LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16152, 28 November 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A petition In bankruptoy has been filed by Ran Chand, a Hindu fruiterer of Hamilton.

At a meeting held at New Plymouth yesterday to consider the establishment of a new diocese with headquarters at Hamilton a motion in favour of the proposal was carried. Pishing in the Waikato River in the vicinity of No. 1 bridge at Hamilton yesterday Mr R. B. Porteous, a local angler, landed a trout which turned the scale at 641 b. The fish was, in splendid condition. Charges of having commenced lotteries at Helensvllle and Auckland were made against a young man, Geo. Joseph Silver, In the Police Court, Auokland. He was fined £SO, In default two months' imprisonment. Accused said he had no money at all.

The pupils of the Hamilton Convent School held their annual picnic at Raglan yesterday. Over 160 children participated in the outing, six large motor 'buses and several cars being commissioned for the trip. The day's programme was a very full one, m " oludTng a trip over the harbour by motor launch and a visit to the heads. The excursion to the seaside was a most enjoyable one, and it was a very happy crowd that returned to town at a late hour in the evening..

Indlscrimlnatlng butchering of other people's sheep would appear to have been carried out in Tlnwald lately by some person or persons (says an exchange). Complaints have been made by several sheepowners that one or two of their sheep have been slaughtered and the skins ripped, off the carcases and taken away. At least seven animals have met this fate. The police have made inquiries, and as a result a court case will follow shortly. The Tramways Board election at Christchuroh yesterday resulted in the return of the Ave Citizens' Association candidates, Messrs Booth, Pearce Plesher (Mayor), Taylor and E. W. White. Mr .J. McCombs, M.P., who polled, highest of the five defeated Labour candidates, was 202 votes behind the lowest successful candidate on the Citizens' Association ticket. The Labour candidate was beaten at Spreydon. The Labour Party has, therefore, no representatives on the new Tramway Board. As a result of the enlargement of the race leading to the turbines at the Hora Hora hydro-electric works the water now overflows the western wall of the race for about 300 yards, making a magnificent artificial waterfall. Prior to the enlargement, which was made necessary by the installation of two additional turbines', it was possible to walk dryshod'along the western wall of the race. The water is now 18in. to 2ft. above the level of the wall. It rushes over with great force, striking the rocks some 15ft below and throwing spray for a considerable distance. ,

A breach of the Dog Registration Act, in that he kept a dog of greater age than six months' without being registered, resulted in the dog tax collector for the Waikato County Council. James Harker, proceeding against Bird Bros., farmers, of Matangi, at the Lower Court to-day. The collector gave evidence as to calling for the tax and stated that one of the defendants had told him that the dog was not liable to tax. defendant denied thai he had a dog, but one of his farm hands possessed one. The information was dismissed. During the hearing at the Marylebone Police Court of ejectment proceedings against the tenants of a London house, a solicitor stated that one tenant had not paid any rent for twelve months, and did not even have a rent-book, and another owed £lO 4s. The previous landlord, it was stated, had to go to prison six times for non-payment of rates because he could not get the rents due from the tenants. In another case, in which the landlord was a man of eightythree, it was stated that the tenants had not paid rent for ninety weeks. The Magistrate said that no one could expect, even in these days, to live in a house rent free for all that time. He made an order of ejectment in each case.

Under the auspices of the Sunshine League a delightful programme was given by Madame Florry Roscoe and a party of her pupils at the Wailcato Hospital last night. The items were thoroughly enjoyed by the patients and nurses, who marked their appreciation by loud applause. Following was the programme:—Pianoforte solo, Mr Boyce; song, "Until," Miss Kirby; song, "Hills of Donegal," Miss Benner; song, "Sing, Joyous' Bird," Miss Ibbotson; song, "Sparkling Eyes." Mr C. Cook; song, "Bird of Love Divine," Miss Gertie Wratten; song, "I Did Not Know," Miss Helen Taylor; song, "Yeoman's Wedding Song," Mr Johnson; song, "Joyous Life," Miss Jessie Richards; song, "Annie Laurie," Miss Kathleen Hally; song, "The Dream cf Home," Madame Roscoe; monologue, "Murders," Mr M. Gilmer.

