LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 95, Issue 14908, 28 March 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Where there is sorrow there is holy ground.

Unusually vivid lightning was experienced in Hamilton last night.

A Hawke’s Bay station, together with its stock and implements, has been sold for £40,000.

A good deal of cargo is offering at present for the Manukau-Waikato river service, the Ngaruawahia shed being filled to overflowing with manure and benzine.

It is reported (states a Taranaki paper) that heavy retrenchment is to be made in tlie staff of the Land ami income Tax Department, and in several other departments ol' State lo which Ihc pruning knife lias not yet been applied.

A territorial, named Hyde, was stated at the Hamilton Court yesterday to have missed 17 out of the last 22 parades lie was supposed to attend. Hyde, who had left Hamilton for Christchurch without notifying Jiis change of address, was lined £2, and costs 7s.

The executive of the Dairy Farmers’ Union lias received the following reply to its telegram conveying birthday greetings lo (lie Premier, Mr W. F. Massey:—“Please accept and convey iny cordial appreciation of your kind telegram fur birthday greetings.” An application for a land agent’s license, made by the wife of a former land agent, now bankrupt, was refused by Mr Wyvei'ii Wilson, S.M., in tlie Christchurch Magistrate’s Court, oil Iho ground Dial Ihe applicant lacked Hie knowledge and ability required. The. application was opposed by Ihc Christchurch Land Agents’ Association. The need for a further court day in Tc Awainulu was emphasised on Friday, when, beside several long defended" civil cases abandoned as impossible lo tackle early in Ihe day, Ihc last case on Ihe list would not have been soil led had il not been for Ihe unexpected common sense of Hie parlies. The case represented a claim for £3O an l a counter-claim for £2O, and it was agreed that cadi party should share in the expenses incurred Hint day and forget their differences, rather Hum incur further expense and delay.

Superannuated public servants have been notified of a reduction in the cost of living bonus to corno into effect on April J. Circulars have just been issued from the Public Service Superannuation Department, Wellington, as follows: —“I have lo inform you that Ihe Govcrnme.nl has derided lo reduce Hie cost of living bonus to annuitants who are in receipt of less than £IOO per annum, from a maximum of £4O per annum to a maximum of £26 per annum, hut in no case '’'ill any amount he paid which, together with the annuily already payable from this fund, will increase Ihe lolal payment to more Ilian £IOO per annum. The reduced bonus will commence on April J, 1922, and will continue to March 3|, 1923, but no longer, unless Ihe Government decides otherwise.'' Th c circular also calls attention to ihe faot I hat the bonus is no port of Hie allowance granted by the Board under thc Superannuation Act.

In a cricket match at Leamington on Saturday, Leamington defeated Roto-o-rangi by an innings and It runs.

“What did you do with the four sovereigns you received in the bar?” asked Lawyer Burridge of a barman in showed a small profit on them,’’ was sowed a small profit on them.’’ was the reply, which raised a laugh in Court.

“You are, entitled to regard sovereigns as identifiable property,” said Mr Justice Chapman in the Supreme Court at Masterton (reports the Age), “when they have become as rare as they now are, and when ihev are dealt, with by men who are not usually supposed to have possession of them.” The Prime Minister stated at Auckland yesterday that lie hoped in the near future to announce a new railway policy. The statement was made in response to a chance remark relative lo tlic New Zealand railways at the Commercial Travellers’ Club yesterday, when Mr Massey was entertained in honour of his GGlh birthday. The total space applied for by Nelson fruitgrowers in connection with this season's export of apples to England is 83,000 cases. The quantity coming forward, however, is 100,000 cases with several thousand halfcases of pears in addition. Efforts are being made lo secure additional steamer space.

During the hearing of objections io the classification list of the Mangawara Drainage Board, held at Huntly yesterday, one witness, with an Irisn accent, created some amusement by staling that lie objected lo his classification. When asked by Ihe Magistrate as what lie objecled io lie said ho did not know as lie did not know how lie was classified.

Mr Massey intimated at Auckland yesterday that the Government lias decided to improve I lie Great South Road. It is proposed to divert the road, rendering it unnecessary to negotiate the Rangiriri Hills, the highway keeping to the flat on the cast. The'work might not be put in hand immediately, but it was quite probable that should the unemployed question become acute, that work would be found here for them. At a silting of the Magistrate’s Court, held at Huntly yesterday, Mr E. W. Burton, S.M., presided, and heard objections to the classification of the Mangawara Drainage Board. The objections of Messrs W. Howe, F. Bradley, U. W. G. Rutherford, and E. J. McGregor were dismissed, and lliosc of Messrs W. and J. E. McConnell were reserved till to-day, when the Magistrate is to give a written decision.

