NEWS OF THE DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Struck by Tractor. , Mr. J. Burgess, a well-known Tarata farmer, was struck by a tractor during a demonstration on his property on Thursday and fractured his left leg. He was taken to the New Plymouth hospital, where he is progressing satisfactorily.

Protecting Hydro Works. Tire work of protecting the banks of the Waiwakaiho River in the vicinity of the tail race of the New Plymouth Borough Council's hydro-electric works is going ahead steadily. The erection of a stone bank has been proceeding stead-, ily for some days under contract and the area is now safe from the possibility of damage by further flood. A borough council gang will commence work today on a protective groyne.

Second Remand. Leonard Laurence de Malmanche, charged with breaking and entering by night and theft from a warehouse at Eltham, appeared on remand before Mr. W. W. Thomson, J.P., at New Plymouth yesterday and was further remanded until Tuesday at Eltham. Farmers’ Shooting Abandoned. Owing to the fact that repairs and reconstruction work are being done at the Rewa Rewa rifle range, New Plymouth, by the Public Works Department the Farmers’ Union branches’ shooting match to have been held on Wednesday had to be cancelled. One or more teams, however, will fire at the Okato range, being competitors in the Dominion contest, Chamber’s Visit Postponed. Owing to the proximity of March 31, the close of the financial year for many business houses, the Taranaki Chamber Of Commerce has decided to postpone the proposed trip to Taumarunui, Matiere and Ohura. It is hoped to arrange a visit to these districts later. rl Foils in River.

When crossing the Henui River below the New Plymouth Girls' High School yesterday by means of a large bough a pupil of the school slipped and fell, fully clothed, into the water. She was sent home in a bedraggled state and returned none the worse an hour or so later.

Compliment to Bowlers. "During the whole 21 years I have been attached to the police force I have never had to prosecute a bowler for crime,” remarked Senior-Sergeant D. J. Hewitt at a farewell tendered him by members of the Southland Bowling Club. The large gathering present acknowledged this statement with a round of applause. Speed of Air Mails.

The effect of the air mail service from England to Australia was apparent to a New Plymouth business man this week when he collected his mail from his post office box. On Tuesday, March 19, he collected a letter posted fo him in England on March 1, and bearing the Sydney postmark of March 15. Eighteen days from England to New Plymouth probably constitutes the record to date in fast transport.

Totalisator Error. A mistake was made in the totalisator pay-out on the first race at the Opotiki Jockey Club’s meeting on Wednesday. The dividend was calculated on £1 tickets instead of on 10s. As there were 131 tickets on the winner, £1 6s 9d too much on each ticket was paid out, also £39 too much on the second horse. An appeal for refunds was made, resulting in over £3O being repaid.

Narrow Road Causes Smash. When Mr. S. Lahood, Ohura, was travelling to Opatu over the Tokirima Saddle on Thursday night, the narrow, rough formation caused both him and a Taumarunui motorist an anxious moment when their cars “jammed” in passing The mudguards and running boards of both vehicles were damaged, but both were able to proceed when the tangle had been straightened out. Trees Killed by Gas. “Death from gas poisoning" has made necessary the removal of one of the plane trees in Herschell Street, Napier. It had been suspected that the tree had been killed by gas escaping from a leaking main, and this was confirmed when it was removed. Similar trouble has been experienced since the earthquake in Kennedy Road and Raffles Street, in both of which escaping gas has had its effect on the avenues of ornamental trees. Rugby Union Delegate. Mr. W. A. Guy accepted nomination for the position of delegate to the Taranaki Rugby Union at the annual meeting of the Okaiawa Football Club on Thursday night only after being prevailed upon by the president, Mr. J. O’Sullivan, to reconsider his decision not to accept. At first Mr. Guy declined nomination, stating that he had had many years, in the position and he thought it was time he made way for a younger man. Mr. O’Sullivan, however, pointed out that this was the jubilee year of the Rugby Union and he thought it only right that one who had been a member of the Union for a great many years and had rendered such good service as Mr. Guy should be in the position this year. Finally, Mr. Guy reconsidered the matter and accepted nomination. Mutton Bird SeasonFast work was accomplished during last week-end by the steamer Kekeno. Sailing from Bluff on Saturday morning for Colac Bay, the vessel left that port again at 3 o’clock on the same afternoon with 33 mutton-birders on board for the small islands in the vicinity of Stewart Island, On Sunday d start was made getting the birders ashore, and this was safely accomplished during- the day, the vessel then returning to Bluff, where she berthed at 10.45 p.m. Mr. H. Roderique, master of the Kekeno, stated that several birds, examined • and placed back in their burrows, were in excellent condition, and the mutton-birders expressed the opinion that the season would be a very successful one. Judicial Demonstration. It is not every man who can claim to have given a magistrate the “raspberry” and to have escaped unpleasant consequences, states the Grey Star. In the course of a case being heard in the magistrate’s court, Greymouth, in which one of the defendants was charged with disorderly behaviour, and was said to have given the “raspberry” to a constable, Senior-Sergeant E. Quayle requested Constable Robinson, who was giving evidence, to show the court what the “raspberry” was. Taking a deep breath, and turning towards Mr. H. Morgan, S.M., the constable produced a “raspberry," the sound of which filled the courtroom, and caused laughter, which required loud demands of “Silence!" The magistrate also saw the joke. For Crippled Children.

Replying to expressions of approval and congratulation for the manner in which Lord Nuffield’s gift of £60,000 had been entrusted to him, Mr. C. J. B. Norwood said at a meeting of the Wellington Free Ambulance Board that the movement to aid crippled children should be national in character, and , their plain duty was first to concentrate on the crippled child, and in so doing make it impossible for there to exist the slightest tendency to parochialism. It was necessary, he added, to form a trust, which would take out of his hands a great deal of the work of supervision, and in that respect he intimated that he believed he had “fallen on his feet.” It would be a democratic body, which would, he felt, approach its work with the same measure of whole-hearted zeal and loyalty as did the members of the Free Ambulance Board. If they only did that he would have no fear for the future.

Citizens are reminded to keep Tuesday, March 26, clear of other engagements, in view of the meeting in the Workers’ Social Hall to further* promote the 1936 band contest project at New Plymouth. The various committees will be appointed.