LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15360, 8 October 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Waolu Rabbit-proof Fencing Board is authorised to pay G per cent, for its loan of £3OO for the erection of rabbit-proof fencing. By notice in the Gazette a section in Pirongia East township, comprising 2 acres 1 rood 24 perches, is set aside as an addition to a site for a public school.

An idea of the prevalence of rabbits in Australia is afforded by the fact that at the weekly sales of fur skins in Sydney, so far this year, the skins of upwards of 35,000,000 rabbits have bocii sold.

At the Magistrate's Court, Te Aroha, on Saturday, the magistrate, Mr J. H. Salmon, referred to the large number of breaches of the by-laws. He said that if the fines he had Inflicted did not deter, he would increase the fines.

The Main Trunk express from Auckland last night was an exceptionally long train. Included in the passengers were the Hawke's Bay footballers-, and a party of Hamilton Orphans who had been visitins Devonport. As a buggy, driven by Mr It. O. Yeornan, of Tamahere, was proceeding along Grey Street, the horse shied at some object in the road. The animal commenced (o rear and plunge violently, smashing both shafts and seriously damaging the vehicle. Mr Yeoman's companion, Mr Hooper, was thrown out, sustaining slight concussion, but after receiving medical attention in Mr J. A. Brind's shop was able to proceed to his home. Mr Yeoman escaped unhurt. "My word Ethel this linoleum in the kitchen is looking very shabby, and I almost think the dining room could do with a new floor covering also."— "You're right, mother 1" remarked thel, "our floors are looking very shabby, and for quite a little outlay to-day we could select something that would give good service for years. I saw a beautiful range of linoleums at Hooker and Kingston's, and they are quite 2 shillings a yard under anyone else; smart little carpets for the hall, charming carpets for the dining and breakfast rooms. Hooker and Kingston seem to be catering to-day for the furnishings trade —and there lis no doubt their prices arc attractive, at least in linoleums and carpets."

Slumps come ana gt>, nut tne enormous sale of "iNO RUBBMG" Laundry Help goes bn year In, year out,—Hamilton jtcrchmt& *

A young man named Jame 3 Mobray Arroll was remanded to-day on a charge of stealing a bicy;le On a charge of allowing horses to be at large on the Puketaha rosd, Herbert Gothorpe was fined 10s and costs 7s at the Lower Court to-day. Tho extent of the holiday traffic at Douglas, Isle of Man, during the summer season may be estimated from the fact that on one Saturday in August 21 steamers landed 30,000 passengers •from Liverpool and other mainland ports, and took away about ass many, who had concluded their holidays. Mr C. W. Hartc, of Plrongia, has been appointed returning officer for the first election of members of the Te Awamutu-Pirongia-Railway Board, which is to be held on November 14. The Board is to consist of five members.

The Hamilton Technical School football team went to Te Awamutu on Saturday to play the District High School third grade team. The match resulted in a draw, 11 all. Delaney, for the visitors, kicked a magnificent goal from the touch-line.

In the current Gazette the following lands are declared open for sale or selection, in the Auckland Land District:—Ohinemuri County, section' 5, Block VIII., 117 acres. Kawhia County, section 7, Block IV., 266 acres. Hauraki Plains County, sections 7 and 8, Block XL, 490 acres. With reference to the proposed purchase of the Poverty Bay Meat Company's works by Vestey's, Ltd., at the mortgagee's sale next month, the Meat Producers' Board has asked the company's directors to meet it . in Christchurch on Wednesday. Owing to the distanco to be travelled Friday is sought as tho date.

A cycle road race from Hamilton East over Ruakura Farm route, a distance of about 12 miles, was held on Saturday, with the following result: N. Andrews (lmin. 45scc.) 1, H. Bates (lmin. 45sec.) 2, L. Wright (2m!n. 45scc.) 3. The fastest times were: E. Morris 35rnin. 51sec, Tattlcy 36min. Usee, and N, Andrews 36min. 21scc.

A case of wanton cruelty has recently come under tho noice of a prominent farmer in the Wairarapa (says the Daily News). In walking round his property he was astonished to find about 10 young lambs lying dead, and later discovered a ewe that had been done to death and a lire lighted in an unsuccessful attempt to burn the carcase. Inquiry revealed that three small boys were the culprits. They admitted "that they had run the lambs down and knocked them on the head." Three of thorn had set on the ewe, and treated it in the same way.

According to a Hamiltoni&Ti who visited Auckland during the week-end, the new rule of the footpath, "Keep to the left," is, in its Initial stages, causing a good deal of confusion. Some people carry out the new injunction, while others continue to follow the old rule of "Keep to the right." The confusion can be imagined. Some people who were on the wrong side of tho pavement got a rude awakening, for they were knocked by the shoulders of youths who seemed to take a delight in thus drawing attention to the fact that the by-law was not being observed. A story of a man who arrived from the "dry area" the other day with a cheque for £6, with which he had a "blow-out," was told to Mr H. A. Young, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, 10-iiay, when a labourer from Taumarunui. John William Wade, was charged with soliciting alms in Victoria Street and at Frankton. Defendant stated that ho had spent all his money in drink, and in entertaining a few friends-. It was only when muddled with drink that he had asked for money. Wade was given a good character, and upon his undertaking to return to work, he was merely convicted and discharged.

