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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16340, 14 May 1927, Page 4

The Federal Government is arranging the establishment of a Commonwealth judiciary and police force at Canberra. Despite the new body duties, only 298 out of 3603 ears imported into the Dominion in the first quarter of 1927 came without bodies attached.

The condition of Mr. Frank McCarten, 74, was reported to be still serious to-day. Mr, McCarten is the man who was knocked down by a car. in Gladstone road on Thursday evening, sustaining serious injuries.

A charge of stealing the sum of £6, the property of Walter Brodie, was preferred against Brodie’s room-mates, William John Toomey, 39, and George Scott, 38, i,n the Police Court this morning. It was alleged that the theft was committed yesterday, the two acucsed being arrested last night. Ob the application of the police, The accused were remanded to appear next week.

The recent substantial reductions in the prices' of several classes of fertilisers has resulted in an exceptionally heavy demand from all parts of the North Island. All factories havo been fully employed for the last three or four months. There are exceptionally large bookings for forward delivery, but stocks are reported to be fully equal to the demand. —Special.

As is the case with most exhibitions, a little petty thieving has been detected by the officials at the Poverty Bay Winter Show. It is noticed that there are occasional empty places in the exhibits whore small articles havo been removed. It is reported that one person was caught bv a Show official, who administered a warning. Any further offenders will be handed over to the police. Though the native display in connection with the Jubilee was not publicly associated witfh Lady Carroll, it was largely due to her influence that the Maori" participation was arranged on so comprehensive and successful ft scale. Much of the characteristic native decoration of the canoes used in the procession was directed by Lady Carroll, who undertook the supervision of the Maori contribution to the festivities with all her wonted energy. *

While proceeding from Feildtng along San don road in the direction of Wanganui, a five-seater car, containing two persons, turned a complete somersault on a perfectly level piece of road. Tho car landed on its hood and windshield, which collapsed, pinning the occupants underneath. The car approached too close to a small ridge bordering the roadway and, the front wheels locking, the rear of the car lifted, with the result described. The damage to the car was extensive and the driver was badly out about, the hands and arms. lie received attention from nearby residents.

A Maori woman and child were nearly burned to death at the Mahia through a raupn whore catching fire, writes our Morere correspondent-. A very profitable Easter holiday was spent by a Dunedin man. While walking along one of the less frequented beaches just out of Dunedin he came across some material which, from his seafaring experience, he recognised as ambergris. In all, nearly a pound of the precious material was found, and at the value of approximately £4 per once this represents a tidv sum.

The attention of Wigram Aerodrome pilots is occupied with preparations for aerial photographic surveys, which will shortly be made in various parts of the country. The new D.H. 50 machine, which arrived last March from England, will be used principally for this work. The final setting-nj) of the machine has not yet been completed owing to minor delays. Captain Taliu Rhodes and Mr. G. Wilcox are attending the aerodrome for instruction in flying.

“Business in Dunedin has been much better during the past month than for a long time,” said a city business man to a reporter. He referred to the general dullness of trade throughout New Zealand, but, was firm in the opinion that a great improvement had taken place in Dunedin since early in April. “A meeting cf business men was unanimous in this most cheerful statement, ’’ he added. ‘•While, in the north, there seems to be little improvement, Otago’s, capital appears to be steadily leaving the depression ’

, Strawberry planting is 1 at present occupying tlie-attention, of a large number of Auckland growers at Birkdale, Birkenhead, ‘‘ Nor.thcote, ' and RoSkill. Nearly 200 men and women are engaged in preparing the crops which will bear fruit in about five months’ time. Few people know that Auckland grows more strawberries for marketing than nil the other producing centres in New Zealand put together. There are over 1000 persons exclusively engaged in picking at the height of the season. Nest to Auckland, Nelson yields the greatest number of berries, but these are more suitable for jam-making than .the table. —Special.

The property long held by Mr. Robert Mcßrc-tney, situated at Waerenga-a-lnka. has changed hands, the purchaser being Mr. James Davies. This place has historical memories attached to it- in connection with the Maori troubles of the old Poverty Bav days. It Was the turning point- of the local native rebellion. There was a pa there erected by the Maoris and they were strongly entrenched, and for some time could not tie dislodged. The only way to take it was to assume an offensive, then retreat, and by these means the natives were induced to come out and follow the retreating British, while another-force got m through the lagoon behind and fired the place. When the natives discovered this and the fires they got away in all directions and practically ceased resistance.

