LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 4 January 1926, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The rainfall ill Eketahuna for De cember was 2.97 inches.

The Masterton Borough Council issued 49 drivers’ licenses and five heavy traffic licenses during the month of December. Tho swing bridge on, : the Mount Holdsworth track is in a dangerous state, of disrepair—new decking for practically the whole length is urgently required. Summer colds and Hay-Fever quickly banished by “NAZOL. Inhaled or taken on sugar it has a wonderful heal ing effect. 60 doses 1/6.

Only half an inch of rain fell in Masterton during the last month. Last night a plate glass panel in one of the doors of Mr J. Moody’s premises “London Unlimited,” was broken by a largq stone (wrapped in cloth). Two large rugs are known to be missing. 'The improved condition of the road between Carterton and Greytown was greatly appreciated by motorists who visited the Wairnrapa races on Friday and Saturday.

The well-known Union liner Talune has been towed to Waikokopu, where she will be sunk to form a brekawater protecting the wharf. A hill just above her last resting place wlil be cut down and thrown over and around the hull to increase the sheltered area.

Travelling in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, Dr. Thacker had “New Zealand” printed in large bold letters on his luggage. He offers this idea to all New Zealanders abroad as he found that it never failed to assure civility aud kindness.

The Canterbury croquet tournament ended on Saturday. In the contest for the ladies’ championship, Mrs Leech (Wellington) beat Mrs E. A. Smith (Christchurch), in two straight games, 26 —25 and 26—1".

Owing to a number of the bandsmen being away over the week-end, it wasfound impossible to give the programme intended yesterday afternoon in the park. It is hoped that the band will be able to give this programme next Sunday . An Athens message states that an echo of the Greek defeat in Anatolia in 1922' is contained in an announcement of the Military Council, enquiring into the matter, that it found that General Plastiras was responsible, and had decided, by .seven votes to three, that he be court-martialled.

A London cable states that a Rugby Union Committee meeting considered the question of inviting the Maori team which is going to France in 1926. It was felt that the suggested date ,December, 1926, was impracticable, and the matter was referred to the International Board.

Favoured by the recent dry spell, harvesting operations' throughout the Eangitikei district arc well advanced, says the Wanganui Chronicle. Golden grain is stooked on all sides ready for collecting and threshing, but it is noticeable that the crops are more stunted in growth than usual. This is no doubt due to the check in growth occasioned by the unusual season. The crops are shorter than in the past, but the quality of the yields is expected to come lip to par.

Double-failed pennies are sometimes found in certain places, but rarely a double-tailed threepenny piece. Ploughing operations on a paddock out back from Mangaweka recently brought to light a silver medal with a gold centre on which was engraved the initials, “J.F.R.” On the other side: “One Mile Cycle Race, 20.10.01.” Attached to the medal was a. double-tail threepenny piece, each side dated 1872. The find is in the possession of a Mavtonian, who is hoping that the once proud owner will claim it.

“Events have proved,” says tho Marlborough Express, “that, Marlborough did well in establishing its own identity at the Exhibition in Dunedin. It may be noted that the Masterton people are regretting that the Wairara.pa district did not follow Marlborough’s example, instead of combining with Wellington; and we believe that the same feeling exists at Nelson. The. citizens of both places now see that they would have done much better for their communities if they had gone tho length of securing independent representation. Two very- enjoyable dances were held ii: the Exchange Hall last Friday and Saturday nights, there being present between 50 and 70 couples each evening, including visitors from Australia who favourably commented on the dances and sociability of those present. The music, supplied by Messrs. C. Mills and B. Norman, was worthily of high praise. Supper handed round by the committee brought very enjoyable dances to a close. Mrs. Lock lias decided to run a dance weekly during the summer months dn the Exchange Hall. The next dance will be held on Saturday- night. A motor collision which, fortunately, was free from injury- to the passengers, occurred in front of the Town Hall, in the Main road, Lower Hutt, on Saturday- evening, about 7.15. A tlireeseater car was inward bound from Akatarnv.a, and met an outward bound ear, when, apparently- through tho driver of the latter making an unexpectedly wide detour prior to entering a right-of-way alongside the hall, the care came into violent collision, after the southwardbound ear had skidded through the application of the brakes. The tlvreeseater came to rest on the footboard of the other car, right in the middle of the street, the former with the lights burning, and the latter without. The. young man who jumped to his death from the Grafton bridge, Auckland, on Tuesday afternoon, James Chapman Rule, was 27 years of age, and a resident of Roberts street, Wailii. Ho was a French polisher by- occupation. When he left the home of his married sister on Christmas Eve to spend his holidays in Auckland, Rule was in his usual 'good spirits, and nothing had' occurred to suggest that he was likely to take iris life. It is understood, however, that he suffered from fits of depression which (says an Auckland paper) came upon him from time to time as the result, apparently-, of an accident about eight years ago, when he was an apprentice in Mr. Thomas Quinlivan’s racing stable at Hastings. While at riding work there he was thrown from his mount and dragged some distance with, his foot caught in the stirr.up iron. The horse kicked him, and he sustained a fractured jaw and a broken ear drum.

