LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1016, 7 March 1912, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A meeting of the Foxton Borough Council will be held in the Council Chamber on Monday, nth March, 1912, at 7.30 o’clock. Business: General.

On our back page to-day will be found the following reading matter: “A Teacher’s Protest,” “News and Notes,” and “Old Eady’s Remarkable Story.” A committee meeting of the local Horticultural Society will be held in the Town Hall supper room this evening at 8 o’clock, to arrange details in connection with the forthcoming show. As a bridal couple were about to approach the altar at Schneidemuhl, Germany, a man approached the bridegroom and demanded the payment of a debt. The bride fainted, and the wedding parly dispersed. In speaking against the decision of the Government to adjourn Parliament until July, Mr J. H. Escolt, the member for Pahiatua, declared that the breaking of pledges by Eabour members had cast such a slur upon the Labour movement as would take at least a generation to live down. “A meal,” said a well-known after-dinner orator, “always puts us in a lethargic mood —makes us feel, in fact, like the natives of Nola Chucky. In Nola Chucky one day I said to a man: ‘What is the principal occupation of this town ?' ‘Wall, boss,’ the man answered, yawning, ‘in winter they mostly sets on the east side of the house and toilers the sun around to the west, and in summer sets on the west side and toilers the shade around to the east.’ ”

In a Fourth of July' address, Mayor Samuel L. Shauk, of Indianapolis, U.S.A., once said, apropos of George Washington and truthfulness; Few of us can lay claim to that absolute veracity which was Washington’s boast. Thus the shoe pinches us all when the story of little Jack Smith comes up. Little Jack Smith’s Sunday school teacher, alter a lesson on Ananias and Sapphira, said ; ‘‘Why is nor everybody who tells a lie struck dead ?” Little Jack answered gravely ; ‘‘Because there wouldn’t be anybody left.”

How many apples did Eve and Adam eat ? The old version says : Eve 8 and Adam 2. (Eve ate and Adam too). Total ten. This is what certain American newspapers have to say about it: Nebraska Herald —Eve 8 and Adam 8, total x 6. Mississippi Gazette —We don't see this : Eve 8 and Adam 82, total go. New York Screamer —Our contemporary is entirely wrong : Eve 81 and Adam Si2, total SO3. Ohio Advertiser —We reason like this ; Eve Sl4 herself and Adam 8x24 Eve ; total 8,938. Illinois Telegraph—Eve 8142 know how it tasted, and Adam 28142 see what V. might be like, total 36,284.

The Pahiatua Herald states that was is believed to be a valuable oil spring was discovered at Hinemoa last week. Certain road contractors were working about three feet below the bed of the river, when an oily substance was noticed rising Irom the gravel below. At first it was thought that a tin ot kerosene had found its way into the river and one ol the workmen's picks had struck the tin and loosened the contents. As the flo»v continued an examination was made, and it was ascertained that a spring was flowing from the gravel below. Samples of the liquid were obtained and forwarded to Wellington lor analysis. Indications of oil were also found some time ago at Akitio aud Weber.

In Auckland one day last week (says the Star), a constable of perspicacity came across a small boy in Commercial road calmly puffing al a cigarette. Next morning the boy, aged 13 years, came before Mr Cutteu S.M., charged that, being a youth under 15 years of age, he smoked a cigarette. His Worship admonished the lad, and pointed out the serious handicap against growing up strong men aud doing their work in the world that boys placed on themselves by acquiring the cigarette habit. Mr Cutteu stated that he did not want to send the lad to gaol, and he would consequently, on this occasion, discharge him.

The negro pugilist, Jack Johnson, has been undergoing physical examination by doctors and experts. It is said that the result is most surprising. The brain cavity of the coloured champion is said to have a skull protection of from one-half to three-quarters of an inch in thickness. The average man’s skull is from one-eight to one-hall inch in thickness. The experts declare that the champion pugilist is probably the least vulnerable man ever born—that probably no human being has ever been found to have the same protection of muscle and bone. It is said that the shortest time in which the X-ray could be sufficiently sent through the musclecoveied cartilaginous and heavily protected head of Jack Johnson, in order to make a radiograph picture was 5 Yi minutes, as against 5 to 15 seconds usually required to penetrate the skull of the average human being. A Warner’s Rust-proof Corset will do more for a woman’s figure than any other corset made. Every pair guaranteed by local drapers.* The most attractive shop for toys of every description is Mrs Hamer’s. Have you seen the window display i*

“The five greatest women,” says Professor Renk, of Cincinatti, “are your wife, your mother, your daughter, your sister and your mother-in-law.”

