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Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1926, Page 2

Nominations for the position of Councillor of tile Borough of Hokitika in the stead of Mr T). J. Evans, resigned, close with the Town Clerk at noon tomorrow. The poll will take place oil the following Wednesday.

This morning a deputation consisting of Mr.s Butler. Messrs S. . Preston, T. V . Dull, •). Mclntosh, and headed by the Hon 11. 1,. Michel, waited on Mr I). J. ft vans who was asked by requisition ■ numerously- signed. to stand for the vacancy in the Hokitika. Borough Council. It will he seen l.ythe advertisement in another column, that Mr Evans has consented to stand, and he was nominated to-day for the position of Councillor. Messrs S. J. Preston and J. .T. Mclntosh were the nominators.

At least one family in Napier did not experience a “dry” Christmas, although festive season celebrations wero unattended by that cheerfulness which is said to accompany an over-indulg-ence in Yuletide moisture. This family resides in a two-storey dwelling, the bathroom of which is located on the upper storey. Before retiring for the night the mother went to the bathroom and turning on the tap found that the water supply was cut off. The next act in the little drama opened at 4 n.m. Christmas morning, when the father awoke to the sound of running water. Further investigations told its own tale. In turning on the tap and finding no water forthcoming the lady of the house did not turn off t’rii supply. In the hours that followed t'.p hath overflowed, the water t.ooditig the bathroom and slowly trickling tbiough until the floor of the lover sic rey was covered with water. V adless to say, Christmas Day was ushered in with a certain degree of mixed blessing.

Ladies’ Holiday and Picnic- Dresses in checked and striped zephyr, special value, 4s lid and (is lid. Ladies’ and Children’s Pandan and Rush Hats, 2s lid. Children’s Washing Dresses, 3s lid. Rubber Bathing Caps, Is (id and 4s lid. MeGruers, Hokitika and Greymouth.—Advt. Men’s Fancy Shirts, with collars to match 9s 8d to 14s (jej n,t Revel] Street. —Advt-

Shipton’s boarding-house at Stpckton was completely destroyed by fire at ft o’clock on New Year’s Eve. Tile origin of the fire is unknown. The proprietress was absent at the pictures. The death took place at Westport on Sunday of Mrs Beswiek, widow of the late Charles Beswiek. Deceased was a native of Melbourne, hut came to New Zealand with, her parents as a child and remained here ever since. She was 'SB years of age. Deceased is survived by one daughter and three sons.

Welcome rain fell in many parts of Ashburton County over the New Year, refreshing the crops parched by a week of warm sunshine and scorching nor’-westers. Prospects for the crops are in consequence much brighter, though on account of the wet winter and late spring the oats and wheat yields will not approach those of last year.

It is fine to see a good horse race, but to a large proportion of the followers of the game tile race is nothing; the dividend is the thing. Nor does this apply to horse-racing. Look at the numerous art unions that are being promoted. Who cares twopence alanit the object, whether it is to provide football grounds, or tennis courts, or to get racing clubs out of their financial troubles, or whether it is some charitable or philanthropic purpose that is to be served? It is the chance of winning a prize that appeals. Even mah-jong is made the means of a gamble. And after all, what is business but a gamble? AVlint is farming but a gamble, on the weather and the markets? Matrimony, the cynics tell us, is the greatest gamble of all. Life itself even is a gamble. And while we gamble only within our means what harm is there in it?—“Taranaki Herald,”

It is apt to ho forgotten that even in the Southern Hemisphere, when it is practically mid-summer, it is possible to have a “ White Christmas,” an event which is by no means Usual in England, where the snow-spangled Christmas Cards come from (says the “Post.”) In the far South at this moment is the whaling ship Sir James Clark Boss, with her small satellites and the expedition has been heard from by wireless in tlie past few days as having a fine Christinas. For about an hour on the night of December 28 the Chief Telegraph Engineer, Mr E. A. Shrimpton, was in wireless communication from his home in Bongotai with the Sir James Clark Boss. 1 lie ship reported that she had had a good Christmas and that she was off Coalman Land, about 74 degrees south. They had had fine weather for Christmas, and for several days had seen the “ most wonderful mid-night sun.” Mr Shrimpton used a wave length o' 3(5 metres, and the whaler was workir,. vill> 38 metres.

Molnr-ear thieving, or. as the dim iual law leniently terms it. “unlawful conversion,” is on flic increase in Auckland, and there was an average of nearly two moior-car thefts a week during the year just closed. The police have done good work in tracing the culprits. and when a capture has been made the evidence has almost always secured a conviction. Wise legislation has made the sheeting home of the offence much easier. I lie statue making the borrowing of a car an offence for which fines or imprisonment could he imposed frustrated the habitual joyrider, who was often cunning enough to provide his own lienzine. and so evade a theft charge. During the year nearly 100 motor-cars have been unlawfully converted to the use of the joyrider. and not a few were recovered in a damaged condition. The serious loss that can ho caused to the owner of a ear merits for the offence of conversion the sternest punishment. Apart from financial loss to tlie owner, consideration must he given to the fact that legitimate users of the roads have their safety jeopardised by ears in the hands of irresponsible drivers.

