THE OTAKI MAIL WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1933. LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, 5 July 1933, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1933. LOCAL & GENERAL.

Subscribers to the “Otaki Mail" are reminded that subscriptions for the next quarter are now due. By paying in advance a discount of la on the quarter's subscdption is allowed, and all who wish to avail themselves of this concession should do so now.

-.The first of - this year’s English peaches were sold in Co vent Garden for £2 14s a dozen. They were sent from Lancing, Sussex.

The ladies' Committee of Ngati Huia desires to thank Mr. and Mrs. Tamati ■Hawea for returning the £1 ordeT guess which was won by their 12 mouths' old daughter during the holding of their shop day last Saturday. This action is appreciated by them. The winning numbers of various articles in last Saturday's shop day are Ho. 5 F Book, £1 order, Mere Hawea; Dinner, No. 7(1, Mare Mare Te Waru; bread, No. 40, B. Hakaraia; cake? No. IS, Mere Hawea; dozen eggs, No. 70, B. Ran'kfield.

From the few reports so far received of opossum trappers in the Tararuas, the opening- of the trapping season was not as successful as was anticipated, in view of the fact that last year was a close season. Wot weather, however, is not the best for trapping, and it is hoped that the- line,, days following frosty nights will bring better results. A splendid method of sewing buttons on securely is to use wire. A few pence will buy a reel of veiy thin wire which should be used as a needle and pushed through the material three times thou twisted off neatly. Buttons attached iu this way will stay on as long as the garment lasts.

Palmerston North is still growingfast, according to the Rev. G. S. Cook, of Otaki. Speaking at the Citizens' 'Punch Club at Palmerston North yesterday, he stated that there was continued evidence that the city was progressing in every way, in spite of the depression through which we are passing.

Alaliatma Gandhi, wlio lias recently undergone a severe fast to help the Indian “ Undesirables/' is C 4 years of age. His son, Devidas Ganliri, visited him in his cell to persuade him against taking the risk of such on ordeal at his agej but the old man calmly went on with his writing, and in his weak, low voice said, “I look forward to this fast with fearlessness and thanksgiving. > ’

Pat liana, the versatile, author, actor, producer, whose first independent talkie, “Diggers in Blighty," will shortly be seen at the Cosy theatre, although an Australian by adoption, was born in Hew Zealand where, before the Great War, he ran a large poster and advertising company. When the armistice was signed he formed a Diggers' concert party to entertain the troops. Success was instantaneous, so much so that this clever party became one of the most successful revue companies in the world, and all due to Pat Hanna's enterprising originality. '

“I um very strongly against the practice of employing boys at too low a wage, " stated Mr. G. M. Keys, vocational guidance ollicer at the Young Men s Christian Association in reply to a question at the conclusion of an address in Gisborne. “I would hesitate to lot a boy go to a job for 5s a week where he w r ould have to work reasonably hard or assume reasonable responsibility. A boy is worth more than that to any employer." Mr. Keys said that while the principle conflicted to some extent with the organisation's efforts to save boys from idleness, it was possible that working for too low a wage might have an evon more undesirable effect upon a youth's morale than no work at all.

An impudent and daring theft was committed at the Masonic Hotel, Woodviile, on Friday last between, the hours of eight and nine o ’clock in the evening. The room occupied by Mr. N. E. Robertson, a boarder at the hotel, was entered and the whole of Ms wardrobe taken. A suitcase had also been packed with shirts, collars, ties, etc., but this was left in the room, the thief or thieves evidently being disturbed. The theft was reported to the police as soon as it was discovered but so far no trace of the missing articles has been found, with the exception of part of two suits, one of which was discovered at the back of the hotel and the other on the Dannevirko road a short distance from w^u.-n.

much-criticSl^^iOuntry —is far ahead of New Zealand in the matter of the marriage age,” said Mrs. McNair. “To marry young people of such tender ages is .to condemn them to a long life of misery.” “X quite agree with you,” replied the Minister, “but it is only fair to point out that there, are reasons why the law should not be altered. The trouble is pressure is brought to bear by parents in certain cases. However, I am personally in favour of an alteration, as I told a deputation previously.”

