Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1923. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2676, 27 December 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1923. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Advertisers please note that the Herald will be published in the forenoon of Saturday.

Most of the shops in Main Street were decorated for Christmas Eve, the silver poplar being- much in evidence.

The Herald staff wishes to acknowledge with thanks Christmas favours from the Eoxton Cordial Factory. Large numbers of Foxton people journeyed to the Palmerston North races yesterday. There was also a fair attendance of Foxton residents to-day.* The Beach has been patronised by exceptional crowds during the holidays. Boxing Day saw one of the largest crowds yet seen on the local beach.

After a long period of drought refreshing rain fell in the Wairarapa on Tuesday night. Harvesting is practically over in the Wairarapa now. Fireworks were again much in evidence on Christmas Eve, despite the fact that the setting off of explosives in the main thoroughfare is a criminal offence. The detonations were continued until well past midnight.

The Wairarapa roads are at present in an excellent condition for motoring. The Gorge has now been improved beyond recognition, there being room to pass practically the whole way through. The weather for the Christmas holidays, on the whole, was not bad. A sharp and heavy shower was experienced on Christina... Eve but ibis did not affeel the spirit of Christmas whieh prevailed throughout the disfriei. and Foxton presented a very busy appearanee. Mr -T. Delnn.v, of Dunedin, one of the pioneers of the Post and Telegraph sendee in this country, aged 00 years, died suddenly at Christchurch, on Wednesday, while on his way lo visit Mr* Delany, the local Post master. We wish to convey our deepest condolence lo Mr Delany in his father's bereavement. Tnmates of the Wellington Terrace Gaol had a red-letter day on Saturday, when a party of entertainers and a lavish least brightened the somewhat dull monotony of their prison life. The old gaol has been erected for nearly 70 years, but- during the whole of that lime, (here has never been such a treat for ilio |vri*oiKM\-; us was provi<lo«l on Saturday.

The twenty-one small inmates of the Willard Home are at present staying at the local beach (at the old Pilot house) and the Board of Management are hoping they will have a real good lime and come back greatly benefited by their holiday. Contributions of fruit, vege tables, etc., would be very acceptable and would be gratefully received by the Matron (Miss Anderson). “Blue and While,” the magazine of St. Patrick’s College, for Christmas, 1923, has been issued. 11 is a handsome number, beautifully printed, and contains, as usual, a summary of the school’s work, in all its departments during the past year, a large, number of well-produ-ced photographs, current notes, form jottings—-in fact, everything of interest to past as well as present scholars is covered, and ihe publication lias a large amount of interesting matter.

An amusing incident took place at the conclusion of the Taradaie School prize-giving, says Ihe Hawke’s Bay Herald. The head teacher wished the children the compliments of the season and also stated that lie hoped they would all come hack to (lie school after the holidays and be prepared to “work hard.” The scholars, who had been carefully trained to give always the usual acknowledgment of the Christmas greetings, cried out- with one voice, “Same to you, sir. ’ I bis reply caused a real “break up ’ for the gathering.

A Hokitika sawmilling company has introducer! an innovation in connection with the transport of its timber which may lead to transformation in tlit* methods in use for bringing timber from the hill areas to the flat, says the Christchurch Press. The Company in question the Kokatahi Timber Company, Ltd. —has been engaged for some time past in laying a tramway up to the top of Blue Bottle Terrace. This tramway is about 3(1 chains long, 15 chains of which run up the face of the hill, with an average grade of 1 in 2J, the upper portion of nbout seven chains- presenting a stiff elimh of 1 in 2. A perfectly straight wooden three-rail system has been laid down, with the middle, rail branching into two to providea four-rail, the passway midway up (lie incline. This pasgway, with rails and points of steel, allows loaded trucks coming down to pass empty ones going up. the operation being controlled by a stout- steel wire rope coiled round a heavy wheel, which is fitted with a strong band brake. The difficult task of taking the big log hauler up such a steep gradient, was accomplished successfully, with a good head of steam and the lire drawn in order to safeguard the crown of the boiler and tubes. The tramway is the first of its kind in this district, and is a substantial piece of work. The company expects to resume milling operations shortly on the area of rimu on the plateau.

Warren Kealoha sot a new world’s reco.d for swimming 150 yards back stroke in open, tidal, salt waier, at Honolulu last week, bis time being 1.44 4-ssec. At Palmerston North last night lleenv easily retained the title of heavy weight champion of the Dominion over Sullivan, whom he knocked out in the ninth round. The infectious diseases notified in the Palmerston North hospital district last week consisted of one case each of tuberculosis and cerc-bro-spinal meningitis. Visitors to the local beach will be pleased to learn that the old road running on to the waterfront is to lie opened again. The committee has taken this work in hand and it is now in fairly good order. A painful epidemic in the form of gastritis is attacking children and adults throughout. Palmerston N. and district,. The cause is not known, but has been attributed to the water supplies being affected by the drought.

