LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160712, 27 July 1920, Page 7

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Nelson, telegram states that Percy Bond, of the Colonist proprietorship, was accorded a civic farewell last evening. Thor© was a large gathering representative of citizens, and eulogistic references were mad© to Mr Bond’s citizenship and good work for the advancement of the district. A Full Court at Wellington this morning considered the application by J. E. Barltrop for admission as a solicitor. The application was made in 1915, but was withdrawn, being then opposed by the Law Society. No opposition was offered by the Society to the present application, but the Court was of opinion that a further report on the matter should be supplied by the Society and the case was adjourned. —Press Association. The building trade of Wanganui ia Very brisk at present, so a prominent builder informed a “Herald” represented* tive this morning. The greatest difficulty was to obtain sufficient men. The supply of materials was easier; cement was prfcainly easier to obtain than previously, but rimbhr was very little easier to obtain. Our informant mentioned that he had been told by some of the Main Trunk millers that, even though they had cut more timber than in previous years, the demand was nefc nearly-met. Of lat> months very little timber had been shipped from this district to Australia, it had been all absorbed in the local demand. The fact that there has been no scarcity of sugar in Wanganui since the recent substantial rise in price has excited the curiosity of a large number of people, who naturally surmise that large quantities were being released as soon as the, priio advanced. A grocer explains that no more than the usual quantity of sugar has been landed in Wariganui of late, but that thrifty people had been laying up stores for months past of every pound of sugar they could obtain. Since the rise these reserve stocks were being, drawn upon, and only those who eould not help themselves were now buying. In regard to the latter, it was also noticed that they were mainly composed of the poorer class of customers, who did not have the ready cash during the past few months to lay in a stock. When speaking on the subject of ‘‘glare” from motor-car headlights at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Automobile Union, the Minister of Internal Aaffirs (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) said that this question was going, to be most difficult to settle, and, in his opinion, the only people who could suggest any practical remedies were professors of physics. “Glare” was an absolute menace to the community. “I look upon the man who won’t dim his lights when passing another car as the very worst class of ‘road hog,’ ” said Mr Andc v son. “He is the most cal-l-in of individuals,, and he should bo dealt with very drastically.!’ Air W. Mr-art Wilson: “Confiscate his car!” “You might do that,” replied Mi Anderson, “but that would not be much compensation for the widow of a map who was killed through such callousness.” It having been, reported by the fishermen at Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island, that a strange large white bird had taken up its quarters in the north-west ami of Paterson’s Inlet, Messrs C. Haziett and Jules Tapper, two keen, rat unlists, set sail to mu&tigate (says the Southland News), On cruising about in the vicinity they discovered the bird, which proved to be a speci men of the rare and beautiful white crane. The bird was of snow-white plumage, and appeared to have no male, and apparently was fairly tame, wading about seeking its food, and taking no notice of the intruders. Messrs Ilazlett and Tapper also saw a blue heron, which has taken up its abode at the Neck. They also report that at all spots visited .the weka or woodlien was their first visiter, and apparently these birds are on the increase. In the bush a couple of the fast-dis-appearing native robins were seen. Discussing harbour matters with a representative of this journal, the chairman of the Harbour-Board mentioned the fact that three Canterbury Company’s steamers had arrived here again practically simultaneously, riie Calm a day or two ahead of the Breeze and Storm, .which arrived together yesterday. The vessels were fully loaded, and camo in on a neap ride and a low one at that. Had therj been sufficient water to take the three up to the town wharf the shed would never have held all their cargo, and there would have ensued congestion such as took place before the Calm was diverted to Castlecliff. He pointed out that the crux of the v. hole question was the site of the future railway station. Once that was settled, the Department and the Board would know what their positions were, and could act accordingly. Even supposing the river channel were dredged to give the maximum depth proposed by Mr Leslie Reynolds, 17ft at high spring tides, it would be of very little advantage to the town until further accommodation could be built at the town wharf. The Board was doing all in its power to retain for the port the trade which it had gathered, and was considering a proposal whereby it was hoped to relieve local consignees of some of the cost of haulage from Castlecliff. At Palpierston Noith yesterday, before a district court-martial, George King, who was arrested at Wanganui, was charged with deserting His Majesty’s Forces in May, 1917, in that he failed to report himself when ordered to do so. Accused submitted a statement, in which he said that ho had filled his registration papers and had afterwards received a postcard stating a certificate would be forwarded in duo course. He believed at the time he was over military age, as to the best of* his belief ite was born in England on January 19th, 1870. The postcard was the only coniimiuicatiou he had had from the military. He was not aware he had been called, and would have responded had ho known. At no time had lie endeavoured to avoid military service. Ijn the early part of 1919 he was in hospital for ’forty-four days, and his leg was bad for three months. He- was again- in hospital*for the same complaint :n Wanganui. His right hand was also partially crippled through having 'the sinews cut, and he had been laid up for six months on that account at one time. He hoped the fact that he had been in -prison for fifteen days without conviction, in the midst of criminals, and also that ho had been taken through the street in Wanganui by a policeman with another prisoner, would bo taken into consideration. The Court returned a finding of “not guilty.”