ilr. F. W. G. Rule inserts a replace advertisement in this issue.' The Farmers’ Union ball will be held at Te Horo on the 21st inst. Euchre and a dance will be held on Friday, August 4th, in aid of Tamatehura meeting-house funds. A sensational offer is made by Community Stores, Ltd. See advertisement in this issue. The Hautere iliniature Rifle Club will hold euchre and a danee to-night. . A hunt will be held at Ohau on Saturday. For footwear the Te Horo Stores, Ltd., are unsurpassed and a trial' order will convince residents of this. Prices are low for their high quality goods. Air. C. A. Taylor, of Auckland, has taken over the hairdressing room and billiard saloon at Otaki Railway, and guarantees first-class workmanship. •Hoc announcement in this issue. ' In these times of depression one should think of his or her pocket. To save money buy your boots at. Fred. Barrett’s, where are also faithfully done at lowest prices. No need to go elsewhere Ton the best of leather Find Barrett stoelcsit.* Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure jM-'te er -a'-;.,—. .•-i.'CW- -ii L-i:,.

It is stated in-authoritative ei«le* that tho number of registered unemployed in New Zealamd to-day Is greater than it has ever been since the beginning of the depression. 7 ' t

There -was a' fair attendance at last night’s meeting of .the Otaki Lodge of Druids. P.D.P. Bro. Hagan made a presentation of a Past Secretary 's collar. to Bro. Collins. The previous evening members had visited- Levin and defeated Levin-Lodge by 14 -points to 12 for the euchre shield, '

At the weekly luncheon of -the Palmerston North Citizens Lunch Club, held yesterday the- speaker was Rev. G. S. Cook, of Otaki. He- took for his subject “'Mental Moving Pictures/' and treated-bearers-to, an interesting address on some aspects of civilisation and the pictures it. conveys. The-- social" held, in the Parish Hall on Monday'evening.-in aid of - Anglican Church funds proved most 'successful. There was a large attendance, patrons spending a very enjoyable evening. The programme submitted was much appreciated, as was evidenced by the number of encores. To Mr, Miller and his party from Hautere and all others who assisted the committee desire to extend their thanks.

Complaints of the desecration of Maori graves and burial places have been reaching Sir Apirana Ngata (Native Minister). In view of these Sir Apirana Ngata has drawn attention to the fact that those -guilty of trespassing on or desecrating Maori graves and burial caves, were liable to punishment under Section 11. of the Maori Councils Amendment Act, 1903. This pro-, vides for a fine of £25 or three months’ imprisonment, or both. Jurisdiction can only be exercised by . a Stipeuciiary Magistrate on.information laid-by the chairman of a Maori Council.

Tlie opinion that the present was an opportune; time to take up a farm was expressed'by Mr. W. Hall, a Taranaki Bounty councillor, in the course of a farewell to Mr. G. Meredith, the department overseer, at New Plymouth recently. He thought prices were as low as they could go, and that so many corners had been turned that the Dominion must soon emerge from the depression. For the man taking up land the outlook was much brighter than it was two years ago,

