LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2337, 4 October 1921, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Local llaxmillers will be pleased to note that the hemp market is firming.

Air 0. Petersen has purchased Air Gardner’s llaxmill at Balls, and has entered into possession.

Airs Prow informs us that she denies having made a statement to the police, ns published in the recent prohibition ease, that her husband lias ever knocked her about. The total income tax revenue of New Zealand for the past year was £8,034,281, which was contributed by 44,597 taxpayers. There were 395 persons who paid income tax on over £IO,OOO. The summary of the weather during September shows that the month was unusually calm. The actual date of the equinox—the 23rd —was a day of light to fresh breezes everywhere in the Dominion.

A* somewhat heated argument took place at last night’s School Committee meeting between two eommitteemeil as to the measurement of soil per cartload. An accusation of untrutlifulness had to be withdrawn, and matters calmed, down. The wisdom of the Beautifying Society in turling the slopes of the old cemetery hill, instead of sowing grass seed, is exemplified in the green mantle of grass.now seen. There is no doubt that had the slopes not been protected bv turf, the winds would have made large holes in the slopes, and caused much damage.

“The present influenza, when it all comes to be boiled down, is only catarrhal cold, and if the people took a ‘squirt’ of vaccine it would do them a lot of good, and certainly do them no harm,” said Dr. Dawson, at a meeting held at Pahiatua on Wednesday afternoon, to form a local committee to combat influenza should it break out.

« Tickets are now available for the Eire Brigade Benefit Picture Entertainment to be given by Messrs Hamer and Son. A special picture will be screened, and it is hoped that the public will take advantage of the opportunity to help on the work of installing an up-to-date fire-fighting apparatus in Fox ton by attending on buying tickets.

Two enthusiastic members of the local Beautifying Society, Messrs Moorhou.se and Christie, arrived at the old cemetery this morning as day was breaking, trundling two lawn mowers. They put in two solid hours mowing the slopes of the hill, which adds to its attractiveness. The Borough Council is to he approached to have the work carried out periodically. A short time ago a well-known Napier gentleman was unfortunate enough to make some defamatory remarks concerning the character of

a member of ihe waterside fraternity. The sequel was a demand for £2,000 to compensate the injured man for the consequent slain on his name, ll is. understood (says the Tribune) Iha I the parlies have readied an agreement, as a result of which the man who made the renmrls drew on bis account for £75 (£SO damages and £25 costs).

The Pal liters l<m Times learns upon reliable authority that the Mormon community at Hastings has entered into negotiations for four thousand acres of land for the purpose of establishing a Mormon settlement, which will form the New Zealand headquarters of the craft. Whatever objection many people may entertain towards the Mormons on ilie ground of religion or otherwise, their industry and sobriety usually results in the acquirement of comfort and the world's goods.

“There is no place in the world quite so favourably situated in regal'd to the taking of a census as New Zealand," staled Mr Malcolm Eraser. Government Statistician, in a recent lecture, 'flic general intelligence and education of the people. he said, enabled (lie Governnient to ask many questions on the census papers which could not be called for in many countries with the same certainly of eliciting accurate information. In the-United States many difficulties were encountered owing to the many different nationalities represented in the population.

In a classification of New Zealand forests,'Dr. Cockayne, who lectured at Wellington recently on the beech, described among others the “swamp forest.” Very important’ among trees in such forests was the “white pine,” or kahikatea. Areas of this kind, the lecturer said, were ■if extraordinary economic importance, for ihe timber of the kahikatea was the best known for butterboxes, and the land on which they grew, when cleared, was unsurpassed for the production ol hulter-fat.

Tin; lota I number of arrivals in New Zealand from I lie United Kingdom during I lie year ended March Hist was 14,4-11, consisting of 0,823 males and 7,012 females. 01 lliis total -1,821. were assisted by the Government, and '5,280 by the British Governnienl under the overseas settlement scheme. Of the newcomers, 3,173 settled in Auckland, 2,300 in Wellington, and 1,270 in Canterbury. The North Island, as a whole, took 0,000 immigrants, and the South Island 3,03-1, while the destination of 204 was indefinite. The Wanganui Chronicle says: — A |m*thetie sight was seen in Pill Street yesterday morning—a widow’s furniture idled up in the road. The unfortunate woman has three young children, and recently the public of Wanganui assisted them when they were left destitute through the death of their bread-wii ricr. Fortunately, there were kind neighbours to sympathise with the family in their plight. Another roof was ready to shelter them, and unfriendly carter who shifted the few things* that helped to make a home refused any payment for his*’serviees.

