Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1925. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2970, 3 December 1925, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1925. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A nu in her of “silo nt policemen ’ have been procured by Ibe Borough Council and will shortly be set up at the different corners in the borough.

Mr. T. P. O'Connor, “father" of the British House of ('ominous, has tendered a luncheon to Mr. T. M. Wilford, “father" of the New Zealand House of Representatives. Mr. Aniery spent an hour in their company, pacing the House of Commons terrace, listening to remit).s-

censes,

Under the stress of excitement an old Wanganui woman voted twice at the recent elections. She voted once at the Keith Street booth mid then walked over to another table and voted again, remembering evidently. the injunction to “vote early and often." Before the court, defendant said she was sorry for what she had done. She was imprisoned until the rising ol the court.

While each week numbers of owners of vehicles are summoned sit Court, for dangerous driving, it would apepar from an incident which occurred recently that the suburban train service is not too fast (says the “Auckland Star”). Two young fellows, who missed the train at. Mangere, ran after it, and got on hoard just as it was slowing down at Otahuhu station. The passengers cheered the lads after their run of over a mile.

What was practically the first passenger train to he run over the new line from Opunake to Te Roti carried 140 passengers to the Stratford show last Thursday (states the local “Post"). This number is regarded by the authorities as hjghly isatisfaelory, and seems to indicate that when a regular passenger service is inaugurated, it will meet with good support from settlers in the district through which the line runs.

Masterton is not the only town in New Zealand possessing had and reckless motor drivers (notes the local “Times"). The life of the silent policeman on duty at Greytown is anything Iml happy, and he is in “hospital” more limes than lie is out of it, through bad motor driving. The Borough Council has now decided to try another system of marking Ihe street intersections, and will give a trial to small concrete blocks painted while.

The presence of mind of one man and his ability to grasp a upporluity had its reward in a Wanganui street the other evening when a jazz hand was playing (relates the “Chronicle"). A delighted audience was listening to the music when a man with a hat in hand moved quickly round among the people. When he had collected a tidy sum lie put the money in his pocket, replaced his headgear, and calmly walked up the street. The band evidently did not participate hr the "takings."

A useful innovation and one tlial will appeal strongly to the travelling public was introduced by tin* Cost Office oil .December Ist. The scheme provides that a person may, when making a savings bank withdrawal, obtain a letter of credit that will enable him to draw any portion of this sum at times ami places suitable to himself from any money-order oliice in the Dominion. The limit for which Dim amount is available is .Cot), and the charge will vary from (id to 2s (id according to the amount required.

Unique in the history of the police Department, is the record ol Superintendent W. B. Mcllveney, whose appointment to the position of Commissioner of Police was announced by the Minister of .Justice on Tuesday (says the Dominion). Mr. MeJlveney has risen from a junior constable in the force to the highest, position the Department can offer, that of Commissioner, and it reflects not only on the zeal and ability of the newly-appointed chief, but also on a Government that recognises the right of those on the lowest rungs to promotion when merit has shown itself.

The London Hospital’s pioneer X-ray researcher, Dr. Reginald Blackall, who underwent fifteen operations, including the removal of both hands, in consequence of Xray dermatitis, is dead. A British all-steel deep sea diving suit has been patented by Mr. Peress of Byfleet and is being exhibited at the shipping exhibition at Olympia. It differs from the Ger-' man model in having all the limbs jointed and movable. It is believed it can he operated at a depth of 650 feet.

After forty-seven years’ service in the Education Department, during which time he has filled many positions, Mr. W. E. Spencer, M.A., M.Sc., has given notice of his intention to retire on superannuation. Since 1918, Mr. Specer has been officer-in-charge of school buildings. On Tuesday night Mi'. D. B. O’Connor’s musical comedy “Are You A Mason?” was produced at the Town Hall before a fair attendance. The entertainment was well up to standard, and Kept the amljience in fits : of laughter. A good entertainment and should get a “bumper’’ house it they return to Eoxton.

The net Customs duties for the month ended November 30 totalled £225,924 17s lid. Thai for the corresponding month in the previious year totalled £.154,150 17s sd. The net beer duties for the month ended November 30 totalled £0025 6s 9d. The total for the corresponding' month of the previous \eai was £4352 12s 2d.

Mr. R. Rnngiheua returned to Eoxton on Tuesday night from Dunedin, where he was in attendance at the annual communication of Hie Masonic Grand Lodge. Mr. Raiigdieuea also visited tin* exhibition, which, In 1 considers is a tine advertisement to overseas visijoiThe climatic conditions durum' his visit were very uutavouralile

At the inquest at Invercargill relating to the -death of Alexander Stewart, who was fatally burned in a hut at Wtinfnn, the evidence of a taxi-driver showed that the deceased was intoxicated. In his opinion a burning candle resting on a block of wood caused the fire. A verdict of accidental death while intoxicated was relumed.

An interesting visitor to Gisborne is William Higgins, a New Zealander, the present world’s champion sheep shearer (states an exchange), ile has repeatedly shorn a sheep in 28 seconds, and on many occasions has done 100 sheep in two hours before, break fast. His best record for one dav is 406 sheep shorn in nine hours. On one occasion he clipped 23 sheep in twenty minules.

