LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14065, 20 August 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The curator of the Wanganui Museum, Mr 11. V\ . He.vie, wishes to acknowledge V.'itii till- receipt of ;l gilt of one guinea the- .Museum lands from Mr X. M-.mli. Clouvilk- ratepayers are reminded of the* poil to-moriow, irom u a.m. till 0 p.ra., at the GonviJlu Town Hall, ou the proposal to rake a loan of A 125.000 for water and drainage extensions and other works. Mr Pargoter, the local health inspector, has returned from a visit of inspection in the Wanganui district. He investigated cases of chicken-pox at Hulls and Marton, hut found notlung of a serious nature. In his opinion there is little to fear from smallpox breaking out in the Wanganui district. The schooner Hero has arrived at Smeetou’s Hay, Whaugarei, with the lirst consignment of 20,000 disused tramrails from Auckland for the Dominion Cement Company. 'i he rails are to be used to form the trestle work of the mile-long pier the company is building from the works at Tikirungi out to deep water in the Mangapai Channel.

A lino addition was made last week to the supply of shrubs for the beautification of Wanganui, when a consignment of three hundred pink coral heaths arrived here from W anganui. This kind of heath i.s a magnificent flowering shrub and grows to a good height. They were placed in Ino borough nursery, and will he planted out next season. Air.Tucker, the borough gardener, is also busy just now in collecting native shrubs and plants. On Monday, he, with one of lus men, made an expedition to tho bush above Aramoho, where he succeeded in obtaining a good number of shrubs which are being planted i.i the Hoiongh nursery. Figures .‘■bowing the proportionate mcrea.se in the population ot the North Island as against that of the Mouth were quoted by Mr P. E. Choal at the annual nice ting of tile Auckland liailways League in support of a contention that the North was entitled 10 more consideration as regards railway construction. Mince 1900, Mr Cheat said, the increase in the population of the Dominion was 250,000. Of that increase the South Island could only claim 50,000, whereas the increase in the Auckland province alone was 100,000, or more than the rest of the North Island put together. Some time ago the Hathurst Municipal Council sank a well at a spot near the waterworks indicated by a diving-rod expert. It was assured that an almost inexhaustible supply of water would be struck, but when the rock was reached only a comparatively, small flow was discovered. The diving-rod expert was again consulted, and ho expressed the opinion that the rock was only a granite slide, and that beneath this the "almost inexhaustible supply” would be found. The Council then decided to use a diamond drill obtained from the Public Works Department to pierce the "granite slide.” lint, although the drill has been driven to a depth of 100 ft, it is understood that there has been no appreciable improvement. The well has cost the Council about •tkOOO, and the city is little better off’ in the matter of water supply than it was before.

Word lia-s been received in Auckland by Air (.1. klliot (president of the 'Exhibition executive) from tho Trime Minister (lion. W, E. Massey) to the effect that the English military authorities had cabled camfuming their offer to allow the Royal Artillery Band to visit Auckland during the Exhibition season for a "period of ten weeks. “Some difficulty had been met with, ' said Mr Elliot, “in arranging ’or the shipping of the band, as most of the companies approached slated that for some time to ccuir the direct bookings to New Zealand were fairly heavy. However, arrangements had been made with the New Zealand Snipping Company to bring the whole hand, which numbers 44 members, to Auckland before December 1, the opening day of the Exhibition. 'lbe band, therefore, will arrive towards the end of November."