“Robbing the Government and local bodies seems to be. quite the fashion in Now Zealand,” remarked Ihe Chief .Justice (Sir Robert Stout) at the Supreme Court at Wellington. “Even juries seem to look upon il as nothing wrong. There have been several instances of that.”

The Presbyterian Church has its eye on modern developments in science and custom. At a meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery on Wednesday, notice was given that at the next meeting it would be moved that a committee should consider the question of the. use of radio-broad-cast ing for church propaganda.

At the Wanganui Collegiate school annual prize-giving this week, Ihe headmaster.* the Rev. C. F. Pierce, after referring to a football tournament said: “I am utterly and emphatically opposed to our school mulches forming a sort of side-show in outside organisations, lienee Ido not propose to allow such matches to be played in fuInre, otherwise than as school games, detached completely from such organisations. This decision, I know, will make me unpopular in some quarters, but I don't sel any great store by popularity, and prefer to stand or fall by my principles. T hope that hv making this announcement now, I shall be spared a certain amount of explanation lal-

A Native minister, labouring in a field in Ihe North Island, firm ted with a particular aspect of I lie faith healing movement which presented a difficulty. There was a considerable amount of lieke lieke among the'children, and in vain did lie impress; upon the natives the need of using medicine in addition to the prayer of faith. He then thought of I be incident of Christ healing I lie blind man, and look the first opportunity of presenting it to the people. The natives saw the point of the sermon and to-day the minister is combat ing the disease mentioned with an ointment he has prepared without in any sense detracting from the good work being accomplished through the Rntnnn movement.

According lo the United States statistical abstract, the 1910 liquor consumption in the country was 19.4 gallons per capita. Taking 20 gallons as the consumption in New York when saloons were open, Mr Orville S. Poland, counsel for the Anti-Saloon League of New YorkState, points out that to satisfy the pre-Prohibition thirst of ten million New Yorkers two hundred million gallons would be needed, and that it would take (s,(>(>fi,fififi louring cars, speeding down from Canada, each carrying 30 gallons to supply flic demand. Mr Poland explains that this number of ears is about six times qs many as there actually are in New York, and that placed bumper to bumper they would reach 13,000 miles, or four times between the Atlantic and Pacific.

After having.spent over 39 years in the New Zealand lighthouse service, Mr R. 11. Leighton, late of Dog Island, retired on December Ist, and proceeded to Titnnru where his wife lias resided for about two years in order to enable their youngest son to complete bis schooling. Prior to Hint Mrs Leighton bad spoilt: 52 years in the service. She was born and married in the Nelson lighthouse, after which she accompanied her husband to l(i different stations scattered practically all round ihe coast of New Zealand. - Notwithstanding the fact that the New Zealand Government Insurance Department declined to take a risk on hi,-, life 35 years ago, Mr Leighton never failed to take a watch during Ids long period of service, and at Ihe date of bis retirement appeared to he quite hale and hearty.

AVhen a visitor from outside invades the King Country territory, it is a usual thing for the tales of slygrog selling to he told (says the Holorua Chronicle). A Wanganui - itc who was there recently heard the latest. A Maori conceived the brillant idea of getting his grog over the border in a barrel labelled “Motor oil A.” Unfortunately for the would-be reveller, his barrel beenme confused at the railway sid ing with a- genuine barrel of oil. When the Native dscovered the mistake, he adopted “Sherlock Holmes’s” method to retrieve bis loss, and was successful in tracing his grog to the garage of a well-to-do farmer. On inquiry from one of the womenfolk lie learned that the owner was away. “Well, where te ear?’’ he asked. “The car? It’s at Oliakune being repaired. Mr ran it over the bank last night.” “Py golly! No wonder. Te damn thing must La’ bin stunned!”

P. O’Shea won the mile New Zealand cycling championship bv a length from J. Henderson, with W. Maekie third, in 2min. 29sec. at. Christchurch on Wednesday. “The Australian people are quite anxious to have us import the produce of their country, but they are not so keen on allowing our imports to enter there,” said the Hon. W. Nosworthv when replying to a deputation at Gisborne. “Such questions should be a matter of quid pro quo. That is the attitude of the Government, although it may not be its experience in dealing with Australia.” Comment oil the numbers of wild cattle which are causing serious damage to the trees of Mount Egmont was made at a meeting of the interim committee of the newly-for-med society to promote interest in the flora of the mountain. It was stated that wild cattle were to he seen on the mountain in large numbers, and that they were doing irreparable damage. Tt was also mentioned that (lie cattle had caused ihe. National Park Board grave concern in the pas!, and it was decided to give the Board support in any movement that might be made to remedy Ibe evil.

In order that a still in whieh whisky may he manufactured should not lie used for illicit purpose, the Collector of Customs forwarded to the Otago University Council a bond which was required to be executed by two members of the council. The explanation of this is that Ihe still is used for teaching purposes in the chemistry department of Ihe University. One has been in use in fact, for some time, and a larger one has now been installed. The bond required sureties of £SOO from each of two members of the council as a- guarantee that the still would lie used for nothing hut leaching purposes.

