Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 123, 14 February 1940, Page 4

Local and General

Asphalting - Yard. Work is now in an advanced stage on the Post and Telegraph Department's yard in Toroa Street, where asphalting operations arc at present being carried out. Camp on Whale Island. A group of local boys wnose holidays became due last week, decided, to spend the whole of the time camping on Whale Island. They left here 011 Saturday and are at present enjoying a care-free existence, fishing, shooting and exploring Fines for Drunkenness. The effect that drink has on some natives has been frequently noted, but it is re-iemphasised in the fact that one Maori recently arrested for being found drunk in a public place, has paid no less than £75 in fines over a period of years. Tar-sealing of Wharf Roadway. A start has been made with the preparation for tar-sealing of the road way opposite the wharf. Water Iras been sprayed and the road rolled. It is intended to seal a carriageway only and the Avidth of this will be '2(5 feet. In the Style. Prima Donnas, well-known actresses and people who can afford them are seen with fur necklets. Tyf)ists, shopgirls and sundry others are to be seen with the imitation article; it all being a matter of 'pocketstate.' The small Maori girl in the Strand on Monday, however, had no pockets, and it was obvious in any case that she had not purchased the silky black fur; it being Avound Swice around her neck and trailing behind in the fashion of a bridal train. A Masculine Bride. The scene Avas set in the office of the Registrar ot Births, Deaths and Marriages, where a group of Maoris had gathered for a solemn ceremony. The principal roles Avere taken by two men and a girl, and a BEACON reporter, though not in the cast, acted the eavesdropper. Said the Registrar, to the elder of the two men: "And Avho is the bride?" "Him," said he addressed, and gave his companion a hearty push by Avay of indication. The bride lived up to all traditions and blushed. * Strong Scented Blossom. The strong sweet scene of fl giant agave cactus in the property of Mr A. Allan of Allandale. King Street, has attracted the attention of all who pass. The blossom stands on a tall stem of fleshy growth well over fifteen feet in height. The flo Avers

are pale orange in colour and are held in a series of branches which are in themselves a mass of scented bloom. The agave cactus flowers but once in the seventeen years of its life and following its prodigeous effort to produce its tremendous floral column, it immediately withers and dies. Conscription Issue. Discussing the merits of conscription at the Borough Council meeting on Monday night, Cr S. S. Shapley said that conscripts were invariably treated better than the volunteers. He revealed that he had gone to considerable expense during the last Avar to be fit as a volunteer, and in the end had lost his business. He had approached the Government with a request that his insurance premium should be paid while he was engaged on active service, but the Government had replied that had he been a conscript he would have been met in this respect; as a volunteer he could get i no relief. Chain of Evidence. The use of the term "chain of evidence" by counsel was challenged by Mr Justice Blair in the Supreme Court at Hamilton. His Honor, in addressing the jury in connection with a theft charge, said counsel had argued that a chain was only as strong as its weakest link, and that therefore the Crown case could not stand. His Honor said the expression "chain of evidence" was hardly a correct one, for a case was not a series of links, each wholly dependent on the others. Policemen did not forge evidence or anything else. As applied to evidence, the illustration of a piece of rope, in which some strands supported the others, would be a better one to quote.

Effect of Restrictions. For the last two months or so it has been usual to see nearly all available parking places in the Strand occupied. The last two days, Monday particularly, saw more vacant than lull and the town seemed very quiet. In Favour. Only two councillors did not express an opinion on compulsory service when the matter was discussed at the Borough Council meeting on Monday night. His Worship the Mayor and the four councillors who spoke were in favour of the introduction of conscription. Monday is Washing Day. Monday seems to be the established washing day for most of the housewives, not only in Whakatane, but throughout New Zealand. Whether or not the fashion has spread, the crew of the Clansman also had the weekly wash on the line that day. Alarm System Tested. The new lire alarm system, recently installed in Whakatane, has been thoroughly tested and is operating satisfactorily. The Brigade Superintendent desires it to be again emphasised that the correct method of breaking the glass on the alarms, when the necessity arises, is to use the elbow, and on no consideration to use a stone, or stick. Surplus of Teachers.

At least one bright hopeful, attend ing school for the first/time lias failed to understand the system employed by the education department. Arriving home from the first day's experience, she informed her doting parentis that there was only one teacher who taught, and that was the infant mistress. The other teachers just "walked about the school blowing their noses. Pleasing Response. The response made by the public to the recent appeal by the Te Puke branch of the Red Cross Society has been very gratifying. One large packing case of completed garments | for the refugees has been filled, and it is expected to have at least several others ready during the coming 'week for dispatch. The clothing received by the committee has been in exceptionally good order and little renovation has been necessary. Different Receptions. Presenting an example in contrasts was the Borough Council's reception of a document at the meet ing on Monday night. After the letter had been read it was suggested that the best thing to do with it Avas to put it in the wastepaper basket. At another local body meeting held a fortnight ago, a similar communication from the same source was well received and several expressions of appreciation were heard. Water for Ships. The Gisborne Harbour Board's works committee has considered a proposal 1 for the construction of an appliance to facilitate the delivery of water to vessels. It consists of a small platform on .wheels carrying a hose reel a,nd a metier. It can be made at the board's workshops quite inexpensively. One of the wharf meters, at present a fixture, will be used. The committee has authorised the construction to be proceeded with. Rowboat Blown to Sea. A number of people gazing out to sea at the Sale Street- intersection with the Marine Parade, Napier, recently attracted the attention of passers-by. Inquiry showed that they were watching a small rowboat being rapidly blown out to sea. Marine Parade residents first saw the boat; occupied by two men about half a mile off-shore. Being badly buffeted by a choppy sea, and heavy wind, they beached the boat opposite Sale Street. Later, Avhen they Avere temporarily absent from the beach, the lilttle craft Avas caught by a AvaA r e and re-floated. Although a trawler passed within a feAV feet of t,lie empty boat, no attempt was made to salvage it. SOLDIER'S PHYSIQUE. If you want to build up your physique to be accepted for the Expeditionary Force —take Yim Tablets (Yeast, Iron and Malt). In just a few weeks you Avill put on pounds of solid, muscular flesh. Obtainable from F. G. Macklow and other Chemists.

These Punctures. When a motorist gets punctures it is bad enough;-when he gets them twenty miles away from nowhere it is worse still. But to suffer this misfortune in the Strand, was probably more discomforting to a certain motorist on Monday. He appeared to be unconcerned as he set about changing the wheel and other cars passed. Sitting of Commission. The Commission recently appointed. ot consider the extension of the Whakatane Borough boundaries to include the Pa and the Heads area will begin its sitting to-day. The members are Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., Chairman; Mr K: M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland; and Mr E. A. Meredith, District Valuer, Rotorua. It is expected that the sitting will be lengthy as a considerable amount of evidence has to be heard. Stout men, note! Man loses 151bs in 2 weeks with Bonkora. Obtainable F. G. Macklow, Chemist, Whakatane.