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Southland Times, Issue 19458, 24 January 1925, Page 4

'To give absolute effect to the conditions of the new Motor Vehicles Act will mean the dropping of all the unemployment in the country.”—A member of the Wanganui branch of the Farmers’ Union in sarcastic mood at a recent meeting of that body.

Signor Marconi says he is confident that permanently adjusted wireless sets will eventually be placed in mines, and that by the use of them men entombed will be able to direct rescue operations. “I have four cars, and I might as well get another, considering the price of wool,” was the optimistic observation of a farmer in town for the recent sale (says the Wanganui Chronicle).

At Whangarei yesterdav John Edward Mann, aged 12, succumbed in the hospital to injuries received at Maungakaramea. When a log was being blasted, a piece of flying wood struck him on the head. The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.

In the course of his remarks at the screening in Wanganui of a film depicting the methods of handling overseas produce at the Port of London, Captain A. W. Pearse mentioned that a Queenslander, who passed through Wanganui the previous day, said his cheque for this season’s wool from his four stations would amount to £260,000.

An aged Maori, Papoki te Kurupae, died at Taupo on Thursday. In the Maori War he was noted for his endurance as a dispatch runner. He regularly traversed the distance between the military poet at Taupu and Petane, near Napier, following the foot trail that was the only route across the 90 miles of plain and mountain range.

A somewhat remarkable coincidence occurred at a wedding in St. Luke’s Church, Oamaru, recently. Mrs Murcott, of Hampden, who was a guest at her grand-daugh-ter’s wedding, was married in the same church 56 years ago, and Mr Finch, the organist who played the “Wedding March,” played the same march at the grandmother’s wedding over half a century ago.

At the monthly meeting of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the chairman (Mr James King) said that perhaps they were giving just a little too much prize-money in the jumping. The jumping, no doubt, drew the crowd, but they gave £5O for one event, while for first prize imported bull they only gave about £2. “Perhaps we are overdoing it,” he concluded.

“Under the new Motor Vehicles Act a driver will of necessity be compelled to carry his license with him, I suppose,” stated a member of the Wellington Farmers’ Union at a meeting of that body. In England, he further stated, drivers carried their licenses, which were neat arrangements made of a cloth-cardboard composition in a special apartment, and were so arranged as to be serviceable up to three years.

The Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, which will meet in Wellington on January 27, will consider research grants, a proposal to declare Stewart Island a sanctuary, the awarding of the Hector Memorial Medal for this year, and steps to preserve the Tongariro National Park for New Zealand plants and animals, a suggestion having been made that no more introduced plants and animals should be allowed there.

The most general desire in the head office of the Department just now (states the New Zealand Railways Review) is to know who is the boss. It will take a few months to really discover the “superior officers” of many of the employees, so great has been the turmoil. The familiar game of musical chairs has been comnletely outdone, though it has not been played to the usual pleasant accompaniment of harmony and ice-creams.

“If people want free medical advice they must go to the hospital or the Charitable /lid Board,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Auckland Magistrate’s Court, when making an order for the payment of 5/- in liquidation of a claim for medical services. The defendant said he did not send for the doctor. A neighbour went into his house and called in a nurse, and the latter sent for a medical man,” said Mr Hunt, ‘‘and your wife is well again, so you must pay for the services rendered.”

“Speaking generally, the prospect appears to be that unless anything we don’t know of has occurred, the price of flour in Australia to-day will justify the millers in giving us 7/- a bushel for our wheat,” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union (Mr J. D. Hall), when the question of negotiating with poultrymen for the sale of wheat was discussed. It was decided that the Agriculture Committee should be authorised to circularise the branches and begin negotiations with the poultrymen.”

Fanned by a strong wind, the fires which have been smouldering in the Seaward Moss district awoke to life, and burned fiercely. Some sparks were carried a long distance, and set some dry undergrowth alight at Gorgfe Road. The flames spread rapidly and, despite efforts to save them, four cottages and two stacks of fibre were destroyed, only the determined efforts of the employees of Mr L. A. Niederer, on whose property they were, preventing the flaxmill and other buildings from being demolished also. The property destroyed was insured in the New Zealand Office for £450.

It was the unanimous opinion of the meeting of the Wanganui Fanners' Union that £lO,OOO allocated by the Government for the discovery of a serum or grub to annihilate blackberry pest, was totally inadequate. Members were of the opinion that the sum was hardly likely to compensate for the time involved in research, especially with the possibility of failure overshadowing all. “The man who produces such an expedient will evolve a means also of eradicating that pest of pests—gorse,” concluded a speaker, “for what will destroy blackberry will destroy gorse.”

“We opened the Gorge road at Christmas to oblige travellers, and this is what we get for it,” said the chairman at a recent meeting of the Manawatu Gorge Board of Control, when the theft of three hurricane lamps during the month was reported. “I do not think any motor-car drivers would take them,” remarked one member. Another expressed doubts. All spoke strongly on this mean pilfering, and the danger resulting to the public. “If this kind of thing continues, we shall have to consider the matter of closing the Gorge again at night,” remarked the chairman.

