LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16139, 2 July 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The indications are for,:' Southerly winds, moderate to strong with a westerly tendency. The weather appears likely to he cloudy and unsettled. Rain probable. Barometer unsteady. Seas rough. Tides good Attention is Aawn to A .Court and Son’s special advertisement on page 2 of this issue.

A first offending drunk was convicted and fined 5/- this morning by Judge McCormick.

The Post and Telegraph Department advises that the mails which ’ -ft Wellington on the 27th May via San Francisco arrived at London on "he 29th June.

Information has been received that the Public Works Department has decided to work their men evex-y day including Saturdays and Sundays, until the Kauaeranga Bridge is completed.

Brigadier and, Mrs Toomer who were recently 1 appointed by General Booth, to the command of the Salvation Army work throughout the Auckland Province, will visit Thames Thursday and Friday of this week." They are •. announced to conduct a special public Service in the Salvation Army Hall on Thursday Evening. The Brigadier is being accompanied by Staff Captain Powicl; on his present tour.

; has been emitting a column of steam practically ever since its eruption of the 4th instant (says Daily Telegraph). There was a smart earthquake shock recently.

Whatever else it contains, Oamaru has two sure enough heroes (remarks the Mail).There is an old ‘ Oamaru resident who takfes a daily dip in Friendly Bay despite the weather, and there 1 is ope lady who > has sat in audience -through every session of the competitions.

“Twenty-five years ago 60 per cent, of the population of New Zealand was on the land and the other 4fl per cent, in tlie towns,” said Mr W. J.-Polson, Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union, at Hawera. 60 per cent, was in the towns and the other 40 per cent, on the land .

The opinion as to exactly what a farmer’s services are worth was greatly divided during the hearing of a fencing dispute at the MorrinsviHe Magistrate’s Court recently. A witness was asked if he thought a farmer’s time was worth 2/6 an hour, or even 1/- an hour, on the farm, and he answered emphatically. “L do not” in each case. Another witness considered 2/6 an hour an excessive amount for a farmer to charge—l/9 an hour would be ample. A third witness, however, considered that he would pay 2/6 an hour to a good man. ' : .S

“It is certainly a kink,” remarked Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.Hjl., at the Christchurch Juvenile Court on Saturday when a girl was charged with stealing various goods. Senior Detective Cameron ’ observed that the girl had bought a cup and saucer-valued at £3 10s, one and a quarter yards of astrakhan, and pepper, salt and mustard set valued at £1 2s 6d bv representing that she was buying them on behalf of sometfjie else. It was suggested that a period ■■ of supervision would do the girl Magistrate accordingly adjourned the case for three months-, the probat’on officer to,Supervise the girl’s actions.

The “luck of a Chinaman” is nothing compared with that of a local Irish terrier, which is indeed smiled on by the gods (says the Manawatu Evening Standard). Yesterday afternoon, while crossing the rails at the railway station, this particular canine was struck by the incoming Auckland express. Caught by the cowcatcher, the dog was tossed nknfud the line, caught and again, finally being thrown clear .of the rails. A compassionate train-examiner/ obtained a hammer with a view to ending the animal’s suffering, but the terrier evidently had had enough for one day, and left the' scenep-apidly, apparently none the worse for the experience.

An old grey horse wandering along a Nelson street shortly after the pictures finished one night recently as the case of much merriment to the few belated wayfarers (recounts the Mail.) Evidently on forage bent, and with slow heavy steps, he marched along the footpath under the -erandahs until he came to , a brilliantly lighted fruit and vggetable 4 shop. Directly opposite the open door the green vegetables offered an irrestible temptation, and without any hesitation the pld horse went straight for them. The astonished expression of rhe celestial gentleman who came to serve this heavy-footed customer, and his evident relief as lie slowly induced the horse to turn (there was only 'just ncm) and go out, added considerably to the enjoyment of the onlookers.