American negroes in Jackson, Mississippi, demonstrated a few weeks ago to show their approval of the decision l>y the Sir. rcme Court declaring that a razor is llo .' :l _ weapon, Imfc “an implement of the toi.ct ’’ j'o European readers it must lie explained that the American negro has long cherished the right of carrying a razor in his' vest pocket, in the same .vay as the cowboy in the \Ve,t cherishes the right of carrying a six-shooter in his hip pocket. Statistics show that Americans of African descent are even more ready than their white fellow-countrymen to a hip out their weapons When provoked, and not infrequently social affair* in the South—more particularly dances under nearo auspices—have terminated in sanguinary melees. A despatch from Jackson, Mississippi, says: “Out of gratitude to the. Court for returning the razor to its place in the vest pocket, the negro cotillion leaders have organised what they call a Supremo Court Razor. Club, which will have charge of social events among the village cutups,” “The legal decision," continues the despatch, “promises to lie more, far-reaching than was supposed, and will result in a revival of interest in the turkey trot, tango, pickerel flip, and up per lurch.” Tnc latter is the latest o! the eccentric dances. It is the signal for the man to grab his partner and lurch .with her in the direction of the supper table. Dances wore almo'st entirely discontinued in Jackson's fast black set when razors were barred, “but on hearing of the Cohi fs decision local society immediately commenced to arrange for a'series of siimne. events.”

The police bad no business to bring before the Magistrate at the Court tlilrf morning.

Tlie Aramolio Casein factory u iil bu working in full swing in about‘a month. Jkdween 2d and 20 factories will be supplying the raw artiile to the local factory tins season.

A man who wa-. recently released after a senteiiee for vagianey, and who has since been acting m a peculiar manner, was to-day committed by tile S.M. to the i’orirna .Mental Hospital. W u have been reipiested to mention that the Mrs Davis against whom judgment in an undefended mol ease was obtained at tiio Court yesterday was not .Mrs Davis, dressmaker, of W ilso.i Street.

'The siatT of the local Casein factory are at present engaged in erecting a largo worts at Tnuilitoa Junction for the N Dairy Association. The northern works will On considerably larger timn those at Aramoho.

A committee meeting of the Conville Dowling Club was help la-,t night, at which it was derided to draw the art union prises on September 5. A eon cert is being arranged for the evening, and will be held in the Town Hall. At the conclusion of the concert the prizes will Is- drawn. Air Hesse, the curator of the Museum, has received from .Mr Salt, Aim Abu, two bell birds. 'liie,e birds are now getting lory rare, and should prove an interesting exhibit. A guinea pig. has also lean received from .Miss Hughes of Wanganui, presented by Mr 11. Wilson. The Magistrate, Mr Ken-, beaid the application, at the .Magistrate's Court this morning, of .Mrs V. C. Hall for an order agaimt her husband, A. T, Hall, compelling him to contribute towards the maintenance .of his three children. Alter hearing evidence, bis Worship .made an order for 5s per week for each child. Although the curator of the Wanganui Mns; uni, Air De.sie, does all he can to encourage the visits of young people to the .Museum, and willing to assist them in uny way, young children have proved rather troublesome, and ho has therefore decided to stop them from visiting the Museum unless accompanied bv their parents. .

A consignment of GOO polaitukawas arrived from New riymouth yesterday, and were delivered to Mr W. Hem field. ' Tlnvo trees are intended to Ik- planted along the tramway track to the terminus at Castlecliff. and Mr W . Heuelield has undertaken to supervise the work. Probably only a few will he planted this season owing to the cost, hut the local bodies interested are giving such help as had been asked for.

During the past year, the first of its operations, the N.Z. Casein Company, wnose factory i.s at Aramoho. exported to the Continent and Eng.a ml 250 tons of casein. When it is seen that it takes «10.) gallons of milk to make a ton of casein, the full scope of the Company’s plant is appreciated. It lias been estimated that by sending their skim milk to be turned into casein, the daily tanners, at the present prices of,their produce, receive a return of an additional ten per cent, on their milk cheques. Captain James Dick, of the Oamarn Harbour Bord, who died nt Oamarn on Wednesday, was a witness of the tight between the Mrrrimac and the Monitor, off Portress Monro, in 18K), during the American Civil War. 'flic Monitor had just, come into the James Ifiver in the morning, and a few hours later the Mcrriiiip.c appeared for the purpose of destroying the shipping in the port at the time. Captain Dick used to relate how bis vessel,, wmen was loaded wiln prisoners o. war, fell subsequently into Hie bands of the enemy, only to lx- retaken by the Northerners a few days later. At the close of the war Captain Dick came to New Zealand.

