LOCAL & GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15112, 22 December 1921, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The Stay will not be published on Monday December 26 .or Tuesday December 27. The heavy winds are reported to be having; a» effect upon late fruits, the apricots in particular suffering severely from tße wind and rain. ' In November 316 persons died in New Zealand and of the total 160 were persona who had attained the age pf 65 years or over. The secretary, of the Wairarapa Hospital Board stated at the meeting on Friday that he had found that over 900 pieces were miscounted from one week's washing under thej3oai*d"'s control. Men prej aft present) engaged laying down 9 and 10 inch pipes to connect the new nurse's home with the big water mains at the corner of Mackay and Mary Streets. '

It is undrstood that the Thames Harbour Board has made satisfactory arrangements with the Auckland Board, and that the hire of the dredge arfdpunt will not be charged during the holidays. Although every indication pointed to a continuance of fine weather, early this morning the wind veered round, andheavy rain commenced to fall. The wind increased in violence arfd was gusty throughout the morning. ; ; . ~, Although the ; hotels are not yet teacrj': periencing a holiday rush of visitors ■&> Thames, there is- every indication that.the next few weeks' should be fairfy busy. Accomodation tor after Christmas is being steadily booked. The work ofl repairing the- bridge over the Kauaeranga River has been completed. .The approach on the eastern side has been practically re-made and the bridge has been strengthened in other ways. The cost will be shared by the Borough and county councils. The indications are for westerly winds moderate to strong prevailing and backing by west to south. ' Weather cloudy to overcast. Rain probable. unsteady with a falling tendency Seas rough tides good. The dredging operations * the Burke Street wharf will be. suspended this evening until about January 5, when the dredge resumes : operations. the berthage will be completed and- a start made at once with the work of improving the access to the ,Shortland wharf. "I got more rabbits than-voters, "said One deputy-returning officer after returning from a polling booth in the country (reports the Ashburton Guardian). His booth abutted on a county plantation, and without leaving it he was able to run up a tally of "bunnies" exceeding the electors who called upon him. The Waiiganui River Board has discovered than an area -of land on the .river-bank at Taumarunui, which has been in use for a good many years as a boat-landing, and on which it has paid rates to the Taumarunui Council, belongs lo the Crown.

"The luck of a Chinaman 0 is an expression which evidently has some foundation of fact. At a Greymouth bazaar recently a series of rafflesj - each at ls», were largely supported. 'lt Chinese paid up his shilling and secured as a result an Axminister carpet. ' Heavy Teas were reported in the Thames Gulf this morning, and the Wakatere was subjected to a considerable buffeting about as -a result. The numerous passengers experienced considerable discomfort, but the vessel" made good progress. The punt, used in connection' with dredging operations broke away from her moorings with the heavy seas and drifted aTong .the shore towards Shorthand.

A loss of power and a* nasty smell in the vicinity of one of the Pelton wheels at Messrs. A', and G. Prices foundry yesterday, led" a member of the firm to investigate.- It was found that a large eel had found its way to the nozzle of the pipe, where if had > become jammed with the tremendous force behind it. The eel waa dead when removed and partially decomposed, but what was left of itmeasured over two feek A pertinaceous swarm of. bees has taken possession of a bread box placed by Te Mawhai settlers on the roadside, (says the Waipa Post). The two settleis most urgently concerned with the legitimate purpose of the box swathed themselves in pillow etc, and endeavoured to dislodge the invaders, but eventually beat a- retreat,■ : making peculiar and frenzied passes at the . afr and at spots on the nape of the neck in particular. The aid of a doughty neighbour was summoned, and the bees were evicted but next mornfng they were back again, arid are still there.

An aftermath of an accident at Parawai on ' September 22 was a claim for £l5O general damages for injuries, and £32 2/- special for hospital treatment and loss of wages, brought •by William Lomas (Mr Clendon), labourer, of Thames, against William Killgour (Mr Bryan), farmer, of Parawai, before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., yesterday. The case was brought as the result of alleged reckless driving, whereby plaintiff was run over and sustained a broken* leg and other injuries, which formed the basis of the claim. After taking lengthy evidence', the case was adjourned until this morning, when coxinsei announced that the case ha.c> been settled.

A pleasant social evening was spent at the District Homes, on Tuesday evening, the Regimental Band tendering a smoke concert to the old folks. After the band had rendered several items ithose present (assembled in the social room. The toast of "The King" was duly hounoured and then songs and recitations were contributed by Messrs. E. Watson, Oouttw, Hardman, Verrani, J. Robinson, WV; Johnson (senr.) W r Johnson (Junr.) G. Swan, R. Wi Gilmouy ;and O. Johnson. / Messrs. J. Raymond.... and G. .Parsons of; the Homes also sang and were loudly applauded. Mr. T. Rennet gave a violin solo while several dueta were played by bandsmen. Lieut. Olarke and G. Fisher (cornets) "A Perfect Day"; Bandsmen! G. and J. Cossgrove (baritone and euphonium '"Larboard Watch"; H. J. Burrett and H. Brien (cornets) "The Rosary."' The entertainment closed with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and three cheers for the aged inmates of the institution, i The ovei*whelming experience of thousands testify to the value of Nazol, as an effective cure for Coughs, Colds, Sore Throats, etc. —Advt. - ' '