NEWS AND

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1924, Page 2

NEWS AND

A lien belongi M Long, Stratford, recently eggs at one .setting, which Mr thinks must be neatly a record.— "Tost.”

A Waipuktirau resident reports tbo batelling of 03 chickens from fi.9 eggs —l3 out of 13 eggs in the first, 13 out of 13 in the second, and 12 out of 13 - in the third.—‘‘Hawke’s Bay Tribune.”

In these days of motor traction, even a horse and dray, which supplemented the Imllock-drnwn vehicle, are coming * to be regarded as somewhat obsolete (remarks the “Wanganui Chronicle”). A popular mode of conveyance in the pioneering clays—the old bullock waggon—i.s rarely seen even in the baekldocks, and as a consequence it comes as a surprise to learn that at a sale at Auroa recently a waggon realised £42.

“During the past six weeks I have travelled right through the country from Auckland to Invercargill,” said a visitor to a “Southland Times” representative. “ancl I have never seen the country looking so well as it is at the present time. On every hatuT there is a prolific growth of grass, ancl in this respect what 1 have seen of Southland up to the present fiinc shows that no other part of the Dominion is ahead* of you as regards the prospects for a bumper season.”

Decently, writing on the difficulties some children had to undergo to get their education, an exchange reported that one youngster actually went 58 miles per week to and from schools—- ~~Y This is quite a good distance, hut . locally (says the “Wairarapn Times”), we have children travelling longer distance's. One girl attending the I’onatalii school covers fit) miles per week. She has obtained her proficiency certificate. and is now preparing to sit for her scholarship.

News of tlie phenomenal wool sale at Wellington spread like wildfire amongst farmers at the Milton Show on ’luesday, and visions of the “Golden Fleece” spread before the eyes ol some who were possessed of large sheep runs (states the “Otago Daily Times”). Even the “c-ockics” were smiling broadly as they contemplated the dilference between present-day prices ancl those ruling in the slump of 1920. One man. in a comparatively small way, estimated that his cheque for the current clip woidd be at least £9OO, quite* £IOO better than lie bad anticipated. v

It was stated by a debtor in tlie Balclutlia Court (reports the “Free Press”) that a property at Lovell’s Flat of 10!)!) acres had no fewer than' three mortgages on it, totalling £9,000. There were 000 sheep on the place, or three-fifths of a sheep to the acre, 'flic* debtor in answer to examining counsel admitted that there was coal on the property—“better than lignite’ hut lie had been unable to do anything with it. “You can have a shot at it,” he remarked to counsel amidst laughter, ‘‘if you are looking for a good speculation.”

Insurance companies are often looked upon as “fair game” by those who are able to get something to which they arc not entitled from them, but it. occasionally happens that tlie promptings of conscience result in the return of intmev so obtained. Such a case (states the Timaru “Herald”), lias just hap- f pencil in the Tenuika district, where . a person who at one time held an insurance cover with the South British Cnmminy. returned the sum of £S to which lu* said lie was not ■Permission lias been given to Auckland branch of the New Zealand Tourist League for a representative* to board vessels of tbe Union Steam Ship Company, the New Zealand Shipping Company, and the Shaw. Savill, and Albion Company with local information for passengers (announces the “Herald”). It is felt that this service will lie useful to people arriving from overseas. and also make through passengers feel that someone takes an interest in them. 'Where tbe system lias bet'll tried in other places it lias been found that if results in return visits of longer duration.

|s a photographic film an urgent medicine! ’I lie question lias been debated before, but it lias arisen again, and is occupying the minds of the photographic dealers at present (says the “Lyttelton Times”). This year

Christinas Day falls on a Thursday, ancl as a result the shops will be closed cm Thursday. Friday, probably all clay Saturday and Sunday, but, Recording to the* views of some of the photographic establishments, the chemists who will observe Sunday boors for dispensing urgent medicines will sell films on these days, thus getting some of the trade that, under usual c onditions would go to tbe ordinary traders. Whether this will happen or not does not appear to be clear at present, ancl those making -• the complaints are endeavouring to i ~ find some means of preventing such an occurrence.

A .gentleman, who has just returned to Invercargill from a business visit to the towns in the eastern and western districts, expressed the opinion to a "Southland Times” reporter that the conditions prevailing now were on the whole much better than they were a month ago. ‘‘Then,” he said, “there was a feeling of depression apparent, not only among the fanners, hut among tile shopkeepers as well, hut the distribution of the dairy cheques during the past t«'o or three weeks has made a wonderful difference. In one case alone a shopkeeper told me that -within the past week he had received over £IOOO of moneys outstanding after a period of comparative quietness for two or three months.

How a repressed national spirit found an outlet in a postage stamp is shown in the Finnish "mourning” stamp, a copy of which is oil view at the Philatelic Exhibition (says the Christchurch "Pro's”). When took over Finland from Sweden, it decreed that the Russian language should he taught in the schools, anil oven suppressed the national stamps. - ~\ The Finns replied with the “mourning”' issue, a black stamp, "ith the national coat of arms, and patriots placed it on tlieir letters next to the official Russian stamp. The Russians promptly took the sto] s of destroying all letters w ith the label oil them, -y iUi .l the result is that a used “mourn- ..

itig” stamp is a great rarity. Finland sciw d the opportunity of breaking loose after the Russian revolution and she now has her national stamps again.

D.vpsepia seems always to have been the prevailing weakness, or the national sin, of American people. The fact lias no doubt led them to study the diet of invalids. A Palmerston soldier, whose wounds * caused him to spend several months in various hospitals at the front. said the Americans in this respect were preeminent and we now learn front the letters of a young New Zealand lady who is taking a course of study ijf American hospitals that benefit and lucrative degrees may he gained in the new profession ut “ ilietian, which she has attained. At the moment of writing (states the “ Alnnavatn Tillies”) the new force of healers promised to give the medical men a .secondary position so far as the deman,l for professional service is concerned.