Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1923. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2668, 6 December 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1923. LOCAL AND GENERAL

The ladies of Oroun Dqwiis will hold a Shop Day on Saturday next, Bth inst, in promises next the 0. M. Ross Coy’s. Fresh country produce will be on oiler. The proceeds will be in aid of the Church funds.

A mystery is at Inched to the discovery (Jurinj? the cut tine- of a hedge at Ilelmors road, Christchurch, of a bundle of five revolvers. The police are inclined to think that they are part of a haul made by burglars from a second-hand shop 18 months ago.

“It. is not proved that this is a wealthy district though it is a highly valued one. Most of the farmers on the highly valued land are well mortgaged,” remarked Sir James Wilson, chairman of the Manawatu County Council at the meeting of that body on Monday. Mr A. W. Thompson, headmaster of the West End School, in reporting on the results of the annual proficiency examinations, stated that of the 36 pupils who had sat, 27 had gained their proficiency and four their competency. The result was considered verv satisfactory.

“There are congregations that are rolling in wealth where the sust dilation fund is at a minimum. Go into their churchyards of a Sunday and see their motor cars,” said the Rev. W. McLean, at the Presbyterian General Assembly in Christchurch. “Yes, mortgaged,” came a rejoinder from the hall.

“It seems to me that the Railway Department has either to alter its policy or shut up shop,” remarked Cr. Boyce at the Manawatu County Council meeting on Monday. He added that dairy companies found that motor lorry transport was so much cheaper than the railways that they could not afford to save the roads and pay more to send their produce by rail.

“The Government puls in a railway siding for you, charges you probably twice as much as it costs, uses it itself when it likes, levies £25 a year on the body or company which controls it, and then anyone else who uses it has to pay a fee also.” Laughter greeted this condemnatory remark hv Sir James Wilson, chairman of tho Manawalu County Council, at the meeting of that body oil Tuesday.

“T think this could well he referred to Palmerston X. There are two or three moiorisls (here who dash round the corners in a dangerous manner.” This comment by Sir James Wilson was made at the meeting of the Manawatu County Council on Tuesday, when Iha I body was considering a suggestion from the Auckland Cily (‘imiicil, concerning reciprocation in tin* matter of cancellation of motori.-l-’ driving licenses. No action was taken, however, it being pointed out that the council was already making provision in ihc direction indicated.

We have just received from the publishers, Messrs .1. Albert and Son of Boomerang House, Sydney, a copy of the latest song hit “Yes! We have no Bananas.” This song has created a world-wide craze like no other song yet composed and has such a catchy tune that once you have heard it sung yon can’t forget it and want to keep on singing it. This firm has very kindly forwarded the local Silver Band a hand set of the above-mentioned song, free of charge and Foxlou residents will soon have the pleasure of bearing Ibis popular piece played by the band.

“We want fine crushed metal for our roads- —much of it is 100 big,” remarked Cr. Berber at the meeting of the Manawatu County Council on Tuesday. Cr. Boyce: “Wlmt are von going to do with the big metal?" The chairman (Sir James Wilson) : “Put in on the side roads. (Laughter). He added that his experience had been that fine metal chips did not wear rapidly as a road surface. The engineer (Mr Hickford) commented that cars skidded a good deal on the liner metal and material of a larger size find to lie utilised to hold the former mi the rod.

The grand Christmas number of “The Ladies’ Mirror,” the home journal of New Zealand, is just to hand and by far excels any previous number. This issue contains 80 pages, every one of which is crammed full of interest. Christmas stories, jokes and cartoons abound and a page is devoted to the children. The Dominion weddings will be of interest to all and a, very fine supplement of New Zealand camera studies is also enclosed. This number brings with it an atmosphere of Christmas and should find a place in every home. Don’t forget, order your Christmas number of “The Ladies’ Mirror” at once. The hours for Christmas and New Year shopping have been arranged by the Wellington Retailers’ Association as follows: —Monday, 24th December, Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 25th and 26th December, closed for holidays; Thursday and Friday, 27fch and 28th December, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 29th December, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (half-holi-day) ; Monday, 31st December, New Year’s Eve, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, Ist and 2nd January, closed for holidays; Thursday and Friday, 3rd and 4th January 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday sth January, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (halfholiday). These hours will he observed by all retailers.

The ordinary meeting of the Eo.xlon Borough Council will he held on Monday next, Kith inst. at 7

• Slight rain fell throughout ibis district yesterday. A good downpour is badly needed by the farming community.

The Mon ton seliool children are to he visited by Father Christmas on the 2(>th inst., when they are to he right royally entertained.

The official opening of the Monton Hall will take place to-morrow night and will he celebrated by a social and dance. It is anticipated that there will he a large attendance.