In the forthcoming Catholic Ball a totally new standard of entertainment will be provided on an even more lavish scale than previous years. The local drapers are co-operating to have on hand • a supply of cheap materials suitable for making up into fancy dresses, and it is hoped that dancers' will enter into the carnival spirit and come in costume. The whole setting of the ball will be Japanese, and the Japanese costume lending itself to a colourful display, should make a wonderful spectacle. Prizes will be offered for the best Japanese costume and also for other fancy dress. A feature of the ball will be a charming Japanese ballet. The best orchestra obtainable will provide the music, while the catering will be in excellent hands. In the course of her calling Sister Alice, of the Invercargill Mission, has had many fearful sights brought to her notice, but one which confronted her on a recent Sunday morning surpassed them all. Shortly before seven o'clock on this particular morning the telephone in her house rang, and she was informed that a man had been lying in her right of way. Together with two girls from a neighbouring house, she investigated, and found a man with his head fearfully cut, and with a badly-smaslied bicycle and broken luncheon case beside him. It was learned that the man, who was employed by the Railway Department, and who had left the railway yards shortly after midnight, had been struck by a car while cycling at a street intersection. After that, he remembered nothing, but it is surmised that the occupants of the ear lifted him into: the right of way, where he lay for six hours on a bitterly cold night. His head and face wero covered with iodine, and it is thought it was poured on the wound with a liberal hand by the driver of the car. After two years of a gradual decline in the number of cows under herd test in New Zealand, u definite move forward is expected this year, according to Mr. C. M. Hume, federation supervisor of herd-testing. In _an interview Mr. Hume said that farmers were now eager to test their herds, and, instead of having to be pressed to sign jjp as in the past, they were seeking the secretaries and testing officers and asking for membership forms. As a result of this keenness, Mr. Hume added, there should be an increase of from to 30,000 cows under test ■ghout 'the. Dominion, “and,” he ed," “in a few years it will be cult to find a dairy herd that is |Under test.” . As yet, however, ■ Zealand’s percentage of dairy I under test was still very small, f represented only 10.26 per cent, he total in 1931-32. New Zealand’s

population was steadily rising, and 1931-32 had reached 1,702,070,' giving Xew Zealand the distinction of being the only'country in the .world with a dairy cow. population that was greater than the human population.

Unusual scenes were' witnessed iu lianmer Springs last week when the 12-ineh water main-which serves the village and provides' the motive power to the lighting plant "froze up, and thawing operations entailed the digging ; of trenches and lighting of straw fires round frozen valves and. pipes. The chunks of ice were forced-through the • pipes when the pressure was released like a bombardment. The Queen Mary Hospital staff were employed up to a late hour and had a cold job in. getting the water-through, tile whole township supply being, cut completely off by the ice blockages. The pipes became blocked with ice again oa Friday, and the hospital power house - re-verted-to the HieseT plant-to maintain the power supply. . * - j

The Tdkapere, or beacon rock, at ilaketn, Bay of Plenty, which has been buried in the sand-for the last 26 years,, has been a source of great interest recently,- as it has become uncovered. - The rock is immortalised in ilaori history, as the Aruwa. canoe was made- fast to. it upon the arrival of I the canoe to those shores, and a short distance away a large boxthorn bush marks the spot where the canoe was drawn up on the. beach and where'the htaoris made their first encampment. It is said that at a later period a party. ■of hostile natives burnt the canoe. The cause of the rock being buried was the bursting of the banks of the Kaituna! River, in- 1907,-at Otaparia, about a j mile and a-half northward,' and the ! river bed silted up and the river changed its course. The rock before this stood in mid-stream at the estuary of the' river, and aa it was • under water at high tide a beacon light had been ■ j

Aa epidemic of wholesale poisoning of dofe and cats in South Invercargill recently has left the bereft owners of poisoned animals with a feeling of indignation at. the inhuman cruelty of some misguided person. Animals have been found dying in agony, leaving tlieir owners no option but to destroy them.

Pending the completion of certain negotiations now in progress between the manufacturers and the Government Cabinet has decided to extend the present subsidy of 8s lOd a ton on superphosphate. This announcement was made yesterday by the Acting Prime Minister, Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates. A statement that Japanese - collar* were on sale in Melbourne at 2s 6d a dozen, after all charges had been paid, was made by Senator Collings (Labour, Queensland), in a question in the Federal Senate at Canberra last week. British-made collars could not be sold in Australia for Ices than 9s a dozon, and local manufacturers were in an impossible position, Senator ‘Collings added. Hot, said that Japanese bicycles were for sale at 26s each, and perambulators at 4s 6d each, after all charges had been paid, and asked for a statement from the Government, defining its policy in regard to the dumping of Japanese goods. • Careless marking out of areas by men taking gold claims is often disclosed in cases that come before the Warden’s Court, says a West Coast newspaper. Even experienced miners have shown inaptitude in such matters with the result that they find somebody else jumping their claim,' and they are put to considerable expense. One applicant stated that lie had tied bogus papers ou pegs as a “blind.” •

“One statement 1 object to—a. statement that has become a sheltering rock for much muddle and inefficiency—is that NbTv Zealand is but a young country, ’ > said Mrs W. 11. Dixon during an address at the annual mothers’ and sone’ evening at Christchurch. “New Zealand was a young country once,’’ Mrs Dixon continued, “but it should be expected now to be showing signs of an intelligence usually associated with adults.”

