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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16623, 16 April 1928, Page 6

Through the collapse of the front forks of the cycle which he was riding in Gladstone road on Saturday evening, a young man, Gordon Lasky, was thrown heavily, and sustained severe lacerations of the face.

A fire occurred in the drapery emporium of Milne and Choyeo, Ltd., Auckland, on Saturday night. The brigade confined the outbreak to the packing and despatch departments. The damage has not been estimated, hut it is not believed to be extensive.—Pi A'.

An impudent theft is reported by Mr. C. Brock, Lower Hunter road, Eltham On entering his garage he was amazed to find his car, minus its wheels, resting on blocks. A glance was sufficient to apprise him of the reason for the unexpected condition of the car—three balloon tyres had been stolen. A kit of tools vra.s also missing. Mr. Brock estimates his loss at about £4O.

A number of Qisborne entrants at the Napier Competitions Festival, held last week, were asked to contribute items to the demonstration programme, which concluded the festival. Their contributions included a pianoforte duet by Misses P. and M. Qunn, a solo by Miss' P. Gunn, elocutionary efforts by Misses Eirene Halbert, Hilda Morse, and Stella Bradfield, a character duet by Misses Sliarpe and Sexton, a costume song by Miss Sexton, a fairy play by Miss EX. Hooper's pupils, and dances by Miss Phyllis McOie and John Thoday.

The Napier Girls' High School is represented at tho Hoyal Drawing students' exhibition in London, N r . liobson, B. Morling, and P. Oxford all being grouped first-class'. Any houses recently erected at Ratana have been modelled on the latest bungalow style. It is the intention to pull down . some of the old buildings and remodel them so as to bring them up-to-date. Mr. L. B. Beale, New Zealand Trade Commissioner, who recently arrived in is giving the people of New Zealand a glowing testimony. "In all my wanderings," he said the other day, '• I havo never come across a happier people than those in New Zealand, due largely to the geographical position and climatic conditions, hut also to their love of education and their culture. Their schools and universities will compare favorably with those of any other country."

One of the most consistent competitors in local sheep-dog trials is Mr. B. King, whose dog Waif has scored numerous successes during tho current season. On Saturday he was awarded the handsome cup presented by Mrs. A. W. Spence- for tho local competitor at the Waingake, dog trial meeting with the most successful team of three, one in each class. This'is the second occasion on which the cup has been won by Mr. King, and the trophy therefore becomes his own property. His team comprised Flirt, Waif and Joe.'

No doubt in order to remind motorists who had not renewed their driving licenses that it was quite time that this was dorie, a raid was carried out in Ormond road on Saturday night by the police and the borough traffic inspector. Large numbers of motorists were stop= ed, and it is understood that some will he'appearing.-.before tho court during the week for failing to reveal licenses for the current year. It is also understood that others "will bo appearing for alleged failure to comply with other sections of the motor traffic regulations. An impressive, ceremonial took plaoe in St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, last evening, when the newly-established centre of Toe. H presented its lamp to be dedicated by Archbishop Averill. A short, service, was held in which the members pledged themselves to keep the lamp burning in memory of their fallen comrades in the Great War and to maintain the high ideals of service, that Toe H stands for, after which the Archbishop solemnly dedicated the lamp and delivered a stirring sermon on the subject of the Toe H movement. A large number of returned soldiers were present at the church, and entered heartily into tho service, the singing of the hymns by a large body of male voices being most impressive.

A party consisting of Messrs. J. Mowlem, T. Sneddon, D. V. Hanna, H. Wafkinson and F. Ibbotson, fishing from the Naomi and Virginia, enjoyed excellent sport with the big fish at Mayor Island during the holidays. Messrs. Ibbotson and Sneddon each landed a swordlish, white Mr. Hanna secured a mako shark weighing 1451 b. The swordlish turned the scales at 2801 b. and 2351 b. respectively, and gave a wonderful display. A mako shark, estimated to weigh about 5001 b. was hooked by Mr. Hanna, and after a great fight succeeded in breaking the line. As only four hours were taken to secure the catch above recorded, it is apparent that fish are still plentiful in those waters. The party secured a good catch of hapuku and other smaller fish. Koad hogs, devoid of any sense of the reciprocal courtesies usually observed by travelling motorists, are still in evidence on tho main roads (states the Napier Telegraph). A Napier motorist travelling on the Napier-Taupo section of the Auckand road had an unenviable experience at the hands of ono of these, being forced right off the road and down a bank by another car driver, who poached the major part of the road space 111 passing him. The offender passed with simpry a laugh and offered no assistance to" those he had put to such inconvenience. The Napier motorist, in whose car were ladies and children, was left stranded down the bank miles from any help, and had no little difficulty in putting his machine back on the road again.

