LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1931, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Fire, destroyed a motor-lorry belonging to Mr. J.V'. Shields, Durham Road, Inglewood, on Saturday. Mr. Shields had returned from the factory and was driving to the shed when the lorry blazed, apparently because of backfiring.

The latest issue of the Gazette announces that consent has bee grautca to the raising of the Tc Arci Road loan by the Taranaki County Council. The loan is for £250 for a period of 20 years, the rate of interest being 5J percent, and the sinking fund 3 per cent. Leaks of petrol caused Mr. D. O’Keefe, Stratford, who was driving on the east road near Kahouri bridge on Saturday night, to stop his car on the edge of the road. While the car was parked there it was struck by another driven by Mr. W. O'Reilly, Douglas. Mr. O’Reilly's car fell on its side and was badly damaged. Mr. O’Keefe's car was also damaged. No one was injured.

A collision which occurred at Fitzroy on Saturday morning between a motorcycle ridden by Air. S. McCann and a car driven by Mr. A. J. Chaney resulted in a fractured left ankle and abrasions for McCann. The cyclist was proceeding from Sackville Street and the car was going into Devon Street from Clemow Road. Mr. McCann was tended by Dr. J. M. Clarke and removed to New Plymouth Hospital. Briquettes made from Waikato slack coal in the Rotowaro carbonisation plant were used on Friday to Are the locomotive which drew the Rotorua express from Auckland as far as Frankton. The engine also took the Taneatua express from Frankton to Auckland in the afternoon, burning the same fuel. Reports on the results will be made later, but it is stated that the fuel proved almost wholly smokeless, aS was expected, and readily gave a full head of steam.

Amusement was caused at the ceremony of turning on the new power unit at the King’s Wharf station at Auckland on Friday by a statement made by Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the Auckland Power Board. Mr. Holdsworth said the board had adopted the Governor-General’s suggestion that the ceremony should be as simple and inexpensive as possible. As a result the turbine would be the only thing to be “turned on.”

“The hospital authorities get more kicks than halfpence,” said Mr. E. D. Mosley, coroner, at an inquest concerning the death of a woman who fell off a tram near the Christchurch hospital. A relative of the dead woman, at the conclusion of the hearing, asked the coroner «to extend the thanks of himself and his wife to the hospital authorities, who had gone out of their way to render every assistance possible. “I’m very glad to hear it,” said Mr. Mosley, “and I will have great pleasure in conveying thanks to the hospital authorities.” A letter poster at St. Heliers Bay on February 27, and addressed to an official at “4YA, Dunedin, New Zealand,” reached that person on June 2, but it had travelled to London and back before it was delivered to the right man. On the back of the envelope were three postal marks, a delivery stamp dated at Auckland on February 27, one dated at London on April 23, and another “Received from H.M. ships.” 'The address was plainly written, but seems to have been mistaken for that of some person on H.M.S. Dunedin, which sailed for Home about the time the letter was posted.