Great Britain imported during the past year 2,286.947,700 eggs, weighing 158,000 tons, and costing ,£7,965,800, as well as ,£840,014 worth of poultry. Yesterday the Territorials of the Wanganui to Waikauae area, in- j eluding the Foxton contingent, m went into camp at Westoe, this * side of Marton, for a week’s training in defence. Albert Koenig, a driver in the service of the Eastern France Railway, while suffering from neurasthenia, threw himself into the furnace of a train while at full speed, and was burned to death.

Mr Crimsonbeak ; “Here’s an item which says the swan outlives any other bird, in extreme cases reaching three hundred years.” Mrs Crimsonbeak:, “And remember, John, the swaus live on water.”

A freak of nature in the form of a calf with six legs is at present in the Wairarapa- The animal, which is four months old, is in perfect health, and will probably be on exhibition throughout the North Island.

Among the items included in the election expenses of Mr John Walsh, of Springfield, Massachusetts, were “3d for canvas gloves to protect hands while knocking on doors seeking votes and Sj£d for repairing boots.”

Opossums are proving quite a pest at Wakapuaka, iu the Nelson provincial district, where the few pairs liberated a few years ago have increased, until they are said to number hundreds. Great damage is being done in gardens, the opossums coming down in great numbers and playing havoc with particular kinds of crops. If (says the Sydney Sun) you see a ■ dignified gentleman in a frock-coat, carrying two baskets of cabbages on a bamboo pole over his left shoulder, do not ibiak that he is a Legislative Councillor playing the fool for a wager. He is your vegetable John Chinaman, wearing the official costume of his native land. The edict of the new Republic has gone forth; “ We shall adopt provisionally as our attire the frock coal and silk hat.”

When Mr Andrew Ca-negie is not engaged in giving aw a/ libraries he is wont to amuse himself with the composition ol maxims. It is a harmless amusement, and occasionally the maxim* are funny, says a Loudon exchange. One of Mr Carnegie’s latest is: “ No poor man should be prejudiced agaiust a girl because she is rich. Poor meu can make millionaires' daughters just as happy as millionaires’ sons can.”

A tradesman in Auckland, it was stated by the police, had developed an abnormal appetite for methylated spirits, a spirit which was necessary tor polishing work, and he has lost his employment because he drank it instead of using it externally on his job. He was almost on the verge of J.t.’s from drinking, tor the sake of the spirit ingredients, a preparation known as instantaneous furniture polish.

When .Mark Twain was editor of a Missouri paper, a subscriber wrote to him, sayiug that he had found a spider in his paper and asked him whether that was a sign of good luck. This was Mark Twain’s answer : Finding a spider in your paper is neither good luck nor bad luck for you. The spider was merely looking over our paper to see which merchant was not advertising, so that he could go to that store, spin a web across the door, and lead a life of undisturbed peace ever afterwards.

Says a writer in the Socialist paper, the Maorilaud Worker (Wellington): “ Those who are opposing the compulsory military service scheme do so because they love their country too well to wish to see it under the heel of militarism.” Whereupon the Sydney Bulletin comments: ‘‘Well, many years ago, when the various tribes of Maorilaud were comparatively in the same state of warlike tension as the various tribes of the world are to-day, there was one tribe living on the isolated Chatham Islands. These people were studiously opposed to military training; in fact, they looked upon war with horror, and just as the Worker and a few other estimable theorists are to-day, were ready to proclaim a general strike against it. These glad tidings reached the ears of a section of the Ngatiawa tribe, which went in for military training at Wellington like Old Henry. The Ngatiawa promptly chartered the English brig Rodney and proceeded to make inquiries on the spot. So satisfied were they with the peaceful nature of the islanders that the expedition remained there for two years, and during that time it devoured all but 200 of a population of nearly 2000. The others were saved up for a rainy day. That was about 75 years ago, but the moral of the story isn’t showing any sign of old age. In fact, it seems to be as young as ever.”

