LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160811, 19 November 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There seems to be more money in droving nowadays (says the Dannevirke News). For six days’ droving, involving, the taking ©freight bulls to places between Dannevirke and Porangahau, the bills against the respective owners aggregated £26 ss, an average of M7s 6d a day.

The hearing of the charges of alleged indecent assault in the case against Benjamin Palmer, occupied the whole of the day at the Court yesterday. Accused was committed for trial at the criminal sessions of the Wanganui Court next week, bail being allowed in two sureties of £2OO each.

“A large percentage of the apples marketed have been of very poor quality, and many lines opened up in a badly-bruised condition, states Mr C. T. Taylor, Wellington District Inspector for the Horticultural Department. “Many lines of Stunner Pippins were very soft and tasteless, and as this is a splendid keeping variety, it would appear that they had not been properly cool stored.”

All Paris is laughing at the story of the well-known actress whose famous bust burst during the pinning on of a Legion of Honour decoration. It appears that a nervously clumsy Ministerial representative drove the pin in to its fullest extent. Instead of the onlookers hearing a scream of pain they heard ft' report, owing to the piercing of a kind of semi-circular baloon which the actress was wearing.

“The increased leisure, the multiplicity of holidays, were expected to increase mental and physical efficiency,” remarked the Eev.E. Drake, during an address at the Trinity Methodist Sunday School anniversary service at Wellington, “but, unfortunately, they seem to be undermining the sense of responsibility.” Tho mind, die said* was not going to be trained by wasting its substance on the things that did not count. Mental recreation was as necessary as physical, but mental was one of the crying sins of the time. “The mind,” he' said, “is too precious an instrument to spend itself in examining the amenities of evil.”

You enter by one gate and pass out of' the other was the system adopted by some official of the Agricultural Association yesterday to control the traffic to and from the lawn. All right in theory, but a very crude system in practice, ■ as the unfortunate gatekeepers found in dealing with a show crowd. For instance, at the entrance gate people pushed to get out, and at the other gate people wanted to get in, and no end of argument resulted. Even Mr Massey was held up, when someone in the vicinity remarked, “Prime Minister.” 1 "I don’t care who it is,” replied the gatekeeper, but by this time the Premier had passed through the gate. Two pressmen, following in the wake of Mr Massey then breasted the barrier, and were also challenged by the gatekeeper, who was faithfully carrying out his duty. The pressmen modestly explained that they were private secretaries to Mr Massey, and were also permitted to take the shorter route. Something better than yesterday’s arrangement is required, as it is not a fair proposition for gatekeepers to have to be continually directing a large crowd as to which avenue they should take.

' The pension fund for Anglican olergj in the Otago diocese is still a meagre one. Bishop Richards related that if at the present time circumstances should cause him to retire, his pension would be £36 a year. One of the dogs (the property of m Wanganui resident) scheduled at, the show had evidently been supplied with a too liberal end of the rope, with* the result that the canine, during Wednesday night, jumped from tho A staging and was strangled, f

Pickpockets were reported to be op«i>/ ating on the Show ground yesteraay/ but although there was a large etaff of police in the grounds, no complaints were made to any of these officers by per* sons who had been relieved of their sur* plus cash.

The gate receipts at the Wanganui Show yesterday aggregated approximate, ly £740, which is a considerable improve* ment on those of last year. However, on this occasion the charge for admission was increased in keeping with other A, and P. Shows in the Dominion, Replying to a question as to the Railway Department’s intention with regard l to the control of, the foreshore at the Town Wharf, the Premier miformed a Herald representative last night that it had not yet been decided upon owing to the pressure of Parliamentary work. This was a matter which would receive the Department’s early attention.

The new series of postage stamps for the island dependencies of New Zealand is attracting a good deal of attention amongst dealers in .England (says a London correspondent). By instructions the Government these stamps have tkea released to dealers from the High Commissioner’s Office, and during the first week they were on sale as much as £3OO worth per day were disposed of.

The Dunedin Education Board ha* v resolved: 'That the Board views with' alarm Regulation 27, and enters an emphatic protest against the substitution of female assistants for , males in large schools, and also to protest against regulations of this kind being brought into operation until they are considered by those who administer education. It was also resolved to ask other Boards to support the resolution.—Press Association.