The vital statistics in Masterton for the month of December are as follows: —Births ID, marriages 11, deaths S.

A 'Cairo message .states that eight men were required to carry the coffin of Tutankhamen, which was brought there ffom Luxor, and is now in the Cairo museum. The intrinsic gold value of the coffin is estimated at £40,000. A London cable states that the University College’s Department of Anatomy is investigating whether a Britisher’s stomach hangs lower than an American 's, and is seeking a thousand healthy volunteers who will be required to drink two ounces of barium sulphate in two cups of malted milk, after which they will be X-rayed.

A violent and dazzlingly brilliant electrical disturbance visited Hastings just after midnight on Hew Year 's Day. Coming from the south in blinding Hashes and deafening thunder, it seemed to spend its fury in the town, and culminated in hurtling a large globe of lire across the sky. This changed night to noon, and burst with a terrific report, causing much .alarm-,, and extinguishing tho town electric lights. , Soon, after that the storm sped out to sea. No serious damage is reported. The 44ft cruising launch, Buamano, which is due here any day from Auckland, via Bussell ,thc North Capo, New Plymouth and Wanganui, is the property 0 f Mr A. IT. Court, of Auckland, having been built by Messrs Collings and Bell, and only launched early in December. She underwent satisfactory trials, and before she left for tire North had made week-end trips to the Great Barrier and Moko Ilinau. She also went down to the Mercuries, . where there is notable big fishing king fish, hapukn, moko shark and sword fish. Oil these trips the launch covered about 350 miles, behaving in a- most satisfactory manner in a seaway. The crew on her present cruise consists of Messrs A. 11. Court, J. B. Johnston, B. Norton, C. J. Collings and J.. Kelly. It is the intention of Mr Court to circumnavigate New Zealand in the "Buamano plished by a motor launch. It is his intention to spend quite a time at Picton and the Marlborough Sounds, and later to continue on down the West Coast to the Southern Sounds.

An old Maori who was travelling by traiu on Saturday, when asked if he saw tlie green moon .the other night ,replied that there was nothing very unusual about it at all. The old-time. Maori .was looking out'for signs and wonders, and in the very eailj times he had always heard it stated that a green moon meant peace, just as a fierv-red moon meant war. He had been talking witli some learned young Maoris lately, and they had told lii:n that all the nations had' signed a treaty of peace that there was to be no more war, and lie could not understand the pakehas, who thought they knew so much, not connecting the green moon with the peace treaty. When lie looked upon it lie decided to make the journey to Auckland by train, because, previously to that he was afraid to travel when the trains were so full of people; he thuoglit some accident might occui, but lie knew there would be no accident when he had seen the green moon. —Star.

The Y.M.C.A. announces elsewhere its annual camp for boys, which takes place from January 6th to 20th.. The camp, which is onen to all boys of’ 12 or over, will be held on Mrs Wardell s property, on the river bank below the bridge. All intending campers are asked to see the general secretary of the YM C.A.. who will personally conduct the camp, at 4 p.m. to-morrow, when final instructions will be given. The camp provides a splendid opportunity at a. low figure for parents to give their hoys the full benefit of outdoor lire under ideal conditions. No doubt many w iU avail themselves of the opportunity. Fuller particulars may be obtained at the Y.M.C.A. Room to let. Room wanted. -to - •Rooms to let. Carpenters wanted. Girl desires employment. Lady-help wants position. Woman wants work by day. Woman wanted for kitchen. *

Lost camera, advertised.for. Assistant for hosiery department wanted. Young’ man want s work on Satin day afternoons. . Girls wanted for Masterton Hosiery Mills, Ltd. Elsewhere in this issue the committee of the Buy in Masterton Campaign advertise the places of interest to visitors to Masterton. . ...... Visitors to Masterton are invited to inspect our stock of toys, presents, fan,v crockery.—The Gift House, South End, Queen street, ’phone 2-198. Messrs. Lyttle and Co., Ltd., motor dealers, advertise 1926 cars they piesent. The iirni have just landed two handsome cars—Packard, Sixes, one a sedan and an open tourer, both the vei'v latest models. Full stocks of Nash Ajax, Bugby and ArmstrongSid delay ears are also to he seen at the. firm’s garage.