LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, 22 August 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A New York cable states that Geman marks are quoted at 8,333,333 to the dollar.

To the formation of companies there is apparently no end. Some come forward with most ambitious proposals and a company is floated with a capital running into many thousands of pounds. But one of the latest formed is one with a capital of only £4 being eight shares of 10s each. The company is registered in Auckland and intends to deal in kauri gum.

There is no question, states a Lakes district farmer, that oats and peas are the saviours of this country during a severe winter. We had saved .a good crop of oates and peas last year so had plenty of good hay, and I am sure that only Mr— —,who did likewise, and ourselves in this district have had no cause to worry during the time of the heavy snow.

The father of old ivho reported a treasure hidden in his field for his son’s benefit, was not the only one who conferred a reward indirectly. A Woodville farmer’s wife became an industrious gardener (relates the Examiner), and was rewarded unexpectedly not by a crop of grapes but by a store of the juice contained in many bottles which had been buried to mature long years before, and forgotten by a former owner.

“It is safe to say, doctor, _ that every one of us possess bacilli in our bodies, is it not,” queried Mr C. A. L. Treadwell at the Supreme Court at Wellington when cross-examining a medical witness. “I hope you don’t mean all of us,” said his honour Mr Justice Salmond. “Yes, all of us, declared counsel. The doctor was of the opinion that it would be safer to say that all of us possessed some of the germs.

The East Coast Guardian (Opotiki) of a recent date says: “The opening of the Otira tunnel has caused rejoicing in Canterbury and Westland, and it maytalso be deemed a reason for rejoicing in the Bay, of Plen y. The construction of the East Coast line has been considerably retarded while the Otira tunnel was being constructed, but with the completion of that great work the people of the Bay of Plenty may look forward to much more rapid construction of the railway towards Opotiki. The Minister of Public Works promised some time ago that this would be the case and the time is now opportune to remind him of that promise. Possibly Mr Coates will' now consider the advisability of commencing construction at Opotiki, at the same time continuing construction from the present works.

An instance of extaordinary care taken to preserve the standards of measurement was mentioned by professor H. W. Segar during hielecture at the Auckland institute At Washington, he said, the standard of the yard used in measurement consists of an amalgam bar noted for its particular imperviousness to gradations ’n temperature. Nevertheless, it is carefully deposited in a glass case in a room in which the temperature of the atmosphere is kept uniform. And as if this were not enough to ensure immunity from fluctuation in the standard length, the authorities have given orders that no one must approach the case lor fear that the warmth of their bodies might expand its length but that all interested must only sight it by means of a telescope stationed at a distance. Such cautions todd of striking contrast to primitive times, when the standard of measurement was taken as the girth of the tribal chief. I

The children of Kopu, Matatoki, and Puriri schools attended the matinee yesterday afternoon to witness Odiva and her Seals, the Kind's Theatre being packed.

A reminder is given of Rev. A. Ashcroft’s lecture under the auspices if the Thames Literary Vagabonds to-morrow evening at 8 p.m. Mr Ashcroft’s subject will be “From One Generation to Another.”

The indications are for southerly winds moderate to strong and backing by south to east. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled at times with scattered showers. The barometer has a rising tendency. Seas moderate, tides good.

A special announcement on page 3 is made by the firm of Geo. Martin. This enterprising business has to make room for new goods and as a result the present stock has to he cleared at a sacrifice. A perusal of their advertisement will give an indication of the cut in prices.

“The absolute limit in impudence,” as one sufferer called it, has been reached by motor-car stealers in Christchurch, who step into motor-cars in parking places and drive off with a confidence and arrogance of proud owners. Recently many such cases have occurred in Christchurh but most of the cars have been recovered undamaged. The difficulties in the way of catching the offenders are immense. It is quite out of the question for every man who enters a car to be asked if he is entitled to do so. On occasions when people in authority have asked this question they have been met with very impolite replies.