NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1923, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

“Too much to pickaninny,” was the reason offered by a Maori debtor at tho Opunnke Magistrate’s Court for not having paid his butcher’s -bill (says tlie “Times"l. “1 mils’ pay for te kai first,” he said.

‘‘Years ago "hen I sta/ted dairying we considered that the industiy was only in its infancy and now when the exported produce reached the vast sum of £16,000,000 sterling w e are still more satisfied the industry is only in its infancy.”—Mr P. Arnott in a speech at Invercargill as reported in tho “News.”

■ Now tell me. is it true that the plaintiff supplied you with three dozen eggs, as stated in her claim," asked counsel at the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North. "No, it is not true," replied the witness. “1 have not had three dozen eggs, since I was married, and that is three years ago.

Credit is generally given to the lion J. G. Coates for his administration of tlm Public Works Department, but a chilli at Wairnauku school lias awarded tho Minister a new distinction (says the

“New Zealand Herald”). Tbe school children were being questioned as to who discovered New Zealand. “Mr Coates” was the prompt reply from a tiny tot.

It was pointed out during the hearing of a ease at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court that- within the meaning of the Act every child was a destitute poison. The point (says the ‘■Chronicle’’) was cleared up by the statement that usually parents supported their children, and it was enlv when they did not do so the aid of the law was invoked.

A gill serving in tea rooms in 11a-in-ra. ivhnse parents ate both dead, •mil whose outlook on life a few days ago. could not have been described as very encouraging, has just received advice from a solicitor that a friend of her mother’s id's just died and lias left her filoOO. The girl did not know the lady personally (says tiie “Star ’), but she is doubtless very grateful for her kindness.

“I am driving a baker's cart ami have a wife and eight children,” said a judgment debtor at tin* Wanganui Court tbe other day (reports the “Herald"). “Mv wages are -Cl 3s, ami I have to pay rent 21 per week.” lie added. “Can you make- an offer?” asked counsel. “No. it is no use,” r.-piied the debtor. “I can't ask for an order,” said counsel sympathetically.

During the hearing ot a maintenance case at the Wanganui .Magistrate’s Court (relates the “Chronicle”) a witness mid he was entitled to os. a week lor sick pay from the Iriendly society lie wax a member of, but ns be was asked to pay 12s Oil. every fortnight for a medical certificate I'Ofore lie could draw it, lie mutually did not get it.

“The plaintiff claims 7s Od for a cake which she says she made for you ; do you admit ‘that?’’ asked counsel in cross-examining a witness in a civil action at the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North. “Site made the cake I admit, but 1 supplied the brandy ami mv mother the ingredients. NX hen site (piaintilf) brought the cake over to our house she cut it up and took the biggest part oi it hack to her own place.” replied witness amid laughter.

it has been remarked that the most dangerous position in the world to fill is tint of Bulgarian Cabinet Minister. Of tiie 80 who have been in office since iOH five have been killed, G-J have received long prison terms, and eight wore exiled. Only nine managed to get through the political ordeal without being injured or losing their liberty. Since 1912 nn appointment to become a Minister has almost been equivalent to a death sentence, subject to commutation ns ihe political foturues of the country wavered.

A returned soldier witness in a ease heard at the Wanganui Court- was confused for a time as to the year he left tiie settlement up the Wanganui River in which lie was a partner (relates the ‘‘Chronicle”). Ail he had to go by was tiie fact that he left on the day of tho boat race between Darcy Hdfteld and Paddon, and after a while produced a note-hook, specifying tho year as 1921. “Anyhow,” the witness stated, “the dnv I left the farm I came down to the boat race, and bad to borrow a fiver to get down tiie river—that's how good too place was.”

**l was reading in a magazine.” said his Honour Mr Justice Frazer at tilt* Arbitration Court at Auckland, “that a five-roomed house, in sections and complete with all conveniences can lie supplied in America for old dollars, about £l3O. 1 just mention this for what it is worth, if it can he done in America, it is time a house making factory was started here. Somebody will got in and begin importing ihese houses, paying duty, etc., and erect them cheaper than they can lx* built here at present..” An old resident of ‘ Wanganui in conversation with a reporter, recalled tlie fact- that on one occasion, about sixty years ago, the notorious Bully Hayes visited Wanganui. It is schooner, a famous craft of Tier day, anchoring in the roadstead. This vessel brought the first Fijian natives to New Zealand two men and a woman. In the landing process the boat swamped. The three Fijians, who were quite at home in the water, swam ashore at Ca-tle-cliif, hut a European who was with them was drowned. Bully Have- was tile pioneer of the port export trade for the Dominion. He shipped a cargo of pig- at Wanganui, ami history records that lie left hurriedly and forgot to nay for them. Apropos of the controversy over drift wood at Fusion, a good story is told ’-ay- tlie ”M anawalu Daily Time-”i. At an Fast Coast town a few years ago, one morning, following a flood, saw residents busily engaged in stacking the wood into heaps for tin* convenience of carriers, among them being a business man and a lawyer, whose wood -tacks siood side by side. The business man instructed a carrier to ••lift” his wood, but was later informed that he was too late—the wood had already been carted away by another resident. In anger, the gentleman consulted tlie "expert-in-law,'’ who advised In* had no redress, and if he, wanted to get even lie had hot*. *r "pinch" another heap. Tin* lawyer received his fee. together with thanks, and tin* client departed. Later on Mr ”L<>arner-in-law” went to collect his wood, but he was too late. His client had acted on his advice and taken tae next heap