LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3763, 25 April 1907, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

One of the school cadets, questioned in school the other day as to what he considered the most humorous incident of the tour, replied it was the spectacle of one of the country masters of rotund proportions sliding down the helterskelter. —Poverty Bay Herald. At the inquest at Oamaru on the lad Ward, who died on Thursday whilst playing in a football match, the medical testimony was to the effect that death was due to over-straining. The deceased had a weak heart. There was no evidence of rough play. His wife was given to making obvious remarks. For instance, when he was standing in front of the mirror with his face lathered, and a razor in his hand, she asked : ‘‘Are you shaving? ‘‘No,” he answered bluntly, ‘‘I’m blackening the kitchen range. Where are you, out driving or at the theatre ?

A Southern paper mentions that the Maoris at Moeraki and Waitaki Kaiki are prophesying a winter that will begin early, finish late, and be exceptionally severe while it lasts. Experience proves that the natives are pretty accurate as a rule. Fanners in the South are of the opinion generally that an extra cold winter would not be an unmixed evil, as although feed will be short, the ground would be all the better for the sweetening which frost gives.

The Daily Mail says Lord Elgin’s ruling at the first sitting, that the ministers accompanying the Premiers were expected to remain within call of the Colonial Office in case they were wanted for consultation, was a delicate request for them to withdraw. The phrase “within call’’ astounded the Ministers, who were indignant, and asked why they had been brought to England unless for the purpose of participating in the Conference. Sir William Lyne pronounced two alternatives, either that they be treated as members of the Conference, or he would leave the country within 24 hours. The threat had no effect.

A young New York woman, who had spent some time at Tuxedo, came back with the w ellmarked impression that the manners of the smart set ought to be mended. “A woman belonging to New York’s Four Hundred,” said she, “ was giving a piazza tea while I was there. A guest took a lump of sugar in her fingers instead of using the sugar-tongs, and the hostess indignantly ordered the butler to take the sugar bowl away and fill it with new sugar. The woman guest was so much insulted at this that she threw teacup, saucer and all over the railing, and went home.” The Paris police, who cannot understand American ways, are astonished at the explanation given them by Mr Harry Stump, an American suffering from partial paralysis, who shot the jealous lover of his nurse. The lover, furious with rage, dashed into Mr Stump’s room for the purpose of attacking his sweethaert, whereupon Mr Stump pulled an everready revolver from his coat pocket and shot him. When a police inspector appeared Mr Stump asked him to help him into the sitting room, called for cigars', and apologised for the trouble he had given. He then explained that he shot the man in order to expedite matters. ‘ ‘ It was really much easier to shoot than to get over to the bell, ” he said. “Besides,! knew I should not hurt him much, and he might have stabbed my nurse before I got to the bell. Shooting was quicker, anyway.”

Among the prisoners who pleaded guilty of the Quarters Sessions, Sydney, recently, was a clean-shaven man wearing an immaculate frock-suit, silk hat, and gold-rimmed spectacles, named John K. M‘Sweeny, who admitted having committed seven cases of larceny and one of obtaining goods by false pretences. McSweeny, who elected to be sworn, appealed for mercy, saying that his parents were most respectable, and he had never previously offended. He had been teaching at some of the highest educational establishments in Australia, holding important positions, and had references of character from wellknown people. He asked for as light a sentence as possible. He had made arrangements to join in missionary work in Columbia at Christmas this year. His Honour remarked that the prisoner was not only a knave, but very con ■ siderably a fool. All the same he could not let him off with a light sentence.! McSweeny ; “I will ask you not to sentence me longer than Christmas, your Honour. If you do it wil upset all my arrangements” (laughter.) Judge Murray said that it was perfectly ridiculous for the prisoner to ask ’ for a sentence terminating before Christmas, Each of his offences was punishable by five years ’ imprisonment. His honour could sentence him to 35 years gaol. He sentenced Me Sweeny to three years ’ imprisonment on each charge, sentences to be concurrent.

A lady’s bicycle awaits an owner at the local Police Station. Messrs Robinson Bros, advertise a warning to trespassers on Herrington Estate, in another columnA cheque payable to E- Cowley is advertised as lost. Payment of same has been stopped. Candidates at yesterday’s elections return thanks in our advertising columns. Eook of space compels us to hold over our editorial in reference to yesterday’s municipal election.

Yesterday’s elections were conducted with the utmost good feeling, all the candidates being on the very best of terms.

Mr Thomas Bowe, by advertisement notifies that any person found trespassing with dog or gun on his property will be prosecuted. Mr M. F. Burke, the wellknown flaxmill proprietor, was on a visit to Foxton yesterday. We are awaiting developments! The services on Sunday at All Saints’ will be conducted, by the Rev. J. Walker, Vicar of St. Thomas’, Wellington, in place of the Vicar, who will be away from his parish until Monday evening. People from all parts of the district were present at the Racecourse yesterday afternoon to listen to the famous Besses o’ th’ Barn Band. The music was a perfect revelation and those present will remember the musical treat for many years to come.

The Rev. S. J. Handover, Curate of St. Peter’s, Wellington, leaves on Saturday for England. He came to the colony in August of 1902, and was Curate at All Saints, Palmerston, for some time. East month he paid a visit to this town and gave an organ recital in the Anglican Church.

At the local Police Court this afternoon before Messrs Alf. Fraser and T. Rimmer J’s.P., two truancy cases against S. Feek were dismissed on the grounds of his having obtained a certificate of exemption from the chairman of Committee, One truancy case against W. Aldridge was withdrawn on account of the lad being about to leave the district.

A complimentary social and dance to be tendered to the ladies and gentlemen who assisted the Borough Band to bring their bazaar to so successful an issue, will be held in the Public Hall on Tuesday, 30th April, at 8 o’clock. Those who trip the light fantastic can rely on an enjoyable evening. Proficient musicians have been engaged.

Mr Chas Cooper, proprietor of the Biograph Co. now visiting Foxton, deserves great praise for bringing such an extensive concern to our town. Mr Coley’s large combine engine has been commandeered to provide motive power for their powerful dynamo. Mr Hugh Wilson, who, by the way, possesses almost sufficient energy to drive a locomotive up a hill, apparently has faith in Foxton as a show town, and we trust the people will endorse that feeling by crowding the hall this evening. The pictures are beautiful.

Here is a hint that may be worth trying.—To prevent boots from creaking the soles should be soaked in linseed oil by letting them stand in it on a plate; this also makes the soles resist water. Another remedy suggested is the injection of powdered French chalk through a perforation in the inner sole, and it is stated that if such chalk were freely used between the soles when the boots were being made it would effectually prevent any trouble on this score. Thoroughly wetting the soles of creaky boots will often have the desired effect.

Physical culture has evidently taken a firm hold in Foxton. The ladies’ class has just doubled itself since the opening night of three weeks ago, and new pupils intend joining next Friday. The men’s and youths classes have nearly trebled since the commencement of the classes, and the number will be considerably increased next week. Some of the pupils journey long distances for instruction. Mr Jarrett expects to have "fully fifty pupils this term, which is double the number he stipulated for. At the end of the season development competitions will be held for very handsome gold and silver medals. Twenty-seven of these were keenly competed for at Palmerston last year, and we look forward to as keen a competition locally this year. The next class night will be held on Friday May 3rd.