LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 20 March 1909, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Admiral Gcrminet, of the Ereuch Navy, who was relieved of the command of the Mediterranean Squadron in December last, lias been reinstated in his command.

A magician named Mahikanu, his wife, two sons, and eight other women, residing in the Tringa district, German Mast Africa, were tried for cannibalism. Ten of the accused were executed.

It is stated that Mrs Hannam, tire only woman survivor of the Penguin disaster, lias been offered by the Union Steamship Company a position as a stewardess.

The average attendance at the schools in the Wanganui Education District last year was SS.S per cent of the roll number (18,512) an increase of 2.tt per cent on the previous year. Queen Elena of Italy, is suffering from a broken rib, which she sustained in Messina after the earthquake,, while stopping a terror stricken woman from committing suicide. The Queen refused to accept medical aid at the time.

During tile Addington Railway Workshops inquiry, a witness threw some light on the question of casual labour. "lama casual,” lie said in reply to a question from the Chairman, Professor Scott. . “ You gave me the job about 23 years ago.”

Two thousand live rabbits are being sent to the Philippine Islands to the order of the United States Government, for experimental purposes, with a view to discovering a scrum which will render horses and cattle immune from a disease resembling rinderpest which is causing much mortality among stock.

Both freezing works at Gisborne have been working almost at their full capacity for some weeks past, and the bookings are heavy for a considerable time ahead. By the middle of March it is estimated that the exports will have exceeded the total figures for the whole of the previous season. With the recent freshening of the pastures, the freezing season shows indications of lasting until June,

It is believed that the mollyhawk which is seen in the sea near Oamarn bears a message of some importance. It has a piece of wood tied to its neck. It was first thought that if a message had been written oh the wood it would have been washed off by (he water, but the North Otago Times states that a fisherman, who has been observing the bird now states that the message has been cut into the wood. The fisherman intends to try to catch the bird wjth a hook, but he says that if he cannot do that he will shoot it.

The Lyttelton Times states that, owing to the long absence of rain, the Ashley River went dry on Thursday last for a length of about two miles, between the Railway bridge and Coldstream. A large number of young trout were left in water holes, and Mr JL Wheeler, the Acclimatisation Society’s ranger, had a busy time on Thursday and Friday transferring them to running water. He placed about 4000 back in the river below Coldstream, and 5)000 in tiie Northbrook stream at Rangiora. The largest of the fish were ,akmt eight inches in length.

Considerable amusement was caused during tlie bearing of a ease at the Bathurst Quarter Sessions last week by the evidence of a young man from Caroar. Witness admitted that his only teacher was a private man. He, however, had not “learned” much, He was asked by a juror if, when ho signed certain certificates, lie suspected the prisoner of fraudulent intent. The witness shook his head in a myslil.icd way, and said he did not understand, It was important that the question should be answered, and the |urov, coming down to witness's educational level, asked, “ Wbeu you signed those papers did you jerry there was anything crook The young fellow immediately understood, and, to the accompaniment of much laughter, calmly replied, “NoI didn’t tumble.”

The ordinary meeting of the school committee was held in the school on Thursday evening last. Present; Messrs Hornblovv (chairman), Rev. G. K. Aitken (secretary'', G. Coley, W. Bullard, M, Perrean, Read and T. Henderson. The visitors report was read and adopted. The headmaster re* ported that the average attendance had been good since the Christmas holidays. Through not receiving notice of the meeting, no report was presented. The cost of prizes and picnic showed a deficit of several pounds. It was decided to organise a concert, the details of which were left in the hands of the Chairman and Secretary, to provide funds to liquidate the committee’s liabilities. Thedate of the concert was fixed for April 14th. Accounts were passed for payment and other routine business transacted.

You make preparations for a rainy day, tlieu why not for a cold or attack of influenza ? Y’ou don’t nped. to mp.kp costly preparations—merely invest Is <!d in a bottle of Chamberlain’s Cough Remedy. For sale everywhere,— Advt.

In our advertising columns it will be seen that Mrs Hamer, of the Economic, is contemplating giving up business, and is therefore prepared to make great sacrifices. The large and varied stock she keeps is well-known and this opportunity to purchase cheaply should not be- overlooked. Mrs Hamer desires to reduce her stock by at least half so that she may dispose of her business as early as possible. We advise our readers to see her prices before buying elsewhere, as no object is gained fly sending money put of town when ypu can buy as cheaply at home and see exactly what you are getting for your money.*

\ The trial of Dr Goode charged with murdering Mrs Klennar, at Wailara, is proceeding at New Plymouth.

A trial of Mr Petrie’s patent stripper was made at Mr O. E. Austin’s mill this morning. A report of which will appear in our next issue.

The recent rains have had a very beneficial effect upon gardens and the grass has freshened up. House tanks have also been replenished. The school concert is to be held on Wednesday, April 14th, An excellent programme is in the course of preparation. Several residents have been confined to their homes suffering from internal troubles, which it is thought is caused through drinking water from tanks recently filled after the long spell of dry weather.

The services at the local Presbyterian Church to-morrow will be conducted both morning and evening by the Rev, Geo. K. Aitken. The morning service will be aeo n nituion service. The evening subject will be “ Regeneration.” A man named Scott killed his wife at Meekalhana, Perth, on Thursday. They bad been living apart. Scolt secreted himself in the house where his wife was staying, raid catching her unawares, slabbed her to death.

Kclward Hupe, porter at the Royal Hotel, Palmerston North, was arrested by Detective Quirke on Thursday, and charged with attempting to burn down the Royal Hotel on the 17th inst. Hupe was brought before the Court yesterday morning and remanded for a week.

Dr- Withers, house surgeon at the Wanganui hospital, succumbed on Thursday to an attack of typhoid fever, said to have been contracted when treating Maori patients. He was only 24, and had been in charge about two months.

Mr Aston, of Gisborne, is at present in Shannon district, giving demonstrations of his patent fibrebleaching process. The process consists in steeping the fibre, after it has been stripped and shaken, in a solution for a few minutes. The fibre is subsequently washed and dried, and is then ready for scutching. A meeting of representative townspeople was held in the Council Chambers this morning, to make arrangements to tender Mr Hennessy a farewell banquet prior to his departure for a trip round the world. Mr G. H, Stiles presided. It was decided to hold the banquet in Mr M. Perreau’s rooms on Thursday, 25th inst.,. at 8 p.m. A list of invitations was drawn up, and tbe toast list arranged.

A fight, having rather serious results, occurred at the Park Racecourse, Napier, on Thursday, when a man named John Bibby, wellknown in connection with a buckjumping show, picked a quarrel, it is alleged, with a Maori named Joe Tareha. A stand-up fight resulted in Bibby receiving a blow in the region of the heart, rendering him unconscious. He was removed to the hospital, where he still lies unconscious. Tareha was arrested, charged with assault, and remanded. :