LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13417, 3 July 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Glen Oroua resident has grown a potato weighing over 4ijlb—a record for tho district.

Great difficulty is being experienced by the Hawke’s Bay Education Board in procuring teachers. At Thursday’s meeting of the Board the secretary stud tht three schools would be closing on Monday for want of teachers.

Speaking of the viciousncss of stags at certain seasons, Mr 11. Walker, of the Council of the Nelson Acclimatisation Society, said that a big stag with fine antlers had recently been killed at Eocklands (Bailor), but not until after it had practically disembowelled three cows. It was caught in tho act of slaying the third cow, run down, and killed. Another stag, brought up by hand by Mr Waterhouse, at Wakapuaka, became so unruly as to be dangerous to passers-by and others, and had to be disposed of. Members of the council also gave instances where stags had attacked horses at surveyors’ camps What might have been a serious conflagration at Invercargill was averted by the quickness of wit and readiness of action shown by a local girl On entering the Wesleyan Church last Wednesday morning for the purpose of her usual practice at the organ. Miss Gladys Scarell was greeted by volumes of smoko issuing from the choir platform Upon investigating, Miss Searell found that the platform was on fire She rushed out of the building, gave the alarm, and, by means of buckets of water passed over tho fence, immediately extinguished the fire. Miss Searell's prompt action was, no doubt, responsible for the suppressing of what would soon have been a big blaze. A hole had been burnt through the platform, and tho cocoa matting was already on fire. The organ, which cost somctliing like TBOO, stands on the platform not far from where the fire originated. It is thought that the (ire was caused through tho heaters having been left burning from the previous evening.

In regard to Italy, success promises to attend the efforts being made to get Australian frozen meat on tlio European markets (says the Age). While Switzerland Austria, and Sweden are spending time in consideration. Italy has come forward with a definite offer. This was contained in a letter received through the High Comlaissioner's office by the Minister of Custoihs from Mr D. Palazzoli, an agent who investigated the trade conditions on behalf of the Brescia municipality. Mr Palazzoli writes that if favourable consideration for the shipment of frozen meat tr Genoa can be obtained, the city of Brescia will form a combine of several important Italian municipalities for the importation of largo quantities of Australian meat “In the north of Italv.” continues Mr Palazzoli, “Australian meat is preferred to any other imported meat.” and a great market awaits a good "rodnet at a (hear price. He also thanks Captain Collins on behalf of his city for help in the investigation. It is not clear what “favourable consideration” the cit" expects, unless it be cheap freight; but Mr Tudor trusts that exporting firms will take this invitation to avail themselves of the offer.

The Weather Bureau reports as follows: South-easterly winds moderate; weather probably cool and changeable, but indications for fair weather following; probably a frost to-night; glass rise slowly: tides moderate; sea moderate.

Sweated sovereigns are a source of worry and loss ±o the Federal Treasury, as well as to business people with a large turnover of golde i com. So many debased ccius have been brought under the notice of the Acting-Troasnrer (Mr Fraser) recently that he has determined to reward substantially any person who gives information leading to the conviction of issuers of sweated or spurious coins. Mr Fraser ha» an interesting return, showing the losses due to the debasing of the coinage. “The practice seems to have grown to a large extent in some portions of Australia,” stated Mr Fraser recently, “and we ask for assistance in stopping it.”

Three cases of insobriety engaged the attention of Mr F. V. Frazer, 8.M., this morning. A first offender was fined 6fl and coots, and ordered to pay As cab hire. Another man who was released on bail yesterday morning, turned up at the station to-day in a state of drunkenness, and bad to be again locked up; he was remanded till to-morrow. The third offender was fined 5s and costs, or 24 hours, for drunkenness, and 20s and costs, or one week, for procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, a fortnight being allowed him in which to pay. In the later ease the S.M. said he made the penalty light because defendant had observed the order till close on the time of its running out, but warned him that a second offeno* would not be dealt with so lightly. It was reported to the Victorian Education Department recently that one towel was doing duty for 250 or 300 children at a school in Moorahbinehire. No complaint appears to have been received from the parents, and certainly none from the children. The whole question of washing infant classes is now engaging serious consideration. The director explains that provision for lavatory requisites was mode In the maintenance allowance. .It was intended to alter the present system before the end of the year, and the school medical officers had been asked to draw up a scheme to provide lor the proper maintenance and sanitation of school buildings. Under the new Act, arrangements for the cleaning of buildings were placed in the bands of the school committees, and a radical alteration of existing conditions would be necessary. It was agreed by the Departmental authorities that roller towels in public places were insanitary, and in some suburban schools where there was up-to-dute accommodation the parents hod co-operated with the teachers and provided hand towels.

