Untitled

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16210, 7 December 1926, Page 4

A short but very sharp earthquake was experienced in Napier at 1.25 o'clock yesterday morning. The Dunedin City Council have approved the plans as submitted by Mr. Mandeno of the proposed Town Hall building, and the architect has been authorised to complete the designs and call for tenders. Two of the outstanding features of the new building will b« a concert chamber planned to seat practically 900 and a town hall with a seating capacity of 2956. A motorist had an unenviable exexperience when motoring homo from Mosgiel to Middle-march in company with his wife and a lady friend. When endeavoring to cross the Shannon stream he discovered that water was covering his lamps. The occupants of the car were obliged to climb on top of the seats, and by means of a ladder and another car were later removed to dry land. Further progress was impossible, and the ladies spent the night in a nearby house.

Although there has been a great deal of wet weather this_year, the crops of oats on thci Poverty Hay flats are already ripening, and there will lie some good vields. A noticeable feature of many of the crops is the quality, and very heavy chaff should be cut from some of the* paddocks. Maize is also making good progress, and judging from some of the paddocks, thero should be very good yields. One farmer who has grown maize for manv years has recently adopted a new method and instead of planting the seed fairly close, leave? a space of at 'east 2ft 6in between each Jot of seed. This allows intereultivation to be carried out throughout the whole seftson, and gives a greatly increased yield.

"All prizes and no blanks" is the motto of the Wanganui City Council where ratepayers are concerned who have not attempted to pay their rotes. The first ballot of the season has taken place, and 20 ratepayers drew marbles which will entitle them to inspect the interior of the Court prior to closing down for Christmas holidays.

The formal opening of the season was celebrated by the Patutahi Tennis Club on Saturday afternoon, when there was a largo gathering "of members and visitors. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. it. Sherratt. A I'ankce tournament was held, which, owing to the numerous entries, was not completed'. In the evening an enjovabie dance was held in the Patutahi hall.

Curious happenings were the rule at a cricket match held at Wanganui recently (says the Chronicle). One Wellington batsman was put out in extraordinary fashion by a splinter of wood from Ins bat which was broken off by a fast ball from Bernau, the fragment dislodging one of the bajls. Another rai-e incident also occurred when a ff.edsman, tossing tho ball in to the wicketkeeper, hit one of the line of high-power lights strung across the ground. Fortunately the globe withstood the jolt. The present season has been ideal for luceine crops in Poverty Bay, and wonderful growth has been made recently. Although this crop will thrive in dry soils, it responds readily to plenty of rain, and some fine stands art) now to be seen on farms on the flats. It is apparent there will be a good surplus on many places during this montn, and farmers will be busy soon taking a cut and stacking some lucerne away for autumn feeding in case the weather should prove to be dry in the. New Year. •"?

Pupils in Sandard VI. in the schools throughout Hawke's Bay who have been successful in gaining certificates of proficiency or competency in the annual examinations include the following: lona College.—Proficiency : Joyce Ballingall, Topsy Bolt, Elsie Bridgman, Rachel Cottcrill, Joan Craig, Maisie Hammond, Merle King, Helen Miller, Sheila Wellwood. Competency: Lesley Elliott, Mary Powdrell, Bonnie Simson, Iris Small. Heretaunga. Proficiency : Murray Bell, Douglas Castle, James Coleman. Colin Hunter, Nigel Heed, Clifford Richmond, Adrian White. Competency : Leslie Annett.

Details of a drowning accident at the Public Works carnp at Tangarakau have been received. A little boy, Pat Duggan, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Duggan, was playing with other children on the bank of the river which runs at the hack of the married men's quarters, when he stumbled into the water, which was in high flood 1 at the time. His mother, hearing the children calling for help, hastened to the scene and made heroic efforts to reach him. Had it not been for the timely arrival of another woman, who, with great presence -if mind, pulled the mother out of the swift running river, in all probability there would have been a double tragedy. The child quickly disappeared. The body has not been recovered. The boy, who was about three years old, was one of a family of nine children.

