LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 July 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

our description yesterday of e le-xile brand footwear we omitted to mention that a great disolay of Flexile brand goods is. on view at the Winter bhow.

A Scotchman who was at the Friesian smoke concert must have met a lot- of Ins compatriots, for lie iremarked in proposing a toast that lie wanted to come back, “for Hawera was more Scotch than what Scotland is.” The Opunake Times completes its thirtieth year of publication this week, the first issue having come out on July 3rd, 1894. * It is of interest to note, according to the statement of a gentleman well known among the provincial Jersey breeders that the 500 Jerseys sold during the recent series of pedigree sales io Taranaki realised an average price of 40 guineas per head. The wrecked steamer Wnitangi is still a conspicuous-object on'the beach at Patea. All the movable gear has been stripped, and even the masts have disappeared. The white, blacktopped funnel still stands amidships, but on a shaky foundation, as the hull is in the process: of disintegration.

Mr. A. F. Neilson, general manager of the Pihama Dairy Company, has received word that cheese manufactured at tlie main factory for the year endec! March 31 obtained) the highest grade in the Dominion with 92.97 points. Considering .that New Zealand is the greatest dairying country in the world, with the most efficient grading system, Pihama’s achievement is a notable one. Kakaramea was second with 92.88 points.—Opunake Times. - The Taranaki Friesian Association has arranged a motor trip of some forty odd miles to-day to give visiting breeders the opportunity of seeing some of the Taranaki Friesian herds. The party is first visiting Mr H. E. Johnson’s farm at Tdkaora, proceeding thence to view Mr T. Henderson’s herd at Okaiawa, and Messrs T. Perry’s, V. Marx’s and W. Hoskins’ at Mangatoki, and to .Cardiff to view Messrs Marchant and Sons’ herd. When acknowleding a vote of thanks at the Friesian smoke concert, Mr Hunt said that when Hawera was suggested as the locale of the annual meeting the Council, had some doubt and trepidation in the matter, and the question caused some discussion. After, however, seeing tlie successful way in which the meeting has eventuated and the way Hawera lias treated tliem, they did not care how soon they came back to this town. - “He has more faith in your Worship than in the legal profession,”* remarked Mr Mackersey at the Te Kuifci Magistrate’s Court when an elderly Maori intimated through an interpreter that he would sooner have,'Mr F. W. Platts, S.M., to act for him than a solicitor. A smile went round the court, and his Worship, also smiling, said, “Tell him that though I should like to help him as much as I could, I cannot do more than lie a magistrate.” “He says he will go and look for a solicitor,” replied the interpreter. Three young natives were brought before the court at New Plymouth yesterday morning on charges of killing native pigeons at Mohakatino on June 19. They pleaded guilty and were convicted. Two of them were fined £3 each and expenses amounting to £1 17s fid each. The third, who was also charged with, and pleaded guilty to, obstructing the ranger, was convicted and discharged on the first charge, and on that of obstructing he was fined £lO (the minimum fine allowed’ under the Act) and costs amounting to £1 17s 6d. The offence of obstructing consisted in running away from the ranger, and Mr Quilliam, who appeared for the defendant, suggested that the penalty prescribed was out of all proportion to the seriousness of the occurrence. The Magistrate said he had no option but to impose the minimum fine prescribed. He suggested that the three men should club together and pay the amount between them. Six weeks were allowed in which to pay the fines. At Wednesday’s sitting of the Anglican Synod in Wellington the Rev. H. Monaghan moved: “That the sole right to make appointments be delegated to the bishop/’ but in accord with his Lordship’s wishes, withdrew the motion, and 'moved..- “That the Board of Nomination consist of the bishop and two representatives of the clergy and two representatives of the laity, and that the additional representatives be elected at the present session of Synod.” After discussion the motion was carried.

Cordial appreciation of the work of the Hawera Star in fostering the interests of the farmer was expressed by the chairman at the smoke concert on Wednesday night, and he. added that, the Star was, in his opinion, one of the best, if not- the best, provincial papers in the North Island. Endorsement of this was made hy a visitor from Hamilton who knows the district pretty well, and who said that the policy of the Star in following up the work of the farmer was very valuable to this industry. ; *

The “luck of a Chinaman” is nothing compared with that of a Palmerston North Irish terrier, which is indeed smiled on by the gods (remarks the .Standard). While crossing the rails at the railway station this particular canine was struck by the incoming .Auckland express. Caught by the cow-catcher, the dog was tossed* along the line, caught, and tossed again, finally being thrown clear of the rails. A compassionate train-examiner obtained a hammer with a view to ending the animal’s suffering, hut the terrier evidently had had enough excitement for one day, and left the scene rapidly, apparently none the worse for the experience.

It is stated that the police and detective forces in the Dominion have organised a “drive” against Commonwealth criminals who are known to he on this side of the Tasman. An endeavour is being, made to rid the country of these undesirables, some of whom are blamed for many of the recent burglaries. Crime in New Zealand during the past six months has shown a marked increase over that recorded in the corresponding period for 10 or 12 years past, and the manner in which the most daring thefts have been carried out points to the fact that expert “cracksmen” are operating.

An exchange states that Henry Ford, in an interview in “Good House-keep-ing,” endorses the teaching of Bible in schools. He says childhood is the time to learn to love and imbibe its teaching. Jt ouglit to nut hack into the schools.

'Tlio great crowds in TTawera yesterday were not. all intent on the'Show. Scores of visitors made the Melbourne Limited their first stopping place in order to secure a share of the wonderful bargains offering as a result of the firm’s purchase of N. B. Howell’s assigned stock at 10/- in the £. Hawera residents have never before had such bargains offered them.—Advt.

Owing to the s.s. Karawa being unable to negotiate the Onehuiiga. bar untiltliis morning, the return trip from New Plymouth has been postponed until Saturday evening. ' Tlie boys’ hand in connection with the Salvation Army orphanage at Eltham visited the public hospital Yesterday morning, and for about an hour rendered one of their programmes of music and song The party moved round amongst the patients, and their efforts were greatly appreciated by all. Ihe matron and Stas’ kindly provided morning tea. Yesterday the band was again heard in Hawera, and the country visitors and children were very interested in the boy musicians. " To-day the boys are resting, and to-morrow they will return and bring to a close their visit. So far the collections have exceeded their expectations. The Hastings Borough Council has decided to purchase 83 acres of land at Londland for afforestation purposes. The Mayor explained that the land was particularly suitable for forestry, especially for the planting of gums and pines. The proposition was a very important one for the council to invest in, and part of the reserve fund of the electrical ’department would be taken to defray the cost, which could not be invested in a better scheme. Figures were quoted to show that it would lie a- very profitable venture for the council. The price was a’reasonable one, an f l the estimated cost was altogether about £2OOO. In thirty years’ time tlie crop of timber would" he; worth from £750 to £ISOO per acre. Between 1800 and 2000 trees would he planted per aere^,.