Reports from Tolaga Bay indicate that the dairy herds show good condition. while the mature sheep are also doing well. In common with other districts, feed is plentiful. The mature sheep are fattening well, but the lambs, after a setback received during the wet weather at Christmas .time, have remained practically at a standstill. Practically no losses are reported on the hill country, and the past week of wet weather does not. appear to have made their condition any worse, but no progress is being made. The super-abund-ance of feed has caused the younger animals to scour badly, and while this condition lasts little improvement can be expected. The dairy herds have seldom been seen in better condition.

A Japanese deer which surpasses any over shot in the Dominion on all j oints and which is thought to be a world’s'record fell to the gun of an Auckland sportsman during a shooting trip to the Kaimanawa Ranges during the Easter vacation. The Japanese deer are very scarce in New Zealand, and as far as can be ascertained only three have been shot since they were released 20 years ago. They are somewhat smaller than the ordnary red deer, and bedong to the Sika family. A distinctive feature of these deer is that they lack the bey tine on the antlers. The color is dark-brown, with light colored spots. Very little is known about the deer, but it is acknowledged that they grow to a greater size in New Zealand than in their native country.

Tlie re are exceptions to the rule, even with cats. An Auckland educationist, who lives at Herne Bay, has a jet-black cat which was born at sea seven years ago. In its early days (says the Star), puss used to follow tne hose round when the decks were being washed down, and evidently got accustomed to having water sprayed upon her. Now, with its shore life, puss misses tho ways of the seas, and has the practice of sitting outside the bathroom door every morning and meowing plaintively. When one of the family turns on the shower tiie cat sits in the bath and purrs witn delight. So fond is the cat of cold wafer that it is often found sitting in one of the washtubs enjoying a cold bath with just as much relish as a sea lion at the Zoo. Otherwise it is quite a normal Ponsonby cat, a friend of the family, and a fiend to any other of its tribe that scales the back fence.

The day when the motor-car will have a roadway solely for its own use was visualised in Wellington by Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, 8.M., as a probable solution of the modern traffic problem. Presiding at an inquest, the circumstances of which related to an accident on the Hntt road, he remarked that the mixed traffic problem was becoming an extremely difficult one. There were all sorts of tratlic—tramcars, cycles, motorcycles, motor-ears, horse-drawn traffic, and pedestrians—and the question was whether the day was not coming when motor-cars would be diverted to a road of their own. ‘ln Christchurch, for instance. he said, “where there are so many roads converging, there are hundreds of narrow escapes, and pedestrians have to watch the speed of cycles, horses and motors, and while looking out for hieii speeding vehicles are swept off their feet by slower moving traffic."

Tbe old cry of “Hold your horse, Sir?” has evidently given place to “Watch vour car, Sir?” It was stated at the meeting of the Wellington Automobile Club that a man had undertaken the task of watching motorists ’ cars at night. He did not levy a stipulation fee, but accepted donations. The employment of a regular man by the club was discussed, but it was pointed out. that in that case the association might make itself responsible for such cars. It was stated that so long as the man mentioned did not ask for money the City Council could not prevent him from watching motorists’ cars. Several members said they had made use of his services, and thought his watch reliable. “Docs he become responsible for the loss of the cars?” iasked a member. “Not at all,” he was assured. “Wo must, do something,” said another member. “Cars are disappearing off the street every day in the week. Eighteen ears were reported stolen in a week in Auckland.” rt. was decided to find out the legal responsibility (if any) the clnb would incur by putting on its own watchman.

The attendance at. the Poverty! Bay Winter Show was well maintained yesterday afternoon and last evening, about 1500 people gaining admission. There was no congestion as on the previous \ night. Up to last night approximately/ 5500 people had visited the Show. fi The new Mayor of Wellington, l Mir. G. A. Troup, has invited the members of the City Council and officials to attend divine service at St. John’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday toojnmgi at ll o’clock. The preacher will be the Rev. J. Blanchard.

In the course of his remarks urging the need for the revaluation of the Egmont County (says the Taranaki News), a councillor said that quite a quantity of land that was standing bush at the last, valuation was now “standing blackberry.” Cracks have developed in the new concrete surface on the Great North Road from Auckland. The cracks are in the section running through Avondale Borough. The Auckland city engineer’s department-, which built, the road, say that all roads, even concrete, require mending from time to time. Prospective settlers in New Zealand are Captain L. E. Gregory, of the Indian Army, and Mrs Gregory, who have arrived at Auckland from Sydney. Captain Gregory is on extended holiday leave, and it is his intention to resign his commission and, if he is pleased with New Zealand, to come back here and take up farming.

