NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1925, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

A spirit, of levity rules at the luncheons of the Auckland But,ary C’luh and (sometimes there is a kind of contest among members in b-ing facetious when introducing guests (says the

“Herald”). At the last luncheon when the speaker was Mr .1 list ice Alpers, the legal fraternity was prominent and tlie first compliment paid might, have perplexed a stranger for a moment. "I have pleasure in introducing Air .). B. Johnston, vice-president of the Auckland Law Society, and more favourably known as a yachtsman.” said Mr 11. I*. Bichniond. amid the delighted shouts of Boturians. It remained lor the Church, however, to win the biscuit. A grave-laced clergyman got up anil said: ".May I introduce my boss. the arch-bishop.”

The remainder of the cargo salvaged from tin* forepart of the wrecked Cyrena. comprising some 20111 cases ol kerosene, was disposed of at W auag,auni on Tuesday (state- the ■*(. hronielc”). The bidding was brisk, keen competition being spiced with an element. of humour. One bidder called everybody's bluff in very simple style. This individual bid -Is Ail lor a number of cases, and when asked by the auctioneer how many cases lie wished for he replied. "The lot.” and he got them. Some little time later the purchaser was approached hy a number of people who entreated him to retail his purchase, luit he replied emphaticallv. “fill a buyer, not a vendor.''

A correspondent writes to the Christchurch 'Tress" regarding pigs killing lambs; “Alnny people hold ditferent views mi this subject. I util tin* other day I had always suspected our Captain Cookers ol being killers, both from the evidence of had hlinbiiigs on pig-infested country, and the simple deduction that all men who supported the theory cannot he liars. Last week, however, a gcuerous-sized bear gave the show away before my eyes. "\Ye watched this particular pig chase a ten days’ old lamb across a front of about half a mile. He first trotted 111-hind the lamb, while the ewe ran on in front encouraging her offspring to greater speed. The porker evidently knew it was just a matter of time when the lamb would become exhausted and appeared to quite enjoy the appetising little chase. instead of making excited rushes which a novice would have done. Luckily we carried lilies, and thought the evidence siillii lent at this point of tinproceedings. It is quill- superlluous to moralise.”

Recently the Farmers’ I'nion wrote requesting the AYatigaiiui Education Board to embody in the agricultural courses instruction on New Zealand timbers. At the last meeting a reply wa- received from tin- hoard to the effect that the question had been referred to the senior inspector for a report. I hat m-ces-ity lor such in struct ion exist- was demonstrated in no uncertain manner when Mr Brandon. tin- prime mover ill the matter, submitted a number of samples ol dre.-sed timbers to the meeting lot naming hy the iiii-mbcrs. j-.xticm-ditlieulty was experienced in distin-

guishing 1:• • I wci-ii tin* various classes ol woods, many ol which resembled each other in appearance (stales the "Chronicle"). Mr Brandon explained that the samples had been prepared by him with tie- object ot snowing that many people bought timber without knowing the nature ot their purchases.

A church al East Taniaki (in the Am Island district) that, has lies'll privately owned for seventy vi-uin ha* now become the joint properly ot tin Anglican and Ah-thodist Churches (stales an exchange). 111*.- church i> :i small but substantially built si nullin'. and was erected in 1877 b\ the |{ev. (,'idcon Scales, and during ibe Maori War served a- a military out post. Mr Scab'- wa- a pmc.-w minister ill the Auckland district, am bis enterprise in building the litlb church on his own property at Last Taniaki was carried out in the lac o' many difficult ics. No ccnicoi was available, and shell lime, made Iron 1 -bell deposit- on the hill, was u ,cd I'm- making the mortar. Air Scalewas assisted in the work by a Scott is! stonemason. Stone blocks cemento' together, formed a strong shell, and lie- inside of the church was lined if In-art of rimn The building i L a splendid -tat" oi pro-rrval i"ii.

In the course id an address to Si Andrew’s Society at Invercargill Hi, other evening Mr (!. Cruiekshatik told the following story (reports an exchange)'. "Wlh'ii Major Kedilell "aMagistrate here, on tine occasion lie was not able, owing to some delay tr Ha' train service, to get to the court at the usual hour 10 o'clock. A number of lawyers and others were waiting in the i ourt. among them being the late Mr John Mullet. There was a had drunk ea.-e awaiting trial and Mr Moll'ett suggcslcd that to pastin' time they should proceed to give him a mock trial, iso the man was brought into the court. Mr Moffett ascended to the Bench and gravely look his seat. The charge was read the man pleaded guilty, and Mr Molfetl proceeded to letoure him on the enormity of his crime, sentencing him to imprisonment for tile, and giving -tern orders io remove the prisoner who was thoroughly alarmed and rattled. When Major Keddell appeared the man was brought iorward again. He was lined os. or so!’’

'’The lire waste m New Zealand lor the year ended December Ul. 1821. was £1.23-1.827. or 17s 2d per head of population." remarked Captain Hugo, tiuveminent Inspector oi hi re Brigade-, m a Fire Brigade*-smoke concert in W:inganui i reports an exchange). lit .•aided that this was a very eimsiderahlr loss; ill fact, one ot the biggest ot an\ eon ill ry m the world. He went on to advocate the more extensive installation ot automat ie lire sprinklers by business linns t lirouglioiit- New Zealand, and point,-o nut tluii. not only did they assist to reduce this colossal loss by lire, but they :ilso had the cite cl of appreciably reducing insurance premium-. The rebates that were made consequent upon the use ot the sprinklers alnio-t covered the interest and capital 1 of their installation, and in addition to ibis largely prevented ihe dislocation of business in Ihe ease of tile.