PILES CURED. Mr’ J. C., Miramar, Wellington, writes: —“I was a martyr for 15 years, laid'up for weeks at a time, with Piles. I tried lots of so-called cures, without benefit. The doctor ordered an operation. Fortunately, a friend advised your Zann Double Absorption treatment. The first application relieved, and after a week's treatment the piles disappeared.” Write, enclosing postal notes for 10/0, to The Zann Proprietory, box 052, Wellington, for full course, in plain wrapper, of this wonderful remedy. If not satisfied after using first course, money will be refunded. —Advt. 2a

Air J. A. Nash, M.P., expects to secure definite information this# week concerning the proposals of the Government in regard to the deviation of the railway line at Palmerston.

A young Chinaman residing in a shop in Alajoribanks Street, Wellington, created some excitement on evening by hurling some boxes through an upstairs window and then leaping on to the verandah roof, from which he dropped to the ground. After a brief pursuit his fellow-countrymen caught him, and sent for the police. It seems that the Chinaman, who had been ill, was suddenly seized with hallucinations. The police conveyed him by taxicab to the Lambton Quay PoliceStation, where he was detained. He will probably be kept under surveillance until bis mental state is diagnosed, says the Times. The Hcmttcra, which arrived at Auckland on Saturday, brought 580 passengers, including 210 nominated immigrants. Mr 11. 1). Thomson, and other officers of the Immigration Department, met the vessel on her arrival. Among the newcomers are 35 adult lirsi ami.second-class passengers, and 143 men and women travelling third-class who are booked for Auckland, which will receive the hulk of the influx. There arc 158 booked for Wellington, 103 for Christchurch,'and 35 for Dunedin, while seven out of the list will go on to Australia. Of the whole company, 24(1 are men, and 254 women, while there are also 8(1 children of ages between three and twelve years.

Sir Joseph Ward lias thoroughly rceovered from his recent indisposition, and has been feeling well enough to carry through till the negotiations concerning (he flotation of i In 1 Southland Electric Power Board Doan (wrote the, London correspondent of The Post on 24th August). He and Lady Ward, with Air I’. Ward, attended the reception to Mr Massey. In a few days they are going down to Devonshire on a motor tour, and afterwards to Yorkshire and Scotland.

A petition for (he commutation of Die sentence of death on Ilakaraia To Kalin has been placed in the hands of members of Parliament, and it As stated that as many more signatures are coming in, the Government is to be asked to grant a reprieve in order that the matter may lie reviewed. The petitioners contend Ilia I To Kalin probably shot Elliott accidentally. They draw ati(ii 1 ion to the circumstances connected with the death of Elliott which support this contention. When the barque Kona was about iMiO miles oil Cape Egmonf, (lie nearest land, lasi Sunday week, a homing pigeon was observed to lie resting on the ship’s rigging. One of the crew caught Die bird, which was found to lie wearing a log ring, worked “1705 A.E.C..” The pigeon was kept on board till the following Wednesday, when the Kona was aImut 50 miles west of Cape Farewell. ft was then released, and when last seen was heading for the land.

An announcement was made at the 'tumual Masonic dinner in Sydney that a brother had devoted C 1.00,000 for the purchase of land, the erection of a high school or Masonic College, and for the upkeep of students. The Daily Telegroplfehas learned on reliable authority Ihiil the donor is Air C. Rolling, of Sydney. The site for the proposed college has not yet I)QCIi determined, hut it is understood that it will probably he chosen at Bowral. Plans, specifications, and deeds are in course of preparation, and it is anlieipaled that the first fruits of a truly princely gift will he apparent in (he very near future. Mr Rolling bus been mainly engaged in mining ventures in various parts of the Commonwealth, and, with Air Dak-ing-Smilh, he was one of the pioneers in developing Ihe Mount Morgan Held ill Queensland.

