LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1931, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Five bankruptcies were recorded In the New Plymouth district during July. In July, 1930, there were none.

It is estimated that 90 per cent, of the ducklings (grey duck) which are hatched on the sanctuary at Kapiti Island, near Wellington, do not reach maturity. The loss is attributed largely to water rats, as the remains of many young ducks have been unearthed from their holes.

A young seal was found in a drain on Anderson’s Bay Road, Dunedin, by some workmen about 11 o’clock on Wednesday night, and on Thursday morning the foreman took it to the Town Hall, where it was an object of interest to the officials and staff. The seal was then replaced on a lorry and taken to St. Clair, where it dived into the sea and was not observed again.

“That organised Labour is a greater menace to the Commonwealth than organised Capital,” was the proposition discussed last night at the fortnightly session of tho New Plymouth Debating Society. Mr. L. M. Moss adjudicated. Tho case for the affirmative was argued by Mr. R. J. Brokenshire (leader) and Mr. A. W. Scott, and opposed by Mr. E. Payne (leader) and Mr. R. L. Stewart. Afterwards members of the audience took part in a general discussion. The next meeting of the society, which which be open to tho public, will take the form of a mock borough council to be held on August 14. Spring tides of unusual height have been experienced at the port df Now Plymouth during the past day or so. On Thursday tho tide gauge showed lift 3in and yesterday the recording was about 12ft. For a considerable distance on either side of the Ngamotu palladium the beach was completely covered, while nearer Bally Road the water reached to within a few feet of the grass-covered banks. Under the influence of a westerly wind and a running sea the waves broke high over the breakwater, parts of which were periodically submerged by tons of water. Even after the tide had receded somewhat the waves continued to break across into the harbour iu spectacular fashion.

More than 200 stouts’ and weasels’ tails have been bought at 2s 6d each bj' the Auckland Acclimatisation Society since the Government recently removed tho protection on the vermin. The society is reducing its price for hawks’ feet from 9d to Od to-morrow. Up to Thursday it had purchased more than 13,000 pairs since April 1. that number being about 1000 in excess of the total for the whole of the lust financial year.

“A sign of tho times is tho amount of horse traffic seen on the roads nowadays,” said Dr. .Thacker in . conversation with a Christchurch Press reporter. ‘‘Over tho week-end I saw more horse vehicles on tho road between Christchurch and Akaroa in two days than I would ordinarily expect to meet in six weeks.”

“Tho dairy industry is no longer one which any man connected, with only one phase of it—as, for example, tho farmer —can hope to understand fullj r ,” said Mr. P. C. 11. Petersen, president of the New Zealand Dairy Factory Managers’ Association, on Wednesday, reports the Christchurch Press. “Only by tho combined working of the farmer, the scientist, tho dairy manufacturer, and the men who market tho produce, can anything be done which will adequately deal with tho problems of the industry to-day.” On account of tho fact that Mr. Justice Reed is a shareholder in tho Union Bank of Australia, a case in which this bank is concerned will probably bo heard by Mr. Justice Blair at Palmerston North on Friday. At the last sitting of the Palmerston North Supreme Court this case was adjourned as the presiding judge then, Mr. Justice [MacGregor, was ■also a shareholder in file bank. His Honour intimated that he would endeavour to arrange for the hearing by Mr. Justice Blair.

The paucity of the average child’s vocabulary is a thing which ought to bo remedied, according to at least one school inspector. Ho is somewhat fond of making tests to reveal this paucity to the teachers, and on a recent occasion, in a school not a hundred miles from Wellington, says the Evening Post, he did so by asking of a large class all who had countenances to stand up. Only two did so. To the remainder ho explained his little joke, and the teacher said, when the inspector had gone, that “the exercise of their risible faculties illuminated their countenances” so as to demonstrate that she, at any rate, had a vocabulary which could rise beyond “smiles lighted up their faces.”

“It is remarkable in some instances how accui'ate and how clinging is-.the memory of a Maori,” said Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court at Auckland. His Honour said that when a jury was called upon to consider the reliability of evidence given by a Maori witness it should bo remembered that some Maoris had particularly good memories. They were not like Europeans, who were taught at school and learned to depend on their reasoning faculties. Through centuries the Maoris had to rely on their memories, and the effects of this could be seen at tho persent day.