Bandsmen are reminded that they will leave the Post Office at a quarter to seven to-morrow evening to participate in the opening of the Mouton Hall.

The monthly meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce will lie held a! 7.30 o’clock this evening in the Town Hall. A full attendance is requested as important business is to lie discussed.

Members of the Uorowhenna Power Board accompanied bv representatives of the Manawatu Herald and Horowliemia Chronicle visited Hie Mangahao Hydro-Electric works yesterday. ,

The Rev. Father McDermott and the Sisters desire to express their sincere thanks to all who kindly contributed flowers for the decoration of the Altar during the ceremony of “Forty Hours Adoration,” recently held in Saint Mary’s Church.

In the Nelson College athletic sports, R. W. S. Stevens cleared sft. fijin. in the high jump, a secondary school record. The jump has only been exceeded on one or two occasions at New Zealand amateur meetings. For those prize-winners at. the recent Horticultural Society’s show who did not gel their prize-money on Tuesday lasi, the secretary will lie upstairs in Boss’ Buildings on Saturday afternoon from 4to 5 o’clock. Any prize money not claimed (lien will reverl to the society.

A massive eel, measuring five feet in length by 18 inches around the body, and weighing about 30 lbs. was jagged by two railwaymen in the Waipoua river behind the Masterton butter factory. When opened up it was found to contain a fair sized trout.

Dr. G. TI. Scholefield is about to bring out a revised edition of “Who’s Who in New Zealand,” which first made its appearance in 1908. The new edition will contain the biographies of about 300 of the most prominent people in the Dominion.

A girl about 11 years of age, when bathing in Hie Waikato river, was washed off her feet, by the wash of a passing steamer. The current was carrying her into mid stream when a youth named Clifford Dill pluckily went in with clothes on and saved her just in time. The girl was quite exhausted.

Ratepayers (husbands and wives) are reminded of the public meeting to be held in the Town Hall sup-per-room to-morrow night to discuss the loan proposal for the erection of public baths, library, restroom etc. We are informed that a sketch plan of the proposed library building has been prepared by Mr M. R. Vnrnham and will be exhibited at the meeting. There are 93 children at the Mangahao works, living with their parents and whose fathers are employed on the various works. A subscription list was in circulation when our representative visited the locality yesterday, to raise funds to give the kiddies a Christmas festival. The youngsters arc a hearty looking lot anti appear to enjoy the life in this out of Hie way place.

The banking operations on the Shannon mile of Hu* Shannon bridge has necessitated a new strip of mad, alongside the. hank which is in the course of formation. There is nLo a high hank to be negotiated by Irallic which will need to be greatly improved for the safety of the travelling public. At present it is a make shift affair with trunks of cabbage trees protruding dangerously on tho surface. At Tuesday’s County Council meeting the engineer reported as follows on the Awahou riding: Metal has been carted and weak places repaired along Hie Foxton-Shan-nnn road. About 40 yards of metal and n similar quantity of clay has been carted on to the Whirokino road during the last month, and before next winter it will he necessary to provide 800 yards of metal to put the road in fair order.

The Fox lon Silver Band, through Bandmaster Colder, acknowledge two full sets of band music gratis of the latest song craze “Yes, We have no Bananas,” from the publishers, Messrs Albert and Co., Sydney. The publishers complimented Mr Golder on his success in organising and training the Band, and expressed their pleasure in learning that Foxton possesses such an institution.

The Waitemata has a fascination lor Lord Jellicoe, states ‘The Post’s” Auckland correspondent. Although he only arrived from Wellington on Saturday morning, His Excellency was out on the harbour in the Iron Duke in the early afternoon as an interested spectator of the Sanders Cup trials, afterwards taking part in a race for fourteenfooters in the Pousonby Cruising Chib’s harbour races. Lord Jellieoe was sailing his own boat, and in a fine muster of over twenty starters he manoeuvred into windward position and crossed the line a few seconds after the fall of the flag, and after a keen race finished first.

An elderly man, Michael Faul, employed in the Wellington tramway overhead department was knocked down by a motor ear in Tinakori Road yesterday and died an hour later.

Mr Massey, in commenting on the criticism of his Belfast speech in urging protection, that it broke the unwritten diplomatic law, said: — “They cannot shut me. up. I am not afraid of speaking ray mind. I am satisfied T expressed the Dominion’s views.” The discovery of true diamonds, the first ever made in Queensland, is reported at Woman in the Rockhampton district. The specimens are small ones, and were found on Hie surface associated with sapphires. One hundred and sixty acres of diamondiferous ground have been taken up. Frank Ellis, aged 37, married, with two children, was fatally injured by falling bales of wool at tiff: New Zealand Shipping Company’s store at Port Almriri yesterday afternoon. Immediately many helpers removed the wool, but Ellis was so seriously injured that he died immediately on being released. To prevent the possibility of customers finding a chicken in their breakfast egg, the Conference of Poultry-men at Brisbane unanimously adopted a resolution that it should he made compulsory for roosters to he kept away from hens producing eggs for the market. One delegate stated that with the last cheque from the egg pool he had received a notice with the warning: “Swat the rooster!” Mr Massey has returned to London. He sent a message to Sir James Craig that the honour conferred by the University lie considers equally as a distinction for New Zealand, lie snid he would never forget the students’ Maori welcome, and wishes every success to Hie North of Ireland Government. With the Ulstermen’s characteristic industry, tenacity and patriotism, he has good grounds for confidence. There are many years of pence and prosperity in the future.

