the best for their customers, while their system of buying and selling brings the prices within the reach of - a 11...

Although in the depths of misery during a particular knotty paper in one of the University degree' examinations, one Auckland youth had time to pause and smile at the predicament of a neighbouring candidate. Arriving about 10 minutes late, the young hopeful gazed blankly at the paper for some minutes, scratched his head, studied with intense interest the design on the ceiling, and resignedly handed in his paper. On leaving the room he remarked to the world in general in a stage whisper, “Bang goes another guinea,”

A hungry rat went searching In the dust bin to find Some bit of Hitchon’s bacon, But couldn’t.even find the rind...