LOCAL AND GENERAL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 March 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The date for tho annual meetings of householders thrmiffltont tho dominion for *e election of erfwol connnittecs has .been fixed for Apnl 2'l. A vegetable shortage is predicted bv a Dimedin produce dealer, who says tliat most, of the gardens are blighted." Cabbages and eaulinmversT lio states, will be very dear. Tho residents of Mornington, Dunedin (says the Oamaru Mail) saw what "must have been a warship, I they say. It was "circling round, and evidently taking a comprehensivo view of Dunedin's defences. It is probable, therefore, that it came from Berlin, or Tokio, and that wlien. it disappeared in such a hurry its occupants were anxious to return thither to report to the Kaiser or the Emperor, before dinner. An American tourist tells the following story: I remember arriving at aii inn in Connemarra and askin"- tike boots to get me something to"oat. "What would you like?" said the hoots. "Waal," I snid, "I should like one of your real Irish steaks, about an inch ami a half thick", with fried potatoes and onions." The hoots stared at me, and then went off with my kirder. He came hack in a minute or two, and I said to him, ""Waal, what of the .steak?" The youth, with a kind ("if yoarniivK look in his eyes, replied, "father says bedad if he ibad a steak like that lie would ate- it himself, he would." Story writers who wish to avoid libel actions will require to name, their characters with care. In several cases lately persons who found their names in stories have hrought suits. In London, on January 11th, Mr Justice. Bueknill commenced the hearing of an action in which MiHarold Belcher, a theatrical and variety agent, sued tho proprietors or Lloyd's Weekly News for damages for lihel snid to be contained in n serial story entitled "Motley and Tinsel," by "Margaret Hamilton." Tho story opened 111. the offices of a thentricn] a-cent 'of the linmc of "Harold Belcher," who was n :i<!o out bv counsel to he the villain of the plot. For the defence, tire author (a youncc lady) swore she had never heard of Belcher, the plaintiff, and had cihfl.son the name because she was fond of names beginning with "Bel" as she showed by producing another of her stories. Tho jury awarded Mr Belcher £200 damage's.

To the casual "observer it is almost inconceivable that birds should be able not only to sustain their own weight in the air, but also to propel themselves at the rate of a mile a minute. This is the speed, of our fast trains, and fastest aeroplanes; niul almost takes onv breath away, 'but birds make- nothing of it. Ducks are especially fast flyers. TJie can-vas-back duck can distance any other divck. It caji fly two miles a minute, and keep it up for hours. Tlhe mallard is slower, ! bufc with an effort can go a mile a minute. Other members of the duck family can travel eighty miles an liour. The broad bill duck is almost as swift as the canvas-back, but cannot keep the race as long as the otiher. One would be apt to think - that geese fly slower than mallard duek. This is not so. With the slow movement of their big wings they do not appear to be flying rapidly, but they travel from eighty to a hundred miles an hour, and keep it up for a day.

A draught foal, about throe montihs old, met with a peculiar adventure at Mr P. Boltes' farm, West AYyalong (New SouMi Wales). It was feeding close to the verandah of tin? house, when it wa.s seen suddenly to rear high in the air, with a large snake Gauging to its tongue. It whirled in circles for fully 20 seconds, with the snake still clinging, probably with its fangs hooked in, and unable to release iteelf. Eventually the reolile dropped-, but owing to the dust raised, made its escape. The foal was promptly treated with proper antidotes, and did not die. (The tr.nn who wrote this paragraph knew very little about snakes. Of course the foa.l did not die, becau.se the snake was not a poisonous one. An absolutely certain way to tell a poisonous snake is its method of biting. The poisonous reptile lets go immediately it has bitten and injected the poison, because its fangs are very loose and stand in danger of 'being jerked out easily. The non-poisonous snake, on (ihe oth"r hand, has stronglyset teeth, and lias to liold on. for fear of losing its prey).

The now corps formed in Oamaru in connection with tho reorganisation of the Territorial forces—the Ota go Mounted Brigade Communication Corps—has been very successful in recruiting; so far, over forty young men between the ages of IS and 21 having enrolled, leaving loss than ton to come forward to make the full strength. This is encouraging when the fact, is considered that practically every corps in Oamaru is recruiting; but it is not surprising, for the new company will undertake work possessing all the fascination with the minimum of drudgery attaciln'no: to volunteering. Exactly what the composition of the corps will be cannot be stated at present as no instructions have yet been received from headquarters, but it is expected that there will be a telegraph division, telephone division, and detachments to deal with all classes of work for communication purposes. Until instructions are received and the formation of the corps completed little work can be done, but already arrangements are being made with the trustees to secure tho use of tiho Drill Hall in order that flag-signalling practice mav be commenced.

