THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1927. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5091, 21 February 1927, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1927. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Police Court on Saturday two inebriates,, Patrick O’Neill and Eclic Mitchell, were brought before Mr W. Marshall, J.P., and received fines of 10s a:nd £1 respectively, with the usual alternative for default. -At the court this morning, before Mr G. P. Lamb, J.P., John Queenin lined £1 f.or being drunk in a public place on Sunday and £2 for committing a disgusting offence in Arney Street. * ,

Benefit entertainment, Thursday March 3.*

A price-cutting war has begun amongst the services running through the Hauraki Plains to Auckland, and excursion trips to Auckland,at 15s return are being offered.

On Thursday last James Ciprian, a passenger on the Hamilton-Paer’a train dtfe to arrive in Te Aroha at 10 a.m., met with an accident in a very simple manner. The train had pulled up at Waihou, but had to move again to allow the working of a cream waggon. The sudden jolt throw Ciprian, who was standing at the 'time, heavily against the handle of the d°pr, with the result that he received severe bruises to his left hip. Cipiian went on to Te Aroha, where he received medical attention, but his injuries are not considered serious.

A number of illustrated leaflets of various desirable spots in Timaru and South Canterbury have been received by a member of the Wanganui Herald staff. On the back is stamped the following: “Boost South Canterbury. Send these circulars t,o friends in other districts.” It is noticed, however, in these leaflets that South Canterbury is not; boosting itself, for they bear the imprint of a Dunedin printing flrm.

Overalls and rolled-up sleeves gave a business-like air to a woman who was working on a motor truck in St. Hill Street the other day (says the Wanganui Chronicle). Passers-by were interested to observe that she handled heavy bags of superphosphate with greater ease and energy than many male labourers would bring to such work, and the scene was rather reminiscent of pictures taker, in England in wartime, when women carried out strenuous outdoor jobs owing to the absence of so many men at the ■front.

The rapid spread of paspalum along the roads of the Hauraki Plains during the present season has been very noticeable, and some apprehension has been created in the minds of some farmers. Others view the growth with pleasure and hope it. will continue all over their farms. Whatever the merits or demerits of paspalum, there is no doubt that it rs inflnit ( eiy better than tall fescue, and the dense growth along the roadsides will farm a barrier to that, pest, the danger of which is becoming fully recognised. For that reason alone the paspalum is welcomed.

A correspondent, writes to the Christchurch Sun as 'follows With reference ta Sunday trading, personally I will have none o'f it. Nevertheless, I wish t'o ask you a question or two. Please tell me the difference between selling ice cream and benzine. Why prosecute the small shopkeeper and leave t.he big oil companies alone? Why don’t they make the motor spirit buyers consume the darned stuff on the premises ? What actually is the law ? Does it not apply to these spirit retailers, who seem to do their biggest trade on Sundays ?”

A judgment of interest to local bodies was given by Mr Stout, S.M., at Feilding on Thursday. The Inspector of Factories sued the Oroua County Council for using a place on the river bank for a. stone-crushing plant which was not registered as a factory. The magistrate found that as the plant was a portable one worked by a traction engine, both the plant and engine being on wheels, it, could not come within the definition of a factory. The information was dismissed.

At last week’s meeting of the Hospital Board permission was granted to Dr. Nelson, of the Wanganui Hospital t > advertise for donors of, blood. Dr. Nelson said it was important that the hospital should have a band of reliable persons w,ho could be called upon on the shortest notice for blood transfusion. Most transfusinos required one pint of blood, for jvhich £4’ 4s was the usual amount paid.

A matter of interest to those who purpose attending the Te Aroiha. races is advertised to-day. Patrons travelling by car are advised to cross the bridge at Mangaiti and those travelling by train to travel to Herriesville. This has been found necessary owing to the alterations that are being carried out on the Te Aroha bridge.

