LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 657, 9 August 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Franklin County Council has been postponed from Thursday, I,lth inst., till Thursday, the 18th.,

Tempestuous weather conditions have prevailed in this district lately. During last week heavy rain with thunderstorms and vivid lightning flashes was the ordei\ In fact it was the worst weather experienced in this district for semo considerable time. Besides, the atmosphere was decidedly bleak and matters generally were somewhat unpleasant.

Influenza in a mild form is prevalent at present. It is accompanied b/ a sevre cold in the head and is verv difficult to shake off.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. advertise the sale by public auction of a number of good little farms in the Bay of Plenty,

At the last meeting of the Tuakau Town Board, the clerk (Mr A. H. Tapper) applied for two weeks' leave of absence which was readily granted.

A meeting of the Franklin Rugby Union will be held to-night in the A. and P. office, when the date for the play off between Onewhero and Pukekohe will be announced-

'lt is not generally known (says the Wairarapa Age) that Mr -W. Uru, M.P., is the heaviest member of the House, weighing 22st. Next in weight comes the member for Northern Maori, Mr T. Henare, with 20st. The average weight of members of the Lower Chamber is lost Tibs.

At the annual meeting of the Franklin Racing Club, the president (Mr W. Claud Motion) mentioned that Mr J. D. Jones, a member of the A.R,€. Committee, had promised to give a cup for the next Franklin Cup. The secretary was instructed 'to write a;vd express the club’s 'thanks for his kindly action.

It was decided at the annual meeting; of the Franklin Racing Club to place on record the club’s appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Geo. Hill, caretaker of the Eilerslie racecourse. Tthe president mentioned that Mr Hill had clone a large amount of work for the club and was always willing to come along and render assistance.

The truth regarding Prohibition in

America and Canada was discussed by the Rev. J. A. Reid in the Salvation Army Hall last evening at 7.30 p.m The reverend gentleman, who is a prominent minister in'the Presbyterian Church, has resided m the States for over forty years The meeting was well attended.

The inclement weather of last week made its presence felt particularly among stock, more so with the milking cows which are “coming in” every clay now. Feed, in most cases, is anything but plentiful and the dairy farmer was called on to feed his stock or: hay, etc.,, particularly the just calved cows—an unpleasant task in the weather experienced last week. Who says the dairyman does not dearlv earn what Tie receives.

Discussing the question of electric supply at the Tualcau Town Board meeting last Tuesday, Mr Dynes Fulton said he thought the County Council did not realise'the seriousness of the position. Several had asked that Tuakau take the lead in the formation of a Power Board, but he thought they should consult the parent body (the Franklin County Council), first; It was decided to get in touch with that body on the subject;

Mr Diamond, of Pukekohe H:ii, has very generously given about 500 crimson rambler roses to the Beautifying Association and Mr Alex. Donald has kindly offered to cart same down free of cost.i These roses will be distributed between the public school, the technical school, the bowling green and Roulston Park, and the authority in charge of each of the above institutions is asked to take delivery and get same planted in their grounds.

New Zealand is justly famed throughout the world for ithe conspicuous successes of many of its breeders of horses, cattle, sheep, etc. That there is yet another avenue open for still further laurels to be won is evidenced by the following advertisement appearing in a recent issue of the Berkley (California) Daily Gazette: —“Ten thoroughbred New Zealand rabb'ts: two bucks, two does, and six young. Bargain for lOOdols or will exchange for chickens.

Experiments of great interest are being carried out in the scientific world. The creatures thus honoured are the olm small eel-like and quite blind with tiny limbs and feathery external gills, and the menobranch, a somewhat similar creature, but with better deve’oped limbs and minute eyes. Though unable to live for more than a few hours on land, the menobranch can exist in water without any apparent inconvenience, after the amputation of its gills, while the olm can live for five years without any form of nourishment! Encouraged by the success which attended the use of thyriod on the. Mexican axolotl, scientists have now been tempted to try its effect upon the even more mysterious olm and menobranch. It is hoped that they will respond to treatment by absorbing their gills and cultivating terrestrial habits, tluis developing into animals hitherto unknown to science. The Mexican axolotl and the menobranch can be Been in the reptile house at the Lon--0.00 Zoological Gardens.

Mr W. F. Stembridge announces that he is making a speciality of mini ture removal and general carrying,.

The annua! meeting of the Pukekohe Tennis. Club will be held this, evening at the Carnival tea rooms at S p.m. A complimentary social to the working bee which assisted m improving the local bowling greens will take place to-morrow evening at the pavilion. A good programme has been .arranged.

A compact little dairy farm of 34 acres at Waiuku is advertised to-day by Mr A. H. Shepperd, of Dominion Roach, Mr Shepperd was lately resident at Puni and knows the value of any properties he offers.

Since Christmas, Ratana, the Maori, faith-healer, has received 40,000 letters from all parts of Australasia, and even from Europe and America, whither his fame has evidently travelled. One letter from Italy contained a substantial sum of money, which Ratana, who never accepts payment, promptly returned to the sender.

In the early years of the war the Government prohibited the use of private wireless plants in New Zealand, and all unauthorised aerialshad to be dismantled. Since the signing of peace, amateur wirelessoperators have experienced a good deal of disappointemnt at the compulsory laying up of their plants, butt the restrictions have now been lifted, several Christchurch enthusiasts having received permits to operate private wireless plants..

An illustration of the effect of thd slump on wholesale soft goods warehouses was given in the Supreme Court at Christchurch the other day, during the hearing of a petition praying that a mercer should be adjudged a bankrupt. In the course of his evidence, the local manager of such a business said: “What we made in five years we lost in six months.". His Honor Mr Justice Herdman : “The public can look forward to a hear-* vest then. They have been waiting for it a long time.

Mr. Chas. Watt, a skilled optician from Sydney, who holds the highest credentials—a doctor’s diploma—may be consulted at the Oddfellows Hall* Harrington Avenue, on each Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is an opportunity of which all who are suffering with their sight should avail themselves. Remember a defect neglected in young or middle life tells its terrible story later when the sight threatens to fail. Glasses never recommended unless absolutely neces* sary. t

Mr J, Hineman, popularly known as 1 “Jimmy” has left this district to gQ .into business for himself in Hamilton, For the past nine years he has been farming on Pukekohe Hill. For a period of practically 17 years “Jim,* my” has .lead and promoted the music at dances, social evenings and concerts and during the war period ha was a devoted worker in all efforts, to raise funds for >the various objects. Another phase of Mr Hineman’s popularity here was his keen association with athletics.. His very many friends will wish him every suCcess in his new sphere.

Be well advised and send your entries of fa± pigs to the Franklin Farmers’ Auctioneering Co. for Thursday, August IS. See advertisement.-* Advt.