NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1924, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

When some deserted wives and their children had to receive help from the Auckland Hospital Board recently, liecause their husbands were in gaol for not paying their maintenance orders, the question cropped up about Christmas gratuities for the families. “Of course we will give them gratuities,” said the chairman, “ the rascals in gaol will get extra plum duff at Christmas time,, and surely their wives and children are entitled to equal consideration.” 'l'he chairman’s remarks were heartily endorsed by every member present, and the opinion was expressed llial the deserter got ofr far too easy, and should lie more severely punished than lie i.s.

“Wo were at one time trying to raise sufficient funds to build the Kapuni,” said Air Bennett at the farewell luncheon to .Mr Graingear at Ratea (says the "Press”). Everything went well until they went to llawora, when the farmers talked and talked until nearly midnight, when, just as they were thinking of going home, Air Corrigan put in an appearance, and on behalf of the llawera Slice)) Dog Trials Club, asked them all to come into another room and have a drink. That finished tin- matter, and the business was completed in no time, and lie got the money for the ship required. A well-known farmer stated at a meeting at Carterton that he had been told of a ease in that district where a dairyman had disposed of a hull as a “ potter” for 30s because he had proved a rank failure. Instead of going to the meat works as intended the hull was taken to a special hull sale, where the vendor refused a hid oT £5. The hull was sold afterwards at a higher figure, and the purchaser next season will find a big proportion of his cows not in calf. They should organise to prevent this kind of thing being carried Oil. A short time ago a light-house keeper at I’outo (Kaipara) was driving a horse in a dray, when the animal bolted and then hacked over a el ill’ into ten fathoms of water, with the cart and driver. The, driver managed to get free and swam ashore, but the horse was drowned. The light-house keeper asked Captain Savidchit to drag for the horse and dray, which he did. At the same time the captain pointed out that the only chance of getting them would he if tho harness broke, as in all probability when the animal struggled Ini’ its life il would he lifted above the shafts, and with the carl would he washed out of the harbour by the tides. Captain Savident stales that this is probably what happened to the horse and cart, although some people do not credit it. Thieves are again active in the Ron-

soiiby district. One household had an unwelcome surprise awaiting them ouo morning recently. All arrangements had been made for a party, one of the family having ((line of age, and the “fatted calf” had been killed, regardless of cost. The pantry cupboard, which had a baize net for a back, was filled with good tilings—an iced cake, jam tarts, cakes, pickles, ham, and other comestibles usually associated with a “spread” of regal proportions--and this fact apparently became known to someone whose conscience was outweighed by his appetite. At all events the family awoke in the morning to find that the cupboard was hare. Tlk> baize hack had been deftly removed by means of a pair of snippers, and nothing was left save the white paper coverings on the shelf.

Air C. A. AViliiinson, speaking before the Eltliam Chamber of Commerce, said that New Zealand was not known to any extent in London. “I will give von an idea of how Australia and New Zealand arc known in London,” ho said. “There is a big zoo in London, with the names and origin of the animals marked cn the cages. This story is true. A woman from Lancashire read the notice, ‘Kangaroo—native of Australia.’ She looked at the kangaroo. and said. ‘Ary G— mv sister mmried one of them.’ As tar as New Zealand being, well known to the general public, in England is concerned, it is nonsense'. Great Britain is, of course, the greatest Empire in the world. It controls the destinies of people all over tho earth, and New Zealand is only a finy spot. Only the old ones know about New Zeaiand butter. Something might lie done to have New Zealand better known. But 1 don’t think so.”