There is a great difference now in the interior of the Wellington warehouse* , to that presented' four months ago. At A. that time the shelves were practically empty. One particularly large warehouse had its show counters covered with piles of empty cardboard boxes. To-day there is a striking difference. Goods are coming forward in. large quantities. There are consignments that were ordered months, some of them years, ago. Soft goods, hardware, and fancy goods are coming forward very freely. Four months ago the supply .was not equal to the demand; in some instances now the demand is not equal to the supply. Stationery is not coming forward freely, and what does opme te hand is very dear. Envelopes, especially aro scarce and dear.—Eltham Argus.

Colonel Repington records in his intimate diary of the war a striking incident of Lord Roberts’, last days. A few weeks before his death in France the veteran field-marshal called on the colonel at Hampstead and unfolded a plan for a landing on the Belgian coast, the outflanking of the German line, and the ruin of his communications. He thought that the attack should "be delivered by 150,000 men. They discussed it at length, end decided that though it was an operation of great risk, it was the right stroke to deliver. The field-marshal rose and walked sharply up and down the room, deep in thought. ) “Yes,” he said at last; “yes, it must be done, and I must go in command of it.’ 4 The field-marshal at’ the age of 82, was prepared to risk his great fame, his reputation and his life in com-, mand of an expedition attended with infinite risk and more suited to a man. of half his age. Lord Roberts laid the plan and his offer before _ Lord Kitchener and Mr Asquith, but it was not accepted.

The manner in which 20 cases of benzine were landed in Nev Zealand at 23s per case has puzzled many motorists and others (says the Post), and on Tuesday afternoon members of the Wellington Automobile Club were afforded an opportunity of hearing a first-hand account of the transaction. The Hon. T. M. Wilford, the consignee, mentioned that the little deal came about as a result of a conversation during a gams of golf in California. Mr Wilford asked his fellow-player to send him 20 cases if he got the chance, and there the matter ended until some time after-, wards, when, back in Wellington, ho\ received a notice to the effect that V. there were twenty cases of petrol for j' him on the wharf. Mr Wilford produced the various documents relating to the transaction, and among thess was a receipt for 20 cases at 35.5 cent* per gallon (10.5 cents covering the cost of the tins), an insurance docket for 39 cents (sum insured, 76 dollars). Hie total cost was .£22 10s 4d, with sundry chargls amounting to 9s Bd. Beyond this there was nothing further to be said. “I did not buy it,” he remarked, “and the man who did was not in the line.” In reply to a question regarding the quality, he said: "You do not have to tickle the carburetter to get a start with it on a cold morning.”

A butcher wtio has a retailing shop in one of the Dunedin suburbs found himself called on to deal with an unexpected rush of customer# one day last week (says the Dunedin Star). Long before the usual time of closing he had practically sold out, and, having half an hour to spare, he went forth and made an inquiry, thus acquainting himself with the simple explanation that he had been selling ; a standard line—beefsteak—at 2d per lb less than the ' con-mon price. Economical hoqpewives had heard of the cheapness of his steak and started out to get iSome of it, and. when the steak was gone, they took sone thing else. Is there not m. this simple experience a lesson as to profiteering and the methods we are adopt* ing to prevent it? It seems to ul that there is. The lesson is that the people are sharp enough to find out lot themselves where the cheap goods ar« to be bought, and do not need the pro tection of Boards apd Magistrates. In tho present abnormal state of commerce it is the duty of Governments to ensure their-people against the big exploiters, cannot de‘ fend themselvesTrn that quarter; but in respect to petty retailing the community are well able to provide the efficient guard of keeping out of .the shop wherein the goods ate dear. It Jones charges sixpence for a reel ot cotton and Brown offers it for four pence, one woman will soon let another know, and Jones’ cotton will stay on his hands until he marks it down. There is no need for the intervention of the law, so far as we can feee. \

A sum approaching £14,000, including promisee, has been collected for the erection of war memorials in Christchurch.

Seamen employed on the New South ■Wales. State trawlers threaten to strike owing to the Government’s refusal to grant them an eight-hours’ day and increased pay. It was decided to hold •'a stop-work meeting.

