LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1095, 18 January 1912, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

On our back page to-day will be found a report of the Primitive Methodist Conference, which is sitting at Christchurch; also another interesting article, “Back Blocks Trial. In the third test match the Australians failed badly in their first innings, scoring only 133. England replied with 501. Australia in their second essay have scored 360 for the the loss of five wickets. The match has concluded, resulting in a win for the Englishmen by seven wickets.

We are informed that weasels are on the increase in this district and several have been seen in local back yards. Residents should keep a look-out in the poultry houses.

The s.s. Queen of the South arrived from Wellington this morning with a cargo of general merchandise. The Gertie and Kennedy are expected to-morrow, the former from Wellington with general cargo and the Kennedy with coal from Greymoutb. On Tuesday Messrs Ronayne (general manager), Buxton (chief traffic manager), Pearson (chief engineer at Fetone), Jones (foreman ot works), and Burnett (chief engineer), paid a visit of inspectlion to the local railway station. They arrived by special train and remained in Foxton for about an hour.

Writing from England to Mr P. Hennessy, Mr W. Signal, who went home for the purpose of supervising the building of the new steamer Awahou, for Messrs Devin and Co. Ltd., states that he expects to have the steamer launched about the middle of this month, and to have it ready to sail for New Zealand by the middle of February.

Mr Alfred Mosely, C.M.G., LL.D., the English educationist, speaking at Stanford University, declared that American teachers were disgracefully underpaid, and said that if America fails the world must go back to autocracy and sword. Mr Moseley also criticised the American graft law, and said that the schools ought to teach higher ideals. American newspapers, he declared, were a disgrace to civilisation.

Messrs Ross and Co., of the Bon Marche, Palmerston North, announce the continuation of their Fire Salvage and Stock Realisation Sale for this week, and buyers are recommended to see specimens of the bargains now on display.

A beautiful assortment of electroplate goods, brooches, engagement rings, etc., at Parkes' jewellery establishment, Main St.*

All available accommodation has been booked at the local hotels by visitors attending the local races on Saturday and Monday next. The garden fete, postponed from December, will be held at All Saints’ vicarage on Wednesday, 31st inst. Particulars are advertised elsewhere in this issue. At the last meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council it was stated that the Opera House was not a paying concern, and the question of leasing the building is to be taken into consideration.

Reports from different parts of the Dominion disclose that business in the fruit and produce market has been very good during the past week. The market is well supplied with summer fruits, and a good demand exists for all lines. Owing to the large supplies prices are very low tor plums and peaches. Good prices rule for grapes, apricots, nectarines, tomatoes and. apples.

Alter the territorials had finished their drill on Tuesday night, several of the squad got wind of the fact that a newly married couple had just returned from their honeymoon, and they, decided to serenade them in timehonoured custom. Kerosene tins were commandeered upon which the squad beat a tatoo and were subsequently invited by the couple to partake of refreshments. The young soldiers did full justice to their hosts’ hospitality. We have received from the publishers, Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd., a copy of the Dominion Year Book and Almanac lor 1912. It contains a fund of information and should be found indispeusible in every household. It can be obtained at all booksellers at is per copy. The book contains valuable information on business, shipping, finance, farming, gardening, municipal and Government legislation, statistics and tables, postal regulations, household and general information.

