OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 41

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Pheasants are reported to be very numerous in the country districts in the neighbourhood of Tauranga, and have worked havoc amongst many of the crops of maize, pulling the young- plants right out of the ground for the purpose of getting at the grain. In some instances the pheasants' depredations have compelled farmers to plant* their maize crops three times. Before he left for the war Private O. W. Childs, formerly assistant linotype engineer with the Dominion, was presented by the Dominion companionship with a safety razor outfit in a particularly solid case. While ho was in action an enemy bullet penetrated the case of the outfit, but did not get any further. The outfit has been returned to New Zealand, and its condition appeal's to he clear evidence that it was a means of, saving its owner's life. The price of second-hand corrugated galvanised iron roofing has declined eomcwnafc since the armistice was signed, (says the N.Z. Herald). . A lot of 200 sneets marked with nail holes was submitted to auction by an Auckland firm of auctioneers on Friday afternoon, and the prices realised were from 53 to 7s od a length, as compared with 9* 6d a length upwards about two months ago. Before the war second-hand roofing iron sold at about 3s 6d a length. At the conclusion of a case heard at the Ash burton Magistrate's Court last week (says the Guardian), in which the defei dant was, charged with offensive behaviour in a railway carriage, the Magistrate remarked that there was far too much drinking going on in trains. Travelling go much, ho Raw for himself the extent to which this undesirable practice was being carried out, and in- any cases of this kind that came before him he would make the fines very stiff. The Vacuum Oil Company Pty. paid to all the company's permanent employees in Australia and New Zealand a bonus at Christmas equal to one month's salary for a complete year of service in 1918, or a pro rata sum in the case of those employees who served less than 12 months. This was the third of the Christmas bonuses granted by the company. They' were instituted to recognise the loyal service given by the employees, and also to assist ' the recipients to meet the higher ccst3 of living in the war period, and have not taken the place of salary increases, which havo been provided each year for that purpose. Tile Vacuum Oil Company has made provision for pensions being paid to aged employees, and hag also put into operation a plan under which the dependents of deceased employees receive financial grants, the amount being determined by the length of service and the position that was held by the deceased employee.

* The first Government House for Auckland was built in London, in 1840, and sent out in sections, to be erected there. To iho<w how much was really understood at that time of conditions in Now Zealand,

every room was provided with a stove. This houso, which cost £2OOO, was destroyed by firo in 1848, when tho then Governor, j Sir Goorg© Grey, lost all his goods eavo the I library.