LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1920, 28 December 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Local storekeepers report excellent Clirisinias business. The cash takings on Tuesday generally exceeded those of the previous Christmas Eve.

Anion”' lli( J sum-; required lo be voted in tliis year's Appropriation Act is a sum of £lO to make good that amount in I lie Justice Department's books, owing lo some ofl'emU er having “rung in’’ a counterfeit ten-pound note in payment of a line.

The United Slates Government Ims begun a nation-wide campaign !'or (lie total eradication of tuberculosis from cattle and hogs, a disease that costs the country an average of £8,00(1,(100 a year, besides endangering' (In' lives of ail who drink milk or eat pork. The Mew Zealand Department of Agriculture has decided lo send a member of the Dairy Division to the United Slates and Canada at an early date for the purpose of acluiriim' Hrst-hand information regarding'the preparation of milk products, such as milk powder and sugar of milk. Interesting developments in the tinancial affairs of a Christchurch land agent are expected to occur shortly, says the Taranaki News. In addition to complications in the matter of trust funds, there are said to be other heavy liabilities (including one debt of over £3,000), and the total sum .involved is reported to be between £7,000 and £B,OOO. Daylight saving by turning (he (•lock' ahead one hour for seven months is estimated to have saved the United Stales 1,250,000 tons of coal and £-100,000 in gas bills (says the Mew York Dublin). It contributed also towards the success of the war gardens. Some day New Zealand may perceive the advantage of turning on the clock.

Tin. 1 suitability oL‘ pinus insignia lor butler boxes is being tested by experiments carried out by Mr IT. (!. Kingsiund, of Nelson. He has forwarded to the Agrieultoral Department three boxes of butter, wbieh have been stored at the freezing works. Stoke. The butter will be kept for three months, and the condition then reported on by the Dairy Division. Mr Kingsiund bus good reason to believe that the experiment will be successful, states the Nelson Mail.

Within the past thirty years several attempts have been made to establish the sericulture industry in Victoria, and all ended in failure (says (he Melbourne Age). But there are still enterprising people who have great faith in the possibility of producing silk. An Assyrian merchant, reputed to have a large capital, and backed by Melbourne investors, has made application to the Victorian Minister of Lands for the use of a large area of practically useless Crown lands in tiie range.- beyond Geelong. The idea is to exclusively plant mulberry trees and cultivate silkworms. The promoters are convinced that the Victorian conditions are admirably suited to the industry.

The Queen of the South, from Wellington with a cargo of general, is due on Tuesday morning;

On the beach at Oaonui, near Opunakc, on Boxhig Day, a German, mine was found, also life-buoys.

Mr W. J. Scollay, local hemp grader, who has been relieving Mi Middlemiss at the Bluff, has returned to Foxton.

All the bouses at the local seaside are oceupied, and a number of people, unable to obtain house accommodation, have pitched tents. Mr lx. I). Newtb, manager of tbo Public Trust Office, Invercargill, was a visitor to his parents in Foxton for Christmas.

A fair number of local sports visted the Manawatu races on Boxing day and yesterday. They found, however, the winners were very hard to pick. Constable O’Douoghue left Foxton on Thursday for Woodville, where he x\‘ill act as relieving eonstable for a few weeks, afterwards returning to Fyxton. At the local police court yesterday morning, before Mr T. Rimmer, J.P., Peter Petersen, charged with drunkenness, was convicted- and lined live shillings.

William Janet, aged twelve years, was drowned while bathing in the Wanganui river at Puliki on Boxing Day. The hoy was seen to dive off a log, and did inTt reappear. The hodv lias not vet been recovered.

"New Zealand, with a population of a million, is sending' two delegates to the Peace Conference,” remarked a member of the Riccarton Borough Council the other night. “If all the countries concerned are represented on a similar population basis, Paris itself won’t be big enough to hold all the delegates.”

It is understood that the Government lias paid £lO 10s per acre fur the Westmere Estate (Wairarapa). A Mastertonian who knows the properly well states that it is cheap at (he price. It will probably be cut up into six or eight farms, access to which will be gained by the Te Wha - ran and Westmere roads.

In answer to a correspondent who wanted to know the correct way to sharpen an ordinary lawn mower, the New South Wales Government) botanist (Mr J. H. Maiden) replied: “Make a paste of machine oil and tine emery powder. Apply this to the blad.es and reverse the machine. This will keep small machines in good order for years.”

The Auckland Star slates that the pohulukawas (Christmas trees) areonly now coming into bloom at Takapuna and at other, points along the coast, from two to three weeks later than usual. The low temperature of October and November were probably the cause of this late eftlorescence.