Mr W. Platt o£ Masterton, whose success with the divining rod has been clearly demonstrated in the Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay districts, claims to be able to divine the presence of oil as well as water. According to the Age, Mr Platt recently went over some oil-bearing country not far removed from Masterton, and has located what he believes to be an extensive oil spring. He intends offering his services to some of the Taranaki syndicates, to assist them in locating oil wells. An old-time wedding custom was observed in connection with a wedding at Bietley Church (England) recently. The bridegroom, a farmer, experienced no hindrance in proceeding to the church, but as he was leaving with his bride he was “ held up ” by a party of his men, who had stretched a rope across the path of the bridal party, and he was not allowed to go further until he had “bestowed largesse,” or, to use less picturesque language, “ paid his footing.” That tribute having been paid, a pistol was iked by way of salute, and the nuptial happiness was resumed. A most unusual accident occurred to Miss Nellie Brown, a waitress at the British Hotel, Auckland, when about her duty of cleaning the cutlery. She was opening a package of electroplating powder to burnish the knives, when, from some unexplained cause, the top of the unopened tin blew off with an explosion, and some of the powder was thrown into the girl’s face. Some ot it got in her eyes, causing her intense pain, and Drs. King and Pabst were called in, as it seemed that the young lady would lose her eyesight. Miss Brown was taken to a private hospital for treatment, and though she is still suffering much pain it is anticipated that her sight will be saved. American papers give details of a prairie tragedy such as is rarely chronicled. A family was travelling overland to California from Utau with their stock. Seven weeks out from their home town, the first symptoms of poisoning, believed to have been caused by the water of a treacherous spring, developed in a cow among the live stock. It died. The horses were stricken the next day. Then the husband tell ill and six days later died. His wife searched the desert for miles for water in an effort to save his life. She then became ill, and, with the body ot her dead husband by her side, and five helpless children clinging to her cot of blankets, she was facing death, when a party of teamsters stumbled into the camp. The poor woman is unlikely to survive.

Perreau’s Milk Loaf is the Loaf of the day. Try it. ’Xmas Haras! ’Xmas Hams. Factory cured, from 9s 6d to lis 6d per ham. Buy one before they are all sold. T. Rimmer.*

Thomas Rimmer, of the Red House, announces the arrival ot their Christmas goods. Articles appropriate for Festive gifts are ax present largely stocked. A perusal of their advertisement is advised.

Are you troubled with flies ? If so you can clear your house in a very short time by using “ Nyal’s Death to Flies.” Obtainable at Healey’s Pharmacy.* Warner’s Corsets are splendid holiday Corsets. They cannot rust or break, nor can the fabric tear, Price 5s 6d and upwards. From local drapers.* T. Rimmer .has a full stock of goods for ’Xmas presents. Call in and we will show you round*

If you want to do well, livejwel 1 keep well, eat well and look well—eat Perreau's Bermaline Bread*

If in want of Birthday, Wedding or other gifts, go to Parses’, the jeweller, the shop tor presents.*

Members of the local Amateur Dramatic Society are reminded that the annual general meeting of the Club will be held in the Town Hall supper-room at eight o’clock to-night. In its enquiry into the wreck of the Jane Douglas, the Marine Court considered that Captain Veudore did not use vigilance as was reasonably expected of him, but did not render himself so culpably negligent as to the suspension of his He would be ordered to pay the cost of the inquiry.

The Taieri and Peninsular Milk Supply Co. has received advice from London that a shipment of butter by the Turakina realised 137 s per cwt., a record price for butter from here. Danish butter sold at the same time realised is more, whereas previously it had fetched 5s or 6s more than local butter.

A correspondent of the Wanganui Herald writes ; —“ I noticed an interesting item in your locals last evening with reference to a gentleman claiming the historic distinction of riding the first bicycle in Wanganui. I have been under the impression that the late H. B. Roberts (‘ Bogo ’}, solicitor, was the first to claim that honour. I remember, early in the sixties, the old chap persevering with a regular boneshaker. If my memory serves me right it was constructed wholly of wood, even to the elbow crank connecting the two wheels. Continued perseverance was rewarded by the old gentleman being able to tortuously get a move on at the loss of much avoirdupois.” An excellent programme was submitted at last night’s picture entertainment, but the attendance was only fair. The films screened covered a good range of interesting subjects, from the pathetic and exciting dramas of the Wild West —“Heart of an Indian Mother,” “ Carrier Pigeon,” and “ The Outbreak”—to the splendid comedy “ A Clever Fraud,” The scenic subject “ Gorges de la Roche,” comprised some of the most picturesque scenery yet screened locally. “Impressions of Venice ” clearly impressed the audience with the wouders of this curious city of waterways and beautiful buildings. The remainder of the films were equally appreciated, and all combined to make one of the best programmes put before a local audience.

The most attractive shop for toys of every description is Mrs Hamer’s. Have you seen the window display ?*

Having now put in a cheese cutter and a bacon cutter, we can out these two articles to your liking T. Rimmer.*