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Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1923, Page 2

In another column Messrs At. Hoitstc-r. and Co. advertise ar. auction sale of furniture and effects on Wednesday, Doc. sth. rime and place in the advertisement.

Next Thursday at tho Soldiers’ Ilall, wind-up night of the euchre evenings. Monster competition for valuable prizes, including a dinner set. Special arrangements for the large attendance. Admission Is 6d.—Advt.

Air J. Stevenson who lias been promoted to Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Blenheim, left yesterday morning to take up his new duties. Mr Stevenson w ill bo returning to Hokitika for a few days about ( hristmas time.

The Heel ton ‘'Times" reports an eighteen mouths old son of Mr .). Taylor of liKUlgahna Junction was brought into Beefton on Sunday last for medical attention, with two fingers almost severed from tho left hand. It appears that the child and another were plavbig in a shed at the homestead, when the latter got hold of an axe, and the occurrence took place.

The vicinity of the railway station continues a busy scene. The goods shed is now on skids ready to he removed a short distance to the northward, the various new lines are in position and being ballasted, and the sta--tion buildings are being painted and renovated. A few days more should show a marked improvement in the general appearance of the vicinity. On Thursday last, the Hon H. L. Michel cabled the Prime Minister urging that every effort should be made to obtain from the Imperial Government compensation for the loss the gold producers of the Dominion sustained through their not living allowed a free market during the war. Yesterday the Prime Minister cabled Mr Michel as follows:—".Matter now before the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Signed) Massey.” A five-acre block of land was sold in Waipukuraii some time ago ‘relates the Napier “Daily Telegraph’ ). There was a plantation of 400 bhiegnm trees on the property. Apparently the original owner was ignorant as regards the value of the trees, but the now owner was more shrewd. The trees were sold as they stood to the Railway Department, and the fortunate seller received enough for the trees to more than pay for the freehold of the land. The. original owner K still dazed at the thought of a lost opportunity. The usual weekly euchre tournament anil dance took place at St. Mary s t lull rooms on Monday evening. The ladies’ first prize was won by Afrs A. Sumner, and the second bv Airs T. Median. The gentlemen’s first prize was won by .Mr O’Neil, and the second by Air J. McMahon. Consolation prizes were awarded to Airs J. Fox and Air H. Hawkins. The music for the dance was supplied by Miss A . King, and under the direction of Mr Jack AlcAlahon. dancing was kept moving. Next Afonilav evening will bring these popular tournaments to a close, when the aggregate prizes will be presented.

Big towns, like "big" people, are often the result of a lucky destiny. How Morrinsville just missed becoming a city is toll! by an old rail road surveyor (says an exchange). It appears that when the Auckland-Hotorua line reached Xgaruawahiii it was proposed to deflect it in a south-easterly direction round the edge of the Pinko swamp to Alorrinsville. This would have obviated the building of two large bridges over tho AYaikato. and taking the railway down the east side of the river instead of zig-zagging across it. A fierce controversy raged about the matter ai the lime, anil eventually Hamilton influence won. Had it not been so Alorriilsvillo would have been a great junction town instead of Hamilton.

At the Magistrate’s Court Greynioiith yesterday. Mr Meldrmn SAT. heard a claim by Ronald Melnnos. butcher of Brunner, against I’oreival Sidney James, of Kaimnta. Plaintiff in his statement of claim set out that lie sustained damages totalling £2O by reason of the defendant’s neglectful and unskilful driving of a motor cycle which collided with phiintilFs horse and cart 111 the Brunner-Stillwater road. The cart and harness were damaged ai.cl had to he repaired or replaced by the plaintiff. He was consequently deprived of the use of the cart and harness and the cart had depreciated in value He therefore claimed £1! special carnages fer the cost of repairing the ert (£11) and the value of the destroyed harness (£M) and £6 general damages based on depieeiatiou. etc., of the cart. Alter hearing evidence and legal 1 rgument had been submitted hv Mr Patterson. the Magistrate said lie did not wish to hear Mr Dongan. .-:s he had already reached a decision. I here was Hi doubt that both were to blame in nor having lights, but that was not tlic point upon which the ease turned. 11 Hi'- absence of lights were held to be the reason why damages could not be claimed, it would he a hardship, and would mean that motorists who wore the direct cause of accidents would get ofl'. lie held that the defendant was to blame for his negligence, and judgment would he for plaintiff For £ll. with costs and witnesses's expenses. Belling: Secure our low quote lor "dandy's” Genuine British Balata Belting ; made from finest quality cotton duck solutionod with pure Balata gum; gives lasting satisfaction. R. 1 . M. Manning and Co., 5 Bedford Row, Christchurch.—Advt.