NEWS OF THE DAY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 258, 9 October 1931, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Stratford-Main Trunk Railway Altogether, 518 men were employed on (he Stratford-Main Trunk railway construction works during last August, as against <>6o in August of ITU). Since last July the number has dropped hy 15. Threepence a Gallon A New Zealander in the United States has written home stating that in the 'course of a trip in the West Coast districts she noticed that petrol was everywhere retailed at 3d a gallon. Some Good Offers i Several companies have received offers of 12id to 123 d per lb., f.o.b. Auckland, for the October and November output for butter, and a feeling of optimism is returning to thedustry. These prices are 2d to Id per lb. ahead of last, month’s pvices. Bridge Tournament There was an attendance of 50 players of bridge in the Parish Hall last night at the tournament under the auspices of the Church of England. The prize for the highest score went, to Mr. and Mrs. F. Fredric, and the hidden number prize to Mr. H. C. Jackson. A nice supper was supplied by the ladies’ committee. The First Wedding The centenary of the first European wedding in New Zealand falls next, Sunday. It was on October 11, 1831, that at Paihia, Bay of Islands, Mr. William Gilbert Puckey, a missionary and teacher among the Maoris, was married to Miss Matilda Davis, daughter of a clergyman at Waimate. Mortgages in Taranaki During the year ended March 31, 1931, mortgages to the amount of £1,293,003 were discharged in Taranaki and now mortgages to the amount of £1,527,284' were registered. This class of business shows a great diminution in the last six months all over the Dominion. “That’s Not Pleasure” A judgment debtor under crossexamination in the Magistrate’s Court at Gisborne recently admitted that he owned a motor-car, but explained that he used it only in connection with his business. “You use it for pleasure, too,” suggested counsel. Witness replied in the negative. “You use it to go to church, don’t you?” asked counsel. “Yes,” admitted the judgment debtor, “but that’s not pleasure.” Very Rare Skin A man who has been in Southland trapping opossums for some months came into the Christchurch Sun office on Tuesday with a skin of a white stoat that he had caught. These small animals are known as the New Zealand ermine, are extremely rare, and are found only in snowy regions. The skin, which had just been cured, was beautifully soft, and measured about 15 inches by four. The trapper set the value of the skin at about £2. Unusual Position The unusual position of a mother and daughter tying in a stroke handicap golf competition, occurred at Harewood links during the North Canterbury women’s tournament, the pair, says the Christchurch Times, being Mrs. Fleetwood and her daughter, Miss E. Fleetwood. Though their handicaps were very different, the players finished the round with similar net scores and a play-off was required. This was won by Miss Fleetwood.

“No Team Spirit” “We always look with suspicion on the boy who takes no part in sport. The boy who stands about the corners of the field by himself can have o'aly one of two reasons. Either he is ill or he is unsociable. The unsociable boy is no good anywhere. He has no team spirit, no school spirit.” So said Mr. P. G. Jackson, headmaster of the Victoria Avenue School, Wanganui, at the presentation of school soccer trophies this week.

Bird Turned on Gas , A strange incident was related in a letter received by a city, council this week when .the tenant of one of ils houses asked for the installation of electric light to replace the existing gas supply. Among other complaints it was stated that on one occasion a bird entered the house through a fanlight, alighted on a gas fitting, and turned on the gas (the lever being of the bar and chain variety). This had resulted in a large leakage which had almost caused an explosion.

Education Economy There is room for the introduction of more economical methods and the elimination of waste in the running of the educational services of the Dominion, says the Wanganui Chronicle. The Hon. ivir. Masters has had 20 years of experience on the Taranaki Education Board, and he h'as a keen business-like conception of the principles of good management. He will find plenty of opportunity for the exercise of these undoubted talents of his, and unless ho belies his record he will not weary in exercising those talents. In so doing he will deserve, and be will receive, the support of the public. An Unusual Accident An unusual accident with a surprising effect occurred in South Dunedin the other day, when a boy riding a bicycle with his head down crashed into the rear of a stationary sedan motor-car. The front wheel of the cycle struck the rear bumper of (he car, and the boy was thrown headiforemost against the sedan top. While the boy’s injuries were much less severe than might have been expected, the effect on the car was surprising, the panelling being so badly dented that the repairing of the damage will probably prove an expensive matter.

The Reason Why Why cannot a lady join (he Masons? Many times have the fair sex asked this question, but never have they received a satisfactory answer until Saturday afternoon, at (he conclusion of the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Masonic Temple at Green Island (Otago). The brethren and their wives were enjoying a cup of tea when M.W. Bro. E. W. G. H. Watts, P.G.M., announced that a lady had repeated the question to him. The answer, he said, was simple. The men were joining (he different, lodges in an endeavour to acquire the many virtues the lodge taught, but the ladies already possessed those virtues, so why should they join?