LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19436, 23 October 1925, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

“My speeches in this election are written by myself; they are not turned out in the gas factory.”—Mr J. J. McGrath, Wellington North.

Shearing operations have become fairly general in the Wanganui district, and the clips are beginning gradually to find their way into the city stores.

“This contest is a clean one, but, as expected, a very keen one.” —W. J. Rogers, Labour candidate, at Keith Street last evening.

“Labour seems to be a cross-word puzzle. It has tried to construct a political pianola that will play any tune.” —The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, at Dunedin West.

“When the Labour Party speaks of abolishing capitalism,” says the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, “it merely substitutes State capitalism for private capitalism. The consumer is not benefited. v

“The Government it can be said, did something like the right thing when it enacted pensions for the epidemic widows and children,” said the Labour candidate, Mr W. ,T. Rogers, at his meeting last evening.

“Flats to let, two rooms for 255,” gave Mr McClymcnt an opportunity for a pun at Otahuhu that he was not slow to seize upon. “There are not only flats to let,” he said,- ‘‘but flats that take them.”

Notice boards on main highways indicating country boundaries, have been requested by the Main Highways Board. The Board will subsidise the-first cost on a construction basis and subsequent cost of upkeep on a maintenance basis.

“What nationality are you?” a questioner asked Mr T. Lamont, Nationalist candidate for Takapuna. Mr Lamont, whose voice revives memories of nights wi ’ Burrns and the like, retaliated: “You try to borrow a fiver from me, and you’ll soon find out.”

“ ‘Wage-slaves’ is Labour As great catch-cry, but surely it is better to provide work at such wages as a country can afford than to reproduce the conditions in Russia, where they seem to have slavery without wages.”— Hon. W. Downie Stewart.

‘‘l appreciate the fact, that up to date my character has not been attacked,” said Mr W. J. Jordan, Labour candidate for Manukau, at St. Heliers Bay. ‘‘Of course I do not know what will happen during the next fortnight. I may. have a wife at Onehunga and another at Otahuhu.” (Laughter).

Auckland is the 218th city in the Tyorld in point of population, based on the 1924 estimate of 172,935. Of the Pacific ports, Auckland may be rated as the 32nd largest. Ou the assumption that there are 18 cities of larger size in England, Auckland is the 51st city in the British Empire.

“No smoking, please,” is a notice now conspicuously displayed in the Keith Street Schoolroom. At. the Labour meeting held in that hall last evening a wag remarked that the notice apparently appeared after the “cigar” meeting held by Mr Veitch the previous meeting. “Free cigars are always appreciated,” he stated.

“What did the Liberals do when the soldiers’ gratuities were under consideration?” said Mr W. J. Rogers last evening. “They walked out bf the House and this is now being broadcasted by the Hon. A. D. McLeod everywhere from the political platform. ’ ’

An unusual accident occurred at the top end of Goat Valley on Monday last when a motorist rushed headlong into a mob of cattle. Neither the car nor the driver was injured, but a 'cow was so badly mauled that it had to be destroyed. The driver, apparently recognising his culpability in the matter, paid for the animal.

“We will have to bar these big hats in Court,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Auckland Police Court when a witness wearing a large straw hat covering her face, was giving evidence. “They come right down over the face and we cannot hear anything,” he added. The witness promptly removed her hat.

A happy childish illusion was shattered at an election meeting in Marlborough last week when a disappointed infant iplaced on record her poor opinion of political gatherings. The girl, who is five years of age, hearing her elders discussing a forthcoming address by a candidate, insisted on being taken to the gatherings, but after listening to the candidate for half an hour or so, had had enough. “It isn’t the sort of meeting I wanted,” she protested. “One man keeps talking all the time and never gives anyone else a chance! ’

The milking motors installed in the district by the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board are now giving general satisfaction. There are at present over 90 motors operating, while further installations are. to be made in the near future at Turakina, Rata, Wangaehu and Flock House, which will bring the total up to about 200. Of the latter, 70 per cent of the settlers have already signed up, while the remainder of the signatures are pending.