Raratonga, five days sail from New Zealand, is one of (he most charming spots in the world in which to spend a few weeks holiday. The return steamer fares from New Zealand vary from fifteen to thirty pounds. Accommodation is very reasonable or in the alternative a. native built cottage can he obtained for a few shillings per week. There are fruit and vegetables in abundance and good fishing along the coast. The best time of the year to visit the island is between February and April. The natives are a very fine type of people—in marked contrast to those of Papeete. The New Zealand administrator of the island is Judge Ayson, an ex- Wellington college student. New Zealand’s administration of the island is a credit to the Government.

Pahialua possesses some "educated’’ eels (states a Wairarapa exIn *1 slroam running through the properly of M''- -1. Ebbed, at Pnhiatua, are about thirty eels, and for some three years Mr. Ebbed. Ims been in the habit of feeding these. The process he adopts in calling them to meals is a novel one. The crock at the rear of the house appears lo he devoid of fish of any kind until Mr. Kbbett beats two stones together, and then the eels swarm to the side of the meek to receive their meals. The cels arc quite tame, and will allow anyone to handle them. The eels first gathered at the spot for food when hens owned by Mr. Eobelt, in scratching, deposited some ol the scraps in the creek. Air. Ehlielt noticed this, and then began feeding them on pieces of meat, etc., and gradually trained them lo “come to dinner" by striking two stones together.

Wfimi is the least injurious form of smoking i The doctors favour Ihe pipe. So does Mr. Stanley Baldwin, ihe British Premier (an inveterate smoker). By the way, Mr. Baldwin differentiate- between smokers, lie says, judging by bis experience, pipe smokers take a wider and saner view of things than either cigarette or cigar smokers. Be that a- it may, the pipe has much to recommend il hygonieally. And what of Ihe tobacco? That is an all-important question. Tobaccos heavily charged with nicotine (like most of the imported brands) cannot he smoked habitually without causing (rouble sooner or later. The heart, the nerves, or the general health is bound to suffer. In marked contrast are our New Zealand grown tobaccos, which, as a result of the toasting process to which they are now subjected, are so pure and so comparatively tree from nicotine that they may be indulged in freely with absolute safety. That’s why doctors recommend them. Obtainable in three grades —“Rivei'head Gold," mild) “Xavv Cut” (Bulldog), medium; or “Cut Plug No. 10" (Bulkhead), full strength.*

The P. & T. staff are engaged in erecting a pennv-in-the-slot public telephone box outside the Post Office to-day.

The “Eoxton Pollies” are putting on a concert programme in the Oroua Downs Hall to-morrow night. A good variety entertainment will be given, to be followed by a dance. Admission 2/-.

The freezing works in Hastings are now in full swing, despite the poorness of the season. It is estimated (states an exchange) that the three works employ about 1000 hands at the height of the season.

A proposal is afoot to launch shortly a big scheme in Dannevirke for raising funds for the purpose of building and equipping modern premises for the Plunket nurse, including provision for a dental clinic and also a women’s rest (states the “News”).

Christmas time is gift time, and the annual question of suitable gifts for relatives and friends to mark the festive ocassion has now again to he faced. Barr and Tyer’s, where all the best values in useful gifts are fo he found, invite you to inspect their large stocks. A change advertisement in this issue sets out a few of the values offering.

A Wanganui land agent remarked that it was very difficult to satisfy some clients. A recent, one was it lady who inspected a large number of houses and finally made a selection. Everything appeared lo he settled, when the lady sent a notification that- she had decided not to take the house her heason not to take the house her reason Ihe front roni. —Herald.

A most interesting freak, in the shape of a four-legged chicken, was shown to a “Southland News” reporter the other morning by Air. AY. Paterson, of North Invercargill. The egg from which the chicken was extracted was not double yoked and quite ordinary. This unusual specimen had in addition to the legs three separate sets of wings. Unfort limitelv the chicken did not live, and it was necessary to draw il from the egg.

That the commercial linns of (inrnmny are prepared to abase I heir country's dignity in (lie dust in their endeavour to extend their business operations is demonstrated by n trade publication, “The Herman Printer,” which lias been received by a Hawke’s Bay paper. The cover, which is printed in colour, depicts the Union Jack Hying mast high above the. Herman Hag. To fly one country’s Hag above another is regarded in international etiquette as a serious insult to that country whose flag is placed lower; but the German merchants apparently consider that an insult selfadministered may be good for the pocket.

A noticeable climatic condition in New Zealand, as compared with other countries north of the equator, is the high winds, or more correctly speaking gales, which sweep across the islands of the Pacific daring many months of the year. “I have not experienced such biting winds as we are at present experiencing locally in any part of the world during my trip abroad, said Mr. Hornblow. “Two days out from Raratongn, en route to New Zealand we struck our first boisterous weather and off the east coast of this island it blew so bard that it was difficult; to walk the deck of the steamer. Some of the passengers made scathing remarks about the New Zealand climate — if that was a sample. There is no doubt that New Zeland is located in a wind swept cycle, but our glorious sunshine in co-operation with “rude Boreas” makes this dominion one of the healthiest spots on earth.