“Never let us forget that the most brilliant pages in history are the stories of brilliant failures; men and women who dared and died and upon whom the world sneered, aiid sometimes spat,” said the. Rev. D. Gardner Miller in the course of an address given to members of the Canetrbury Justices of the Peace Association. “Never doubting the reality of their call, these men and women who made British history obeyed the urge that drove them forth. They conquered by simply continuing. A. certain radiant and. quiet doggedness marked them. In the logbook of Columbus there is one entry more common than all others. It ns not ‘to-day the wind was favourable.’ It is ‘To-day we sailed on.’ That is the slogan of British pioneers.” A party of seven climbers, including Miss B. Blunden, Messrs. P. Blunden, G. Flower, B. Barrer .and B. Poulton, were returning from a successful ascent of the lower peak of Mount Rollcston on Wednesday when they were engulfed in an avalanche and lost three ice-axes, states the Christchurch Press. The members of the party were considerably shaken, and, after being carried off their feet, made a snow-slide- of over 100 yards before they reached firm ground not far from a precipice. Conditions were bad, soft snow and glazed rocks making footholds precarious. Although the area of the avalanche was comparatively small the climbers had an unenviable experience and the gear which they lost will probably not be recovered until the spring, when the ice melts. Experienced mountaineers have known avalanches in the Arthur’s Pass and Otira region to travel over 800 feet and yet not cause injury to anyone caught in them. On the other hand, the smallest can be fatal to a climber who—not roped, sinks to any depth. While the chief interest at the dog trials at Kai Iwi which have been in progress since Tuesday, was naturally taken in the performances of the dogs, there was also a lighter side of the entertainment, restricted to a favoured few. At the head of the course, which was situated at the top of a hill, some four or five members of the committee and helpers were gathered to unpen the sheep ready for the dogs to work, says the Chronicle. When the dogs had commenced their run and were well on their way these helpers commenced a friendly competition of putting-the-shot, standing jumps and other such physical exertions to keep themselves comparatively warm. All went well until some mighty arm sent the shot, the head of a niawle, hurtling through the air to crash on a demijohn well filled with best brewed beer. Putting-the-shot was not altogether regarded with favour for a few hours afterwards. The Now Plymouth Central Home and School Association held the monthly social and dance in St. Mary's Hall on Thursday. There was an excellent attendance. Mrs. Martini and Miss B. Coleman sang, accompaniments being played by Miss E. Crawsliaw. Dance music was provided® by the Peter Pan Dance Band, and Mr. Hodder and Miss Crawshaw played extras. Mr. Feakius was master of ceremonies. Supper was served by the ladies’ committee, which was also responsible for organising the gathering. The first rehearsal of Haydn's oratorio “The Creation,” which will be presented at New Plymouth in the forthcoming second Music Week, was held at the Whiteley Hall yesterday. There were between 70 and 80 present at the rehearsal, which will be repeated very Sunday under the baton of Mr. R. L. Cooper.

Residents in one part of the city were amazed on Wednesday, says the Christchurch Times, to see the traffic inspector of a suburban local body carryin out his duties in a motor-car, bearing the name of the local authority on either side, but carrving last year’s number plates at each end. More than one motorist took careful note of the fact ‘for future lefercnec.”

A young woman, who said her marriage lines had been stolen with her handbag in Wellington six years ago, was the petitioner in a case in the Supreme Court at Auckland. As she had been married in England, it was necessary to send Horne for another copy of her marriage certificate in support of her petition. This, she told the court, had gone astray, and she had cabled for a certificate to be sent tohci. In the meantime the judge said he would hold the application over.

Consideration was being given to the question of accepting certain types ol advertisement for the church journal, The Outlook, at the sitting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church when considerable merriment was caused by a remark of the Rev. 1 1 . W. Robertson, Kaikoura, in regard to an undcrtakerls advertisement. “I wish we could throw out the hearse on the back,” ho said. “When one visits a hospital one likes to give a patient a bright ‘outlook,’ but when lie turns it over he is greeted with a picture of an elegant hearse.”

“I have been out of work since March, 1930,” said a. young man who called in at the Dominion office in Wellington on Friday evening, “and I have been vainly seeking a job ever since. Imagine my surprise in calling in at Arapuni this week to find an army of Maoris and Dalmatians at work there. Many of these Dahnations could not even speak the English, language. There sec-ms to be something wrong when Dalmatians can get work while native-born New Zealanders are unable to obtain employment.”

Standing on a large box in the King Edward ‘Barracks, Christchurch, the other-evening, Air. J. Jeffreys, a pastpresident of the Christchurch Pigeon, Poultry, Canary, and Cat Club, introduced'the Mayor, Air. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., who was about to open the clubj annual show. With a gesture, says the Press, he announced Air. Sullivan, stepped backwards oil' the box, and fell heavily to the ground, landing Hat on his back. “Aly friend is evidently not as used to the soap-box as-I am,” said Air. Sullivan, when the roars of laughter had subsided.