A milk-float, tools, a carpenter's bench and a quantity of other smaller items were consumed by fire on Saturday evening at the premises of Mr. C. Johnston, Hansen road, Hexton. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston returned home from town at about 9.30, and found the barn at the rear of the house ablaze, and so far destroyed that efforts to prevent the loss of the contents_ were useless. There was some help available from neighbors and passers-by, and the flames were prevented from spreading to other buddings on the property, but the damage in the barn was estimated at £IOO. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. When. Mr. Johnston left for town at about 5.30 everything was safe, and a little later his son found no traco of fire when he brought some kindling wood from the shed. There was no insurance on the building or contents.

A reply to the complaint that Otago had been "left out in the cold" in the allocation of the Moth aeroplanes which are to be purchased by the Government, was made by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. ,T. Rollcston, in Wellington on Friday. "In reference to the statement from Dunedin that the Government undertook to assist aero clubs, when formed, there is no record of this, nor of any promise made to the Otago Aero Club," said the Minister. "The Defence Department has no official information as to the membership of the club, nor has it approved its flying instructors. Further, there is no aerodrome in Dunedin, and no' ground has been approved in that locality for use in connection with flying training. Tho reason for limiting the assistance immediately to Auckland and Ohristchurch was because of the aerodromes and equipment already established at these centres. The application for assistance from the Otago Club will certainly be considered. I have arranged," added Mr. Rollcston, "to meet a deputation from the Aero Club and the Expansion League in Dunedin next week.',' .

Mr. 0. V. Church presided over a well-attended meeting of the Poverty Bay Poultry, Pigeon and Cage Bird Association.* A subcommittee was set up to arranre for tho printing .of the schedules and toata.logues. . Adverse comment was made on tho fact that the publication looked upon as the official journal of tho New Zealand Poultry Association w.ns now printed in Melbourne, and that the contents were almost, wholly Australian. It was decided to take up the matter with the parent b.odv. It was resolved to draw the North 'island Poultrv Association's attention to the fact that Mr. W. Hndwin's name had been omitted from the official judges' list, and that of Mr. «R. J. Poswillo wa.s showing in the utility section only instead of. both the utility and fancy poultry sections. Mr. Johnson,' of Gtsborne, [was appointed to judge the, canary classes, .and Mr. W. B. McKenzie, *of Wellington, was selected to judge all pigeon classes. Mr. McKenzie, who has officiated in Gisborne on former occasions, is well and favorably known throughout the Dominion, and lecal pigeon fanciers consider themselves fortunate in securing the services of such a'"competent judge. No doubt many of the old fanciers s.tiiJ' harbor happy recollections of past visits of this gentleman.

The extension of tho training wall at, the entrance to tho Wangariui harbor has already shown satisfactory results, depths inside the mole showing a substantial increase.

On the application of Mr. Dawson E. Chrisp, probate has been granted by Mr. Justice MacOregor in the estate o! the late Mr. 0. E. Armstrong to Mrs. C. S. Armstrong; and in the estate of the late Mr. Douglas Mellor, to Mr. W. Allen, of Gisborne. "There are great commercial possibilities in the export oiJ eels," said Mr. C. A. Whitney, retiring president of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, at the annual meeting. "Millions of eels go down the rivers every year to the sc'a. Why should wb not send smoked or frozen eels to England, where they would command high prices?" Mr. Whitney said the society should consider engaging in such an undertaking so that additional funds would bo available for stocking tho rivers with fish.

The new administrator of Samoa, Colonel S. S. Allen, is not disposed to be communicative regarding the present situation in Samoa, or the policy to be carried out under his administration. "It is impossible for me to make any statement on the question," he said, when interviewed in Auckland. Questioned as to tho length of his term of office, he remarked that " that remains to bo seen." Colonel Allen will soil for Samoa by the Toflta on April 21, and will be, accompanied be Mrs. Allen and Family.

A novel definition of the word "farm," which, on account of tho fact that _ a careful search in the dictionaries fails to confirm it, must be regarded as. ynoflicial, was given by the host.when the party of Canterbury farmers visited the estate of a, Southland farmer. He. said : '•' A farm is a piece of land entirely sui' : \ rounded by mortgages." This provoked much amusement among the, farmers present which was not greatly abated when the farmer added : We are glad that the mortgages are not visible and that the visitors cannot seo them.