Particulars of the Reef ton coal mine fire are to tlie effect, that the outbreak was discovered on Thursday afternoon. Shortly after the alarm was given there «as a rush of voluntary helpers to the mine, and immediate steps were taken to tjiiell the outbreak and to prevent its spread to other parts of the colliery. Mr C. Strongman, Inspector of Mines, was quickly on the scene, and three shifts have been working continuously under his supervision. Special fire-fighting apparatus was railed te Roefton from the State mine at Rewanui, and after strenuous efforts the fire was got under control yesterday evening, and it was hoped that it would he completely subdued this morning. Splendid work was accomplished bv the party of fire-fighters, some of whom had worked continuously without sleep, and with whisky and milk as the only form of nourishment, until the fire was mastered. The fire is believed to have originated from spontaneous combustion. The full extent of tlie damage is not ascertainable, hut so far as is known six pillars and three or four working places have been lost. The Reefton Coal Company’s mine is situated at Burke’s Creek, about four miles from Reefton, and this is the chief coalmine in tlie Tnaugalma district. The daily output during the summer is about 150 tons, hut owing to its splendid household qualites, tbs winter sales amount to 250 tons daily. Mr E. W. Tattler, the mine manager, was absent on holiday in the North Island.

A sad drowning fatality occurred in the Grey River yesterday afternoon, when a well-known resident, Mr Joseph Boyd, of Puketahi Street, aged about 82 years, lost his life. The body was found floating near the wharf opposite the Gilmer Hotel by an employee of the Harbour Board dredge, Edward Sheppard, who was placing a mooring rope under the wharf, lie pulled the body on to the piles and called for assistance. The police were summoned hut were unable to restore life, and the body was removed to the morgue. The supposition is that deceased who was in a very weak state went for a walk near the river and either slipped or collapsed into it. Ail inquest was held before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., last evening. Evidence was given by Sheppard as to his finding of the body. William James Tilleyshort, wharf labourer, gave evidence of identification. He stated that he had last seen deceased alone at about 2.30 p.m. yesterday. He had been under medical treatment for some time, and was suffering from general senile decay. The Coroner returned a verdict, that deceased came to his death by drowning through accidentally falling into the Grey River on Janaurv 4th. 102(i.

“No-Rubbing Laundry Help” wields a magic charm for men. women and children and keeps grocers busy.—Advt. Buy our travelling rugs, kit bags, suit cases, etc! The prices are right, and we allow you one shilling in the pound for cash. W. 11. Stopforth’s Bevell Street.—Advt.

Have you seen the beautiful carpets, squares, runners, hearth rugs, door mats, and linoleums now offering at special cut prices for cash this Christmas season at Schroder and Co. It will pay you to visit Schroder’s.—Advt. Less than a penny a dozen. That is what it costs to preserve eggs with Sharland’s ' “ Moa ” Brand Egg Preservative. Eggs keep fresh for months.—Advt Polish your floors with “ Tan-ol ” lighter work and a better, brighter polish. Also good for furniture, tan boots and leather goods.— Advt. Men’s F-elt Hats, in all the leading makes, Ss lid to 355, at Hallensteins, Revell Street.—Advt.

The death occurred yesterday of Mrs Williams, wife of Mr Win. Williams, of the Greymouth Workshops staff, of the Railway Department. The sad news came as a painful shock to the many friends of the deceased lady, who was taken ill only on Saturday last. Oil Sunday she underwent an operation at the Grey River Hospital, hut passed away twenty-four hours later, leaving a sorrowing husband and three young children.

An accident happened last evening near the foot of Rimu Hill, with the result that two men were hospitalled. It appears that Messrs Albert Thomas and Hector Archer were motor cycling from work at Rimu dredge, and came round Rimu way. Near the bottom of the hill they struck some loose shingle, and the cycle capsized, both men being thrown violently to the ground, and were picked up unconscious. They were taken to Westland Hospital. Archer had a cut above the eye that had to l>o stitched, and other bruises, and Thomas was badly cut about the knee and thigh. Both are getting along as well ns can be expected, though both are suffering front shock.

Factory Owners: You can depend on the quality of " Tuffoid ” Belting un nor the most severe conditions of service. Yet our quotes for same will agreeably surprise you. It. !’• M. Manning and Co., o Bedford Row, Christchurch. —Advt.