Local wool - growers are very pleased to know that so much of their finest wool finds its way into the popular Roslyn Worsted and Woollen Mills (largest in Australasia), as they know from practical experience something of the comtort and lasting wear of Roslyn blankets, rugs, tweeds, worsteds socks jerseys, flannels, plaidings, Delta underwear etc.* Defiance butter is now th* best in town. Try a pound and see for yourself.*

It is reported that there are twenty-tour aspirants for Ministerial rank in the new Cabinet,

The s.s. Kennedy is expected from Westport and the Queen from Wellington to-morrow. Mr G. P. Armstrong, late proprietor of the Opunake Times has purchased the Morrinsville Star' At the Woodville sports last week, Mr W. Brady, son of Mr P. Brady, of Oroua Downs, won the mile handicap after a remarkably close race. The Municipal Picture entertainment held last night was well attended, and the programme much appreciated by the audience.

Ten nominations for the Licensing Committee have been received in the Rangitikei electorate, seven in the Oroua, six in Palmerston and eight in Otaki. Polls will be taken for the return of five in each electorate.

Mr J. R. McLennan’s valuable estate at Waituna West was disposed of by auction yesterday, and out of eleven sections offered nine were sold. Prices ran from ,£l4 per acre up to ,£3O, and the nine sections sold realised ,£48,634. A Palmerston North High School boy, J. D. Monro, sou of J. S. Monro, has been awarded a national scholarship of ,£SO per annum and university fees. He already held the Reid-Stobo Presbyterian scholarship, and goes to Victoria College.

The partiality of farmers in the Gisborne district for rating on the unimproved value was illustrated this week, when a poll was taken on the question in the Waikohu County, which resulted in 132 votes being cast in favotlr of rating on the unimproved value and 3 against. Some astonishment was shown on the faces of those present at a meeting of creditors, says the Christchurch Evening Mews, when the debtor stated that the expenses of his household, including himself, his wife, and family, had been cut down 10 ten shillings per week, t mi boiled rice was one of their pnu.q-d dishes, and that they had only bad a quarter of a ton of coal since last September. He added that he did not possess enough money to buy a loaf of bread. The Hon. T. McKenzie, who is spoken of as the successor to Sir J. G, Ward, in reply to a question at Christchurch, yesterday said : “I am content to take any position the party thinks I ought to occupy, after it has exhaustively considered all the circumstances. My own opinion is that at a time like the present every member of the party ought to practice selfabnegation ; each ought to be prepared to do what is most likely to settle difficulties and advance the cause of Liberalism.”

The Eltham Borough Council have let their fine municipal hall for picture entertainments for three nights a week—Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays—for a period of five years for the sum of per week. The Council to instal electrical plant and maintain it at an efficient working standard and to provide labour for driving the engine, controlling and regulating the light and power and cleaning hall before each performance, during that period. It is estimated that the nett profit from such lease will provide interest and sinking fund on the town hall loan. Thus the Maoriland Worker of February 9th :—‘ ‘ Recognise that every agreement entered into is not binding upon you for a single instant; no not if it were signed by a thousand officials and ratified by a dozen courts. The agreement is not sacred ; only a fool would regard it as such. The moment an opportunity occurs to better your condition, break your agreement. Break it whenever it will pay you to do so.” What a splendid moral standard from the mouthpiece of a party which seeks to dominate our public life !

At the meeting of the Manawatu County Council on Tuesday the chairman stated that the engineer of the Rangitikei County Council had reported that the Rangitikei bridge was not in a satisfactory condition. The bridge had been starved for money, and only had been spent on it, instead of £ 20,000. It was wretchedly narrow —so much so in fact that two vehicles could scarcely pass each other on it, while it contained only two-inch decking. It was 1570 feet long, and there was only a width of 13 ieet for vehicles.

Complaint has been made to the headquarters of the Fisheries Department, that there are a number of unlicensed boats being used locally for fishing, and also that undersized flounders are being sold. The local Inspector of Fisheries (Mr F. Woods) has now received instructions to institute proceedings against all persons engaged in fishing, whose boats are not licensed, and also against anyone caught selling undersized flounders. We would point out that according to the Regulations any person using an unlicensed boat for fishing is liable to a fine not exceeding £ 2O , and is liable to a further penalty for selling fish from an unlicensed boat. Further, the person buying the fish is also liable to a fine. That there is reason for complaint in this connection is shown by the fact that this year only five boats have been licensed, as against 27 last year. If you want to do well, live well, keep well, eat well and look well — eat Perreau’s Bermaline Bread* Read Rimmer’s advertisement. Buy a pound of bulk tea at Is 4d, equal to a ?s tea.*