The success of the New Zealand cricketers in England was turned to happy account by the Governor-Gen-eral, in congratulating the old-timers who assembled at the King’s Empire Veterans’ lunch at Auckland. He made special reference to ex-Sergeano Janies Sandbrook, a survivor. of the Crimean War, who has attained .the o-reat age of 98, and is still in possession of his faculties. “It is good to be able to welcome Mr. Sandbrook and Ins other old comrades,” said Lord Bledisloe. “We all hope they will complete their centuries, so following the good example of younger New Zealanders now in England.”

Many curious legal points were raised in the Supreme Court at Auckland during the hearing of a compensation claim by the owners of a sandy section near the Takapuna end of the Milford Beach Discussion of the effects of high tides coming on to the section led Mr. Justice Herdman, who presided to ask: “What becomes of a whale if it is cast up on the land?” “It would be a chattel,” said Mr. Stanton, who supported the claim. Mr." Finlay, who opposed tho claim, pointed out that ambergris . cast up would be in -the same legal position. Mr. Stanton said that such objects differed from moving sand in that they never became part of the soil on the section.

After judgment has been given against a debtor in the Magistrate s Court, it is necessary before, a judgment summons can be issued, for the plaintiff or his agent to make an affidavit to the effect that the plaintiff believes that since the date of jugnieut tho debtor has had sufficient money to pay the debt, as well as maintain his wife ami family. A warning on the subject was given by Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at Christchurch. _ He said that in all cases where the plaintiff had insufficient grounds for his affidavit as to the debtor's means, costs would be allowed the debtor when the summons was heard in court.

While a car driven by Mr. W. Bromwich was passing round some rocks on the West Coast Beach on Monday afternoon the engine stalled, reports the Auckland Star’s Dargaville correspondent. All efforts to restart it were without avail. The waves came right over the ear, and it had to be abandoned. The beach was very treacherous over tne Week-end, and several cars were stuck. It always is dangerous on or about full moon tides. Late on Monday night an attempt was made to salvage the ear, which was not insured, but it wasffiuned in the sand, and the waves had stripped the whole of the coachwork, hood and lamps, leaving the chassis bare. Tne salvage party narrowly escaped losing their wrecking car.

Mr. Justice Smith showed surprise when a young -wife asked him in the Supreme Court at Auckland to make an order for the return of her husband, wno is at present a voluntary inmate of the Rotoroa Inebriates’ Home. “Do you really want him back?” asked his Honour. She replied that he was a good husband when not affected by drink, biu ho was not very strong-minded. touuse J for the petitioner argued, that the application was similar to a number tha had been granted in England during the war, when judges made orders agains men who were on active service in France. These orders were stayed iintil the men were discharged or allowed t'J visit England on leave. An order made against a man on Rotoroa Island eou be enforced when the respondent visitor Auckland.

The schedule for the Wanganui Winter Show is a very attractive one. lhe Wanganui Association, in conjunction with "the Welcome Week Committee, are out to make Show Week one to be remem bored. Special attractions oie arc offering, including dog trials, North Island buekjumpers’ eompetitipns, football, old identities’ reunion, ' Va . n ' ganui garden party, etc. All loads wi no doubt lead to Wanganui on the show dates, and everything with wheels and a new number-plate will be thcie.

The Y.M.C.A. of Wellington is filling a very great need in supplying a moderate cost, right in the heart of the city, a‘ thoroughly up-to-date livale Hotel. Young men taking up temporary or permanent residence may be assured of a good home with all the appointments of a high-grade residential club, conducted under the best influences. An advertisement appears in this issue.

Buyers of blankets and rugs can make huge savings by making their purchases, at the Melbourne during the great Dissolution of Partnership Sale. For instance, all-wool grey blankets 18/6 pair. Famous “John Bull'’ white blankets, best colonial make, 24/6, 35/- and 427- pair, according to size. Canterbury and Petone blanket rugs, 9/6 and 13/6 respectively. Single blankets sold at half-pair prices.*