NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1929, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

M.AGLSTE ATE’S I)II,EMM A. “It is very difficult to know what to do in cases of this kind,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Auckland Police Court when lie had to deal with a young man who was charged with being in a state ol intoxication while in barge of a motor van. Defendant had »n excellent character, and he was not actually driving the vehicle when he attracted the attention of the police. “ He works for himself and lie has a wife and family,” said Mr Hunt, “and if I take away his license it will mean that they will have to suffer. It m: y lie a ‘border-line’ case, as his solicitor lias suggested, but the fact remain that ti man who is in charge of a mol or vehicle should not have any drill at all.” His Worship imposed a fine o. To and costs, and allowed a week i which to pay. The case was not Witlout its humourous side, for it transpired that the motor van was in ticroad in which Mr Hunt resides. “It’s all very well to say that defendant wa not driving the van,” remarked- tli magistrate, “but lie might have been and that’s the road where 1 live.” There were smiles in Court. DO DOGS THINK ? The question comes up again throug' two recent experiences at Taumarun' where a “Star” correspondent was vis iting. An Airedale bitch, a very in telligent animal, was lent for a mont’ to friends living in the lower part o' : the town, and quite half a mile from home. The dog was let off the chain half the time, and had been “told” to look alter the lady whom she had heei lent to. She whined a little, hut sel tied down. On Saturday morning tlilady spoke to the clog, saying that slitintended taking her home that day. She went to another part of the house and, coming back, found the dog had disappeared. Later it was discovered that tne dog had gone straight back to its own home, where it had never been seen during the month it was away. The other case refers to a collie do; owned by a prominent chemist in the town. He is in the habit of going t the butcher’s on a Saturday morning only in each week, as they get no mea> during the week, and while there lie gives the dog a little meat. On Saturday he was delayed, and so could noi go to the butcher’s until later on in we morning. He found the dog waiting for him there. How did the doknow it was Saturday?

CHAMOIS ON MOUNT COOK Whistling sound.- and the noise of falling rocks caused considerable alarm to an Oamaru party which made tin trip to Mount Cook and Copeland Pass a few days ago. The climbers wenwalking at night, and the mysterious noises were heard close at hand. They were assured by the guide that there was no cause for alarm, as it was only chamois, which are very numei ous about the valleys. Several of tli animals were seen next day. Sonuyears ago the Emperor of Austria presented ve chamois to the New Zealand Government, and they have become quite numerous. TRUE TEST OF GOVERNMENT. One speaker at the dinner of the Wellington Suburban Farmers wanted to know why the gathering was honoured by the presence of only one mem her of the Government. Answering this subsequently, the Hon. W. A. Veitch said that the test of a Government was, not how many banquets its members attended, but the amount of business they did for the country’s good. The cynic, lie added later on, looked on the Government as something to get into trouble when things went wrong and to take the credit when things went well. The presen' Government, however, was not claiming to do that.

TOWN AND COUNTRY MUST CO-OPERATE. Addressing members of the Palmer ston North Rotary Club, Sir Alexan der Roberts stressed the need for closer co-operation between town and country. “If,” said Sir Alexander, “We can bring farmers and business men closer together, we will be doing a great service and may* prevent many of the financial disasters that from time to time overtake this country. I could point to many farmers w/ho would not have gone bankrupt bad they listened to the advice of business men. Farmers are the backbone of the country, but personally I- think that farmers and business men are dependent each upon the other. We Rota rians will he doing a great service if we bring them closer together.”