The Government statistician reports that Hie census taken on November 30th showed the following stocks of /lour, wheat, and oats held by millers, merchants, and farmers throughout N’e.w Zeakmd: — Flour, 10,007 tons, as compared with 7,027 tons a year ago; milling wheat, 1,207,077 bushels (against 128,038); wheat, other than milling, 1(55,8U0 bushels (against 38,000); (mis in grain, 037,832 bushels (against 11,031). There was also estimated to be 15,-102 tons of oats in slack for dialling, compared with 11,173 tons a year ago. At (he extreme age of 100 years, Mr William Smith, who went to Sydney in 1833, died in the Old Colonists’ Home, North Fitzroy, the other week, Mr Smith was burn iii Devonshire in 1812, and arrived in Australia when 21 years of age as botanist with an expedition sent out in the ship Hattlesnake, eoiiiiuandi ed by Captain Hobson, to explore the country west of Fort .Jackson. It is slated that “SmithV’ real mime was John Huberts, and that ho was related to the late Lord Huberts.

A Levin resident Ims just returned from a visit to Hawke’s Bay. Ho relates that at a large shearing shod lie visited the whole board of thirty shearers was composed of Maoris, many of whom were accompanied by their wives, who acted as “pickcrs-np,” and did the work well. On leaving the shearing 1 shed the la ■vinite noticed a small park 1 of motor cars, and impiircd as to who owned (hem. He was informed by„the slalion-owner that (ho cars belonged to the shearers, who made (lie rounds of the stations a) shearing lime in their own motors. The visitor returned home convinced (hat (he pakelia shearer is a long way behind in the race of progress.

“The lirsf lime we have seen the (wo ends of a really line day for nearly 12 months," says the Dunedin Star. This is how a weather observer comments on the tine weather we have been experiencing spice Sunday. The reference to tho two ends of a line day meant that m tine morning had usually been followed by unpleasant weather heforq the day was through. But all that has changed during the past few days, and a sunny, morning this week has not meant fog on the hilltops nor bleak squalls ruffling the harbour before night. The fact of the matter is that our summer weather has now come, and the shadows which preceded it but serve as a background to accentuate the charm of picturesque Otago. IDEAL FOR CHILDREN; Many children suffer from constipation, which is often the cause of seeming stupidity at lessons. Chamberlain’s Tablets are an ideal medicine to give a child, for they arc mild and gentle in their effect, and will relieve even chronic constipation. For sale everywhere. —Advt.

The Hev. P. J. Muirs, who was in charge of the local Methodist circuit for sonic years, is at present visiting Foxton. Mr Mairs is now stationed at Huntly.

At New Brighton on Anniversary Day, while two young ladies were sitting on the sands, one of them saw a lady’s handbag lying close at baud without anyone in charge of it... On opening it she discovered a bank book, with £350 to credit, a roll of notes and some silver. Later-— * in (be afternoon (<ayk the Christchurch Sun) she noticed two ladies apparently looking for something. She spoke to them and ascertained that the lady to whom the property belonged had not noticed her loss [iff she had returned to the city, and (hen came back post baste to look for the bag. Thp young lady who found the bag returned it to (be rightful owner. Her reward was a curt “(bank you.”

At least one story that is being told of the recent epidemic has its humorous side (reports the Malaura Ensign). A local doctor was called to the country to a man who was a victim, and a perfunctory examination indicated that the patient Would tie much better off at a hospital, whore he could receive proper , treatment. The worthy sawbones suggested as much, hut the sufferer expressed doubt whether the hospital authorities would take on thq responsibility. “Oh, yes, they will,” x said the medico; “they have a special ward for the cases such as yours.” “Where is the ward” inquired influenza. “At the racecourse,” said the doctor. This had the effect of thoroughly arousing the patient from his lethargy. “The racecourse!” he said. “For God’s sake don’t send me there, doctor. I’ve never had any luck on a roce-, course vet,”

A small parly which went after a, big pig (hat had been making himself a nuisance had a quarter of an hour or so packed with incident a f » the Stone House up the Keajyy Gorge last week (the Malaura Ensign reports). The dogs bailed up the pig, and the leader of the party went forward with an axe and aimed a blow at the boar which would have killed an elephant, but which glanced off the animal’s head and merely made him angry. The boar shook off the dogs, “downed” his human enemy, and used his tusks on him with energy, making several big gashes in his leg and one in his head. The shepherd went to the rescue, but met with no better fate. As the boar rushed on him he lunged with his right, the attack being met; by the outlaw impounding the hand n his month, and the shepherd also had a leg badly ripped. A third member of the party achieved more success, driving a bayonet into the animal's body reepatedly: but even he did not escape scat bless, being cut about the hands. The pig, despite his wounds,- made off at a, great rale, and the hunters had to go to Gore for surgical aid and attention.