A scene of unusual interest took place at Putiki yesterday, when the visitiiig Hawaiians were entertained by Mr. and Mrs Jury Whatahoro. Mr Jury has spent all his long life in studying Maori history, and consequently a visit, by his oversea brethren was specially interesting to him, and the visitors on their part Were exceedingly interested in comparing Maori words and customs with their own. After luncheon the visitors entertained their hosts with a few choice selections, and then Mrs Jury, in a neat little speech, presented a handsome mat, an oil painting, and a greenstone to the islanders. After responding, the visitors visited Putikiwaranui, where speeches of welcome were given by Takarangi Meto Kingi, Woraroa Kingi, Napia Tnuri, Hori Keiei, Hiki Takarangi, Moana Tauri, and othem. After the speeches several more mats wo tp presented to the visitors, who expressed their pleasure by happy speeches and * few more choice selections. After a part song by the Putiki choir, afternoon , tea was handed round, and the meeting broke up.

The Stewart Island correspondent of the Bluff Press reports an extraordinary hippening at the sporta gathering held at Half Moon Bay on Coronation Day. The utarter for the running events (Mr W. P. Thompson) used a double-barrelled ahbt gun, tho shot being discharged into the sand. The final of the 135 yards Sheffield was about to be run. “Beady" and “Set” had already been given. All competitor* were straining for the sound of the gun, but before it had a chance of making an impression upon their minds, one or the competitors (J. Bobertson) received the charge of shot in his leg, and bolted like a redshank. A finer start could nob have been imagined, and the unfortunate individual who received the shot ran as though for his life. He outpaced the remainder of tho field, and ran homo an easy winner. For the remainder of tho afternoon he and his supporters were kept busily employed in retrieving the shot from his leg, and some fourteen pellets were found to have entered tho flesh. Although, his leg i# somewhat sore and swollen, Bobertson is now little tho worse for his sensational win.

June has been a very harassing month for the milk suppliers in Christchurch, and it is expected that July will not. see auv diminution of their worries. The difficulties of keeping up a supply of milk for tho city have I>eon felt keenly by many, and there has been under consideration a proposal to raise tho price of milk from 4d to 5d per quart. The position ha* arisen out of the long spell of dry weather that North Canterbury underwent in the autumn. The delay of tho rain eaused a shortage of feed, and on many dairy farm* the cows “wont dry” much sooner than i« usual. The farmers made an effort to save the situation by purchasing feed, but the lack of grass was too great a handicap for them to overcome, and some dairy farmers were faced with the problem of purchasing supplies of milk for their own consumption. In tho city tho shortage was also keenly felt. Big suppliers have opposed the raising the price, and it it generally thought that the milkmen will not take the step. The latter end of July or the beginning of August, it is confidently predicted, will see the end of the difficulty, because by that time tho cow* will “come in’’ again, and the supply of milk will bo greater. Considerable candour characterised tho comments of Baron Oura, Minister for Agriculture and Commerce in Japan, on hi* experiences during his recent tour in Europe. According to a translation of his remarks which was published in the Kobe Chronicle, he considers that “in the importa nt csaentialß of a great power—wealth and commercial morality—Japan is still too young to be classed among the world’s foremost countries.” Japanese merchants, the Minister added, are regarded with suspicion, with the result that their merchandise “cannot pass tho Customs authorities on a mere invoice, hut is subjected to a very rigorous examinaion, being complccly unpacked and minutely inspected,” this entailin'* expense and dcbiy. His opinion of British methods, on the other hand, affords a striking contrast to those of his own countrymen. "British merchandise," he declares, “is always more substantial than it is advertised to be. For example, if a piece of cloth is announced to bo 30 font in length, it always measures a little longer; and a similar observation applies in the case of woods sold by weight. In short,” he cour eludes. “English goods never fail to jus* Hfv tbeir advertised description.” It hj to be hoped that this high estimate of British commercial standards is accurate.

