LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2553, 10 March 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Two cases of scarlet fever, four of diphtheria and one of phthisis, were treated at the Palmerston N. Hospital during February, and six-ty-one operations were performed. “1 am fairly safe in saying that a good many people would suffer less from nervous diseases if they knew a little less about them,” said Dr Eardley Fenwick in an address in Wellington recently. During the month of February, 139 patients were admitted to the Palmerston North hospital and 119 discharged, the period being commenced with 81. Five died, leaving 9(5 in the institution.

The Wanganui Borough Council has decided to ask the ratepayers to sanction a loan of £100,518 for developing the present gravitation water supply and for providing additional storage capacity. Mr Massey states that the fact that he will he unable to attend the Economic Conference does not mean that New Zealand will be unrepresented. The Conference will not be held before November, so there is no need to consider the point immediately.

Mr Will'ord, Leader of the Opposition, stated that the Liberal Labour Party had conferred with its representatives in the Waitomo constituency, and those concerned had decided not to proceed further with the petition lodged on behalf of the late Mr Jennings against the return of Mr Kolleston.

A young man, Hubert Alexander Donaldson, pleaded guilty at Christchurch and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence for stealing £llO, the property of his mother, who iiad planted 140 sovereigns in the garden. Her son found them and started to distribute them in the city. .Major Hope Johnston, a retired Army otlicer, who was sued in .the Auckland Supreme Court by Messrs Hancock and Company, for £SO on a bill of exchange, which he was induced to back by an alleged subterfuge, was held liable on the ground that lie bad been guilty of negligence in putting his signature to the document.

On Thursday (says the “Shaunon News”) there remained only between 20ft. and 30ft. to be pierced of the No. 1 tunnel at Mangahao, and the contractor's are hopeful of completing the job about Monday next. The test shaft sunk alongside the Arapeti dam is down over (iOfl., nothing solid having been struck so far. Compressed air is now supplied for ventilating purposes.

The Salvation Army shop clay, being held to-day, is doing good business.

The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board will be held on Monday week, 19th inst.

The monthly meeting of the Borough Council will be held on Monday evening next.

A choir practice for “The Crucifixion” will he held in All Saints’ Church on Monday next, at 7.30 p.m. A full attendance is requested.

“It’s human nature to think that £5 looks a jolly sight more than £4,” said Mr Justice Frazer at Mataura, ‘Tut if you can buy as much for £4 as you once bought for £5, then £4 is just as good.”

The last miracle of modern surgery is reported’ from Vienna, where W alter Finker, noted biologist, is reported to have successfully transplanted the heads of insects, fie grafted heads of female caterpillars on male bodies. In each case the insects took on the characteristics of the head.

A petition is in circulation praying the Grevmouth Borough Council to take a poll on the question of the weekly half-holiday on the occasion of the election in April next. Tt is considered that the change from Wednesday to Saturday will he supported by a large majority.

Indications point to renewed interest in Municipal affairs, judging by the names mentioned of probable candidates for the Council. The Mayor (Mr Chrystall) has not yet stated whether he will again he a Candidale for the Mayoralty hut in any ease we are informed that the civic chair will result in a contest.

The codlin moth, the curse of orchards bids fair to become a thing of the past in Taranaki. Some two years ago an insect was introduced by the Government Pomolugist to attack the codlin rnobh. It has done its work exceedingly well, for in most of the orchards in North Taranaki the codlin has almost entirely disappeared this season, says the “Herald.” The brown or ripe rot which attacks the stone fruit is the next thing to defeat. So far the various measures tried have proved ineffective, hut hopes are entertained that the cause of the rot will soon he diagnosed and a remedy found.

Mr J. Linklater, M.P., (member of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Brian!) and' Mr Alex Boss (local representative on the Horowhenua Power Board) were present at the official opening of the first stage of the Waikarcm'oana hydro-electrie power scheme, at Wairoa yesterday when the Hon. J. G. Coates performed the ceremony of turning on the current at the head-works, near the lake, 25 miles from Wairoa. There was a large attendance from all over the Bast Coast, practically all local bodies being represented, 'there were also some nine or ten members of Parliament present. A big Maori feast, was afterwards provided for the whole of the visitors and the Minister afterwards turned on the power for the new electric motors at the Wairoa freezing works, the largest power consumer. A similar ceremony took place in the Borough at night, at which many complimentary speeches were made. The banquet which followed was attended by a large and representative gathering.

Although the large majority of soldiers who served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force have received the war medals to which their services during the late war entitled them, there are many who have neglected to inform the Defence Department when they changed their places of address, and for these, medals, certificates, etc., are being held. On Anzac Day, which is not far distant, those who take part in Memorial or other services, should wear all war medals which they have earned by reason of the sacriliees made for the Empire, and it, therefore, behoves every member of the N.Z.E.F., who has not received medals and who considers be or she is entitled to be issued with them, to communicate without delay, with the Officer-in-Charge, War accounts and Records Office, Wellington. The same procedure should be followed by those who are entitled to receive medals or memorials on account of soldiers who served overseas and are deceased, and for those soldiers who died prior to embarkation.

Prime Ministers doubtless have some amusing experiences, but one that occurred to Mr Massey at Te Arolia is probably unique, states an Auckland correspondent. On Monday evening the Ministerial party was waiting on the platfoi'in for the outward train by which the Prime Minister intended to return home after a day at the races. Just before the train arrived, two typical stable lads stepped forward and one, with outstretched hand and pleased smile said: “Hullo, Mr Massey. My word, I’m pleased to see you looking so well. How are you/" The head of His Majesty’s Government, with his accustomed geniality, shook hands heartily with No. 1 and then turned to extend the same courtesy to No. 2, whereupon the latter, with something of disappointment showing on his face, ejaculated: “Bliine! Me cobber bet me a quid he was game to go up and shake hands with you, and now I've lost a quid. I suppose I’ll have to pay.” Mr Massey was quick to realise the joke, and when the laughter ol' the party had subsided, he advised No. 2 to pay up, as his “cobber” had been too clever for him.

The Foxton Racing Club has received twenty-two applications for the position of secretary. A meeting of stewards is being held this afternoon to consider the applications and make the appointment. 'l'lie Salvation Army Shop is being conducted in Mr Olliver’s premises to-day. Good business is being done, and the receipts are very .satisfactory. All goods remaining unsold will he disposed of by auction at (i o’clock this evening. A very well-attended and enjoyable entertainment was held in the Beach Hall last night. The programme was arranged by those ut crested in the Beach Sunday School, and Mr C. Larsen presided in the absence of the Rev. Mr McDonald. Mr Larsen said' the Sunday school filled a long-felt want, and was progressing satisfactorily since its inception, about five months ago. Certain requirements were necessary for the school, and the entertainment was in aid of the funds. The programme consisted of items by the children, assisted by Miss Robinson, Mrs and Miss Pedersen, Messrs Hartley and Robinson. At the conclusion special thanks were accorded Mrs Larsen, the school superintendent.