In Hie course of a press interview al Wellington on Sunday, Sir John Findlay, who has recently relumed from England and America, was asked whether lie had any inIcnlioii of standing as a candiatc for the House of Keprcsentalives al the next general election. Sir John replied: “Not the slightest. My profession has been my best friend, and 1 return to it with willingness, increased h.v a greater sense of my obligation l<> it. Apart from this reason, even if I were financially independent of my practice, which I am not, I regard my old parly as gone, largely because the traditional lines of party demarcation have disappeared in a wider outlook, even more largely because, in my humble opinion, (here is no mail in public life to-day who lias the essential qualities of leadership except Afr Massey.

Speaking at -the civic reception at Auckland, Air Massey said that after the Armistice Britain led the way to disarmament. She scrapped scores of exceedingly useful ships, and reduced the personnel of the British Navy from over 500,000 till it was now 140,000. That proved her desire for peace, hut her desire was not followed by any other nation, unfortunately, because if it had been there would have been no difficulty at all. For the first time in a hundred years there was not a British warship on the stocks. The Imperial Conference had approved of the provision of four up-to-date warships as a work of necessity, because they could not afford to take any risks. .“Our very existence,” he said, “as a British nation, the existence of Australia as a British nation, depends upon the Empire being able to protect us in time of necessity.”

Two slight earthquake shocks were felt at a little after 10 o’clock last night. .

Whitebait is reported to be plentiful at Otaki, and in the rivers of the West Coast of the South Island. The Foxton Auctioneering Company will hold a meat stile to-mor-roAV (Wednesday) morning, at 10 o’clock. .

The body of Charles Squires, siv-ty-eight years of age, a recent arrival from Canada, was found on (lie Tararu beach, Thames, yesterday morning. Letters indicated his intention to commit suicide. A six-roomed house at Palmerston N., occupied by Mr John Joseph, was totally destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The house was owned by Mr H. B. Tucker, and was insured foi\ £OOO. The personal effects were insured for £325.

George Cnffrey was commitled for trial at Auckland yesterday oa a charge of escaping from a train while in legal custody on Auguse 27th, assaulting (lie police on his re.-arrest on September 24th, and theft of a watch and chain valued at £SO. Bail was fixed at two sureties of £I,OOO cadi.

Mr V. Higgins, who has been assistant master at the Levin District High School for the past three years, and who lias been transferred to Pel one, was the recipient prior to his departure of presentations from the llorowlieiiua Rugby Union and from the members of his class at the school.

The number of patients in the Palmerston North District Hospital on September Ist was 85. During the month 153 persons were admitted, 125 discharged, and three died, leaving 110 in Die institution on October Ist. The average number in Die hospital during Die month was 93.2 per day.

At a meeting of Die Rangiiikei County Council some discussion took place on a mol ion by Councillor Coleman, seconded by Councillor Dalrymple, aiming at reducing Die wages of Die staff. Only the mover and seconder voted for the motion, other councillors expressing Die opinion Dial the council was being well and efficiently served, and they were also opposed to a reduction of wages of the council's workmen. Speaking at a demonstration of home and Plunket nursing at the Technical School exhibition in Palmerston North, Air E. D. Opie, director of the school, staled Dial, in his opinion, a girl’s education was not complete without a knowledge of home nursing and a general idea of child welfare. Generally speaking, Ihe large majority of girls left school to take up work in shops or offices, and bad little or no knowledge of Die essentials needed for Die greatest work of their lives — wifehood and motherhood.

“If I were still in active farming,” said a retired sheep farmer in Feilding, “I would stick to sheep. Those farmers* who are going over to dairying this year ai - e making a mistake. Prices of dairy produce are high just now, and wool and meat prices are low. But dairy prices are coining down, and wool prices are going up. There is a world shortage of slice]). When the British Government puts its stored wool on the market and cuts its losses, the demand for clothing will become normal again, and prices will harden and stabilise. Then farmers will buy sheep again at higher prices. They are now buying dairy cows at peak prices—repeating the mistake which land buyers made during the past, few years. To jump from sheep to dairying now is to take the short view.”