The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, March 27, 1909. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 27 March 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, March 27, 1909. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A special meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board will be held on Monday. Warm rains are falling throughout this district. The details of Lieutenant Shackleton’s antarctic expedition aie being read throughout, the world with much interest. A sharp shock of earthquake was experienced throughout this district at 1.30 p.ra. yesterday. It was preceded by a rumbling noise. Count Zeppelin’s airship, carrying 24 passengers, in a four hours’ fight, covered a hundred and fifty miles. A reward of is offered by Mr J. G. Cox, of Wellington, to any launchmen who will locate the wreck of the steamer Penguin.

The local school committee invite applications, to close on the 31st inst., for school cleaning. Schedule of duties may be seen at the Heraud office. All Saints’ Bible instruction on Wednesdays and Fridays is growing in attendance. The roll has now reached 41. The Bible lessons are explained in a simple way, and the Church is open to all.

Mr Hennessy made special reference at the recent banquet to the assistance rendered him by the press in reference to the formation of the Harbour Board and especially eulogised the editor of the Hb;rai,d.

A witness in the case which occupied the attention of the S-M. Court-at Patea on Monday, was asked rather sharply by counsel, “ What do you sleep there at night lor ?” “To rest,” was the laconic answer. Even the counsel himself had a smile.

It Is stated that the party of six who discovered the body of the late Mr Underwood, on Monday, will receive a reward from the widow of each, Messrs York, Brasell, and Saunders, of Tower Hutt, were among the party. Mr Underwood’s lile was insured for £ IOOO, and until his body was found there was insufficient proof that he had been drowned in the Penguin wreck. Lieutenant Shackleton and party returned to Lyttelton on Thursday night. The expedition was most successful, having attained to within 07 miles of the South Pole. The Nimrod party were successful in beating the previous farthest south record put up by the Discovery’s party in 1902 by 748 miles. The Union Jack given to Lieutenant Shackleton by Her Majesty before leaving England was hoisted in latitude 88deg 23mm, The expedition has evidently been one of the most economical and most successful of Antarctic explorations, and every credit is due to Lieut. Shackleton and his associates for the great work they have accomplished. John Murphy, a miner, aged 67, was charged at the Central Police Court, Sydney, the other day, with placing himself in York Street, on Sunday, to beg alms. A lady stated that Murphy had asked her for “a shilling to get my dinner.” He followed her, and came up to her again, and said, “ Are you going to give me that shilling ? She replied, “No.” Senior - Constable Hendon gave evidence of having arrested accused, Murphy denied asking for a shilling, and produced his banking account, showing over to his credit. He was convicted, and ordeied to be imprisoned until 6p.m,

Tests of red, green, blue, and white light during the last two year have shown by a French experimenter that colours have effects on vegetation that may prove of great practical importance. Under red light, for instance, the growth of vegetables was 15 limes as rapid as under blue light. Blue light, on the other hand, bad a remarkable preservative power on growing vegetables, and two years after planting, the leaves of an oak tree were as fresh and vigorous as ever. Of even greater economic value seems the discovery that ripe fruit keeps remarkably well under a blue screen, showing no decay for several weeks.

The Pelorus Guardian states that Mr C. Mills, of the Rai Valley, witnessed a contest in the Tinline river. In a deep pool he noticed a trout that appeared to be 4lbs in weight, and harrying the fish were nine eels, the largest of which would go about islbs. After 4 lot of worrying by the eels, the trout was driven out of the pool into shallow water, and its enemies began a vigorous attack on it. The big eel would deliver a broadside that sent the unfortunate trout scurrying through the shoals but the smaller eels would head it back with vicious snaps. It fought valiantly for some time, but, eventually became completely exhausted, and whilst in that condition the big eel, with a. wrenching snap, pulled the poor creature’s head off and swallowed it. Indigestion nearly always disturbs the sleep, and is often the cause of insomnia. Many cases have been permanently cured by Chamberlains Tablets. For' sale pyerywhere.’’ Apvr.

The naval crisis still loons large in the cablegrams, but nothing of great importance is chronicled.

Efforts are being made to persuade Cr. Stiles to stand for the Mayoralty. The capable way in which he presided at the recent banquet gave evidence of his fitness to occupy such a position. The following note, extracted from a corked bottle, was recently picked up on the beach; “ This bottle thrown in sea at Waipukarau. Finder call at Brassy White’s and get a pot. March 08.” We shall be pleased to hand the coupon to any thirsty soul but we take no further responsibility. Before Messrs Rimmer and Franklaud J’s.P. this morning, the following charges of drunkenness were dealt with : A. E. Cunningham, convicted and discharged and a prohibition order granted against him for 12 months ; Peter Peterson, fined 10s, and a prohibition order granted ; George Alexander, having been previously convicted of the same offence within the last six months was fined 5s in default 48 hours imprisonment.

In proposing the the toast of the “ Flax Industry ” at the banquet tendered to Mr Heunessy on Thursday night, Mr Alex Spetrs illustrated how the prosperity and growth of Foxton had been almost entirely dependent upon the industry in question. He also referred to the establishment of the local rope and twine works which was responsible for the employment of a large number of hands and he paid a high tribute to the managers of these works. In his speech on Harbour Board matters at the banquet on Thursday night, Mr P. J. Henuessy referred to the assistance rendered to him while battling with the Government over the Harbour Board Bill, by bis esteemed friend Mr J. G W. Aitken, of Wellington who was then a sitting member of Parliament. He keenly appreciated his advice which he desired to place on record in connection with the Foxton Harbour Board Bill.

One of the most genial and good-natured faces observed at Thursday night’s banquet, was that of Mr Thomas Bowe, of Moutoa. His hearty laughter was infectious, and his good humoured interjections had a happy effect. His toast iu reference to the health of Sir Joseph Ward, and the offer of a battleship to the British Navy from the people of New Zealand was one of the most popular hits of the function-