No signs of whitebait have been reported in the Waikato, although usually, says the New Zealand Herald, supplies are available about the> middle of this month and the season proper begins early in August. Supplies of freshwater whitebait for Auckland are netted on the upper reaches of the Waikato River near Tuakau, which is the centre of the operations. Although whitebait are not plentiful when the river is flooded, the lateness of the season, according to a city merchant, cannot be attributed to the recent heavy rain. Stocks of local salt-water whitebait hai r o been available in the city for a considerable time.

An amusing error occurred at the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday moniing, when a case came on in which defendant, a store manager, was charged with the theft of a large sum of money. On defendant’ name being called a youth stepped forward with alacrity, and the clerk commenced to read out the list of charges. Gradually a look of puzzlement overspread the youth’s face. This wins replaced by a startled and somewhat serious expression as the clerk proceeded. Then up spoke the dad, “No, not me,” he stammered. It was then discovered that the wrong man had answered. The only charge against the lad was of not having a rear reflector on his bicycle. A freak “live wire” from Waipu strolled into a Whangarei motor cycle shop on Wednesday afternoon, says, the Advocate, and startled everyone by the unusualness of his actions. He started the engine of one of the demonstration machine?, and, while it was running, vigorously grasped the plug with his left hand. His right hand lie placed in contact with a piece of metal, bringing forth showers of sparks from his fingers. Although an electric current of considerable voltage had passed through his body, the radiating performer did not turn a hair. The amazement and awe which he produced led him to further feats, and he proceeded to bring electric flashes from the toe of his boot, his knee and other parts of his anatomy. The F. A. Bremer Memorial Cup for most points in the Ayrshire cattle section at the last autumn show held by the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society was presented to Mr. W. Hall by Mr. H. C. Sampson, chairman of the society, at a meeting of the Taranaki Ayrshire Cattle Breeders’. Club yesterday. Mr. Hall deserved to win the cup, Mr. Sampson said, if for no otlier reason than for the interest he took in Ayrshire cattle and for the fine exhibits he made at the shows. Without Mr. Hall’s assistance the society would never have the show it did. But for the Ayrshire breeders. there would be no other breed of cattle in New Zealand for Jersey breeders to compare Jerseys with, and for that reason tho Jersey breeders owed the Ayrshire men a deep debt of gratitude.

The shooting season for feathered game, which lasts from May to July inclusive, closed yesterday. In Taranaki the season has been vei\ poor in comparison with previous years and in the other districts in the North Island to which Taranaki sportsmen make trips it has been almost as poor. There have been scarcely any duck obtained, a few pheasant and some quail at odd times, and it is considered by sportsmen that if it were not for hare shooting few would carry a rifle. For instance, at Rangiriri, in the Waikato, where one Taranaki party went, the average daily bag of ducks was not five birds, whereas in previous seasons the limit of 25 was usually obtained with ease. One of the reasons is attributed to the improvement in the facilities of approach to shooting grounds. It is considered that the opening of Lake Mangamahoe next season will provide a big improvement in shooting in Taranaki, as the lake is the only stretch of water in the province on which to shoot.

A successful community sing was held at the Fitzroy Hall on Thursday night. Choruses were led by the Rev. R. B, Gosnell, Mr. Stainton and Mr. Lyall, and accompanied by Martin’s orchestra. Songs were sung by Messrs Ken Ward, C. Blake, A. Slinger and P. Stain ton, and conjuring by Mr.. South was enjoyed. Mr. Ward played the aceompaniments for the songs. IMr. Stain ton’s topical song, “How D’you Do,” with its local “hits,” proved popular. After its success at Wai tarn, where tlie public were more than satisfied with the value of the sport given for the money, the Waitara Cyclo and Athletic Club will stage an extensive programme of sport in the Coronation Hall, New Plymouth, on August 13. All the champions' will be competing.

The Windfall Art Union will be drawn in the concert chamber of the Town Hall, Wellington, to-day, commencing at 5.30 p.m. A description of the draw will be broadcast by Station 2YA at 7.15 p.m.