Mr F. R. Howard, sight-testing specialist, -representing Barry and Beale. Ltd., of Auckland, will attend at the Methodist Centenary Hall, Arney Street, on Wednesday, Ferbuary .23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.*

The influence of the Ratana movement has often been noticed among the Maoris of tjie Hauraki Plains. Considerable trouble was experienced some time ago by the Public Health Department’s officials in dealing with a typhoid case in a camp at Horahia, and at a meeting of a certain local body recently, when trouble with, a Maori contractor was ventilated, it was mentioned that this man had mortgaged all his live stock and chattels and taken the money on his frequent visits to Ratana. He complained to the local body that men would not work for him, as the storekeepers would net give any more credit.

As the quickest way of overcoming the present depression in New Zealand, the Prime Minister (Rt,. Hon. J. G. Coates) offered the members of the New Zealand Association of British Manufacturers and Agents assembled in his honour at Wellington a new slogan. “If you want, a slogan,,” said the ' Prime Minister, “ here’s one : Coats off with Coates.’ (Laughter and applause). In America, you know, you are told: ‘Yau must keep cool with Coolidge.” (Renewed laughter).

The strikingly humorous cover designed on the latest, issue of “ Aussie” just to ihand has been drawn by Frank Bush, a Wellington artist. The big laugh in this cover is just an indication cif the hundreds of humorous pictures, stories and anecdotes to be found in this issue. Prominent contributors to the February issue are Rod. Quinn, Fred Broomfield, Louis Esson, T. Martyn, Jim Grahame, and other leading writers whose names are household words in Australia and New Zealand. The illustrated jokes, of which there is a fine collection, are contributed to by all the leadinghumorous linesmen o'f Australia and New- Zealand. Altogether a very fine issue.

While a leopard was being- used in a scene at the Blackburn Palace Theatre, it suddenly sprang from the stage. It landed on the front of a private box and slashed up the upholstery. A boy, Brian Bancroft, and mother came to the lad’s rescue, box, and the leopard pawed at the boy. He attempted te, push it away, but his clothes were torir by its claws and he received a slight, scratch. The mother came to the land’s rescue, and the animal Tell into the orchestral stalls. By that time the owner of tne leopard had secured a grip on the chain hanging, from its neck, and after a struggle it was brought back to the stage. “Yau could not, see the orchestra for dust,” one of the audience said in describing the struggle. Many of the audience rushed to the doors whew t,he leopard broke away.

Many Palmerston North garden enthusiasts have been wondering why their pea crops have failed t,hjs. year (states the Wellington Evening Post’s correspondent). Successive plantings only met with the same result—failure. A peculiarity of. the trouble was that not a vestjge of seed could be 'found when the ground was scratched away, say, 10 days after planting; it had disappeared completely. Investigations by the Agricultural Department revealed the fact that an insect was destroying the seed; they were eaten by a maggot af a small fly well known for its attacks upon these plants. In order to ensure, germination of the peas the ground should first be treated with calcium cyanide at the rate of loz to tne square yard. It, should be worked into the ground about 14 days before the peas are sown. As calcium cyanide is a very active poison it must be handled carefully.

A prophet, they say, has no honour in his own country, and it has been too much the policy of New Zealanders in the past to pass over the product of their country ill favour of the imported goods, which in many cases are actually inferior to the New Zealand article. Take tobacco,

for example. Most American tobaccos are objectionable on the score of excess nicotine, and defective combustibility, leading to the clogging of the pipe, with unpleasant, and indeed injurious, consequences to the smoker. Try Riverhead Gold, mild and aromatic, or Toasted Navy Out (Bulldog), of medium strength, and if you prefer a full body try Cut Plug No. 10, the Bullhead label. Their purity, flavour, aroma, and all-round excellence will surprise you. Unlike most brands from overseas this particular type of tobacco does not foul the pipe and leaves the mouth sweet and clean. Experts maintain that of all varieties known N.Z. leaf- is the least injurious on account of its small percentage of nicotine, and that it may be smoked continuously without the slightest after effects.*