An amusing incident whieh depicted the enthusiasm of the school children lo do their best and make a good impression occurred during the break-up ceremony of the Forbnry School, Dunedin. A speaker asked the children to repeat after him: “Fear God, honour the King, and do your duly.” The children readily complied, and Ihe spokesman said: “Fear God,” softly, making a motion with his hands to have it said quietly. The children ithmediatcly repealed “Fear God softly,” an answer which caused an outburst of laughter (reports Ihe “Otago Daily Times”). The realisation that they bad said something wrong hurst upon live children, and they joined in the merriment about them.

A local wool grower (says the Wanganui Chronicle) consigned a Idle of wool lo a spinning firm at Home with instructions to make up suitable tweeds from the contents. In duo course twenty samples of very choice tweeds were sent to the consignor, and from these he was asked to make a selection of the three he fancied most, so that lengths (50 yards each) could lie raai.ufaetured accordingly. At. the time that the bale was sent it was valued at. £lO. Freight and charges, and manufacturing costs have to be added, but it can safely be assumed that this enterprising farmer will have a supply of suits for many years to come, and at a very low figure.

On Christmas night a musical service was held in All Saints’ Church which was thoroughly appreciated by the packed church. ’l’lio usual Christmas hymns and special Psalms were rendered by the choir and also favourite carols. The singing was very hearty. Mrs Kendall, of Auckland, sang two solos, which were very much appreciated: “Ho shall Feed His Flock,” and “1 know that My Redeemer Livetli.” This talented singer, who sang the same two solos at a rendering of “The Messiah,” in Auckland, last Saturday, has a voice admirably suited to such difficult and splendid music. Mr Thornber presided at the organ and played “The Pastoral Symphony,” “The Gloria.” ,-uul “The Halida, jiah Clumis.” A record number of Communicants were present at the services hold at 7 a.m., 8 a.in., and 11 a.in. The offertory, which is devoted to the Children’s Home, at the Reach, aniounled to £8 0/9.

Few people would regard a rat as a good omen, hut there is one man ia Gisborne, who is indebted to n rodent for guidance, if not to a fortune, at least to a very bandsome little Christmas present (says the Herald). The gentleman in question was working in bis garden when he observed a large rat endeavouring to get beneath the house. The persistent efforts of the animal aroused bis enriosity, and, consequently, when Ihe rat succeeded in bis efforts, lie was followed by a pair of interested eves. The attention of the rat was directed to an" object lying behind an old-fash-ioned fireplace, and subsequent investigation showed that tin* object of interest was nothing more or less Ilian a pocket wallet filled with banknotes. A closer examination of the find showed that Ihe wallet had evidently been bidden for some considerable time, and portions of it, and some of the notes, bad suffered to a certain extent by the activities of the rodent, and, possibly, other members of bis family. The damage to die notes, however, was not material, and enquiries at the bank elicited the information that they were still legal tender, and lliev would return the luekv finder a sum approaching £IOO. 'Pile long exposure to the air had caused the notes to become quite’crisp. and careful handling was required to prevent them from crumbling to pieces.

Moawhango Rabbit Board recently received over 100 applications for position of rabbit inspector at £3OO per annum. During the four days prior to Christmas Day, the Napier Post OfTiee forwarded telegrams to the number of 0270, against 5832 last year and received 7,982, as against 7,090. It transmitted 9,061, as against 9,140. The mail bags handled numbered 2,387 as against 1799 on the corresponding four days last year.

Discussing the dry spell, an Ashburton farmer expressed the opinion that, for this particular period of the year, he had never seen the countryside in such a sorry plight. Practically all substance had left the pasture, and things were very had for sheep. ITe said he felt very sorry for the men who had now to take over their “forward delivery” purchases. The farmer who had sold his lambs for forward delivery was indeed a lucky man, and even though he might have quibbled over the matter of price during the bargaining, he should now be patting himself on the back, and at the same time extend his sympathies to his benefactor.

Interesting reminiscences of their tour abroad were given to the council of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce by Messrs S. W. Shaw and W. C. Weston, last week, when they were welcomed home hv the council, slates a New Plymouth Exchange. Mr Shaw slated that nowhere had he seen any country to come up to New Zealand for luxuriance of pasture, while none of the cattle he had seen could equal the New Zealand dairy herds. He had not been able to visit the shows, but was basing his opinion on what he had seen while travelling. He had also been surprised to note the great amount of cropping that was done in England, and wondered why they did not go in more for dairying. After outlining the route he had followed in his travels and paying a tribute to the beauties of Switzerland. Mr Weston said there was a great deal to be thankful for in being hack in New Zealand. The food was much ahead of that in other countries. It was quite a treat to see the splendid homes that were being built and the generous amount of land on which they were erected.