President Howies, who came from Sa;lt Lake City two years ago to take charge of the Mormon imrvement in Auckland Province, has just returned from Whangarei after presiding oyer a big korcro.in that district, at which 400 natives, embracing the Mormon faith, wove- in attendance. In speaking to a reported Mr .Bowles said that since 1867 missionaries from Zion City have' been visiting "New Zealand, 'but it is only during the last five years that an active propaganda had been undertaken wifclv a Anew of firmly establishing the Mormon faith on a sound footing in this dominion. In that time the. movement has spread rapidly, and cihhirehes have been established in different parts of the country. The Mormons, says Mr Bowles, teach, amongst other things, total abstinence from alcohol, tea. coffee and other stimulants, and aim at inenleating every pdinciplo of clean living. In this direction they claim to have achieved better results amongst the Maori people than any other religious sect, and aver that at least 80 per cent of their members live strictly up to these principles. During tho last two decades it is stated umt between 500 and GO New Zealanders who embraced the Mormon faith have gone to live in Zion City. The doctrine of plural marriage, adds President Bowles, has.,not been taught since 1890. Tiro progress of tho movement amongst the Maoris is ascribed! tio the fact that the Mormons, or Latter Day Saints as they are sometimes called, claim that the Maoris are of the House of Israel, and direct descendants of the House of Manassoh, a colony of which left Jerusalem 000 years B.C.

When .soles are worn and gravel hurts, try Pink ; his boots'are money saving certs—Fred. Pink's; light sorts for Sally, strong for Bill; they'll wear, and wear, and wear, until you leave too long unpaid the bill! And then they'll go.—A<lvt,

A roport w a recent trip across the Tararua ranges,..from Levin to the Wairarapa District-written for The Chronicle .by a member of the pavty-Tvill appear in to-morrow s issue. A champion (bulldog, pureilmedi six years ago for £800, and insured- at Lloyd's for £700, Iras just died Iho valuable animal was Royal Stone, belonging to Mr Stephenson, ol LeedsT and it had won four championships and more than 500 prizes. Mr G. Seifert, of Tolcomam, has sent the stakeholder the second tlcxjsit of £75 on behalf of Fbgweli, who is to row Welch at Akaroa on Easter Monday, April 17. The race is for £200 aside, and Mr Seiferb is Eogwell's chief backer. Tdfe condjtions of the race provide that in the event of his winning Fogwell is to receive the whole of the loser's stake (£200), and if Welch: wins he is to receive the amount of the loser's .stake, less £50, .which is to be paid, to Fogwell for expenses in the event of his being beaten. Win or lose, Welch receives the whole of the not proceeds from the "gate." At Jones' buck jumping show on Saturday there was a good attendance, and plenty of sport was provided for an enthusiastic crowd. Large numbers of boys had much fun attempting to ride the donkeys ,'ir.l ponies, and quite- a. number of men also essayed to stick to the horsos and bullocks, hub none was suoeessfnl. To-night the .show opens at Shannon and 1 there should be _ n crowded marquice, as the entertainment is a thoroughly good all-ro :w.\ one. "We look upon New Zealand as a yoiiiing country," remarked one of the American tourists in C3irist-eluH-ch to a reporter. "Fifty years in-the history of'a nation is nothing, and! you have accomplished so much in so short a time." He remarked on the moderate charges made at the hotels, and added that everywhere they had boon the people had. shlown a desire to please and had boon most hospitable. "Your train service," remarked another of the party, "considering the- youth of the country, is pretty good; the road bod it good, and the trains dont' sway so much as they do in some parts of Africn." A telegram to a Johannnesburg newpaper shows .how bitterness lingers among the others. At .tWe Dingaan's Bay Feast, held at New Denmark, General Brits addressed a large gathering. In his speech ho said,: "F earnestly appear to parents to prevent their children marrying any of the English race. They must not let this colony become a bastard race, the same as the Cape Colony. Tf God liafl wanted iis to be ono race. He would not, hare made a distino tion between English' and , D'litoh." General Brits exhorted his hearers not to forget the fact that it was the English who bad murdered, 22,000 of their women and children during the late war. A Moutoa correspondent writes:— A dance was held in the hall at Moutoa. on Friday night. It was the first of a series of dances to bo hold monthly. The floor was in excellent condition, and the music of tiro host. Messrs Prentice (violin) and Walden (accordeon) were the instrumentalists. Songs wore given by Messrs Hooker and Hayes, and musical items helped to pass the time away pleasantly. Supper was 'handed round, and everything reflected groat credit on th*» management. Some twenty couples took the floor.

