LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18931, 28 April 1933, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Frost In Hamilton. —There was another light frost in Hamilton this morning. At the Ruakura Farm of Instruction 2 degrees of frost (grass temperature) were recorded.

Nelson System.— The Nelson system of Bible teaching in State schools was discussed at a meeting of the Wellington Presbytery the other evening. Members expressed their confidence in the system, and requested a committee to consider the possibility of extending its adoption.

Esoapees Still at Liberty. —Three warders from the Waikune prison camp returned to Taihape yesterday morning to continue the. search for the two escaped prisoners, Eugene Charles McCarthy, aged 25, and Basil Hodgson, aged 26. A search party organised by the Wanganui police left Wanganui this morning to scour the country between Wanganui and Mangamahu.

Success of ex-Hamlltonlan. —At the recent competitions at Napier an exHamiltonian, Mr E. G. Stevenson, was very successful in the vocal section. Mr Stevenson entered for ten events, and was successful in all, being first in humorous song, first in sacred solo, second in New Zealand composer, first in duet (male and.female), third in national song, first in tenor solo, first In song with obligato, second in operatio solo, third in song in costume, and first in negro spiritual. He was also successful in securing the much-coveted gold medal.

Anglesea Street Cutting. —Speaking at a meeting at Claudelands last evening, Mr J. R. Fow, a candidate for the Hamilton Mayoralty, stated that a traffic tally had shown that 1100 vehicles had passed through the Anglesea Street cutting in one day. This factor alone, added Mr Fow, must have materially eased the wear and tear and traffic congestion in Victoria Street.

The Five-year-olds— “ All the Infant schools have been equipped with sleeping accommodation for the children under five,” a London paper stated in a recent issue. ‘‘National Education," the official organ of the New Zealand Educational Institute, comments: “Old England apparently thinks its young humanity is worth caring for. New Zealand and Russia appear to think otherwise, since they of all the nations in the world, exclude the five-year-olds from school.”

Old Oilfield Re-opened. —An old oil field at Kotuku, 27 miles from Greymouth, is being rebored. The Kotuku field was first bored more than 3(! years ago, when a limited amount of oil was obtained. An American company carried out the operations, hut while there was every promise of .a payable field, no great quantity of oil was tapped. The work ceased during the war period. The company which is carrying out the' operations at present Is controlled by shareholders who work on the field themselves'. It Is hoped that payable quantities of oil will in time he drawn from the field.

Bees Attack Farmer.— Attacked by a swarm of bees while he was ploughing In one of 'his paddocks at Glenlycn, Mr Fred Fleisher had to run to bis borne for protection (says the Otago Daily Times). He was severely stung about the face and hands. The bees also settled on two horses he was rising. Mr Fleischer hurriedly unharnessed them from the plough and tried to get them from the paddock. With the bees clinging to them they bolted in different directions, breaking swingletrees and harness. On the following day, when Mr Fleischer Intended to continue his ploughing, the swarm of bees was still In the paddock. He did not attempt to work.

Plnus Inalgnls Dying. —One coastal settler, of Porangahau, around whose homestead Is a large number, of plnus insignis trees the age of which is over half a century, has been somewhat alarmed during the last few weeks to notice a big number of them starting to wither off at the tops (says the Napier Dally Telegraph). The only reason he can give for this Is that it is the result of the severe thunderstorm accompanied by hail which tills district experienced last January, and from which this property suffered very severe damage. The trees concerned appear to be dead mostly on the side on which the hail struck them, giving one the impression that they will be completely dead by next season. The brown colour of the dead pine needles Is so pronounced that It is noticeable miles away. '

Secret Transfer of Land. —A person could transfer a section of land to another without the second person’s knowledge, said Mr N. H. Moss, in reporting to the Stratford Chamber of Commerce on the conveyancing of land (says the News). He did not know of any case where it had been done, and wondered whether it was worth while taking any action. Mr J. B. Richards maintained that it would be a simple matter to make it compulsory for the person to whom a property was transferred to sign the transfer before it became legal. Such provision could do no harm, and would be a safeguard. The matter was referred to the Taranaki Law Society. At a previous meeting of the chamber Mr Richards suggested that land not worth the rates ■ payable could be transferred secretly to a second party, making that party liable for the rates.