Thomas Henry Davidson, motor garage proprietor, on his second trial at Palmerston North for manslaughter in connection with the death of Worsfold, a cyclist, knocked down by accused’s car, wab found not guilty. A by-election to fill two vacancies bn the Auckland City Council resulted in the return of Messrs G. R. Hutchinson and J. A. Callum by substantial majorities. There were five candidates, including two Labour candidates, who were both defeated.

Questioned last night on the coal situation, the Hon. the Premier informed a “Herald” representative that yesterday >-all coal miners were at work. The output from the mines was increasing, and if the men remained at work, the situation with regard to coal should become easier.

Sir C. Kinloch Cooke, in the House of Commons, stated that the Admiralty had approved the War Graves Commission’s suggestion that naval memorials be erected at three ports, including Portsmouth and Devonport. “The war loan is going off fairly well,” remarked the Premier, in the Course of a brief chat with a “Herald” representative last night. He added that it was the usual thing for subAkctibers to wait till near the close ■kiihe -subscription period before tak>iflLup bonds, but he had no doubt as -success of the loan. liWT Government has not yet oonEideretPkthe question of the nationalisation ofTffie Wanganui River service. The Prevter informed a “Herald” ropresentatr*. last night that it was a matter forJa meeting of the whole Cabinet. fie expected, however, that it would bevdealt with shortly, certainly before Christmas. Motor-cycles used in Christchurch will shortly be permitted to carry three persons. The City Council has adopted an amended regulation which says: “Thau the driver of "a motor-cycle, while canryjng a passenger in a side-car or sidechair, may another passenger on the motor-lcycle itself\if the motor-cycle is equipped with a seat and foot-rest for such purpose.” At the Presbyterian General Assembly at Wellington yesterday, Misses Arthur, Grive and Keen were ordained as deaconesses. They will work in the Maori mission’ field. A discussion took place on a suggestion to enlarge the scope of Home Mission work, and incidentally to materially increase the salaries paid to missioners. The appointment of a director of Home Missions was also strongly urged. No decisions have yet been arrived at. The trams had a successful day yesterday, No. 3 engine dealing with the large loading in a very satisfactory manner. The loading was particularly heavy, especially between three and six o’clock, and it is interesting to note that during this period the battery did not decline a point, thus showing that the engine itself was dealing with the load. The takings for the day were £2O in excess of show day of last year. Wort* £een received from the QBptain and chief engineer of the Admiral Codrington as to the condition 'of the vessel’s meat on arrival at England. It appears that some mutton in the top tiers in the squares of the hatches were found to be spotted with white mould, and such carcases could be reconditioned. All offal went bad on account of using the trunkway when loading wheat in Australia, and was condemned.” None of the meat had to be rejected as unfit for sale.

At tile Girls’ College Assembly Hall last evening Miss Knowles delivered a lecture on Belgium before, during, and after the war. The lecture, which was illustrated by lantern views, was of a most interesting nature, and at the conclusion Mrs Knowles was warmly applauded. Mr C. C. Hutton presided, and Rev, Blamires operated the lantern. The lecture was given under the auspices of the Victoria League, andthe proceeds are to he divided between the fund for the restoration of Belgium and the funds of the Victoria League.

Residents and ratepayers of the Gonville and Castlecliff tramway district are reminded that the electoral roll to be used at the election of members of the Tramway Board, to be held on the 10th December, will be closed within a few days. Persons claiming enrolment on the residential qualifications are particularly notified that written application must be made, otherwise their names will not appear on the roll. As the roll is only made up each third year, it behoves all interested to make sure that their names are on the roll. Applications must be lodged with, the secretary to the Board, Mr F, Bourne, Eidgway Street.

A new township ,’s being created on what has so far been a barren waste at Skewen, between Swansea and Neath. The whole, place is seething with ac tivity. This is due to the enterprise ot the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, which has taken ever 400 acres, and are expending between six and seven millions 1 sterling' on establishing great oil refineries to deal with the regular cargoes of crude oil brought over in their own fleet from the Persian Gulf. Importation will begin next February. Dwellings for many hundreds of workers have been completed, and in addition shops, railway station, hospital,' and public hall are being erected. Store tanks are being completed at the docks, which will hold refined oil. The crude oil will bo pumped direct from the steamers through four-mile pipe trucks into the refineries at Skewen, and after treatment the oil will be re-pumped back by the same means to Swansea.