NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1925, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

An early visitation of exceptionally large and ferocious mosquitoes is one of the seasonable accompaniments in Levin at present (say tho “ Chronicle ").

A local motorist, in order to prevent joy-riders from appropriating his car, has adopted the novel course of chaining a business-like terrier to the steering wheel.—“ Manawatu Standard.”

During the progress of a ease in the Invercargill -Magistrate’s Court a witness being cross-examined by a solicitor admitted (says the “ Southland Times ”) that he did not keep any books showing Ins expenditure. The -Magistrate, Air C. Cruickshank, S.AI., dryly remarked, " I keep good books. You might get two years.”

At the present time shipping agents tire reticent as regards the movement of overseas vessels. A “ Southland Times ” reporter was informed on good authority that free labour was solving the difficulty to a certain extent. It is also reported that 19 men left Invercargill a few days ago for the north to take up duties on various ships.

The AVeston correspondent of the “ North Otago Times” writes that a farmer in that district marked 520 lambs from 092 ewes, over .131 per cent., which is perhaps a record this season in the district.

The shining cuckoo lias made its appearance in 'the vicinity of Wanganui, one having been heard at Gordon Park a fortnight ago (states the "Chronicle ”). The visitor has been seen in that locality several times since, but the long-tailed cuckoo has not so far been in evidence.

Dairy factories in the Wairarapa are receiving good supplies of milk and cream, (states the “ Ago ”). The season is so late, however, that the returns are not expected to lie as good as last year. There is a good deal of le.e way to make up.

The rural mail carriers have sometimes to carry the responsibility for offences committed by others (remarks the “ North Otago Times ”’)■ A day or two ago a farmer in the Oainaru district placed a letter in his mail box. lie was surprised, a day or two afterwards, to find the missive out in a. paddock. He suspects that it had been taken there by a starling.

A correspondent writes to the Afanawntu “Standard”:—The Grouse Commission set- up some years ago to investigate the disease which was rapidly devastating the game on the English and Scotch moors traced the trouble to a parasite in Die heather and methods were suggested for exterminating it. which were put to tlie test with happy results. Flow about New Zealand National Park and the planting ol heather?

As one of ill.- late Mr Massey's -trongliolds dining tin- whole of his political i-arecr. WainUu (states an exchange! intends erecting memorial gates at 1 1 1 e entrance to Alassoy Park, opposite the railway station, to commemorate Ids life and tin* services he rendered lo the town and district. Tho park constitutes tbe AYnitiku Domain.

l-'irc-blight i> little discussed outside of areas where it exists and people were, consequently, deluding themselves into thinking that it was not the dread disease it was reputed to be. remarked Afr Adamson. Hastings orchard instructor. Kin-blight. however, was a real menace and districts thathad so far been fortunate enough to remain clean should not lose sight of the fact that in the northern areas of the Dominion iirehliglil is still a very virulent and destructive disease, which has already taken a tremendous toll on pip fruits. parttieuLarly pears -“Poverty Bav Herald.”

“.Some peole never conic io church and they never give a penny, and ye I we are ni their lir-ck and call.” said a. speaker at the Anglican Synod at Auckland. “AVe marry I hem. visit them, belli them and bury them, but we are bringing up a larbe number of people only to sponge on tin- faithful few."- Exchange.

“YVliat <hi von think of dimming lights?’’ was a question put by Mr F. I\. Hunt. S..M. to a. motorist who was giving evidence in the Police Court" at Auckland. The motorist replied (says the “herald”). that ..he thought it was a foolish idea. Tlie Afagistarte: So do T. 1 know of five or six cases where people would have been alive to-day if headlights had lioen full on.