An employee of a local body, giving evidence in a case before the Magistrate’s Court, New Plymouth, proceeded to explain bis presence in a certain coastal hotel. “That is where all Hie council’s business is fixed up and Hie resolutions agreed upon," lie said amidst laughter. “Take it from me, it is true,” be added, as though lie thought sonic of those in Court might be incredulous.

Government reduction of wages of six subsidised returned soldiers serving their apprenticeship at Hie Addington Workshops was reported lo the. meeting of Hie Christchurch R.S.A. executive. It was stated that the men had had their wages reduced from £3 lo £2 lGs a week. The Minister for Railways had been approached on their behalf, and lie had answered that, as no provision had been made in the Act for the exemption of the men, their wages would have to be reduced for Hie meantime. He added that Hie question of passing legislation to exempt Hie men from a reduction of wages would be considered by Cabinet. The matter was referred to association headquarters.

The scooting season for native and imported game is to open on May 1. It is now illegal to shoot native game without a liccnso* and the penalty for a breach of this, of any other regulation, is a line of not,less than £5, or more Ilian £2O. Licenses may he obtained for the sum of £l. It was decided at the meeting of the Council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, last evening, that a telegram be sent to the Minister for Internal Affairs, requesting that the Society be supplied with 3000 shooting licenses. The question of cost of these licenses is to be brought up at the annual conference of societies. The game open to be killed are cock pheasants, grey duck, spoonbill duck, brown teal, black swan, Californian and Australian quail. The season for native game extends to June 30, and for imported game to July 31.

An example of the generosity and public spirit of the Chinese community was brought Tinder the notice of the Otago University Council at its last meeting. Mr 11. D. Skinner, asssislant curator of the Museum, reported that the Chinese community had contributed a sum of £35 for the purchase of display cases at the Museum. The council agreed to express its warm I hanks to the donors. The cases are intended specially for the exhibition of a collection of Chinese curios and objects d’arl, and one has already been set in position. It contains a number of beautifully carved models illustrating various Chinese occupations and also some exquisite pieces of porcelain. Another case is to be purchased and arranged later on.

Charged with being the owner of a dangerous dog, and also with failing to have the animal registered, James Stewart (Mr King) appeared at the Hamilton Court yesterday, and pleaded not guilty. According to the prosecution, the dog a black retriever, bad bitten a nine-year-old girls Kathleen Strong, on the hand. Defendant’s version of the incident, however, was that the little girl, in company with several oilier children, was playing with two or three dugs on the roadway, encouraging defendant's animal, an eleven months’old pup, to jump up. Whilst jumping up the clog had accidentally knocked Kathleen Strong down, and in falling she had skinned the palm of her hand on Ihe roadway. Only one side of her hand was hurt, and defendant argued Hint had the dog bitten her both sides would have been injured. 'l’hc ease was dismissed. In answer lo Ihe second charge. Stewart staled Dial, lie had registered the dog in the country very late last year, thinking that the registration held for 12 months from the time it was taken out. He was lined ss, and ordered lo pay costs 7s.

How smart the school girl looks in a neat pleated skirt or dress of navy serge. They are showing now in all sizes at Hooker and Kingston’s, the material being all wool, and I lie most essential thing fast dye. The values are wonderful. For instance, pleated skirls, with bodice attached, 18in. to 2Tin., 0/11 lo 11/!). and the all-wool Navy Serge Frocks willi pleated skirls range from 2 tin. to .‘sDin., prices lli/ll In 20 0. of course, these keen prices are slid subject lo Ihe cash discount, 3d back in 5/-, fid in 10/-, Pd in 15/-, and so on, at Hooker and Kingston’s, Ihe drapers for Ihe best value.*

Benzine is In a motor like bread In a human being. It's the staff of life, and for that reason should he within the reach of all. Hill’s Oarage, Collingwood Street, are factors in Ihe cheapening process.*

Cambridge streets arc now illuminated by electricity, a successful trial having been made about the end of last week.

At the Central Police Court, Sydney, a shop detective from Mark Foy’s, Limited, stated that bis firm found it necessary to make an allowance of £2OOO annually to cover shoplifting losses.

According to Mr Justice Chapman (speaking from Hie Supreme Court bench at Masterton), Wellington lias been left without a Judge of the Supreme Court for a considerable time. The demands of I lie various circuits are such that the business at Wellington lias got badly into arrear. —Wairarapa Age.