The son of a well-known Ashburton business man had a lucky* find oil some more or less unexplored country on the West. Coast, last week, states the “Guardian.” While engaged in surveying work, lie happened to kick over some loose stones in his track, and to bis great surprise exposed a fair-sized nugget of gold. The young man apparently had immediate visions of rich deposits in the surrounding land, and lost no time in slaking out 100 acres.

Perhaps the most daring and skilful motor lorry drivers to be found in this country are to he met with at the Mangahao hydro-electric works.' The manner in which the drivers manipulate the huge lorries around hair-pin bends and up and down narrow inclines makes the thrill scenes in the movies flat ill comparison. Most of the drivers are in the employ of the PAY. Department. Their iron nerve is only excelled by their courtesy and assistance to less experienced drivers when in difficulties on this tortuous and dangerous road.

The full personnel of the New Zealand Commission to the British Empire Exhibition was officially announced on Monday by* the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. W. D. Stewart). Tt is as follows:—Commissioner, Mr A. F. Bobers (Wellington); Assistant Commissioner, Mr W. E. C. Reid (Dunedin); .Secretary and Accountant, Mr D. Hoare (Christchurch); Information Officers, Messrs F. R. Callaghan, M.A., (Education Department, Auckland). M. .1. Reardon (Wellington), and O. B. Clark (Auckland). Certain little touches of humour enlivened the Auckland Supreme Court during the hearing of an action in which an ex-school teacher soughl damages again-l a clergyman for alleged libel. Til his evidence defendant spoke in a low voire. and his Honour promptly asked him to give his answers as if lie were, preaching a sermon. One accusation was that defendant had shaken hi- 11-t in the face of the s.-hool teachers wife. This lie explained bv saying lie was prone to gesticulation, and his action must have been misinterpreted (reports tin* “New Zealand Herald”). A fit tie later, when a witness was called for the defence he walked • uietlv into the dock instead of the witness-box, which drew from his Honour the remark that his mistake Was not very auspicious for the witness.

A good story of the Prince of Wale- is told by a padre who was twice wounded in the laic war. The Prince at Hie time was serving in I hinders, and was near the New Zealanders’ lines. Some officers who had not met him were wondering wiiat lie would he like, the genera! impression being that lie would l,e absolutely unapproachable by reason of his rank. “Don't you.befi.eve it,’’ said one officer. “1 iiad a somewhat similar notion until yesterday, when I met him, I was in a sunken road, where, if it’s fine the roadway is all dust, and if it’s wet it’s all mud. Yesterday it happened to be all mud, and as i was going along it, who should come along but the Prince, who stopped and chatted away. Suddenly a motor transport wagon came along, and just as it neared the Prince, down went one wheel into a bit of a hole, sending up a shower of mud all over the Prince. The Prince’s face was a study, and for a few minutes the air was blue. When lie had finished I said, ‘He’s all right. After that, he’ll do for me, for he’s human, like the rest of us.’ ”

Mr Thomas W. Patterson, just arriving from Japan via America, testifies that there was one threestoried hotel in Tokio at the time of the earthquake which fell into a huge crack in the earth and disappeared from view, save for the: very top of its third-story window. Another collapsed as a matchbox smashes when trodden upon, and only one person escaped from it a - live.

The danger of introducing the pest known as gum tree scale into the Dominion from Australia through the importation of poles for electric power and telephone lines, is the subject of a letter received by the provincial Farmers’ Union from the Conservator of Forests, Mr 11. A. Gondie. The provincial executive of the union recommended that all poles be stripped of bark before- leaving the Commonwealth. Mr, Gondie stated that the department recognised the danger, and that lie would bring the matter before the Directors of Forestry. The Ku Klnx Ivlan in Australia will not be known under that name but as the Anglo- Saxon Clan. 'Captain-Chaplain Wilson, M.L.A., who appears to be the sponsor of the movement, declares that it will be entirely constitutional in its methods, and will be in harmony with the law. The clan null enforce its decisions by force of numbers and moral suasion. The identity of members will remain a secret, and, as a whole, the clan will remain an invisible force. The clan did not intend to resort to physical violence.