Among tho large number present were: Mrs Doyle, who wore a Wack satin gown and sequined chiffon; Mrs J. Mohikey, pale blue satin and lace; Miss K. Bowc, cream net over pale -blue satin and pink roses; Miss M. Newth. black satin, with tunic of black sequined net; Mrs Prentice, cream satin, gown trimmed with white fur and tassels. Dancing was kept going til] 2 a.m. Mr Bert Mollikey, assisted by Mr W. Bowe, acted at M.C.

.An exhaustive deibntc occurred in the Methodist Conference in Sydney last week regarding the system of payments to married and unmarried ministers respectively. "The practice is to appoint ministers and missioners to certain stations provided (■hey are married. The. Rev. J. Woolnougli told a good story in this connection. A young man, anxious to get a foreign mission station, called at the office and offered -himself for the work. He was informed that he. would .have to leave in ten days, and mu.st go as a married l man. The reply was a staggerer— Hie young man was not engaged to lie married, he was not even in love with any girl, but 'he did not think there would he nny difficulty in the matter. (Laughter.) "And," added Mr Woolnongib, as the. Conference metaphorically held its sides and laughed heartily, "lie. -found a wife and managed to keen hi.s obligation to the Conference."

There was a- good gathering at- the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when, the NW Zealand Picture Co. gave another of their evening entertainments, and .judging by the high excellence of the pictures an<l the applause with which they met there should be a full house to-nigilrt. The programme is changed each night, so that there is an abundance of interesting matter thrown on the screen. The pictures depicting the journey from Norway to New York, and those detailing adventure, such as Lieut. Rose and! the- Chinese pirates, wore particularly good. The Pathe Gazette—illustrated news of the world gave the latest pictures of all that doncerned -tihe Eastern andi Western hemispheres, and were followed with great interest. The comic element was diseretionately arranged, and caused roars of laughter. _ Those who desire to see ifrefined biosieope entertainment should not fail to visit the Town Hall this evening.

Mr P. A. Jneobsen, jpiary inspector, loft Hawora for Wellington on Thursday. During the two week's Mr Jacobsen has been in this district lie. has inspected a. large num'ber of apiaries in different parts of the provinces, extending from Stratford, to Patea and embracing the Kaponga and 1 Manaia districts. Mr Jacobsen reports that during liis inspection lie came, across a number of hoe-keepers wlio still adhere to the old fashioned box hives, and as this is contrary to the Apiaries Act he left the usual notice to either transfer or destroy. Beekeepers who are not conversant with the Apiaries Act should note that it is the intention of the , Department of Agriculture to strictly . enforce the Act throughout the Dominion. Mr Jacobsen expressed the opinion that Taranaki should; be one of the best districts in the dominion for beekeeping. The splendidi-country lie ■had the pleasure of seeing on the Wai mate Plains, he considered, was an ideal spot for liees, and many of the apiaries could* be increased in size without decreasing the output of ihoney per hive. In fact, the district could carry mtiny more bees to the acre. Mr Jacobsen, on his way to Wellington, will inspect the apiaries in the Patea and: Waverlev districts. It is the intention of Mr Jacobsen to return to the Taranaki district; in about four weeks'>time to continue his inspection, ,and also to if his instructions have been carried out in cases wiliere an infringement 'of the Act was found. Tf possible a thorough inspection of all. apiaries will be nrade in the ea'rly spring for ioul brood, the 'Inspector Ijeing of opinion that by careful watching tin's and other bee diseases would be practically wiped , out.— Star. Avoid a smash up or a fine by buying a pair of carriage lamps at the Red Store. -Aclyt

Levin Defence Rifle Club will com- \ pletoitsdmmpioiwWp-heltcompßti- { tion on Saturday next, with a twenty ( shot test; ten at GOO. yards -and ten at 700 yards. . Boyno Water, who won. '.ho ; BraceM at Masterton meeting,..lwt week, was brought hack to Ayr I'red "Carmont'e team, at Werarua op .Saturday • ___________-^^