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Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1927, Page 2

There scorns to be ilo doubt now tiiflt .Mr Baldwin means to bring in a Bill giving votes to women ns well as men at the age of 21. The promise was made In the first place after the general election of 192.'!, and it has been confirmed since by Sir W. JoyiisonHioks and b.v Ah’ Baldwin himself. Speaking at the Albert Hull lately, the Prime Minister suggested that if the franchise had to be introduced flow for the first time it might he well to fix years as the age qualification for both sexes. But now that men of 21 years ha ve lire une accustomed to the franchise, the gift cannot be withdrawn. Very few people would refuse to admit that it is unjust to discriminate in this matter, as the law now does, between men and women. Tlie trouble is.that the four or five million women now to he enfranchised will give the feminine votes a preponderance of quite one million over the masculines. AI rs Fawcett, one of the protagonists of the ‘‘Votes for AYomen” movement, has discussed this aspect of the case at some length, and she can see no reason for anxiety or apprehension here. She hopes and believes that the British Cabinet will soon include more than one woman Minister. Women’s franchise has long passed the xperi mental stage. Here in New Zealand we know that the overage woman is able to vote as intelligently or otherwise as the average man—so that on the law of averages there should he no more insecurity than exists ,ns at present. There will however, bo some up-setting of the party equilibrium. To add four or five million votes to the electorates suggests the possibilities of many changes, and no doubt the changes will involve some surprises. The move however, has also the glamour of n very democratic gesture—perhaps least expected from tho present party in power—but none the less sincere rs an aid to securing peace within the nation. The outcome will be watched with great interest.

A mooting of tlio Hokitika Library Committee will bo liobl to-niglU at 7 o’clock.

The Hokitika Borough Council will meet in committee to-morrow evening at 7.30 o’clock to consider matters of finance affecting the municipality.

The monthly meeting of the "Westland Acclimatisation Society takes place at 7.30 o’clock on Thursday evening.

Boys' Fancy Coat Sweaters, wear guaranteed, 6s lid at Hallenstein's. Bevel! St.—Advt.

According to the latest return of the Government Statistician, it now takes 32s lid on the average to purchase what could ho purchased for 2()s in July, 1914.

On Wednesday afternoon of next week a .sale of work and produce will he held in the Koitoi'angi Hail in aid of the hall painting fund. Full stocks of meat and farm produce. Afternoon tea and bran tub. Tn the evening a grand harvest home hull will he held.

The usual weekly tournament will lie held in St. .Mary’s Cub Booms this evening at S o’clock sharp. The prizes to be awarded are:—First, tin eiderdown quilt; second, a sofa square; third, three fancy jugs; fourth, an afternoon tea tray. Admission 2s ■ supper provided,—Advt.

‘‘Since it seems to have been conclusively proved that the opossums do not destroy the forests,'’ said the chairman at the annual meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. ‘‘l think, and many other also, that the time lias arrived for the Government to consider the removal of restrictions on opossum liberation, in order that the mai’v suitable forests in our district at present ulistotkcd, may assist in returning fur and revenue.”

Banana trees in the Cunningham House at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens have a short life. When they have fruited—and that usually occurs in a year—they art* cut out, for they lose their symmetrical appearance alter fruiting (says the- “Sun. ") ’1 wo paid the penalty recently, but they will bo replaced immediately. tor young trees are propagated each year, as reserves. Fortunately, the giant hybrid banana tree lias not fruited yet.

Driver ft tone and Fireman J.ok. who were in charge of the locomotive when it became derailed at 'I imam on Saturday, drove the Royal train during the. visit of the .Duke of York to tee South Island. Mr Stone was fireman on the Boyal train when the present King and Queen visited New Zealand, and is now the senior engine driver in the Christchurch district, lie and Ml l.ok usually have charge ol the war memorial locomotive, “Passchendnele,

which is at present at tie Addington Workshops undergoing repairs, and which is often referred to among the locomotive men as “Driver Stone’s engine.”

Stringent tests are being applied to the huge filter tanks that have been built in the hills in connection with the Auckland water supply improvements (says the “Star”). 'I here are seven tanks at Titirangi and six at Waitakere. Kacli tank holds a million gallons. The principal test is to Fill the tanks with water and allow them to stand for live days. During that time the water level must not fall more than a quarter of an inch a day. Allowance lor evaporation or rainiall is made by mounting an ordinary 407)gallon galvanised tank alongside at the same level as the filter tank and reading its variations in level in conjunction with the tank under test. The filtration system is complete, except for ft port inn ol the plant that lias not yet arrived from England. and it should be iii operation in July.

A new iit'llt wtts thrown upon matrimony ami its mutual rights in the Supreme Court at Wellington during the hearing of an undefended tietioii for divorce*. The petition was made on the ground of desertion, petitioner giving evidence in support of his notion. lie was represented by .Mr \\ . K. l.eicester. who proceeded to ask his client exactly how trouble arose between his wife and himself. "Oh. well.” wtts the reply, "she treated me just as if she were a servant.” .Mr Leicester asked petitioner to explain his remark. "Well.” replied petitioner, "she gave me a week’s notice and then cleared out—and I haven't seen her since. 1 ’ “A decree nisi," said his Hoiioui 1 .

Taking advantage of the plienolnenually heavy seas rolling in on a ie-een-t afternoon, a party of Stunner residents visited Taylor’s .Mistake especially to witness the wonderfully spectacular display at Ulnck Hock (say’’ the Christchurch "Star”). This »J»ot is approached frolo the lighthouse track on the eastern side of the inlet. and is about half a mile from the end of the bench. Here is the famous “Blow Hole,” which in its best moments, for noise and fury, resembles Waimangu geyser. Hulling in at a funnel-shaped entrance, huge seas surge along a narrowing race between two precipices. The force of the waters and the pace of the current are enormous, and, ns the flood strikes the end of the channel, it meets a solid wall of andesitic rock and with a terrific explosion, shoots hundreds of feet into tiie air. In the average smooth sea the sight is always interesting, hut on occasions when there is a very heavy sea magnificent.

"1 think I should do right in hesitating to call fire hrigadesmen gentlemen,” said the .Mayor of Devonport at the annual smoke social of the local fire fighters, states the Auckland correspondent of the “ Lyttelton Times.” " They are people whom you hesitate to invite to your house unless for special purposes. Like real brass hats, they trample over vour flower beds, smash your windows, hack your doors open with their little axes, throw your furniture about, and even have m» hesitation in carrying off the ladies of your household in their night attire. In spite of all these peculiarities, however,” continued Mr Aldridge, "the lire hrigadesman was welcome when his services were really required, and His work was a really useful feature of modern municipal life.” The speaker complimented the local brigade on their record of good “saves” in the borough, and praised their attention to duty as being a commendable form of public service, worthy of the support of all right-minded citizens. The Hon K. W. Alison, in a reminiscing speech, recalled the establishment of the first brigade in the borough, and supported the chairman’s remarks on the progress of the brigade. Thirty Ladies’ Costumes in Gabndine. Worsteds and Tweeds, usual prices 130 sto IPOs, new 59s Od. Cashmere Jumper .Suits from 39s Od. All Knitted Costumes less than half-price. Schroder and Co.- —Advt

The most effective specific for colds and coughs is “ Xazol.” A few drops taken on lump sugar will give instant relief. Is Od buys 00 doses.—Advt. Ladies’ fancy cardigans and pullovers, special imported line, l’2s 6d each at McKay’s.—Advt.