OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 4

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Taranaki is disputing Masterton’s claim to possess the slowest trains in the Dominion. The area of land opened for selection in New Zealand during the present month comprises 26,249 acres. The Moana, which left Wellington on Friday. April 19, for Sydney, took 303 passengers —129 saloon and 174 steerage. A young man has disappeared from Masteuton, behind him cheques which do not represent cash, says the Age. Speaking at Eketahuna, Mr J. G. Wilson, president of tho New Zealand Farmers Union, stated that tho dairy herds of New Zealand ,oould be increased in value by £60,000 if a universal system of individual testing were adopted. A Pohonui correspondent reports an unfortunate sequel to a picnic, several guests being affected by ptomaine poisoning. The sendees of a Taihape doctor were summoned by nine households. All the sufferers are now out of danger. Mr H. B. Sorenson, Danish Consul at Christchurch stated! at the meeting of Norwegians tliat the Scandinavians resident in Canterbury were as follows: —Norwegians 102, Swedes 108, Danes 183. The majority of them were farmers and prosperous men. An idea of the bountiful provision made for the Territorials at the camp in Taranaki is given by the fact that one hungry corporal is reported to have eaten no fewer than 13 sausages at tho first meal, fo say nothing of about half a loaf of new bread. Despite the fact that the New Zealand Boxing Council’ lost year sent a team to the Australasian Championships at Brisbane—a long and expensive journey—that body has a credit balance of £lO4 13s 7d. which tho annual report considers very satisfacThrcshing operations have commenced in the district (says the Tuapeka Times). Great difficulty is, however, being experienced in getting men, and the farmers, where convenient, are assisting each other. The returns promise well, though m many instances the grain will not be of so bright a colour as in former years. . An unfortunate sequel to a picnic held at a rural centre in Rangitikei (says the Auckland Star) is that several guests have been laid up with ptomaine poisoning, the services of a doctor having to be requisitioned' by no fewer than nine householders. The sufferers are reported as likely, to reaccident, fortunately resulting in no loss of life, occurred at a sawmill at Ovvhanga, West Taupo. It appears that the head bushman was superintending the hoisting of a log when the wire rope broke and struck him on the chest, knocking him over a cliff 20ft high and causing such injuries to his chest and head as to lead to serious apprehensions as to his safety. Ho was taken to Taihape for medical treatment. ... Five hundred and thirty men were assisted to obtain work by tho Labour Department last month-350 being sent to private employment and 180 to Government works. Of this number 154 were newcomors from Groat Australia, and the balance were New Zealanders. In the same period 171 women were assisted by the department’s female officers. Forty of these were married women. In the course of the hearing of a maintenance case at the Auckland court last month the solicitor for'tho husband mentioned that a betting book of the wife shewed a credit of about £I2OO two years ago. He questioned the wife about tho matter, but she stated that a lot of entries were not in her handwriting. She admitted that about four years ago she got j one dividend of £SO and another of £29 ! at the races. A narrow escape from a drowning fatality occurred at Rotorua on Easter Monday. A party, including a number of Wairarapa people, was doing tho lake trip, and while admiring tho scenery an Auckland lady fainted and fell into the lake, face downward. Mr S. R. Edwards, of Maaterton, pluckily jumped in and pulled the lady our, to dry ground. A trained nurse was present, and it took her over half an hour o bring the lady round 1 . Mr Phillips-Tumer (inspector of sconio reserves) accompanied by members of tho Wyndham Town Board visited Munro’e Bush, on the banks of the Mimihau Stream, which really includes portions of Messrs Beane’s and Piercy’s properties as well as that of Mr Munro. Tho locality (says the Mataura Ensign) is a bcatuiful one. and the idea has been held for some time that it should be acquired as a scenic reserve. Mr Turner will report to tho Minister. At tho last meeting of the Provincial Executive of the New Zeala id Farmers’ Union, held at Hawera, the following motion was carried : —“ That the executive recommends to the branches that, as tho employment of travelling machinery agents must necessarily increase the cost, and as they take up a great deal of the fanners’ time, it would, be in tho interests of purchasers to send orders direct to the manufacturers instead of deaing with the travelling agents.” “ Tho feeling in the country is distinctly good,” remarked tho Prime Minister (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) to a New Zealand Times representative, when asked his impressions of nif Taranaki trip. “ I could

gather from what was said by people of all shades of political opinion that they considered that my work w r ould make for steady progress on safe lines j that the country desired practical work now, and less theorising; and they were prepared to give the party that would’ adopt these methods a chance to carry them out. Mr and Mrs Holden, of Gisborne, whilst in a launch on Lake Waikaremoana, and rounding a headland into the Waikarenioana Strait, had an extraordinary experience with a deer (says the Gisborne correspondent of the Press). As the launch rounded she crossed the path of a fine stag making his way across to the western side of the arm. The launch got so close to him that Mr Turner at one time held him 'by the horns for a brief period. He then turned back to the side from which he stalled, and swam away. As a rule intoxicated persons are not particular about the places they select as retreats for the purpose of sleeping off their stupor, but the spot selected by a Napier wharf labourer was uncanny to a degree. A new hearse which arrived for the British Empire Stables was standing on the wharf for some time, ready for shipment by the s.s. Ripple. When the vehicle was being hoisted the workmen were attracted by a noise in the hearse, and on investigating discovered a man inside. He had. shut himself inside to have a sleep, and l ' narrowly escaped a trip to Gisborne. An interesting and unlooked-for find was made in Messrs Kirk and Oo.’s wool store on Friday (says the Southland Times). A bale of wool was being unpacked, and deep down in it one of the employees discovered a hen’s egg snugly ensconced' among the fleeces. The explanation as to how it got there is fairly obvious. The bale must have been standing partially filled, and an impatient hen evidently seized the opportunity to do the duty eocpected of it. The egg must have been in this unusual nest since November last, but when opened for inspection it was quite fresh, the wool evidently possessing preservative qualities. • An interesting point has cropped up in connection with the arrangement for the banquet to be tendered to Sir Joseph Ward, M.P., on his return from Australia (says the Southland Times). The chairman of the committee which has the arrangements in hand has reported to his committee that he has been advised that in the event of intoxicating liquor being supplied, and a charge for admission being made, it would be, on strict interpretation of the law, a breach of the Licensing Act, and the committee would lay itself open to action. The chairman (Mr W. A. Ott) pointed out that it would be possible for the committee to purchase a quantity of liquor and supply it at the banquet. This course, however, was negatived by the committee, and it was decided to make tho affair of a strictly temperance character. During tho hearing of a maintenance case at tho S.M. Court, Auckland, on Friday the solicitor for tho defendant handed in accounts to show that a husband in receipt of £3 per week salary had received from various firms in the city accounts for clothes for his wife which totted up to quite a big sum in a few months. One dress, which cost £ls 15s. tho wife explained was for a ball at Wellington. Then there was £3 3s for a silk blouse, and for costumes £7 17s 6d and £4- 140 fid, and another at (he same figure. There was an account for a sac suit at £5, which Ifie husband said was not for himself, but a relative of his wife. There was also a bill for £5 for tho hire of a motor launch, which money the husband said he had already given his wife, who also collected £2 10s from those in the party. There were also accounts for motor cars.