A little more than two years ago tho Now South Wales (iovernmenl decided t.) adopt a system of insuring its own properties. The system is one that has already been adopted by most large steamship companion, and the Government saw no reason why it should not work out successfully when applied to Government properties, The second annual report upon the State insurance fund has now been submitted to the Treasurer, and discloses a ,‘atisfactory result up to date. The balance to tho credit of the fund is i! 25,000. 'Die report points out that the weakness of the system lies in the fact that a destructive fire might not only absorb such a. small balance absolutely, but leave the fund very much In debt. Against this improbable contingency, however, there was the possibility that tin* fund would continue to grow, so that in ten years’ time the credit balance might be i!2j(j,oCo instead of .i12j,000, ns at present.

The question of school attendance was touched upon by Mr I'. i’iratii (chairman of the Wauguiuii Kd oration Hoard) at the public meeting held at llaetibi recently. The question led on to the very delicate subject of Maori children attending T.uropean schools. Mr I’irani said he was always a strong advocate of the education of the natives and the abolition of the colour line, but the conviction that this matter will have to be faced had been forced upon him. No child should be allowed to come in contact with children either Maori or Kuropean—from insanitary homes. One specific instance was cited, wherein a whole family had contracted disease by suck contact. It was certainly pleasant to bear of the great advun-'v Uing made by the Maori race, but none of these advances- were noticeable in this education district. The extraordinary tiling about it was that many of the Maoris in fault, wen- able to afford luxuries which were far beyond the reach of the ordinary I’iikelia. Unfortunately, under the present system, payment is made on the average attendance, so that the exclusion of Maoris would penalise both flic teachers and committees at those schools affected.

A movement is on foot in Sydney to launch a company for the purjiose of renting or leasing premises in the city and suburbs, in which to iiistal automatic cafes. These establishments are to be found all over Europe and America. In appearance they are not unlike many of the soda fountains at present mu in conjunction with some of'the large retail drug stores. They are constructed of marble, tiles, or polished wood, with glass or bronze fittings, and arc of an extremely pleasing appearance. Prom a commercial standpoint, the automatic cafe attracts attention by reason of the great amount of labour it saves. In Purope the cafo is in reality an open arcade with the machines ranged around the walls. A person enters to partake of a snack. He walks over to the glass coses, which contain cakes, biscuits, and sandwiches, drops bis penny or twopence into a slot, aud receives 'the food. The food disposed of, tbe hungry one decides upon a drink. Ho taker: a glass, places the required coin in the slot, pulls a lever, and the glass is full. The variety of the food and drink to be obtained is generally so great that tin* cost is small or great, according to the pocket of the purchaser. The automatic cafe not only saves labour; it also saves space. There is no trouble, no bustle, no angry words with indolent t-s-’-’S'-enpX The profit* made by aom* of the Continental establishments arc said 'ago liom 110 per cent, to CO ior cent.

A Perth cable states that the Orontes, requiring a doctor at Colombo, shipped at Indian medical graduate of high qualifications.

■ The secretary of the Perth Labour Federation has written to Mr Wynne protesting that the Orient mail contract prohibits coloured labour.

Only seven members attended at the Hospital Board meeting to-day, and as that number is not sufficient for a quorum, the meeting was adjourned. Msesrs Murray, Bassett, and Mack ay left for W eL'ington to-day to represent the Harbour Board .before the Local Bills Committee which meets to-morrow. .'Another collision between a motor car and a cyclist occurred in the Avenue, near the Foot Office, this afternoon. The bicycle was smashed, but the rider, a young lady, was fortunately unhurt.