During his recent, visit to England Mr. R. G. Firth, curator of the Wanganui Museum, made efforts to obtain Maori curios for the museum. He said there was plenty of valuable material in the Old Country, but prices fixed by the owners of the articles were more than the Wanganui Museum could ever pay. Mr. Firth was anxious to obtain a specimen of a dried, tattooed Maori head. It was the custom in the old days for traders to buy tattooed heads and preserve them for the English market, where they fetched high prices. In England Mr. Firth found that the price ol such heads as were for sale were too dear.

The hopes of members of the Napier Harbor Board have at last been realised, they having decided not to levy a harbor rate on tho ratepayers of the district this year, a decision that will give as much pleasure to the ratepayers as it has given to the members of the board in being able to reach such a happy state of affairs. Tho decision followed the placing before members of the estimated receipts and expenditure for. the current year. This statement shows that although there was-a debit balance of £10,525 on September 30, 1926, and one of £11,348 on September 30, 1927, it is expected that the board will finish up the year ending September 30, 1928, with a credit balance of £4175.

The opinion that the majority of motor accidents occur through the carelessness of otherwise expert drivers was expressed by members of the Waipukurau County Council. The, chairman said it was the more competent driver who got reckless, with the result that the accidents occurred. The chairman stated that hurry was often the causo of mishaps, as men often delayed their departure; then, as soon as they got into their cars they endeavored to make up every minute. Crs. M. Tansey and J. H. Kibblewhite supported this view, and it was decided that the chairman's opinion, that it was the duty of the Government to patrol the roads and cut down speeding and reckless driving, be forwarded to the authorities.

A large number of appeals have been lodged by members of toe Railway (service as a result of the recent extensive regiading of positions. The chairman 01 tho Railway Appeal Board, Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., is in Wellington in connection with tlio boards business, but it has been decided that the hearing of the appeals shall not take place for another 10 days or a fortnight. The sitting of the Appeal Board will be the first held since tho board was reconstituted under tho Government Railways Amendment Act passed last session. Representatives of the i'irst Division sit on the board when appeals are being heard concerning members of that division, and Second Division representatives sit when cases affecting tnat division are under review.

A message from Auckland on Thursday stated that serious trouble had developed at tho power station at Horahpra, debris washing down the Waik'ato River having choked the screens and necessitated the partial closing of the plant, so that they might be cleaned. The chief electrical engineer, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, pointed out in Wellington, however, that the position was not so serious as the statement from Auckland would lead one to believe. He had been in communication with the district electrical engineer at Hamilton, who had advised him that the trouble was due to a breakdown of a scraper motor on No. 7 and 8 machines. Tins necessitated hand scraping with a partial, reduction 0$ 'load to (clear 'the screen.

The fate of Presbyterian ministers after 70 years of age, in relation to the church's beneficiary fund, was discussed at the meeting of the Ohristchurch Presbvtery. It was found that tho rules of the fund stipulated that years of serieve of ministers over 70 years of age could not bo taken into account. When the Rev. Dr. Erwin argued that if a minister were in good health his years of service over 70 should be taken into account, it was stated in reply that the rule was definite, and could bo altered only by resolution of General Assembly. The Moderator, the Rev. T. W. Armour : Are there any of the younger men present who would like to think of their chances at 70? Voices: It's too far off, The Moderator (philosophically): We apparently must be content to spend our eventide in shallow waters. (Laughter.)

"I am sorry to have to ctiticise the methods of the police," said Mr. A. A. Bennett in the New Plymouth Court, "on a matter which has been commented upon in other parts of the Dominion." The. circumstances were that a motor cyclist had met with an accident in which he was rendered unconscious and had been taken to the hospital. On the following day after regaining consciousness a police officer visited the man in hospital and took a signed statement from him. What Mr. Bennett objected to was the fact that when proceedings were instituted against the cyclist the police refused to allow the man access to the statement he had made or to give him a copy of it. He said that when n man had met with an accident and been rendered unconscious and then subsequently given a statement to the police, under circumstances such as these, ho should at least be furnished with a copy of the Statement. This course of proceeding had been commented upon in other places. Application had been made to the police and refused, and counsel said h"c intended to take the matter further through the Law Society.—Taranaki Herald.