Heniarkable stalemenls were made in Sydney on loth December, at the City Coroner's inipury into (lie (ire on the Amerieau schooner Edward H. West, at No. 5 Wharf, Dawes Point, on sth December.

Four of the schooner’s seamen were present in the Court. They were Willie Woodson, 20, who had been charged with maliciously setting tire to the vessel; and Carl Aho, 33, Edward Aho, 25, and Axel Mortensen, 20, against whom a charge of aiding and abetting had been preferred. Sergeant Beattie, of the Water Police, said that on (ith Decembers Woodson voluntarily made a statement to him, in which he said tliafj during (lie ship’s voyage he was ill- ! rented by the chief mate, who had -Irack him with a block of wood, with his lists, and with a rope. When, .the ship was rounding Cape Horn the second officer was struck and knocked overboard by the then chief officer. A boat was lowered and a search made, but no trace of him was found. One of the men, Carl Aho, had threatened to kill him, and he was afraid (o return to America, with flic present crew. He decided to tire (lie ship. On the night of 4th December he went aboard about 11 o’clock and into the forecastle. A Chinaman, Chohakin Lee, was awake. W oodson said to him. “I will get some gasoline and make a fire.” fine Chinese replied, “No; gasoline will blow you up.” He then poured some kerosene into a tin. “I got up,” continued Woodson, “and picked tip the (in containing the kerosene. 1 lifted the grating off the hatch, and went down the fore-hold in the port side. I saturated oakum in a tin of kerosene, and threw it towards the. copra on I he port side. As it did not appear to burn too much, 1 threw the remaining kerosene towards it, and it began to burn pretty good. I then went up the ladder and placed the grating over the hatch. Wo turned into bunk and had been there about three or four minutes when Carl Aho camy along, shouting out ‘Fire!’” Ho (Woodson) got a bucket of water, but threw it on the deck and not on the /lames. The Chinese, with whom he was friendly, also got some water, and he told him to do the same. The Chinese was the only one he informed of his intention to fire the shijn The other men knew nothing about it. Woodson was committed for trial, and the charge against iho other three men was dismissed, DON’T YOU BELIEVE IT. Some say that chronic constipation cannot be relieved. Don’t you believe it. Chamberlain’s Tablets have relieved others —why not you. Give them a trial. They cost only eighteenpenee. For sale everywhere.—Advt.

Brigad : er Toomer, of the Pal-* merston N. Salvation Army, will conduct special meetings to-morrow in the Salvation Army All are heartily invited. Mr G. T. Vfoodrooft, who was prominent among those fighting the recent epidemic in Foxton, visited Palmers!->n North, for Christmas, and contracted influenza, but, fortunately. not in a serious form. There was a record crowd at the local seaside on Boxing Day, a fair number coming down by the. special train from Palmerston North. A special feature was the number of motor cars lined up, which constituted a record. Stonehenge, that mysterious Druidieal monument on Salisbury Plain, is at last to become the property of the nation (says Lloyd’s Sunday News). Mr C. 11. E, Chubb, of Bemerton Lodge, Salisbury, who acquired (he relic some time ago for £(i,(i0(l, says it had been pressed upon him that the nation would like to have Stonehenge for its own, and would prize it most highly. So he lias generously offered it to the First Commissioner of "Works, who has accepted it on behalf of the people. .Most famous of the world’s prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge, probably dates from between 2000 and 1000 B.C. Possibly it was a temple for worship of the sun. W hen some of the immense fallen stones in its time-worn circle were raised in 11)01 a number of stone tools and bones were found.

Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed at the action of some local dairy factory companies in only making a progress payment of Is per lb. to butter-fat suppliers. It is claimed that advances of £() HQ per crate of cheese in store can be obtained by the company (an equivalent of almost Is lid per lb. of butter-fat), and that consequently the monthly payments should be more generous. It is slated that where there are sharemiikers a' Is payment will hardly (dear current expenses. Dairy farmers agree Unit there are quite sufficient drawbacks to the industry this season without having to stand out of all profits indefinite! v. —Mawera Star.

