LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1921, Page 3

LATE LOCALS.

The Sydney ‘Bulletin” apparently does not think so very much of the African Springboks. Speaking of the latter's victory of 25 to 10 in the first match against New South Wales, that journal says: —“Comparing this their initial exhibition, with the brilliant showing of Maoriland .against a pretty similar combination last year, it is obvious that South Africa these days, like Australia, is well -below par.” At Wellington, Mr T. O'.Byrne, one of. the speakers at the timber workers’ deputation to .Ministers, urged that the workers’ claim lor wages ought to be the first call upon a bankrupt estate. Sir Francis Bell: That is the ease to-day, is it not? Mr O’Byrne: No; though! it is' generally supposed to be the ease. As a matter of fact, however, wages came in about fourth. The mortgagee comes first; the man for the rent" next: the liquidating of the estate next; then the clerical staff comes in all of them before the wages mail. The heart of a Lambton Quay Celestial vendor of vegetables is rejoicing because of the visit to Wellington of two country clerical members of the Diocesan 'Synod (says the “Post’ ). Walking slowly alqpg the Quay, the clergymen observed a respectably-dress-ed man surveying the cauliflowers placed outside the Chinaman’s shop. Suddenly the man seized n bulky cauliflower, buttoned it under his capacious coat, and walked into the shop, apparently to make a purchase of produce other than cauliflowers. The clergymen thought it time to act the roles of detectives in the pecuniary interests of the Chinaman, so they promptly entered the shop and informed him that his customer had annexed a, vegetable outside the premises. Taken by surprise the man at once threw open his coat, revealed the cauliflower, and tendered sixpence in payment, hut the clergymen did not wait to hear his views on their powers of observation.