A mushroom, 24in. in circumference and weighing 12(0z., was found in a sheltered spot on Sunday at Ramanui (says tho Bawera Star). Apart from its size and weight, a mushroom is somewhat of a phenomenon at this season of the year. Excellent reports have been received regarding the growth of marram grass on the seashore at Castlecliff. Not only is the grass doing the work expected of it, but on the wnole is growing extremely well, and is altering the whole appearance of the beach.

The report of tho Forestry Commission contains a photograph of a section of a totara tree, eight feet in diameter, tho age of which is computed at 416 years. The tree is young compared with some of tho older trees of the world, but it has survived many important epochs in the world’s history. Tho language of some of the old English law reports is occasionally quaint. Citing from a case some 200 years old, Mr Mackey yesterday quoted an Lnglisli Chief Justice as saying scntentioasly, “Trade may be tho undoing of an infant,'’ a -remark which experience has shown is as true now as it was then.

One of the very many uses to which casein may bo put when manufactured, is shown by an exhibit of a beautifully finished set of chess-men and a board, at present exhibited in the “Herald” window. The casein from which these finciy turned articles are manufactured! was treated at the Aramoho works and after further treatment by German chemists a non-inflammable substance was made, which among ibi other qualities takes colours ■ beautifully as the exhibit shows. Anyone interested in this industry should not fail to see this pretty set. Amateur wireless experimenters in Australia complain that the Postal Department have unexpectedly made a charge of JBI Is per annum for registration, and many state that if the fee is insisted upon they wilt be unable to proceed with their investigations. The Secretary of the Federal Postal Administration (Mr Oxenham) said that it was not advisable to encourage indiscriminate experimenting with wireless telegraphy. As for the fee, he did not think that those who were serious workers would object to paying this small sum.

“Old Billy,” tho decoy sheep at the Christchurch Meat Company's works at Picton, died from natural causes on Saturday, greatly to the regret of tho employees, with whom he was a great favourite (states tho Press).. The ago of “Billy” is estimated at something like 17 years, and he has carried out tiie duties of “leading lambs to the slaughter” ever since the local works, were opened. Vi hen the butchers re-commcuce work next season their old four-legged chum will bo greatly missed. Fortunately the management has efficient under-studies to take up the decoy work. The law relating to the contracts of infants was much discussed yesterday m a case in which Messrs Russell and Bignoll (Mr Fleming) sued Ray Saunders (Mr Mackay) for iM Is Bd. The defendant, who is a minor, carried on business in AVanganui as a confectioner. The business did not prove a success and ho assigned his estate, but did not notify Messrs Russell and Bignoll. Mr Mackay stated that as tho defendant had as.-igned his estate, in which assignment the plaintiffs were still free to join, the defendant considered himself justified in resisting further claims. Consequently he raised the defence of “infancy.” Mr Fleming argued that the work was! a “necessity” for the infimt, who consequently was bound to pay for it. He cited a Now Zealand case in support. Mr Mackay's contention was that trading was not a “necessity” for an infant, and lie referred to several old English'cases dealing with the matter. The S.M. stated that he was bound to follow the English cases, and nonsuited the plaintiffs. Costs FT 2s were allowed the defendant.

A well-attended committee meeting of the St. John’s Hill Beautifying Society was hold on Monday evening, when it was reported that the workers on Arbor Day planted about 500 trees on Virginia reserve. It was also stated that the white swan injured some time ago had died, and it was decided to endeavour to procure another. -Three young men have been seen on two occasions shooting about the reserve, and the public arc asked to give any. information as to their identity, as the society is determined to prosecute any person found-shooting on the reserve. It was also pointed out that boys had annoyed pedestrians by bicycle racing on the paths. This is an amusement that must be forbidden. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs Laird and Sous, Benefield and Sous, Basmnsscn, and Mrs Krull for donations of trees and shrubs for the reterve. Considerable discussion took place re financing and beautifying the town reserves, and it was resolved; “That the parent society be requested to call a meeting of all the affiliated societies with a view of placing the beautifying of Wanganui on a more permanent financial basis."