A well-dressed Maori went into a gunsmith’s shop in Queen Street, Auckland, the oilier morning with Hie intention of purchasing a shotgun and some ammunition, says' (lie Auekland Star. Much to Ins surprise lie was informed Unit Maoris were not allowed to purchase guns unless they had a signed aiilhorily to do so from a .Justice of the Peace, and a recommendation from someone responsible that they were lit and proper persons to lie allowed to carry a cun. Inquiries elicited the tact that the Act under which this is necessary was brought into operation during the Maori War. and has not since been repealed. At that lime it is conceivable that this provision was very necessary, bub to-day it appears to be little short of an absurdity, particularly in view of the fact that absolutely no trace is kept of tin 1 pin after the formality has been ('(implied with and the purchase completed. It can lie traded and swapped a dozen limes without anyone being any the wiser. The thing j s evidently a farce, and is one of the matters that might receive the attention of an energetic legislator.

Shannon contemplates some progressive slops a (Ter the New Year. Cr. Carter staled at last meeting of the Conned that he intended lit move alter the holidays that the Council take steps to raise a loan for water, drainage, and lighting. — The Council were unanimous in favouring the proposal. The Mayor some time ago stated that he intended calling a meeting to discuss these matters, hut the epidemic prevented further action. Cr Spencer referred to the advisability of erecting a cottage hospital for the borough, and said that the time has arrived to make preparations for cases requiring immediate attention. Should the Mangahao scheme eventuate, a large number of men will be employed, and they must be pre>* pared in cases of emergency The suggestion received the support of the Council, nnjT the matter will be more, fully ventilated at the next meeting. Cr. Spencer said the Council should consider the question of erecting a bathing place for the citizens for health purposes, and offered to prepare plans, etc., and place them before the Coun'cil at next meeting, which offer was warmlv received.

Complain!.'' wore made ai the lasi meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Hoard regarding the quantity and qualify of certain food supplied at the Taihapc Hospital 'during the epidemic-. The matron, Miss Rolling, denied (he allegations. Evidence was given by Miss Fleming that she had acted as cook at the hospital from August to 2nd December. On only one occasion had she made soap for patients; she had never had sufficient milk for milk puddings during her term. Patients and staff always had skimmed milk for breakfast, and very often were short of milk. There was sufficient meat when the matron was on duty, hut during the matron’s illness, very often there was not enough meat for either the kitchen or the night nurses. The nurses fared hotter than either the patients or the

domestic staff. During the epidemic v the matron and Nurse \\ illiams were absent, and there were only two probationers to do ail the work of the hospital. Dr. Boyd (formerly of Wellington), medical officer at the hospital, said he had never received complaints. He rarely ordered soup, but, had he done so, the patients would have got it. He considered the inquiry a very petty Iqisipess,

A good feeder, able to look afte: machine, is wanted for country mill

Notices are being sent out to reservists summoned for camp next month, stating that they have been allowed leave without pay. None of the men set clown for mobilisation next year will be required to enter the training camp, of course, but the reservists will remain nominally liable until the disbandonment of the Expeditionary Force Reserve is announced after the conclusion

of peace. The Lands Department is preparing two runs in the Oxford district, Canterbury, for the purpose of opening (hem for soldier>’ settlement. The Snowdale run, formerly belonging to Mr R. 0. Duncan, is being cut into three subdivisions, of 7,840 acres, 12,845 acres, and i4,550 acres respectively; ami the other run —the Woodstock —of 2,077 'acres, formerly belonging to Mr R. 0. Dixon, will be offered in one block.

A Masterlon Daily Times representative bad brought under his notice the narrow escape of a Wellington resident from being buried alive during (be recent epidemic in the Empire City, it appears that the sou of a well-known Government ollieial was pronounced dead. The father, who had been assisting in connection with the epidemic, together wilii the undertaker, were standing 1 alongside the coffin containing the body of (lie son, when (be father heard a sound coming from inside of the casket. Investigation was made, and it was discovered (hat the “corpse’ was very much alive. The son was quickly released from his unhappy position. He has now fully recovered, and considers that he has had a marvellous escape from being buried alive. According to the local paper, Kaetihi is a busy sawmilling centre, and not only are the existing mills turning on! large quantities of limber, but other mills arc about to be started. Messrs Bennett and Punch are about to start a mill (dose to tbu Raetilii railway station. Messrs tSollill Bros, are erecting a mill on (he Para para road. Mr W. S. Rogers is erecting one on the Pipiriki road, four miles from the Kaetihi township. The following mills are in full work: Messrs R. \V. Smith’s (2), E. Petersen's, B. Me Dowell's, and G. Syme's. At Ohakuno, Messrs Gaiumau and Co., Goldfinch and Co,, M. Broadbell, and the Eeilding Sash and Door Co. (2) are very busy. Three of these mills are turning mil 400,000 feel of timber monthly. The sawdusters are full, of work, and the coining year promises to be extremely busy. An immense area of hush awaits the woodman's axe and saw.