Some farmers in the Eltham district (stales the Argus) are now “turning an honest penny” by making a charge to people who go on their farms lo gather blackberries. One shilling per head is Hie charge that is made. A number of those who for years oast have been in the habit of gathering blackberries without being charged for the privilege received a great surprise when Hie shilling fee was levied. The new school at Karapiro near Cambridge was formally opened yesterday afternoon in Hie presence of a large gathering. Mr E. C. Banks, chairman of tlic Education Board, performed the ceremony. * Speeches were also delivered by Messrs T. Wilson (chairman of Hie school committee), O. Price, and Rev. J. D. McArthur. The old school building is very dilapidated and the new structure was urgently required.

Motor car thieves have of late been rather busy in Napier, for the police were notified one evening recently of three eases in which cars were made off with when left standing in the streets—two in Napier, and one in Hastings. Lack of benzine, engine trouble, or the fact that tile unauthorised persons had no further use for flic cars, resulted in all three being abandoned, and lliey were recovered in apparently good condition. A few days ago (states the Northern Advocate) a Whangarei man went to an accountant’s office to do some business in connection with income tax returns. Suddenly lie took his watch from his pocket, glanced at it and exclaimed: “Good heavens, I’ve gol to lie at the Courthouse in two minutes to be married. I nearly forgot.” He rushed off, intimating that he would come hack later to complete the taxation business.

Tlic ladies’ committee have definitely decided to hold a market day on Saturday, April 8 in Hie Winter Show buildings, in aid of the orphan homes appeal. In conjunction with the market, elocutionary competitions will he held, including four classes each for boys and girls—namely, (1) up to eigtit years; (2) eight years to If years; (3) llyears to 14 years; (4) 14 years and over. Entries (fee Is) will be received by Mrs Bulloclc, Clifton road, who is in charge of the competitions. Tile 54 -year-old son of Mr and Mrs W. Livingstone, of Matamala, who was cillier trodden on or kicked by tile racehorse Clencairn, last Tuesday evening, died on Saturday night. The funeral, which was attended by a large number of friends, look place yesterday afternoon. Tile father, who was deerstalking in the South Island at the time of Hie accident, and who returned home a few hours before his son expired, is prostrated, and had to seek medical advice:

At the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, this morning, the following judgment orders were made: —F. Rose, to pay Hie Taupo Tolara Timber Company, £7 11s 3, and solicitor’s fee Jss Gd, in default nine days’ imprisonment ; Cornelius Strid, lo' pay Laybourn, Ross and Whyte £l2 4s and solicitor’s fee £1 Is, in default 14 days’ imprisonment, order to he suspended as long as defendant paid £i per month; C. A. Thompson, to pay Wilfrid Cotton, Sproule and Co. £4 6s, in default three days’ imprisonment. The Post and Telegraph Department lias refused to pay the Wanganui Borough Council tile sum of Is per week for the removal of rubbish from the Wanganui Post Office (says Hie Wanganui Chronicle.) The council look 'the step of discontinuing the service, with the upshot that the department lias now threatened that the rubbish will he removed at the expense of I lie council. Tile council consequently sought legal opinion, and lias been advised that the department’s stand is untenable. A war memorial is to be unveiled on Anzac Day, at Mercer. The base of the staluo is rather unique. During the Waikato war a vessel used by the military was sunk near Mercer. It had two steel turrets. One, of these was recently recovered, and this lias been used for the base of Hie memorial statue.. Four brass tablets affixed io Hie turret will hear Hie names of the men from Mercer who fell during the late. war. Captain W. H. Feldon, sculptor, of Auckland, lias carved from Sydney sandstone a iife-size figure of a British Tommy standing with head slightly bowed, and arms reversed. Lord jellicoe lias promised to unveil Hie memorial statue on April 25. A singularly successful shot at the Penrose meeting on Saturday was a Hamilton lad, Cadet K. Tompkins, who, after practically “scooping Hie pool” in his own section, and winning the championship, entered for the pistolshooting competition. This section, an innovation at the meeting, is generally recognised to lie one of the most difficult of matches for an experienced shot of long practice, but lo (lie. surprise of all Tompkins, who had never before shot out of a pistol, won one of Hie silver spoons. The lad came within two points of Hie commissioned gunner from 11. M’s. Chatham, who won the match. Tompkins’ record for Hie meeting was a highly successful one, hut not tlic least thought of by his officers was liis achievement with the pistol.