A Marlborough farmer, Mr J. Casey, is recovering from a bad attack of poisoning which he contracted in an unusual way. Recently he was sowing a largo area in broad beaus and as he followed the drill he occasionally picked out a bean and chewed it. After some time he became ill and as alarming symptoms manifested themselves he consulted a doctor, whose diagnosis tvas poisoning. It was then found that the ibeans had been chemically treated for disease, and the preparation was apparently poisonous. At a meeting of the astronomical branch of the Otago Institute Mr J. C. Begg, speaking on what is known as “the shortest day,’’ said that it actually occurred here on June 22. One read in the Press from time to time that the shortest day was Juno 21, which was really a day in advance of the true date. The origin of the mistake was that in England the date, June -21, was probably correct, but Now Zealand time was in advance of Home time, and consequently the date here was one day later than in England. Mr Begg added that this was, as it were,, the turning point of the year, and it was right that the correct- date should bo known.

While touring the South isiuud in 1878 Mr J. E. Tomlinson, of Hastings, had the misfortune to lose a valued hook which contained cuttings from newspapers, etc., relative to the founding of Uruidism in New Zealand, and these cuttings formed a very valuable history of the movement. lie made every effort to find the hook, but was unsuccessful, so he naturally concluded that the hook was irretrievably lost. Last week, a parcel came to Mr Tomlinson from a place in the vicinity of Nelson, and when he found on opening it that it contained the long-lost, hook, his surprise can he better imagined than described. There was no accompanying note with the parcel to say whom it was from or to give any reason for it» return.

When a request for a donation of prize-money for electric cooking was received from tlie Otaki Horticultural Society by the Horowlieuua Power Board, the Chairman (Mr. G. A. Monk) said that for some time past the Board had made contributions of £2 2g .to suck societies in this district, but last year it made a reduction and granted the Levin Society £1 16. Seeing that the Board this year had bnrlgetted for a loss and was endeavouring to give back to the people as much as it could, there was reason why it shouid care for its funds as much as possible, though he recognised the advertising value of the cookery competitions. He moved that the sum of £1 Is be donated. The motion was sec'onded by Mr 13. Richards and carried.

One of the most sensational events to follotv tlie cessation of hostilities in the Great War occurred 14 years ago on Wednesday, when the ships comprising the German Fleet, interned at Seap'a Flow, were seuttled and abandoned by their crews. The only exceptions -ivere the battleship Baden and live light cruisers. The senior German officer, Bear-Admiral von Reuter, said he believed the Armistice had been terminated and he gave the order to scuttle the ships in pursuance of. orders given early in the’war that no German warship was to be surrendered. In the intervening years many feats of salvage have been performed in the course of raising the sunhen vessels.

A somewhat unusual ease came before Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Blenheim, when Olive Florence Gardiner xdeaded guilty to a charge laid by the tragic in: specter, Mr J. A. Laird, that, while she did not possess a driver’s license, she drove a motor car. The defendant made-a lengthy explanation, the substance of which was that the inspector had refused her a license, whereupon she consulted a doctor, who, informed her that she was fit to drive. He did not give her a certificate to -that effect,, however, but simply told her to-tel! the inspector, as his “word •word was as good as his writing” in -that quarter. Still the inspector refused to pass her, and as the doctor had. to!d her she was eapahle of driving she'had done so. “Bo you intend to issue a license?” asked the Magistrate. The inspector:., “ISo. sir.” The Magistrate informed the, defendant that that settled the matter, and she must not drive again. He would hot impose a fins, but she must not offend any more. “You understand it is a bargain—no fine and no ear 'driving,”,, he said.'- .'. -The defendant promised to abide by the undertaking. WoodsMlrßut Peppermint Ouxa