LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12757, 30 April 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The imports to Australia during the first three months of this year decreased by .£581,000, but the exports increased by £1,812,000 as compared with the same period last year.

Lieut. Shackleton, of the British Antarctic expedition, having written intimating that he would be glad to be enrolled an honorary member of ths Legion of Frontiersmen, the acting commissioner for the Legion in New Zealand has accordingly enrolled him.

When Herr Schiemelman, of Vienna, presented his wife with a lottery ticket on her birthday, she bitterly reproached him for his wastefulness and tore it into shreds. They learnt last month that the number of the ticket had won JSIOOO, but as they could not produce the ticket they could not obtain the money. "The husband is now petitioning for a divorce.

A well-attended meeting of debentureholders of the Banks' Meat Company was held yesterday afternoon at~ oodville. The financial statement of the past six months' trading was read, which showed a very satisfactory state of affairs. Those present expressed their approval of same by passing hearty votes ot thanks to the receiver and manager (W. Nicholson) and to the chairman and members of the management committee. Various matters Of importance were brought up and considered, and the management committee was empowered to deal with them as occasion required.

The Oam am Mail advises those who are inclined to doubt the success of the GoVernment's land settlement scheme to spend a few hours on the Waitaki Settlement. On all hands there are indications of the success of the settlers, who are at present reaping the benefits of a bounteous harvest. Signs of progress are also seen in the < Government township of Morven, where ' the stores are well laden with the mer- \ chandise necessary to fill the requirements of the district of which Morven forms the ' centre. The railway yards are daily - a ' scene of activity, it not being an unusual sight to see the whole length of the yard lined with waggons unloading their wheat. •

Speaking at the farewell to Mr W. Smart, superintending engineer of the Union Steamship Company, who is leaving on a visit to England, by the Wellington Institute of Marine Engineers on Thursday, the Hon. C. M. Luke referred to the financial position of the Dominion. The trade depression at the present time, saidMr Luke, was hanging as a pall over them but he ventured to 6ay it had been made too- much of. Instead of being the cause of a panic, it should act as an incentive. It should arouse them to consider the best means of developing the country and meet the new conditions arising 1 . And if there was any development to meet *the rising tide of difficulties, it <vw*uld'hav# *d eflfmer: largely from the industry in which the • members of the institute were personally concerned, that of engineering.^

It is a curious fact that perfect health is not consistent with high muscular development. Professional athletes and all men who acquire phenomenal strength seem to lose in length of life and activity what they gain for a few years of record-break-ing powers. Take, for instance, Louis Cyr, the Canadian giant, who broke all weightlifting records. He weighed 3201b5, and was all solid bone and muscle. He could hold his wife out at arm's length with one hand, and raise a 3001 b barrel from the floor 'to his shoulder, using only one hand and arm. Yet this remarkable man was muscle-bound and crippled at 37, when he should have been at the height of his wonderful powers. Kennedy, who won a diamond belt for lifting with his hands from the floor, absolutely without apparatus, a 10001 b weight, was used Tip and crippled before he was 40.

An elderly man named. John. WheJai, of cleanly, respectable appearance, and fine upright bearing, appeared in the Police Court this morning, to answer a charge of being without means of support. The circumstances of his case showed that he had! arrived, in the colony in 1875, and after going through many vicissitudes since then, had spen€ the last few years working wherever possible in this and the Hawke's Bay district. An application for an old age pension was- made by him at Dannevirke, but was ssto t long in course of arrangement that the old man, being in want, had again to move about for the necessaries of life. After begging a few meals the life became abhorrent Jx> him, and he preferred rather to go without than beg. He wended his way to Wanganui, and ont to a hut on a 'settler's place near Fordell, where he had stayed for close on two weeks, it is stated, without food. The want of nourishment soon had its effects- on the man, whose mind began to suffer, and his condition being reported to the settler, the police were immediately telephoned for, and took charge of the sufferer. He had intended to go without food and) await the end, but will no doubt be spared such a painful and untimely death. The Bench (his Worship the Mayor), remanded Whelan for a week, so that he may recover his usual self before being further dealt with.

The :nan who thinks twice, the man who appreciates the combination of quality and reasonable prices, is the man we want to show our new range of overcoats to, for he will readily see the value, the style, and the comfdrt in these coats. All ' the newst - patterns and the latest styles in rainproof materials at prices ranging from 12s 6d to 60s. if we have not a cr.at to your Jiking either for price, fit, or 3tyle, we can show you a fine selection of patterns. You choose the material and style, and have your coat made to measure. All depends on the quality of material selected. Prices ranging from 35s each. — McGruer ,and Co.