NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24205, 25 January 1940, Page 18

NEWS IN BRIEF

Six cows were electrocuted on Mr, L. Robertson's farm, Te Matai road, near Te Puke. The herd was being driven in for the morning milking when a gust of wind broke a power pole. In the dim light those in charge of the cows did not see that the live wires were on the ground. Prompt action on* their part averted further deaths. ■',;;.._.,\

"The non-licensing of horse-drawri vehicles is a definite menace to the transport industry in many towns, and it is likely to grow more serious with the introduction of petrol restrictions," said Mr T. H. Langford, at a sitting of the No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority in Timaru recently. Transport organisations, he added, should take,up the question with borough councils.

Buy now New Year Goods, just opened up; many cannot- be replacea. Shop early while the selection.is sCood. Gifts for all at Mosgiel's Drapers—A. F. Cheyne and C 0... •■<>.;. • ■ . Addressing members of the Palmerston North Citizens' Lunch Club recently, Mr G. Crossley provided &a amusing half-hour with two short addresses, one based on the word " serendipity" and the other on the alleged constitution and distinctions of the professions. Mr Crossley explained that the word " serendipity " was very little known and came originally from the old name of Ceylon, " Serendit." A book had been written of three princes who left Ceylon and went about the world not actually seeking adventure, ..but stumbling- over it.•- Therefrom came the word "serendipity",which'meant 'in general terms, meeting things as they came and not seeking them. Tha second address was in light vein. The chair was occupied by Mr L. G. H. Sinclair, who thanked Mr Crossley. Miss Billens (Palmerston North), and Mrs J. Black (Nelson) and Mr C. Clark (Suva) were visitors. ~_.„ ._^„..U.-

Said McTavish to McNab: D'ye notice hoo popular the Waterloo Hotel is wi' those that lik' their wee drap?.. -'. - Some employers in Wanganui -are not answering up to the call for leave for members of the Wellington West Coast Regiment to attend the annual camp at Waiouru next month; according to the Army Department. While is is realised that in some instances leave cannot be granted, it is considered that there -are other cases where assistance could be given. The camp from February 10 to 17 will provide the only, opportunity "of. the" year for the regiment to carry put the.field exercises necessary to the completion of annual training.

An attempt to cause serious mutilation to a prize ram owned by Mr C. I L. Crooks, of Waipukurau, last week,.#£S foiled only by the timely discovery of the plight of the'unfortunate animal. The ram was located in a paddock on the Takapau road, and, wjjen. found, was nearly dead, with. thick String boUnd tightly about its body. That it was not the work of children may be deduced, from the fact that it would take two strong men to throw the ram before affixing the string. The occurrence is all the more serious in view of the fact that it was perpetrated: oh the eve of the Waipukurau Show, .at'which it was to be exhibited.- ~',?'* Grandism (4034): People who know are drinking Grand Hotel Wines or Spirits, because of their high-grade quality. Test them yourself.;. \ ; A former Waihi miner, Mr W. J. Lee, on a' visit, to New Zealand after several years in New Guinea; has brought back with him" many, v interesting''"native curios, > including carved drums;' bow and arrows, carved wooden crocodiles, hair combs, which aire used by men'as well as by the women, and a very fine tortoise shell. He has amusing impressions of the native women; .who, he says, by the use of a little peroxide and lime, turn themselves into exceedr ingly attractive blondes. On his return'to the New Guinea goldfields, Mr Lee will be accompanied by/his wife, who is no stranger to life there. An example of careless holiday driving which not only costs the country money, but may cost lives as well, is to be seen on the Main North road, Christchurch, just past Chaney's. rathe form of several battered roadside signs. Recently, the Transport Department erected "cat's-eye" signs on both sides of the road between .Belfast; and the Stewart's Gully road, as an experiment/and five of these in a row have been smashed down on one bend, where a careless motorist has evidently left the concrete and travelled along the grass side of the road for 80 yards; The signs are seven feet from the-concrete, and it is difficult to see how any/careful motorist would drive that far off the roadway for such. a distance. ■ Garden enthusiasts: Now is the time to have all your tools, etc., repaired. Bring them to Dickinson, Mytton, Ltd., new address—2o4 Crawford street (Oval end), just off Anderson's Bay road... '.'■; ...... The fact that at the end of December there were 63 persons on the Waiting list of the Northern Wairoa Hospital was reported by the medical superintendent at a meeting of the Kaipara Hospital Board at Paparoa. With the existing accommodation, it was stated, it was impossible to deal with these patients. Mr W. Collins asked if the board had any policy in regard to the building of a new hospital. He pointed out that life was being risked or •sacrificed for want of hospital facilities. As the Public Works Department had advised the board that the proposed hospital site might be required fox an aerodrome, he-thought the department should give definite advice on the ques- * tion, and also in regard to; payment. . "I have been fortunate enough to have my wife present me with twins; read part of a letter handed to Mr H, A. Young. SJVL, in the Magistrates Court at Christchurch from a defendant in explanation of his failure to obtain a licence for his radio, states the Press. This was one of a series of incidents during the hearing.of prosecutions for unlicensed radios which provided counsel and officials with some amusement. "In view of the twins, I think we might say that your luck continues," commented the magistrate...as he convicted and discharged the de : fendant on payment of the fees owing. " With two children in the house,' * should hardly think you would want a radio now," he added, amid.laughter. Campers, tourists, and •. holiday, makers generally wuTfind their wants well catered for at James Gray ana Sons. Milton... . ... . ,„--■;' While she remained closely associated with Great Britain economically, Eire was proud of her present neutrality as proof of her new nationhood, and was also sincere in her attitude to the war, said the Rev. Father R. J. O'Gorman, formerly of Ashbdrton, who has returned to the Dominion.after an extensive overseas tour. Father O Gar-, man has been absent for 10/ months and will shortly take uo the of parish priest in Christchurch. As the Government of Eire aimed to secure a united Ireland, the border between North and South remained a bone, of contention. Father O'Gorman said. It was hoped in Eire that the British Government would accede to their claims and influence the Parliament of Northern Ireland to combine and form one country. :'; An assurance that there would not be any further delay in notifying the results of germination tests carried out at the Seed Testing Station was given by the Director-general of Agriculture (Dr A. H. Cockayne) in a letter received by the North Canterbury District Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union last week. Answering a complaint forwarded from the Culverden branch, Dr Cockayne explained that there had been no delays since the arrears were overtaken two or three months ago. The value of work handled last season was much greater than was anticipated, and there had been delays, but additional staff had been engaged and further equipment procured. .= ; - If mighty blows a man can strik* You'd find, if thought be taken, - The hidden source of all his might Is Hitchon's ham and bacon.. X>