Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1923. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2558, 22 March 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1923. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A number of:' local sports proceeded to Bulls yesterday and today to attend the annual meeting of the Rangitikei Racing Club. All Saints’ Anglican choir are practising a sacred cantata, “The Crucifixion,” which will form part of the Easter services.

A shop day will be held on Saturday in aid of the Returned Soldiers’ candidate in connection with the Oroua Downs Queen Carnival.

Should the weather prove tine for the Easter holidays there is every indication that the local seaside will attract a large number of visitors from all parts of the district.

Owing to the recent machinery break-down at Messrs Ross, Rough and Co.’s Whakapai mill, the firm’s employees are working overtime at the Rope Works mill.

The members of the local fire brigade have received their uniforms front the Eire Board, which will give them a distinguished appearance on parade and duty.

A few years ago ilaxmills were to be heard humming all over the province, but during the last few years the number of mills has dwindled (reports the Southland Times). To-dav there are only about five mills operating in Southland, and the fibre export has dropped to a small quantity.

A movement is on foot in Invercargill to secure a poll on the halfholiday question (states an exchange). Two years ago Invercargill changed over to Saturday from Wednesday, and opinions are divided as to the success of the change from a business point of view, many retailers holding that it has been disastrous while others say little difference is to be noticed.

At a special meeting of delegates from the various A. and P. Associations in the Wellington provincial district yesterday, Mr J. 11. Perrett (Sanson) was chosen to represent the provincial district on the Board of Agriculture. The only other nomination was that of Mr T. 0. Haycock (Moroa). The selection was made by ballot, the name of the chosen representative being recommended to the Government.

A correspondent writes: “I have read of many cases of ptomaine poisoning in the newspapers lately, and can guarantee, as a cure, a tablespoonful of powdered wood charcoal, taken with a wine-glass of water. Pound 1 the charcoal with a hammer, roll it out fine with a rolling pin, and bottle it. Every household in town or country should have a supply. It will effect a complete cure in half an hour.

“After a fight it takes me weeks, sometimes months, to tie George Carpentier down to business, and get him to take his share. Always he says: “To-morrow, Francois.” Often I have known him to set out on a journey, two or three hundred miles, and discover half-way that he has two or three francs in his pocket. He has no more idea of money than a. child.” —Thus M. Descamps, his manager.

When (lie annual meeting of (lie local Chamber of Commerce was being held in one of the rooms at the Town Hall last week, comment was made and objection taken to a stench which appeared to come from an adjoining dressing-room. Similar complaints have been made previously by those occupying the room. We would suggest that the authorities investigate the matter, otherwise it may prejudice the room for public; use.

A very successful and largely at(ended dance was held in the Oroua Downs Hall last evening, in aid of (he funds of the Foxton Citizens’ Queen candidate. The weather was delightfully mild and Air Stevenson’s commodious lorry was filled with a very happy party of young folk. In connection with the effort to raise funds to liquidate the debt on the Oroua Downs Public Hall, the Foxton public, by direct giving and in other ways has given very material assistance.

If the purchase of new motor cars is any criterion of the financial situation, then the people of this district must be flourishing (says the Wanganui “Herald”). Figures have been prepared by a local authority which show recent transactions of certain popular makes of car. During the month of February 109 motor vehicles of this make were sold in New Zealand, forty-two in this district. During six days in February in Wanganui fourteen vehicles of this type Avere disposed of.

“The need for further investigation into the problems of the flaxmiller is insistent, and the work now in progress must continue,” remarked Professor Easterfield, of Cawthorn Institute.

The Palmerston North Retailers’ Association have decided to open on Easter Saturday, the same as last year, the Wednesday half-holiday in both weeks being observed. The local Retailers’ Association have not yet decided upon the Easter holidays.

The art union (oil painting) in connection with the Foxton Queen candidate for the Ox-oua Downs Carnival was drawn last night, and was won, by Mr A. N. Smith, ticket No. 379. Mr Smith subsequently donated the prize back to the Foxlon Queen Committee.

Members of the local Rifle Club are reminded that the entiles for the first annual meeting of the llorowhenua Rille Association close with the secretary (Mr A. Thomson) Te Horo on Saturday next, at fi p.m. Entries should be handed to I lie local secretary (Mr H. Frankland), who will forward them on with the dub handicaps. The winners of the waltzing competition which was concluded at the Town Hall last evening were Miss N. Robinson and Mr Basil Walls. In announcing the decision the judge, Mr J. Dunn, stated that the waltzing of the winning couple was extremely creditable, as also was the runners-up, Miss Lacey and Mr A. Walls, there being but little margin between the two. ITis Worship the Mayor presented the prize of one guinea, to the winning couple and congatulated them on their victory. In reference to the application by the Foxton Harbour Board to the General Manager of Railways for permanent access to the wharf, Mr McYilley, when in Foxton, suggested that the Board should construct a road running parallel with the railway line from Lady’s Mile. If this suggestion were carried out it would provide a permanent right-of-way and would not compromise the Department in regard to future extensions to cope with increased traffic.

At the hearing of the petition against the election of Sir Maui Poniare, Mr Pustice Husking and Mr Justice Stringer dismissed such of (he charges specifically charged against the respondent as had not been withdrawn. This completely exonerated Sir Maui, and left the question whether the election should not be voided by reason of the allegatioiu, that as the counterfoils were not detached from the voting papers the secrecy of the ballot had been destroyed. This point was argued at some length by counsel, and their Honours reserved their decision.

The average length of life in the United States is s(Uyears —fifteen years more than it was in 1870. Life is longest in New Zealand, where the average is 60 years. It is shortest in India, where for thousands of years there has been no progress, except such as England has forced upon an unwilling race. India’s average of life is 24 years. Dr Farrard, president of Cornell, supplies the statistics. Not so long ago the second biggest city in France had neither man nor woman past fifty years of age. Sixty was once very old, and seventy extra-ordinary. Montigne speaks of his old age at a time when he was not yet fifty. “Day and Martin!” What oldtime recollections those names bring to memory. There was a time when every newspaper, every magazine, every hoarding paraded those names, and the quality of Day and Martin’s backing was in a thousand different ways impressed upon the public mind. They were great believers in advertising, and that made the people believe in their blacking. The old-fashioned cakes went out of date and various polishes came into fashion. Day and Martin kept abreast of the times and manufactured polishes, and good polishes too. But one thing they did not do. They did not advertise. They endeavoured to live upon their past reputation, and thought they could manage to do business without advertising. And now the firm has failed. The managing director says: “We failed because we did not advertise.” Sad confession, but one which carries an instructive warning.