A honey bee weighs one 300th of an ounce, its "load" of nectar is, therefore, extremely small. An American scientist ascertained that the average load weighs about one 1250th of an ounce—a quarter of the bee's weight. This means that 20,000 journeys (reckoning the outward and inward trip as one) are necessary for the gathering or a pound of nectar; but as liovver juice loses at least one-half of its bulk before it becomes honey it follows that the production of a pound of honey involves on this reckoning a minimum of 40,000 Journeys. If we assume that the average trip out and home meusures half a mile (a low estimate) the immense distance of 20,000 miles must bo covered in gathering the raw material for a pound of honey. This is equal to 1250 miles per ounce. —Canning Williams, In Chambers's Journal.

Just the weather to think or a dip in the briny or in the Lake, and just a reminder to let you know that you cau get better suited with your bathing logs at Hooker and Kingston's. There is a wonderful range in this store, pretty little suits in all colours for the children, from 3/11, 4/6, 4/11, 5/H; smarter styles and colours for the grown-ups, 6/6, 6/11, 7/ii to 18/6. The ladies' are all in the regulation styles, both in two-piece and In one-piece with skirt attached. Also showing, a smart range in rubber bathing caps, in assorted shapes and colours, for both children and bigger folk; prices from 1/. 1/6, 1/11, 2/11, 4/11. Proper towels for bathing, the strong, serviceable kind are all here, and cheaper at Hooker and Kingston's, Hamilton's Big Busy Drapers. 1

For a breach of the borough bylaws John Shifflngton was fined 10s and costs 7s at the Lower Court this morning. The Hamilton Town Band, under Bandmaster Mara, will play at the Hospital on Sunday afternoon. Among the Items will bo the Contest test piece.

The sentence on James Merriok, found guilty at the Hamilton Supreme Court a few days ago of an abominable offence on a little boy, has been postponed for a week to enable the police to prepare a report. A new scale of exchange on London has been announced by the Associated Banks. The rate for buying sight bills Is now 55s per cent, discount, an Increase of 10s. The rate for other usances, with the Increases In parentheses, are:—3o days, 61s 6d (12s 6d); 60 days, 80s (15s); 90 days, 92s 6d (17s 6d); 120 days, 105 s (208). The selling rates of discount show a uniform Increase of 10s. Telegraphlo transferal remain at 10s discount.

The preparation of rolls of those persons entitled to vote under the Fruit Control and Honey Control Acts Is now nearly completed. The polls necessary to determine the question of bringing the Acts into force will be taken on December 16. A commencement will be made on the issue of the voting papers on December 1.

The Gisborne Hospital Board has made a profit of £268 on six months' working of its hospital farm. The milk supply has been well maintained right through the winter months,, and now that the spring feed has come on with the fine weather there is a surplus of milk which is being separated and made into butter and supplied to the hospital. Possibly the rarest wild plant In the world is a curious small tree (pittosporum obcorratum) which was discovered by the famous naturalist Raoul, in 1840, when he visited Akaroa as a botanist to the French expedition in that year. The peculiar thing about this plant (says a southern exchange) is that consequent efforts to find any on Banks Peninsula failed, and it was thought to be extinct. In recent years it was discovered, however, at Kaitala, North Auckland. Most of the trees in this district had been destroyed, and there are very few left.' As far as IS known this is the . only place in the world where it grows. With regard to the desirability of reducing the railway refreshment room charges (says a Wellington correspondent), the Minister of Railways says that it is not considered that the refreshment room charges are excessive having regard to the circumstances under which the business is carried on and the standard of service that is provided. Any reduction in the charges would on present costs make the refreshment branch unprofitable. The position is being oarer fully watched, and the department will be glad to reduoe its prices when circumstances permit.