Barley is said to be a rising market. A large line was sold to a prominent Blenheim firm at 4e 8d per bushel, on trucks at Blenheim. The Napier municipal staff is to be ‘ncreased by the appointment of an inspector of plumbing, dram-connecting, sanitation, etc., at a salary of J6250 per annum. Tanpo Quay is in far from the best of condition at present. The usual mud which prats in an appearance after rain is verv much in evidence, while what little metal there is is very rough. Good progress is being made with the extensions to the tramway car shed and engine-room, though it will probably he three or four months before they are complete. The new tramway offices are in a much more advanced state, and another four weeks should see them in use. "Cyclist” writes us. apnealing to the "powers that be” on the ever-increasing ganger of traffic of all kinds in the habit of keeping to the wrong side of the road, particularly in the Avenue. Our correspondent adds that in most towns such a violation is subject to a penalty. The attendance at the performance of the Sheffield Choir at Palmerston North on Friday afternoon, including the officials (about 42) totalled 1900. with door receipts aggregating ASBB 17s 6d. These figures ware made up as follows:—79s ten shilling seats, 1:397 10s; 588 five shilling seats. J0147; 25 children’s seats, A3 2s tid ; 350 half-crown tickets, £3l ss; 200 other tickets, AlO. Mr Albert Barns reports holding a most successful sale of town and suburban sections at Ohakune on Tuesday. 27th June. These sections were eagerly sought after Ky a numerous audience, and realised highly satisfactory prices. Some 53 lots ware sold, in areas varying from two to 30 acres. The sale was held by direction of the president of the Aotca Maori District Land Board. The Board is wol’pleased with the result. On Wednesday night a big fire occurred at Haleombe, when the large building near the railway station, owned by Mr .Lewis Horn, and containing among other material of value, a seed-cleaning plant, was totally destroyed. Details of the fire so far are very meagre, but the mi.qn is wrapped in mystery. The total value .of the shed and contents was something ,ike £IOOO. The insurance only comes "-A 1 jn £4OO of that amount, so that Mr Horn will be a heavy loser by the fire.—Star. Some people certainly appear to possess naive conceptions of the workings of the law. A local fish vendor, .whose coster-monger-lKe methods have made him somewhat of a celebrity, and who was recently given a week's grace in which to find the money to meet a fine and costs, amounting in all to £2. turned up at the Court this morning with a bland request to be allowed to pav half the amount “on account.” He was informed that unless the £2 was forthcoming by to-morrow, a warrant would be issued for his arrest. Then the floodgates of eloquence were opened, and he departed vowing to be “far away by that time.” At the beginning of the Wanganui Baptist Sunday School yesterday, the Rev. A. S. Wilson formally welcomed, on behalf of the teachers and scholars, the newlyappointed officers of the school, viz.. Mr W. Gaze as superintendent, and Mr W. H, Bott as secretary. The position of superintendent had been rendered vacant by the retirement, after 8| years in .hat •office, of Mr G. W. Carrad, in order to take the leadership of the Young Men’s Glass. Messrs Carrad, Gaze and Bott then spoke to the school. Mr Gaze has been *crctary of the Sunday School for 10 vears. Afterwards Mr Wilson introduced Mr Carrad to the young men as their leader,' and that gentleman, after a few words from Mr J. H. Harper, addressed the class. Mr Carrad was enthusiastically received by the 17 or 13 young men present. Sir John Gordon, at the Commonwealth Club, Adelaide, the other week, delivered an address on the question, “Is a Man Too Old at 60?” He referred to famous men Who at a great age had done splendid work, and added; “The man who, in youth, shackled himself to vice, who loafed aimlessly through life, was generally fir only for the scrap-heap at 60 or earlier. There were always great possibilities ahead of a man, whatever his age, who niade failure a stepping-stone to greater dfiort and nobler plans. A man who had never failed had only half succeeded. At 60, the battle between courage and despair which came to every sensitive mind .’.ad. in the lives of most men, been fought and the enemy vanquished, a sexagenarian olxght 'to have settled his philosophy of life and death, because it was a mistake for a man to put off thinking about hie squl till he had lost his hair and teeth. Therefore, he would say to ail healthy sexagenarians: Keep your vital activities stimulated by service to your fcllow-mcn. and you will keep young. Do not kwo your interest in life.” The recent jubilee celebrations at Gahnel a Gullv have evidently aroused considerable interest among the miners of the West Coast, and a spirit of emulation is abroad. Writing on this subject, the Qreymouth Star says;—“ln 1915 the West Coasters will be called upon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discoverv of gold in this part of the Dominion 'lhe recent celebrations at Gabriel's Gully have added interest to the matter, and already 7® “ a '; e .Westport and Hokitika putting forth their claims to have the event mark” ed by,ceremonies in their towns. The clauna of Greymouth should not be overlooked, and we hope, even at this earfy date, that steps will be taken so as to secure the celebrations taking place here TTie event, one noteworthy in the history of the Dominion, should be celebrated with an eclat befitting the important aud unique occasion. Greymoiith should nark this milestone in the annals of the Golden Coaat in a manner which should redound to her credit. Doubtless in the fulness time consideration will be given to a suggestion that the event should he marked by an exhibition in Greymouth. This, indeed wouid be a very desirable project, especially if, by a lucky stroke of fortune the Ed S °' ‘h 6 rai ‘T ay to rilr '^cJn.rcli jublli” the daU ‘ of the