LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2724, 24 April 1924, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Colds are very prevalent lot-ally as a result of the recent change in the weather.

There was a change in the weather yesterday, heavy rain falling throughout the district.

At the local police court yesterday morning, before Mr ITornhlow, J.P., Peter Petersen, charged with a second offence of drunkenness was convicted and lined 20/-. Upon enquiry this morning we were informed that there is a slight improvement in (lie condition of'Mrs McDonald, although her condition is still critical.

There was a fair a I tendance at the Lynch Family Bellringers entertainment in the Town Hall on Tuesday night. The entertainment as a whole was thoroughly enjoyed. Last night the company played at Kongo tea. The local Methodists, are tendering a farewell social to Mr and Mrs Banks in the Methodist school-room this evening. It is hoped to extend a welcome at the same gathering to the new minister, provided.he is aide to arrive in time. ,

Bandsmen are reminded that they will proceed to Shannon at 8.45 tomorrow morning to assist Shannon in their Anzae celebrations, returning in time to assist with the local celebrations. A full rehersal is asked for to-night.

There are parts of Taranaki, says the Mauaia Witness, where bagpipes are much in favour, yet the music produced does not seem to be always understood. At a concert held recently in a neighbouring town, when the iutruments were being tuned up, an elderly man was heard to ' say quite seriously, “Ay, it is many a day since 1 heard that tune it’s my favourite; I often used to hear my father playing it." In another quarter, it is staled, an amateur is profaning the ancient instrument by trying to make it play “Yes, we have etc.”

It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.” 'flic increased motor traffic through Eoxton causes a fair number of cars to pull up in Main Street for fuel, ete., and the passengers have time to indulge in refreshments and a visit to the shops. An innovation was tried in Westminster Abbey on Easter Sunday, when the sermons were reproduced by loud speakers in different parts of the building remote from the pulpit. The experiment is regarded as only a partial success. People stated that the Dean’s voice sounded like a gramophone record, ai.d some passages were missed. Perched on the top of one heavily laden motor lorry which passed through Eoxton on Tuesday were two men surrounded by their personal luggage. From such a vantage point they were able to get a splendid view of the countryside and the benefit of open-air treatment with m, grumpy fellow passengers to tell them to close the carriage window. They waved greetings to pas-sers-by and appeared to be enjoying the novel means of travel. Fortunately the weather conditions were good.

To he actually on a bridge when the stringers gave way was the thrilling experience of the cream carter on the Waiauku-Ararimu Rd. one day recently (reports the N.Z. Herald). The man was crossing the Waikoukou bridge n structure with a span of 52ft. and standing litlft. high, driving a three-horse (cam with nearly a ton of (‘ream on the wagon, when the bridge began to crack and fall. Tie urged his horses strongly and just managed to get clear before the stringers broke and sagged 18 inches. Onlookers were horrified to think what might have happened had the driver not been able to get clear as he did. The bridge is about 25 years old, constructed of wood, and the recent floods no doubt hastened its end. Tt is quite beyond repair, and a temporary bridge will have to be built for immediate use, as many settlers are now isolated.

The Mayor (Mr .lolui Ulirystall) and bis son bud a narrow escape from a serious accident while motoring on Tuesday morning. As Mr taring on Tuesday afternoon. A char-a-banc and a Wanganui-Wel-lington service car were coining towards town via Russell St. North. A short distance from the crossing at Norhifon Rd. the driver of the service car speeded up to pass the char-a-banc and evidently could not pull up in time to avoid striking Mr Cbrystall’s car which was crossing from Norliiton Rd. into Robinson SI. The collision occurred on the right side of Russell St. facing south at the junction with Robinson Street. One of the back wheels of Mr Chrystall’s car was wrenched off. The force of the impact threw Mr Chrystall's son on to the road without, however, inflicting any injuries to (lie lad, other than a few bruises. The intersection has been the scene of a previous accident and several narrow escapes, as a hedge obscures a south view of Russell St. from persons motoring towards it along Robinson St.

The adventurous spirit of their ancestors cropped up in three local Maori lads, all of school age, during the Easter holidays. Often they had watched the launches and “flatties” set out for deep sea fishing over the bar and so decided to try their hands at the game. They “borrowed” fishing gear and an old “flattie” and set out. Fortunately the sea was calm and the bar was negotiated in safety. Residents at the beach, however, did not like the look of the enterprise and communicated with town. The father of the hoys knew nothing of the escapade and immediately set out for the beach. On arrival there nothing could he seen of the boat or its occupants. Meanwhile the occupants of the liny craft were being tossed about well out to sea and before long (wo of the party felt victims.to seasickness and all idea of fishing was given up. The other lad, however, stuck to the oars and after strenuous pulling, landed the boat on the Levin beach. The boat was then towed in the breakers to the mouth of the Manawatu and it was a very bedraggled trio that arrived home that night, "sadder but wiser" after their eventful escapade.

"New Zealand has come into possession of something more valuable than the biggest gold mine,” remarked the captain of an American liner the other day when sampling some of our local tobacco. "And 1 predied,” he went on, “that in years to come tobacco growing here will be ,jusi ees nourishing as in Virginia, my native country.” If is gratifying' to see that sennet enterprising people in this Dominion are realising the huge possibilities of the to banco industry, but even the most sanguine were surprised when the article made its first appearance. • Such was the success that the inalilii'acturei's could hardly cope with (he demand. And uo wonder, because this tobacco represents quite a new type with a distinctive flavour of its own, due, it is said, to the toasting process which has been a(iopled in its manufacture. But its greatest virtue is its small percentage of nicotine and this is why it does not affect the heart and nerves, or the eyesight. Smokers should not fail to give it a trial. Obtainable in three strengths, itiverhead Gold, Mild Toasted Navy Cut (Bulldog) medium and Gut Plug No. 10

(Bullhead) full body. 13 lit many parts of Britain there is u queer idea that if pennies bearing the dale of any leap year are kept in the house they will bring good fortune.

“Whenever the savage islanders launch a new canoe a member of tlie tribe was beheaded and his blood poured over the boat,” stated the Rev. G. K. Moir, of Greytown, in the course of ,an address on “The Missionary Call,” to the C.E.M.S. Conference at Palmerston N. this week. The buying and selling of native women and their slaughter by hostile tribes were common eight years ago when he was engaged in missionary work in the Pacific, added Mr Moir.