NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 32

NEWS IN BRIEF.

A salesman named George Augustus Pugh pleaded guilty at Wellington to a charge of fraudulently failing to account for sums totalling £5O on behalf of the Stevens relief fund. Stevens died, in distressing circumstances, leaving a„ widow and 10 young children destitute. The accused was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, A Motucka correspondent of the Marl-T borough Express reports that tho rasp- J berry season has been a flourishing one, but hops are not filling out sfs they should and the crop, is below the average, on account of rain. Apples are free from spot-»and the export is proceeding merrily, some good stuff being sent away. River pirates have made their appearance on the Avon 1 (states the Christchuich Sun). A raft that was launched recently was secured by a heavy chain and lock at a point opposite tho Baptist Church. A few hours later it was located some distance down the river, with a full pirate crew of youthful desperadoes. No captures were made, however, although the raft was retrieved. The raft was brought back and secured with a stouter lock and heavier chain. But it soon disappeared, and eventually was found nearly two miles _ down the river. It was then deserted.

“ Yes, motor cars are fine things for farmers, but they are also great time wasters," remarked a well-known Fordell farmer to a Wanganui Herald reporter. He went on to state that in olden days the farmers remained on their farms and worked, but nowadays a great deal of time was spent running about tiie country to clearing sales, etc. Before the days of motor ears, when a farmer made un his mind to go to town, lie had to catch the horse, and sometimes this proved to be an impossible task, so he abandoned the idea of making the trip and remained at home and worked.