Judgment by default was given for plaintiffs in the following undefended civil actions at the Magistrate's Court to-day: Allen Bros, and Johnstone v. William Cooper, £22 lis 7d, and costs £4 63 6d; Ruth Johnson v. Frederick Charles Murdoch", £1 19s 3d, and costs 8s 3d; Joseph Harold Onto v. Harry Higgs, £B, and costs £l 12s Gd; Evans I. Pevreal v. Pita Te Hau, £6 14s lOd, and costs £2 5s 6d; John' Wallace Nisbett v. Tartari Star, £6 0s Bd, and costs £1 14s 6d; Harold Kennedy v. William John Croskerv, £7 10s, and costs £1 10s 6d; Workers' Co-operative Society, Ltd. v. Alexander Smith, £2 17s, and costs £1 T>s 6d. In a judgment summons case B. Green was ordered to pay Baplev and Hart £9 lis 6d forthwith, in default nine days' imprisonment.

Of the many theories advanced as to the cause of the explosion at the Dobson mine the ono most accepted is that it had its origin in a defect in the electric installation. The Dobson mine, like other mines on the Brunner field, is described by miners as a gasometer. Miners state that when cutting out preparatory to firing shots in the Dobson mine, the sound of gas hissing can be heard like a steam engine. A reporter was told bv several of the miners that it was a common "thing for men to become dizzy and sick in the mine through gas fumes. When affected this way the usual course was to rush to the mouth of the drive for fresh air, which quickly restored them. Another old miner on the Brunner field stated that prior to the Brunner disaster, over 30 years ago, a common practice of miners was to flick the gas away with their coats before entering the working place. He expressed the opinion that the mines on the Brunner field required extra ventilation shafts on account of their gaseous nature.

. Good progress is being made with the important railway from Okaihau to Rangiahua, which passes through some splendid country, including the rich Waihou Valley. As the Waihou Valley is about 800 ft. below Ohaihau, a circuitous route has to be taken to get down to tho valley with a grade jjf I in 50. . For two miles past Okaihau station the new formation has been completed, and a light train linn has been laid for a further two miles. The main construction on this portion has been half finished, and the work further on is well in hand. Some of the country through which the railway has to go is of a difficult nature. At present three steam shovels and Ihi'co light locomotives are working on the. section and 215 men are employed. Tho engineer in charge is endeavoring to save the country from flipping by a systematic method of draining, which it is hoped will carry the water away from the worst places. A tunnel 140 ft long has been built under the- Okaihau-Ohaewai road.

There is a good deal of talk in Christchurch engineering circles concerning the methods adopted by an English steel firm or its agents (states tho Lyttelton Times). The representative of this firm called on many users of steel in New Zealand, soliciting orders for his firm's product. He had an attractive story to tell, and as a result of it a good many people consented to put through small trial orders. It is stated that in virtually every case in which orders were put through, the firm shipped quantities greatly in excess of the orders, and drew upon "the consignees through an English bank. One steel user states that the proposition submitted was a very attractive one, but in order to protect himself he took the trouble to write to the British Trade representative in New Zealand for information. He received in reply a non-committal letter containing a suggestion that New Zealand buyers in the. circumstances should exercisecaution. This buyer states that be received exactly eight times tho quantity lie ordered. His experience could be duplicated in a number of instances. The firms concerned are complaining that they have had dumped upon them quantities of steel for which they have no possiblo use. They have protested the bills, of course, but the experience has involved them in a great deal of inconvenience, apart from the unpleasant nature of tho inevitable correspondence.

—' : ; -3^» During Ofctober 4.48 in. of rain weiifl registered at Patutahi. With the exception of one fad of 230 points, it was spread over the period in useful showers. The Opotiki County Council has declined its permission for the use of county property for advertisinghoardings. A colored comedian named Murray in the Ferris Jazzland Revue company, was admitted to the Napier hospital seriously ill on Sunday, and died yesterday. An inquest will be held to-day. The Leonard White Shield for most points in stud classes at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show, has been won bj' J. A. Johnstone, of Bushcy Park, Otago, who gained 01 points. H. J. Andrew, of Maheno, vt&s second with, 83 points, five other exhibitors being fairly closes up. Damage done to the grandstand at the Oval during last week has been put down to school children of the primarygrades. The Poverty Bay Cricket Association lias requested the officials of the Schools Sports' Association to prevent damage to the appointments during the hours in which the use of the Oval is permitted to the association. At tho last meeting of the Opotiki County Council a letter was read from tho Valuer-General regarding the revaluation of the Opotiki County. It is stated that the Valuation Department was in receipt of many requests to revise the valuation, but the department could not see its way clear to do so at present. It hoped to have the new valuation ready by 1928, the rates to como into force on March 31, 1928. When the Royal visit was being dis- J cussed at the Nelson City Council meet- . ing,. the opinion was. expressed that it was asking tod much to expect the Duke and Duchess of Y'ork to go from Nelson tb Gre'ymbuth in one day with stoppages at Murchison, Reefton, and Westport. It was resolved that the attention of those responsible for the programme be drawn to the arduous day's journey mapped out for their Royal Highnesses. Lying just below the Peel street bridge, a new motor launch of attractive lines has been the object of some attention during the last few days. She is not to remain at Gisborne, however, having been built in Auckland for a Napier man. The vessel was brought down from Auckland by the s.s. Awahou, and will shortly be shipped to. Napier, where her engines will be installed.

