The Lebin Chronicle. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1918.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 23 May 1918, Page 2

The Lebin Chronicle. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1918.

Mr F. Iletter, formerly of Levin and now of the Wailcato, is at present on a visit to Levin.

A reminder is given of the meeting at Williams's refreshment rooms this evening to consider the formation of a golf club.

There were two applicants for the position of sanitary contractor to the Levin Borough, the Co uncil appointing Mr li. Hudson, the local applicant.

Quite unusual meteorological conditions liave been experience,d this week and coming after a long spell of Levin's best weather were all the more noticeable. Tho total rainfall since Monday has been 2 inches 33 points, the daily reading being :Monday, 5 points ; Tuesday, 30 points: Wednesday, 110 points (over 1 inch); Tliursj day, 90 points; total 235 pts. The rain fell mostly in heavy showers accompanied by thunder, and while these were in progress the surface drainage system was taxed to its utmost ,capacity, the streets and footways being flooded in many localities. The thermometer hns showing cosiderable fluctuations. Commencing witl) very low readings on Sunday night (maximum 55 degrees, 1 minimum 38), it. rose to (!0 and 52 on Monday night, (>3 and 51 on Tuesday, and 60 and 51 last night. The barometer fell from 29.3 on Monday to 29 on Tuesday, and then to 28.8 on Wednesday, where it remains. These records were taken at the Levin school where the senior classes are instructed in the use of the various meteorological instruments daily. Tho weather prediction from Mr Bates to-day is as follows: The indications are for westerly winds to heavy gale, backing by west to soutli. The weather will probably prove very boisterous and heavy rain is to be expected. The barometer is unsteady but rising soon. ■

Cabled advice has been received by Mr D. TV. Matheson, of Levin, that his brother Sergeant Ewen (Eudie) Matheson is repor- ' ted to have been killed in action. | The late Sergt. Matheson spent j his early years in Bunnythorpe | and Palnicrston. He took a great interest in the old jL'almerston Guards and in ■ the languishing days of die volunteer movement was one of tliose responsible for keeping that corps in existence. He wits a builder by occupation and some years before the war j had gone abroad. He was in the i United Slates when hostilities be- ! gan and very soon went over to Scotland and joined up with the 13th iioyal Scots. He saw sixteen months' active service, in France where he was severely wounded. After his recovery he was put on special training at" Edinburgh Castle, then transferred to the famous Black Watch, and" .sent to Norwioh as an instructor. While there lie won the "Cross Guns" for his battalion in musketry and was aft erwards sent to Bisley where he won a firstclass certificate in marksmanship scoring the third highest marks out of 200 picked rifle shots. In February, 1917, the late Sergt. Miatheson was sent to British East Africa to train native troops and at the time of his reported death he had gone with ail expedition sent out to raid up German raiders who had escaped into Porhiguese territory in East Africa. His mother, Mrs A. A. Matheson recently returned from an extended visit to Scotland and South Africa and is at present residing with her son in Levin. For /them the greatest sympathy will be felt in the loss of their son and brother. The late Sergt. Matheson was a man of stalwart physique, manly companionable disposition, and as events proved, of fine soldierly qualifies which he did not spare in the service of his country even to the greatest sacrifice of all. News of his death will be heard with' regret 'by all his old friends in Palmerston.

Mr J. W. Farland lias arranged for tlxe appearance at his tlietre of Miss Ada Reeve and her full English company now showingl to packed houses in Wellington-.

"There is nothing 1 so invidious as the way in which the true tolerant Christian spirit is perverted by the belated and squeamish Puritnism of some of its professors .''—Palmerston Times.

At Otaki on Monday the wedding was celebrated of Miss Rosalie Alexandrina Thomson, daughter, of Mr It. W. Thomson, of Te Horo, and Mr Arthur Dressill, son of Mr Thomas Dressill, of Inangaliua / Junction,, West Coast.

Fruitgrowers and others interested 'aro specially notified that demonstrations of fruit-tree pruning will be given at Major A. .T. Neill's, Wcraroa, at 10 p.m. and Mr Jas. Scobie's, Levin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday next. All interested are invited to attend, and as proper pruning is a matter of vital importance to successful orchard work, it is hoped that local residents will take full advantage of the visit of the Government expert.

A seven-year-ohr Tioy _ named •Tames Melton, living with his grandmother at Weraroa, met with, an accident in the street opposite the school yesterday. He ran out of the school gates into the roadway and was knocked down by a motor ear driven by Mr J. Nicholson. Fortunately he sustained no worse injury than some severe scalp wounds. The car . was pulled' up quickly and the lad taken to Dr Bryscin, who attended to his wounds, and he was then removed to his home. He is making satisfactory progress. The car was going slowly at the time of the accidentor more serious consequences might have resulted.

The second dance of the season held last evening under the auspices of the Horowlienua Lodge of Druids was most successful and enjoyable. Notwithstanding the rough weather (there was !a good attendance, the floor was in excellent order and the music supplied by Mr A. Walker was in his usual finished manner. Extras were played .by Mrs Mulhollaud, Miss Williamson and Mr Beattie. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Messrs Lancaster, Edwards and 'Young. Supper was handed round by the ladies and was much enjoyed. The Committee wish to thank all who assisted to make the affair one of the most enjoyable of the year.

"The origin of the fire is a mystery" is tlie stereotyped ending- to the story of nine out of ten conflagrations, and there the matter ends. That .fires "just happen" sometimes was strikingly illustrated in Levin on Tuesday evening when only the accident of (iliac prevented what would have probably been the biggest ' blaze in the history of the town. About eight o'clock Messrs Wallace and Porter, who were sitting in the County Club, which is situated in Hitchings' Buildings, smelt smoke and set out to investigate. A search revealed nothing, but fears were aroused concerning the Mayor's office, underneath the 'Club, and a car was despatched for Mr Bleukhoin. Before he arrived, however, quite a baud of citizens had gathered and the ori-. «in of the smoke was discovered in the old lift well right in the centre of the big block of buildings. In a small shed there a builder had placed a sack of lime in apparent safety, but the very heavy rain had foillid its way in and for once water proved to be a fire-raiser. It- set the lime workig and ignited the hag, wliich'in turn set. {some boxes of rubbish going and when discovered these were burning merrily. Had the hour been one a.m. instead of 8 p.m. a g'i'eat blaze could hardly have laeen averted, for the lift J well would liave provided an | ideal flue for the flames.

Applications are invited by t]ie Borough Council for the position of Assistant "Librarian to the Public Library. Schedule of duties may be seen at the Borough office and applications must be in the hands of the Town Clerk at. 5 p.m. on Monday, June 3, 1018.

In an annoucement on page 2 of this issue, Mr 11. E.' Keys, grocer, draws attention to some special lines he has in stock which should interest housewives. Hp has also a full stock of groceries at the lowest prices consistent with good quality and invites inspection and a trial.