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Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1925, Page 2

Aftbb the revolution, Russia passed through a phase of disintegration. Quite a number of communities broke away from what had been the Empire, and set them solves up as independent States. Enter they returned to the fold, and formed the “I'nion of Socialist Soviet Republics,” some voluntarily some alter coercion by Bolslioviik armies. One of the latter was Georgia, that tangle of peaks and gorges on the southern side of the Caucasus, which has been described by Miss Odette Koun in a recent publication, ‘"Pile Land of the Golden Fleece”. Her impressions of this strange country and its strange people are interesting. Georgia, is a land of magnificent scenery. Many of its inhabitants are remarkable for their physical beauty and endurance, hut the atmosphere is that of the middle ages. 'The patriarchal .system prevails. In the villages dwell members of the same clan. Practically everyone of them hears the same name, and between these clans bitter feuds are common. .Each farm, each fortress contains a single family, which may not break up until the death of its head. The public animosities are nothing to the private vendettas, which still flourish. If a nian kills somebody lie is immediately pursued liv all the relations of the deceased. while his own kinsmen take up the quarrel. Cases have been known where the murderer spent the- whole of liis sulisequent life sequesterd in a tower, hut even if he did escape and die a natural death, vengeance would he exacted from his descendants. A certain degree of order has been established since 1920, hut to this day much of Georgia remains as wild and primitive as its own mountains.

This is election year (says the “New Zealand Times”). What time of the year the battle will he fought is not known, hut the chances are it will lie in December. The life of the present Parliament expires this year, and the public has a right to exercise afresh its voice at the ballot box. An election could be precipitated sooner than December, hut it is very doubtful if circumstances will lead to such a happening. Already the political forces of the land are sounding calls to the colours. Lin boil r. whose political industry never flags, is well under way. Mr Holland, who never seems to let up or make a holiday, lias just- commenced an all New Zealand itinerary which is to so busy him for nearly tliroe months that he will deliver an address on every night of the period except one—the one on which he is crossing from the North to the South Island. The executive of the LiberalLabour Party already has been in conference, and in due course the gospel of the organisation will s>e carried to the people by Mr Wilford and his lieutenants. And anyone who imagines that Reform because it is quiet-, is sleeping, does not know his New Zealand. A newer force which has been spasmodically active is the Country Partv. Again its leaders declare they will put candidates in the field at election time. This declaration is not new. It has been made in earlier years and repeated ip subsequent times. The

electors are told there is t-o be no divergence this year; that the party will choose its candidates and go right ahead. It seems that the session of Parliament; will open at about tihe usual time, the end of June. The length of the session is not likely to lie as great a.s that of the session of last year, as members will be anxious to get hack to their constituencies and begin their election campaigns. Members who aife tin 'Wellington doing the business of the country always have nil uneasy feeling as to the progress their opponents may be making while they arc away. A.s far as can he scon polling day is a long way off. hut this is election year and already interest in the inevitable tight imperceptibly is quickening.

Mr E. Cholerton, optician, is now in Hokitika and may Ik; consulted at Kellers Hotel until February 20th. Information has been received that .Mr T. Irvine, M.A., Hector of the Hokitika District High School, has been appointed head master of Clyde Quay School Wellington. Mr Irvine will take up the new appointment on April Ist. At the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on Friday John William Alistcr Leaning was remanded to appear at (liyyniouth on Wednesday on a charge of having forged a cheque lor £lO 10s, signed with the name of William Tortoll and causing William Harold Perkins to act on it as if it were genuine. I 'Mr Massey is slowly getting better, but it will take a long time y'et,” said tlio Minister of Defence', the Hon Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, in speaking of the health of the Prime Minister on Fi iday evening. Sir Heaton added that Mr Massey, who suffered from an acute attack of sciatica at the end of last session, has now got rid of the pain, ami he was on the way to recovery.

Li the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch on Friday belore Mr \\ yvern Wilson, S..M. Robert, Hutchison (Mr J. 1). Hutchison) and Herbert William .Menree (Mr F. W, Joluiston)were charged with speeding over intersections. The Magistrate held that, the by-law, which limited the speed round corners to sis luiles all hour, and eight, miles mi hour across intersections was unreasonable. These were unreasonable restrictions and not necessary for the sale conduct of traffic. The charges were dismissed.

A definite sfirfeineiil, regarding his decision in connection with the railway workshops at, Grcymonth was inaile by tile Hail d. D. Coates, Minister ol Railways, at Christchurch on b relay. Mr Coates said Ills mind was made up regarding the matter. The Crcynioutli workshops would he used for running repairs only. All the heavy repair work would ho carried out at either Addington or Hillside. That decision had been reached in the interests ol economy. With regard to the erection of houses for railwaymeii at Grevmcutli, Mr Coates said lie could not say anything without looking up the matter, He proposed visiting the West Coast in April.

A distressing fatality occurred at TCandallah on Tuesday morning last when a baby hoy, aged 7.1 months, named Tvlmun d Ernest McLaughlin, was found in his cot with a dislocated nock. An inquest was held at Ht. Barnabas Hall. Khandallah, before the coroner (Mr E. Page. S.M.L Police evidence was conducted hv Constable O'Donnell, of Jolmsonville. Evidence adduced wont to show that the child bad been left playing in bis cot, a ltd returning to him, bis mother found his head caught between the bottom bar and the wooden side of the cot. Dr Wright was .summoned, but ott arrival could only pronounce life extinct. The coroner returned a verdict accordingly.

The death occurred at the Grey River Hospital of a pioneer in the person of Mr Andrew Graham, formerly of Maori Creek. Deceased who was a native of Glasgow, came AS years ago to New Zealand, and spent nearly all the intervening period on the Coast engaging ill the occupation of mining. He had been sonic years at the Hospital and had reached the ripe age of S.'S years. He was a single mail and was highly esteemed by all who kllew bint.

