NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1926, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

Tlio prompt and plucky action of an unknown than' prevented a drowning accident recently (says the AVanganui “Herald”). It appears that two little boys, about four years of age, were playing on the river bank about midday, when one of the boys walked into the river, no doubt intending to paddle, but it happened io ho very deep just there, and he was carried off bis feet. Ho called to bis little mate to go to his assistance, but the other hoy ran up the hank and gave the alarm to a man who fortunately happened to be passing the spot. Tlie man immediately leapt into' the river from the bank; secured hold of the hoy who was in danger, and got him ashore, none the worse for his adventure, save a drenching and a fright. When opening up some eases of drapery from overseas recently, a large business establishment in Gore was supplied with a striking illustration of the clever methods employed by cargo broachcrs (reports an exchange). The cases were specially made to prevent pilfering, steel bands lAing run toitiul both the outside and inside of the cases, while steel slasps had also been employed to further secure the sate carriage of the goods. To all outward appearance tlie cases were in perfectly good order, hut on being opened up it was found that a large proportion of the contents had been pillaged.

tlie percentage of informal votes cast at any election or poll is always the subject of comment, often caustic, by memhors of the local bodies concerned (states the “New Zealand Herald”), but the record put up bv the Auckland City Council at a recent meeting will stand for some time, bix

members were nominated lor four positions on a suls-committeo. and on a l..d_ lot being taken two papers, representing 121 per cent of the total votes recorded, were declared informal. The issue was a simple otic compared with some of the paper the ratepayers ate called upon to mark, hut no public poll has ever shown the same result.

Lake Rolomn. which showed, a phenomenal rise amounting to as much as ei'dit foot above normal level, has again subsided, says the “Poverty Bay Herald.” The receding water has left a fringe of dead scrub around the water’s edge of this picturesque bike. in one place the road ball to be deviated for a short distance, whilst in others the lapping of the water at the high, level was fraying away the edge of the road formation. Residents in the thermal district are unable to account for the remnrkablo rise of the lake, which was maintained over many months.

Hale and hearty, with a good memdry and interest in life well maintained. Mr James Crawford, a Crimean naval veteran 00 years of age, travelled from Naseby to visit the Dunedin Exhibition (states ail exchange). On his coat were three medals for service in the Crimea while be was on the ships Trafalgar and The Hawke. These had been pinned lo his breast by Queen Victoria. Another proud moment was when ns a side hoy, he helped Florence Nightingale over tlie side of tllo ship at Constantinople. She, had conic,,.said Mr Crawford, to .see “the Christmas dinner turnout,” that had been arranged on board. .Air Crawford, who va« trained on the- old A’ictory, left the Navy after (lie Crimean War and came to the colonies.

Scots mv generally supposed not In be easily moved to laughter (remarks tho “Auckland Star”), hut at a recent meeting of the Auckland Wesbytery there was a spontaneous outburst when the Rev. John Lowilen said that one of tlie reasons that weighed with him in accepting a call lo the church at Pacroa was “the license” coming hack. Alt' Louden's | renounced views in favour of no-license were too well known to require any explanation of his slate-

moot. A member of the Presbytery remarked. however, that the gift Air Lowden Had of dealing with drunken men could make him a valuable, asset lo the police at Paerosi.

The. picturesque hush, which extends, along both sides of the main road between Atatawai and Alotuhora is doomed to destruction (says tlie “Poverty Bay Herald”), this splendid reserve, the remnant of tlie famous Motu hush, the hulk of which was destroyed to make way for settlement many years ago, is aboiit to he felled and milled. A new sawmill has been erected, and a start has been made in milling opera, tions. The bush will take some years to cut out, and will provide a considerable quantity of first-class timber.

As an express for Christchurch was pulling out- from Tiihani recently (says an exchange), a very agitated young man, heavily laden with luggage and other impedimenta dashed bn to the platform and set off in pursuit of the departing train. His dash down the platform was followed with considerable interest by onlookers, and from tho opinions freely offered it appeared that odds were decidedly on the train. Displaying a very fair sliced, tho young man commenced to overhaul ihe train, notwithstanding the efforts of a railway official, who. barring the path of the would-be passenger, crouched low iii the true Rugby style, evidently with laudable intention of preventing hint from risking life and limb. Ihe athletic gentleman was not lightly turned aside, and with a swerve that would have done credit to an All Black three-quarter, avoided tlie tackle, and drawing level with the van threw himself, baggage and all, oil the platform of the ear. As the train disappeared a tired but young man could be seen recuperating from what was undoubtedly a. very creditable if hazardous performance.