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Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1927, Page 2

The annual Chrysanthemum Show will he held in the Soldiers’ Hull on Wednesday, May 11th. Tlie Hokitika Jazz C 11 11» holds its inaugural dance to-night in the Soldiers’ Hall, commencing at 8.3’) o'clock.— Ad vt. Gas Cooking Demonstrations resumed at the Soldiers’ Hall on Thursday. April 28th. at 2.30 p.m. New World Gas Cooker in use. Menu: Roast chicken, apple pie, chocolate cake, scones (various). —Advt. The Duke of York’s spoof h at Melbourne last evening was broadcasted by 3L.0. station and every word could bo heard very distinctly over the wireless. The speech was made about 10.30 o’clock. New Zealand time. A married man named Henrv Ott, aged o-l years, a retired butcher, living at Waimataitai. near Timnru, was found dead with a shotgun lying near his body about 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tt is stated that he had been suffering from melancholia for some time. •‘One of the most striking sights is to be seen near Yimy Ridge,” said the Prime Minister, in speaking of war graves in his Anzae Day address on -Monday afternoon. “On one side of the road are sixty thousand white crosses over ISritish and French graves. On the opposite side are seventy-five thousand black crosses over German graves. The last burial places of war friend and foe receive the greatest of attention and care.” The Plunket Ball to take place at the Soldiers’ Hall next Wednesday will be the opening ball of the season, and as such, apart from the special object in. view, will attract particular attention. A meeting of ladies last evening completed full arrangements for the event, -so that the gathering will he well catered for in every department. The best music has been secured, and with the floor in first class order a very jolly evening’s dancing is assured. A large country contingent is expected to be present, and the supper arrangements will lie equal to the anticipated influx. Stocktaking Specials: Knitting wools in four ply, a beautiful soft wool in an endless variety of shades, price 6d a skein; 150 dozen of artificial siik embroidery, 1 s (id a dozen.—Schroder and Co.—Advt. Men’s overcoats in navy nap-cloth and tweed. Prince shape and D.B. Also Boys’ overcoats, now showing at McKay’s.—Advt.

Kanieri River bridge on Lake Kanieri road will ho closed to nil traffic to-morrow forenoon, for repairs.

Short-effect coloured rubber raincoats, great value at 18s 6d at McKay’s.—Advt. The Kokatalii Gun Club's shoot, arranged for this afternoon was postponed owing to a number of shootists being otherwise engaged. When the s.s. Opihi was berthing at 'lima.ru. in a heavy swell and a strong nor’-wester on Sunday, she was thrown against the wharf, and a large hole was knocked in her side. 'l'lie crew were busy repairing the damage yesterday.

The premises of Mr John Stenhou.se, grocer, blackball, were entered by a burglar, at about three o’clock on Thursday morning. Access was gained by the front dour, which the burglar unlocked after pushing the key in from the outside, Unfortunately for the intruder the door was tight fitting, .and his attempts to force an entrance aroused iho occupants, with the result that he made liis escape without securing any of the contents.

A c.uuigo in the policy in connexion with the administration of the Land for Settlements Department was announced by the .Minister for Lands ('the lion. A. I). McLeod) on Saturday. The Minister stated that the Department had now been amalgamated with the Lands and Survey Department, .or .1. I!. Thompson. I'mlcr-Secretary for Lands, has been appointed Land Purchase Controller and chairman of the Dominion Lind Purchase Hoard, and Mr I!. A. Rodger has been appointed Land Purchase Officer.

The “Lyttelton Times” reports Thefts of motor tools and accessories are taking place almost nightly in St. Albans. Private garages are being ransacked, despite n vigilant watch by the police. A few days ago one St. Albans’ resident commenced to overhaul his car. lie took the rims off and left them in his garage. In the morning, when he went to resume his work, he found that not only had the rims and tyres been stolen, but the spare wheel as well. Other cases have come to light of private garages being entered and tools stolen. The thieves work with discrimination, taking material that is valuable and that is hard to trace. In one case the spare tyre was taken off a ear, and the gang carefully replaced the nuts on the clamp which held the tyre. Where, is the stolen material being disposed of? That is the question which is causing concern to those who are investigating the thefts. Nothing that is suspicions is coming into the hands of secondhand car dealers. 'Poo much has been stolen to he put to use by any ordinary person, or oven a group of mechanical enthusiasts. Tidiness is a feature of the work of the gang, no traces that would identify them- being left. Fingerprints are conspicuous by their absence. The thieves are careful not to disturb anything which they do not require.