This year McKay's Grout Slimmer Sale will exceed your most extravagant expectations.—A dvt. The position regarding the Ellcrsmero seat at the next General Flection is not certain. So far no definite statement has been made concerning the nomination ol a candidate by the Liberal Party, nor has anything been done by tbo Labour Party, which may nominate a man. Amongst Reform supporters in the electorate it is stated that there’s a possibility iliat Mr John Cunningham, of Brookside. will bo invited to stand as a Government candidate. When asked last evening by a “Lyttelton Times” reporter if there was any foundation for a suggestion that he would again be n candidate for tbo F.tlorsmere seat. Sir Heaton Rhodes said that he had suggested it. Asked if he intended to stand again for the seat. Sir Heaton said that ho had previously stated that lie did not intend to contest the seat, although he had been asked to do so by u large number of people. .Air Geo. Uansgrove. tbe well-known lorry proprietor, met with a very painful accident on the Main South road on Saturday evening. He was engaged to transport a number of lambs from South, and was going down for a load, the lorry being driven by Tainiii. On a bill near -lantlie Lake, the Loyhind lorry stopped and Hansgrovo jumped down. As ho did so the machinery went into gear and the lorry moved backward, causing Bans" rove to fall underneath the front wheel. which passed over him. Unaware of the accident the driver reversed quickly with the result that the lorry again passed over the ballon man. His injuries were found to be very painful, including injuries to both legs and l ight hip. Aledicnl assistance was summoned from Hokitika arriving at night and yesterday the injured man who was suflorin". greatly was removed to the Westland Hospital where he is doing a.s well as can l.e expected. It was fortunate indeed that the lorry was empty. Had it been otherwise, the consequences would have been, far more serious.

The only way to appreciate the extent of the money-savers offering at McKay’s Great Sale is by inspection. Prices are being utterly smashed.— Advt. If you have not paid Schroder end Co’s Stock-taking Sale a visit, it. \viH bo your neighbours’ gains—hundreds ()i bargains daily offering. Now is the time to save money by attending Schroder and Co’s Stock-taking Sale. Call early.—Advt.

Liquid “Tan-ol,” the quick polisher for floors, furniture and leather g00d,.. Clean and easy to apply.—Advt. At AlcGruer’s Great Sale special values ladies’ overalls dark shades new styles, fast colours, now -Is lid and os lid; ladies’ dark washing dresses fis Ud and 7s lid; ladies’ white and navy cotton bloomers, now 2s fid ; ladies white and cotton vests Is fid. Our prices are lower. AfcGruers. Hokitika and Greymouth.—Advt.

Wo have just opened out a large consignment of new and fashionable Ladies’ and Maids’ Underwear specially selected for our new season’s trade. These dainty garments are in r.aw designs and in the best Quality of recognised fabrics, and all are marked at prices to sell quickly. McGruer’s (Westland) Ltd., Hokitika and Greymouth. —Advt.

An economy hint—insist on getting Sharland’s Fluid Magnesia. Fresher than the imported.—'Advt.

Marking an epoc in modern merchandising, McKay’s Great Summer Salo starts on Friday.—Advt. The programmes of the Harihnri, Wataroa and Okuru Racing Clubs for meetings in the near future, have been approved by the District Racing Committee. The Royal Hotel at Okarito is advertised for sale liv private tender, and particulars can be had from the proprietor. Mr J. S. Sweeney, with whom tenders close on 28th. February. A special goods train containing about 2000 sheep and lambs left Ross on Saturday for the Islington Freezing Works. This is the first large consignment of sheep to leave the West Coast this season. Blasting: Simplest safest and most effective high explosive is “ Lithyte.” Up to 20 per cent, stronger than others Equally good in hard, soft, moist or dry ground. Particulars from R. P. M. Manning and Co., 5 Bedford Row, Christchurch. Advt.

The funeral of the late John Walton took place at Karoro Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, and was largely attended, the cortege including representatives of West Coast Racing Clubs, local bodies, and the Masonic Lodge, of which deceased was one of the oldest members. The Anglican services at Holy Trinity Church and at Karoro Comctry were conducted by Rev. Air Collins, the Masonic burial service being read at the graveside by the Rev. Mr J. F. Martin, of St. Paul’s Church.

Owing to the paucity of entries received for the forthcoming show of the Westland A. and P. Association which lias been set down to take place at the Hokitika Racecourse on Saturday, February 21st. the time for receiving entios has been extended to Saturday. February 11th. By perusing the schedule issued by the Association it will at once he seen that it covers a wide range and the more competition that is engendered in the various classes the greater the honour in securing !>. prize; so it behoves the farmers of Hokitika arid itho surrounding districts to send ill their entries if the show is to be the success that its promoters and others wish it to he. Tlio greater the display on Saturday, I ehriiarv 21st, the greater will he the admiration of those who visit the show and this should repay the farmers a great deal for the trouble they take in selecting their stock, vegetables and dairy produce for the various classes, thus letting visitors and others see tjiov take pride in the fact that they are'truly the backbone of (he country, besides giving a boost to the great dairying potentialities of Westland. Entries dose on Saturday, February Mill.

Schroder’s Stock-taking Sale is one of great attraction. All summer millinerv is marked below cost to •''tear. Beautiful hearth-rugs 7s (id. 10s Gd. LAs (id each. Ladies frocks 7s Gd. 8s Ml. !)s fid. 12s Gd each. These arc not the cheap—l ack common kind. All latest productions.—Advt. Shorter working hours for mother! “Tan-oi” liquid polish brightens floors and furniture in record time.—Advt.