Four judgment summons cases were dealt with by Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, as follows: W. A. Printz was ordered to pay H. and J. Smith, Ltd., £4B 14/4 on February 23, in default two months’ imprisonment; Archibald Flint was ordered to pay Robert Plumper £8 13/8 on February 23, in default 14 days’ imprisonment; John McEwing was ordered to pay the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. £39 19/8 on February 10, in default two months’ imprisonment; and James Patrick Reid was ordered to pay Thomas Harrington £l3 4/- on February 23, in default 14 days’ imprisonment. “Dean Russell and I will be regarded as the biggest fish liars in the United States when we return,” said Professor Macklin, of the University of Wisconsin, recently. “At Lake Taupo we had what, I should say, was the most wonderful fishing in the world. In one day at Taupo we caught 28 fish, the smallest 3ilb —a quite fair-sized fish, and something to talk about with us in America —and the largest 13|lb, our average being 7 2-51 b per fish. There certainly are great rainbow trout in that lake, and I fear we shall not be believed in America when we tell our friends merely the bald truth.”

“The people of Southland have not done a tenth of what they should do in the planting of trees throughout the Province,” said Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, speaking at the St. Andrew’s Scottish Society Festival last evening. “Scotland made a great recovery from poverty and famine in the 18th century,” he continued, “and one of their methods of regaining prosperity was the planting of trees, which in time supplied them with shelter for their stock, with timber for their homes and with fuel. I think that the planting of trees should be carried out on a large scale in Southland.”

A young man named Sommerville, while out rabbit-shooting at Ryal Bush yesterday, was accidentally shot in the shoulder, as the result of his rifle going off when he was getting over a stump. He was admitted to the Southland Hospital, where his injuries, which are not of a serious nature, were attended to.

The Fire Brigade received a call at 12.5 o’clock yesterday afternoon to the residence of Mr E. Howorth. 8 Duke Street, Gladstone, where a defective chimney was responsible for an outbreak in the cupboard containing the household super-heating system. The fire was discovered by members of the family, and was quelled by the Brigade before any serious damage was done.

A nasty accident befel Mr Fred Murray, builder, of Gore, at Otama on Thursday, the result being a fracture of the leg above the ankle. Mr Murray was assisting to unload a dray of gravel. The dray was not of the tip-up variety, and half the gravel only made its escape when the shafts were thrown in the air. The weight of the front portion of the load caused the shafts to fall again, Mr Murray being struck. He is an inmate of the Gore Hospital and is progressing favourably. Train for Bluff Sunday, 10 a.m.; return 10.55 a.m. Afternoon trains as usual.— (Advt.). The Hibernian Band will give a concert in the Rose Gardens to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 3 p.m. A popular programme, including the test march for the Auckland Contest will be rendered. Collection.— (Advt.) Cheap Excursion, Otautau, Wednesday, train 12.15 p.m. Fares, 5/6 and 3/6. (Advt.) The beverage everybody likes—Baxter’s Far-Famed Rava Tea—pure, popular and pleasant, 2/10 per lb.; reduction of 2d per lb in 51b and 101 b packets. Drink Rava.— (Advt.) The following lines at Thomson and Beattie’s are marked at specially low prices to effect a quick sale. 40-inch Voiles, in Pink and Champagne, 3/6, for 1/; 30 inch Striped, Check and Plain Crepes, at 1/yard; 36-inch special Cambric, in very smart checks, 2/11, for 1/6; 38-inch Tricolo, in stripes and figured, only 2/6 yard; also Cotton Georgette, in Fawn, Biscuit an Sky, 3/11, for 1/11 yard.— (Advt.) “Speed limit 12 miles per hour.” “BIG TREE” MOTOR SPIRIT gives much lower speeds in high gear with never a suspicion of engine “knock.” AU garages.—Advt. “MATCHLESS” FOOTWEAR FOR MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT BOYCE’S. For comfort, style and wearing qualities “Matchless” holds premier place, and because it is New Zealand-made for New Zealand people it represents the best footwear value offering to-day. Call and see some of the “Matchless” lines, and see what good footwear really is. C. G. Boyce, 50 Tay street, Invercargill.— (Advt.) Good lighting is one of the least expensive of all the comforts of a cheerful home. H. Lincoln, of 137 Clyde street, is specialising in good quality electrical installations at reasonable prices. Phone 1594 for estimate.— (Advt.). Ring Time. —The time when young man’s fancy lightly turns, etc., but his thoughts are occupied also with the pretty ring he saw in our window, marked at a price he was able to pay. and with which the lady was simply delighted. We have many such rings still left, all different in design and price. T. M. Rankin, Jeweller, Tay street. (.-dvt.). “SUMMER BREATHES UPON US.” —Anon. Summer chills often turn to chronic complaints. Be prepared—take Baxter’s Lung Preserver. “Baxter’s” has won wide fame as a certain antidote for all colds, coughs and other bronchial and throat complaints. Penetrating and dependable, this splendid remedy gets to the root of the most stubborn ailment and banishes it completely. “Baxter’s” is also invaluable as a build-ing-up tonic. You can obtain a generoussized bottle for 2/6 at all chemists and stores; family size 4/6. Get one to-day. (Advt.).