Some time between Saturday and Sunday evenings, reports the Grey

"Star.” some person or persons, evidently no lovers ol music, entered tlie Opera House at Grcymouth. and did what was possible to wreck the piano used (here. Not content with that, the intruder or intruders visited the Town Hall, and caused similar damages to the piano there. The deed was apparently the work of someone who new something about pianos. The frame anti keyboard were not touched, hut the top was lifted, and the wcoden

“ hammers ” in the interior ol the instruments deliberately broken ofl. ’I lie damage "ill he costly to repair, as the hammers must, till he specially bored out and glued. The damage is not covered hv the insurance policy. The motive for the action is a mystery which the police will do their best to solve. It may he personal spite against, the lessee of the halls, Mr A. Rcbatl, or it may be rescutnient against the showing of pictures on Sundays. Both pianos were in use on Saturday evening. bin the damage done to that to the Opera House was discovered just before the pictures began on Sunday evening. '1 he piano trom the 1 own Hall was secured, and was also found to lie out of action. Luckily, the piano from Mr Behan’s residence had also been sent for, and tins was used at the entertainment.

At the conclusion .ol the Presbyterian Services at Kokatalii and Woodstock on Sunday, Mr T. E. Dihb, received tokens of the good wishes ol the respective congregations for himselt and Mrs Dibhs, on the occasion ot their leaving tor the 'lotara Mat Home Mission district on transfer. I here were large congregations at both servees. At Kokatalii. Air T. Eeclesficld

voiced the regret of the congregatnn

ions of both Kokatalii and Koiterangi districts at the departure of Air and Airs Bibbs, and asked Air Bibbs to accept a wallet of notes from Kokatalii friends, with their best wishes for both in their work in their new sphere. Air

Dibhs expressed tlie thanks of Airs

Dibits and himself for tlie gift and said that he h id had gicut pleasure in his work in the district, which they would leave with regret. At Woodstock -Mr Hadilow presented Air Dibhs with a wallet of notes, as an expression of the goodwill and good wishes of the Woodstock’congregation for Air and Arts Dibhs whom they hoped to see again on some future occasion. He wished them success and God’s blessing in their future work. Air Dihlis suitably replied. The Rev. J. AY. Hayward, Hokitika, assumes charge of the Woodstock and Kokatalii congregations.

Dr F. W. Hilgendorf, Biologist. Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, paid a visit to the Coast the past week in furtherment of bis scheme for the improvement of cocksfoot grass. On his initial visit last July, plants were collected from old established and continuously grazed pastures at Waiinaunga, Totara Flat, and Kokatahi districts, from river flat types of land representative of a large area of Westland County. The selections can be termed the survival of the fittest’, being collected from areas which had originally been carrying a fairly representative cocksfoot pasture, but due to time and continuous close grazing, only plants which were persistent and characteristically dominant remained. Each plant then secured was planted out singly and kept under observation, fn the growth and natural increase of the plants, different features showed up : weaklings were discarded and the strong robust plants selected for replanting. The progeny of the M aimaunga and Totara Fiat selections have been planted out on river loam at Wafmnnuga Experimental Station, and arrangements have been made to plant the Kokatahi selection on Mr Houliston’s farm at ICoiterangi. Later on, after the plants have developed, further selection from the best will be made for seed purposes. Robustness, leaf development, general development and other strong characters are taken into consideration in selecting. It is thus hoped to improve the strain, securing seed that will produce plants of a strong and durable character and adaptable to the different localities. Dr Hifgendorf’s scheme of work for the present, includes Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Westland districts. For clearing blocked passages in nose and throat, there is nothing so effectiv as “ Xazol.” Powerful and penetrating. 60 doses Is 6d.—Advt.