A little discussion took place in the , Supreme Court at Wellington as to the necessity for the oiling of a motor car. ,A witness, who originally hailed from "North of the Border," declared that it was necessary to oil the machine every week. Mr Justice Salmond expressed some doubt as to this. "Oh, yes," replied the witness. "It wants to be looked over and oiled in certain parts at least once a week.'.' "Oh, surely not?" said his Honour. "Why, life would not bo worth living," interjected counsel on the opposite side. The witness persisted in his statement, however, with all the confidence of his race, and even the doubt expressed by his Honour failed to make him qualify it. In an interview with a Lyttelton Times reporter concerning a trip to the South Sea Islands, Mr H. J. Ottcy said: "The land laws of Tonga aro worth consideration. Every boy, when he passes the age of sixteen, is granted a picco of land of eight and a quarter acres, which lie is to plant. He is also granted a site for a house in the nearest village. This land he must cultivate. He cannot buy it, but he has to pay about 30s a year. That means that he plants the ground to provide food for himself and for his family later on. The result is there are no poor. No charity is needed." Ho also referred to a son of the King and Queen of Tonga as being as ' black as the ace of spades." This is a strange statement, for the Tongans are not a black race; they are brown, and no darker than New Zealand Maoris.

A large party of Hamilton Orphans visited the Dcvonport Orphans, on Saturday night, when the Devonport season was wound up. There were also visiting brethren from Auckland Pukekohe, To Aroha and Onehunga. The greater portion of tho programme was provided by the Hamilton Orphans, the contributing artists being Messrs Saunders, Cook, Piper, Bird, Roebuck and Gilbert, the latter giving an interesting 10 minutes address on "Fixed ideas," showing the fallacy and unwisdom of refusing to vary set, preconceived notions, and comparing such an attitude with the breadth and mobility of what was termed inconsistency. The hall was packed and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed. On Sunday afternoon the visitors were taken for a trip on the harbour and otherwise entertained.

Just recently a good deal of trouble was caused at Palmcrston North by the go slow methods of a gang of men engaged in erecting poles for the Manawatu Power Board (says an exchange). The engineer, Mr Waters, fearlessly discharged the men who were guilty of the go slow process, lie maintained that by giving a fair day's wage he required a fair day's work. This the men were not prepared to do so were not taken on again. Mr Waters has now designed a machine which on tests is apparently going to revolutionise the work of erecting, poles. Experiments have been conducted by the winch driven crane, which Is mounted on a motor lorry -with, astounding- results. The crane erected more poles in throe hours than the whole gang could line up and flit in five hours on the previous day. In 4$ hours 40 poles had been placed in the holes. Mr Waters considers that if other Power Boards adopted the same machine it would be to their advantage as it involved a saving of thousands. oX pounds.

Owing to phenomenally heavy rain, the river Waihou, at Te Aroha, rose six feet on Saturday.

A To Aroha storekeeper named W. Wade was charged with using imperfect scalos. which had not been officially tested and stamped, and was fined 20s with 16s lOd costs. The scales were ordered to be forfeited. The anniversary of Captain Cook's landing in New Zealand -will be celebrated at Gisborno to-day. The officers and crew of H.M.S. Laburnum will take.part in the ceremony, which is to be held at the monument at Kaiti, near the actual spot where the famous navigator first stepped ashore.

The official figures of the attendance and gate takings at the Auckland—Hawkc's Bay football match show that 21,000 paid at the gates, and that 22,000 people were present. £I3OO was taken at the gates, exclusive of tickets sold and scats booked. It is anticipated that the War Memorial fund will benefit to the extent of ahout £IOOO.

Large quantities of meat, dairy produce, and general cargo will be shipped in New Zealand between December and February. The New Zealand Shipping Company has allotted 10 large steamers, with a total gross tonnage of 143,601 tons, to load at New Zealand ports during those three months.

A farmer's wife, Mrs J. D. Anderson, of Hawkins, Darflcld, had a most unpleasant and terrifying experience late on Friday afternoon, but luckily she was not seriously injured. Mrs Anderson was standing outside the door of her house, holding an earthenware dish in her hand, when a heavy thunderstorm came on. She was just preparing to enter the door when there was a sudden burst of thunder and a flash of lightning. The dish was stiashed to atoms, and Mrs Anderson was thrown to the ground and became unconscious. Her children came to her assistance and, helped their mother indoors. She was suffering from severe shock and bruises to the legs and arms, but otherwise was unhurt. A sensation was occasioned in Queen Street, Auckland, yesterday afternoon when an explosion occurred near the private entrance to the Waitemata Hotel. The cause of the outbreak was attributed to the fusion of certain of the electrio cables, which arc carried under the Queen Street footpath, followed by the ignition of gas from a fractured or leaky main. The igniting of the gas caused three explosions in quick succession, accompanied by vivid spurts of flame. The escaping gas had found its way under tho concrete floor of the hotel cellar where large quantities of spirits are held in store. It was found that the gas escaping into the cellar was blazing fiercely under the woodwork of the ground floor, but despite the intense heat the firemen were able to confine the outbreak to a limited <)rea. A gang of workmen was promptly assembled and a fault in the elei'.riJ main was located under the footjatn in front of the hotel.