Animals and Mesmerism.— -The exlent to which mesmerism is developed In certain animals was illustrated before the eyes of a Napier motorist in the region of Rang! tike! recently, when a stoat was observed in the process of stalking a rabbit (staff's the Napier Daily Telegraph). The latter, although possessed of considerably greater speed, seemed unable to tear Its attention from the stoat, which approached steadily and stealthily towards its prey. It was clear that the rabbit saw the stoat, and equally evident that it was incapable of making a move to avoid the death which was approaching. The sudden sound of a motor horn, however. altered the position, and at least temporarily reprieved the rabbit’s life. It was not the rabbit which moved though, the animal being apparently still under the spell, but the stoat, which hounded away from the unexpected source of disturbance.

To lie offered this week 500 Pairs of beautiful all wool Knipol White Blank'Ts. Hooker and Kingston, Ltd., secured this high grade quality Blanket during last Summer Season al their own price. To he sold in single Red size 25/6 pair. Double Bed ISO/O pair. Extra large double bed size. 4 5/-. All in full standard sizes and weight. It will pay you to buy now at actually less than today’s mill price, at Hooker and Kingston Ltd. The Better Value Store.*

Gold in London. —Gold, which was quoted at £6 Is per ounce on Wednesday in London, on Thursday rose to £6 Is 4d.

Defaulting Cyclists. —Charged with cycling at night without lights, Ernest M. Grigg, Dennis Kirk, H. Lord, and C. Lynch were each convicted and ordered to pav the costs iOs, by Mr P. W. Platts, S.M., In the -Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, this morning.

Rukuhla School Commlttoe. —The following committee was elected at the annual meeting of householders at Rukuhia School: Mr C. V. Carrier (chairman), Mesdames J. Bowler, C. V. Carrier, H. Hepburn and Mr \V. Moss (secretary and treasurer). A vote of thanks for the services they had rendered to the school was passed in reference to the retiring chairman, Mr J. Penniket, and secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Maurent, who did not seek re-election.

Unemployment Levies Due. —The next quarterly instalment, ss, of the general unemployment levy, and also the first Instalment of'the emergency unemployment charge of one penny in each amount of is 8d (equal to is in the pound) of income other than salary or wages derived during the year ended March 3i, 1933, will become payable on Monday, May i. Persons -who fail to furnish declarations as and when required are liable to a fine of £SO.

Koromatua Sohool Committee. —A satisfactory year was reviewed at the annual meeting of householders in the Koromatua school, although the headmaster intimated that there was a prospect of the school being graded lower unless the roll increased. There was only a small attendance at the meeting, and the following committee was elected:—Messrs W. J. Maisey (ohalrman), A. Pulman (secretary), 3. Hartstone, S. Armstrong and G. Paton.

• Counoll Withdraws Action. —Fifteen cases of failing to register premises as lodging-houses and for various purposes, which were brought in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning by the Hamilton Borough Council were withdrawn on the application of Mr F. A. Swarbrlck, borough solicitor. Mr Swarbrlck informed Mr F. W. Platts, the presiding Magistrate, that in all cases the premises had been licensed since proceedings were started. It was found that some of the defendants were in poor circumstances and had difficulty in paying their fees. The cases were dismissed for want of prosecution.

Motor Offenders. —A line of £5, with costs 12s, was imposed on Peter G. Merlo, of Mokau, in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning for operating a motor-lorry without a heavy traffic license. For driving a heavy motor vehicle without displaying Its unladen weight defendant was convicted and ordered to pay the costs, 12s. For using a . motor-car without a license, Harold Vernor Pope was fined £l, with costs 10s. The evidence showed that on November 22 last defendant was caught driving a car with 1929-1930 number-plates attached.