home time ago a by-law was passed requiring cyclists to attach a red reflector to their bicycles when riding - at night. Already many of the cyclists in Gisborne, realising that it gives them extra protection; have carried the reflectors. It is the intention of the police and the traffic inspector to prosecute all those who ride cycles at night without reflectors, so that all cyclists should immediately have their cycles equipped.

The motor tractor graders now in use in the Poverty Bay district are doing good work. One of the Cook Countygraders is now at work along the main road to Ormonrt, and by going first down one side of the road and then down the other it is making a good job, and leaving an even surface. A considerable distance can be done each day, as the grader moves along at a good pace, and the fact that only one man is required for the work is another point in favor of this system.

Beef supplies are one© more becoming available in the district, ami the . butchers who had been forced fo go to the Bay of Plenty are now able to secure sufficient fat cattle in Poverty Bay to keep.them going. Several hundred fat bullocks were brought over a : few i months ago, and the last of these not yet been used. Butchers consider that they have lost heavily on. their beef sales during the last few months, but now that local beef is available once again they should pull up. It will bo another month before much prime stock is available.

That he thought there was sufficient money coming to him under his father's will to pay his debts in full was the assertion made by.. Frank Lockwood Holder, of Tolaga Bay, bankrupt, to a meeting of his creditors yesterday. The Deputy-Official Assignee, Mr. C. Blackburn, presided, and Mr. L. Parker appeared on the bankrupt's behalf, Mr. R. deß. Hovell, representing Dr. Rowley, 0? Otahuhu, and Spence Bros 1 . Tolaga Bay. Under examination bankrupt attributed his failure to a lengthy period of unemployment, and the meeting was adjourned: sine die.

Although the weather has been unsettled recently, farmers on the Poverty Bay flats have been haymaking, and many good stacks are how in evidence. in one or two paddocks cut just before the week-end the hay seems to have deteriorated to soke extent, but some fine paddocks of grass arc now ready for harvesting. Yesterday farmers were busy in tho paddocks and during the remainder <>£ the week many excellent crops of hay will be gathered. The quality of tho pasture leaves little* to be desired, for clover is very thick this season, this being especially the case in topdressed paddocks.

The Church of England vestry at Gisborne are taking vigorous steps to introduce the duplex system of finance into the parish. Meetings this week are being held in the suburbs to advance the initial step. Ola. Monday evening hexs at 8 o'clock there will be a mass meeting at the Parish hall in Derby street, c to organise effectively the movement and io put it upon the best, lines, as so fully explained by its founder. Captain Watson, when recently he visited Gisborne. The principle shortly put is to place the cost of running the church and more fully aiding its mission and! social work in the outer world, systematically, upon all parishioners in small amounts, and doing away with all present methods of raising money, which are so costly, both of time and money, to all the workers engaged in them. It also does away with all financial considerations in public worship, the church services being wholly freed from offertories. Public worship becomes really free to all without cost of any kind.

The Loyal Gisborno Lodge 6087, M.U., met last night. In the absence of N.G. *H. T. Sinden the chair was taken by Bro. V. Rothwell, I.P.N.G. The first business was the initiation of candidate, after which the installation of officers took place, the presenting Bras. Cook and McKay, P.G.'s. presenting Sister P. Williamson, as N. 0., Bro. A. W. Lister V.G., Sister M. Robb E.S.s Bro. C. Petersen P.G. warden. The installation odo was then rendered, after which congratulatory speeches were made by several Past Grands, the newly-installed officers replying. . The sick visitors' report was lighter than for many months. The year just closed had the heaviest sickness experienced since tho lodge opened. Several visiting members were present, representing Svdney and England, and other parts of New Zealand. A letter from the Hospital Board was received, extending to the sick visitors Bro. F. J. Clavton, P.G., and Bro. G. A. Holmes. P.G., special privileges, and asking that the rules in regard' to the number at a patient's bedside be specially observed.