LOCAL AND GENERAL

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9922, 2 May 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Be careful of your words. You may have to eat them later on.

German-made motor tyres are now being fitted to cars in Masterton.

A little girl carrying a tame opossum which clung to her neck with all the dependence of a pet cat, created much interest in the streets of Palmerston North on Thursday. The fin© fur and long bushy tail of the animal were stroked hv many who passed by.—Times.

Cabinet has agreed to pay the salary for three years of >a- qualified analytical chemist, who will have charge daily of the research laboratory, now to be established in ivjutli Taranaki, probably Hawera. The cooperative dairy companies of the district will find the equipment.

The Post Office staff deserve credit for the correct delivery of a letter which arrived from a Holland fine addressed, “Mr Agency Co.. Ltd., seedsman, Masterton, New Zecl, Australia.” The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., received the letter which was no doubt intended for them.

As the result of Mr Alpe’s selfimpcvsed task, a walk from New Plymouth to Wellington (accomplished in 20 days’ actual- walking, an average of 25 miles a day), the Barliardo Home Funds will benefit to th© extent of £251. This amount brings the sum collected by Mr Alpe for various funds up to, £3251.

Th© Carterton Borough Council decided to purchase a Dennis pump for fire-fighting purposes. The cost is £540 of which th© Brigade has undertaken to raise £IOO and th© borough will provide the balance by striking a special rate. Tt is oonsidtred that the pump will solve the water difficulty for fire purposes for some years to come.

A large attendance is expected at the householders meeting in Palhiatua on Monday evening to elect- a school committee for the ensuing year. The annual report will be presented, and addresses on the dental clinic and Plunket Building Fund will be given by Dr. Paterson and Miss Grocott. There are 20 candidates for nine seats on the committee.

For the intending motorist who has £2OO to spend a very nice Paige 5-seater car can bo procured from A. ami R. Donald’s. The car has been very carefully driven, is newly-paint-ed, lias a good set of tyres and is worth inspecting.*

The installation of Mayor and Councillors for the ensuing term will take place at the Borough Chambers on Wednesday evening.

The Farmers’ Union cull cow drive from the Martinborough district over the week-end. resulted in 123 animals being collected and driven to the Waingawa works for slaughter.

At the opening ot the Ohai Railway the Hon. J. G. Coates said that .the recent epidemic resulted m a loss of about 500,000 passenger fares and a drop in revenue ot about £IOO,OOO.

In the Magistrate’s Court at Masterton, Mr S. L. P. Free, S.M., nave judgment in tli© case in which the Inspector of Factories _ recently proceeded against the \\ airarapa Electric Power Board on a claim ot £lO for an alleged breach ot the award. The case was in connection with the work of an apprentice named Zillwood, of Carterton. After reviewing the ease. His Worship said a breach of the award had been proved, and the penalty would be £5 and costs.

An unusual case of illiteracy came under notice m the Arbitration Court at Auckland (states an exchange), that of New Zealand bora Caucasion. aged 49, who has neier been to school, and who, consequently, can neither read nor write. A curious feature in the matter, however, is that this illiterate person is able to sign his name. It was explained that as he was required to sign his employer’s pay-sheep every payday, and was sensitive on the question of exposing himself by making merely his mark, he had had himself schooled by a friend tracing his name.

A charge of cruelly beating a horse with an iron gaspipe was admitted by David M'Keown, a young man employed as a carter, in the Auckland Police Court. Senior-Sergeau,t Edwards stated that defendant was driving a horse when it refused to move. He hit it with the reins, and when it still refused he struck it on the neck with an iron gas pipe. The horse was felled and did not regain its feet until it was released from the vehicle. No doubt defendant lost his temper, but it was necessary to impress on him that horses must be protected. A fine of £2 and £1 Is costs was imposed.

Recently a taxi driver caught a boy in the act of removing electric light bulbs from his car, and immediately took the thief straight to the police station. As a result of a statement made two other youths were interviewed, and charges of theft followed against all three in tfie Juvenile Court, (says the Christchurch Star). The charges comprised theft of 49 ‘Nelson Lee’ detective stories, soft drinks, electric globes, a clock, and an electric motor, valued at £4. The ring-leader, described as a notorious little liar,” was placed on probation for three years, while the other two were each .admonished and discharged.