“It is said that you are being run by the brewers,” stated an elector, addressing Mr W. J. Jordan, Labour candidate for Manukau, at his meeting at St. Heliers Bay. This remark was hailed with loud laughter. ‘'The last drink of whisky I had was on the day Mafeking was relieved —in May, 1900,’ replied Mr Jordan. “I can assure you I am not associated with the trado either in one way or the other.’

An interjeetor, who kept referring, to “that fossilised institution, the Legislative Assembly,” at Mr Dickson s opening meeting in Auckland, ye -n--vited to occupy the platform and place his query before the audience. Are you in favour of the abolition of the Legislative Council?” asked the gentleman on Stepping up. “No, lam not,” declared Mr Dickson, ’’because it would be a safety valve if over the Labour Party got into pjwcr by an accident.’’

Some rather extraordinary questions are put to political candidates at election time. In a South Island electorate, for instance, a solemn, grey-haired farmer rose at a meeting addressed by a candidate to inquire if he would support legislation to prevent people on small sections of a quarter of an acre or ifo keeping bees, which he declared was harmful to farmers’ pastures, as it .prevented the fertilisation of clover. The candidate relieved his anxiety by explaining that the position was the other wav about, and that the humble bee had been imported by the Government for the express purpose of fertilising red clover.

“‘ A. terrible picture/ ‘The wildeyed monster/ ‘The reddest of the red/ is the way some of the Press are trying to vilify Labour. Take no notice/' said Mr W. J. Rogers at his meeting last evening.

The shining cuckoo has made its appearance in the vicinity of Wanganui, one having been heard at Gordon Park a fortnight ago. The visitor has been seen in that locality several times since, but the long-tailed cuckoo has not so far been in evidence.

Further successes of Wanganui competitors at Hamilton are Miss G. Parkes first, and Miss E. Latham second in the humorous character recital. Miss Parkes was also third in ladies’ recitation, while Miss Betty Allen secured second place in character recital under sixteen.

Observation discloses that the “weaker sex” are taking a keen interest in the present Parliamentary election. All meetings of each candidate contesting the Wanganui seat are .well attended by women and naturally they are being “courted” by all the candidates.

The work in connection with electrically lighting the streets in the city has been delayed for a few weeks owing to a shortage of poles, but a further consignment arrived by the Joan Craig, and the reticulation of St. John’s Hill will be proceeded with immediately. When this section is attended to, it will require only a small amount of work to complete the entire street lighting scheme for the city and suburbs.

The Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board had a consignment of electric fittings on the Kent, which caught fire at Auckland recently. When the consignment—which consisted of additional switch gear for the Okoia sub station and extra equipment for the power house —was opened up at Wanganui, it was discovered that 85 per cent of it was. damaged by water. This will be shipped back to London for replacement, and in the meantime temporary gear will have to be utlised.

The roads in the Waitotara County district arc in better order at present than they have been for the last six years. An extraordinary thine' about the wet weathey has been tbn. it has actually improved the surfaces, and one can now motor through the back country, tapping en route Paparangi and Te Tuhi, right down to the Wanganui River—an unheard-of thing previously. The work that has been executed on the roads during the past few years is just beginning to show up now, and even the main highways are in exceptionally good order.

A remarkable coincidence is recorded in Camara, says the “North Otago Times.” Some years ago a son of Mr W. D. Burns met with a serious bicycle accident. He was picked up in an unconscious condition by Mr W. Crombie. A few., months ago another son of Mr Burns was rendered unconscious in a fall from a bicycle. He was also picked up by Mr Crombie. Still more remarkable is the fact that Mr Burns himself was knocked off a bicycle on Saturday night last and rendered unconscious, and Mr Crombie was again the first person to appear upon the scene and to give assistance.