In 1889, with other members of the Defence Force, Mr. S. H. Spiers; Napier prison controller, who has. just, retired on superannuation, was sent to Gisborne, where he assisted in the arrest oC the notorious Te Kooti. Uf his adventures and experiences on this trip Mr. Spieis bus written the well known work,".‘fTe Kooti’s Last, Stand.” ■ ! •’ * ■ -, *' :

To facilitate fire-fighting on high buildings at night, the Christchurch Fire Board authorised Brigade Superintendent O. Warner to purchase a searchlight at an approximatecost of £2O. The searchlight will Be fitted to. a tripod, and will Be used in conjunction with the extension ladder, principally to assist the firemen when working in dangerous positions. Remains of old jetties and the sunken roots and branches of pohutukawas are often struck while excavating for -the foundations'of buildings along the line of Auckland’s original waterfront. On the site of a new building, which is being commenced Between Anzac Avenue and Emily Place, a number of old stringers and wharf timbers were unearthed recently in. good condition. They have a wonderful wireless system in the Ohakune-Raetihi district. No matter what hour Inspector Fear arrives at night at Ohakune in quest of speeders, all the taxi drivers in the district know before breakfast that the inspector is in the locality. The other night one driver was speeding to Marton and had an Ohakune resident on board. The latter remarked that the driver was taking a ri«k of being caught by the inspector. “Not at all,’’ he replied. “He is on his way to Ohakune. ’’

As the result of the interest aroused by the recent- search for the two missing Hampers, this being- the third time on which relief parties have had to go out from Levin, a large and enthusiastic puWic meeting decided to form a club to improve the access fo the Tararua mountains from Levin, and to give information and advice to intending trampers and mountaineers, to protect the native forest and bird life, and to foster interest in natural history. Sixty active members were enrolled, and the work of improving the tracks into the ranges is to be undertaken as soon as details., are arranged.

Stating that it was knpwn that boats drawing up to 24 and 2aft. could come into the breakwater harbor when they were allowed to, Mr J. Vigor Brown yesterday asked at a meeting of the Napic-r Harbor Board why some of these boats had to berth in the bay. The chairman told Mr Brown to give notice of motion on the matter. Mr ;P. .P. Higgins rose to speak on. the matter, but was told by the chairman that no discussion could be allowed tijl tbe notice ofv motion came up. Mr J. J. Langridge intimated that he would give notice to ask at the next meeting why boats drawing 13ft did not go to the inner harbor, but went to the breakwater, “where." he said, “we lose money on them." The warning cry of an onlooker saved Mr. B. O’Brien from almost certain death at the railway crossing at Opunake on Tuesday. Mr. O’Brien was driving a fivc-scatcr motor-car along Ibaia road as tho Opunake branch train was approaching. Tho erics from a man in a cart, when the motor car was about 14 yards from the line, caused the driver to realise his position. Ho twisted the .wheel and crashed into the engine, his car striking the rod on tho locomotive aiid being thrown into a ditch at the side of the road. The vehicle wa3 extensively damaged, although the windscreen was not broken. Mr. O’Brien escaped with a shaking. The connecting rod on the engine was bent and -the train was delayed for some time. “I don’t wish to be unjust nor to take anyone by surprise,, hut I intend to increase fines for pillion-riding after June .1,” said Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M.-, in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court. “I don’t care twopence whether pil-lion-riding is perfectly safe or not. My only consideration is that it is against the" by-laws, and so long as it is so I will-inflict fines, which will, he increased next month.” Thcso remarks followed on a statement by the chief traffic inspector, Mr. H. Macintosh, that the practice of pillion-riding did not appear to be decreasing. Mr. Macintosh added that almost every morning the newspapers reported someone having been hurt in a coßiSiom The flat roads of Christchurch- lent themselves to the practice, and that was one of the reasons why the restraining by-law had been The Magistrate said: All nght. we will harden things up a bit. Mr S H. Spiers, who has just retired from 'the control of the Napier prison, is not in favor of the present New Zealand system of prisons, being of the opinion that the treatment accorded the wrongdoers is too lenient. He stated to a pressman that the present system with its ultra humanitarianism, is too good for the men, and tends not to deb crease crime, but perhaps to have the opposite effect. That crime is on the increase there was, to his mind, no doubt, and lie quoted figures to show that since he took charge at Napier the yearly number of prisoners handled at the gaol had increased from 140 to 220, in addition to which there are now large numbers of lawbreakers out on probation that were not in the old days. Mr. Spiers could not say whether the increase in crime and the number of prisoners was due to the leniency of the prison system, or just a reflex of the increase in population, but he hinted that he would probably have something interesting to say on this point when he returns after studying contemporary systems in Australia." He expressed a definite opinion, however, against tbe probationary system, which he stated was too costly to work in response for whatever good it did.