Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8th, 1925. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2972, 8 December 1925, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER Bth, 1925. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Up to Saturday 303,(551 people had visited the Dunedin Exhibition.

New Zealand is spending about £3,000,000 a year on education. AYe are. reminded that the festive season is near at hand by Mr. Pal Skillen, who ends the editor and staff heartiest greetings, which are sincerely reciprocaled.

A rosebud carnival was held ai Eltliam in aid of the war memorial. Over £SOO was raised, which was £2OO more than was aimed at.

The total area in commercial orchards in New Zealand i- approximately 30,000 acres, of which about 75 per cent, consists of apples.

The matriculation and University Scholarship examination commences to-morrow and will be continued until December IS.

It is estimated taut Irvine and Stevenson's whitebait factory at Westport paid out £2OOO this season. The factory has now closed until next season.

Owing to a slop-work meeting held by the walersiders at Wanganui yesterday, the s.s. Kennedy was unable to discharge her cargo at that port. The vessel in unloading and will leave for Foxtail or Wellington to-night. A Dunedin message says that at the Plunlcet Society Conference if was resolved that while viewing with favour the suggestion of the Nelson branch that gambling methods to raise funds for the Society should be discouraged, the conference feels it is a matter which should be left to the discretion of individual branches.

British motor eyries seem to be more popular in New Zealand recently than the American models, though the famous American Indian holds second place in the number of registrations, during October. Out of 491 registered in that month were the following: —Douglas 105, Indian 93, Triumph 55, liarley 47, A.J.S. 43, B.S.A. 42, Enfield 12, Excelsior 11, Norton 10, Budge 7, Hudson 7, various others 59. Mr. Charles Spring, of Norbiton Road, celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday last. We are pleased to to report that our respected “young old man” is physically lit and as mentally alert as ever. In fact he is a marvel. Our representative had a chat with him on Saturday night, in Main Street, and lie looked more like a man of sixty than ninety. Mr. Spring takes a keen interest in local and Dominion affairs and is an active as well as a life member of the local bowling club. We join with our old townman's numerous friends in wishing him good health during the nonagenarian period.

America’s chief executioner, John Hulbert, is resigning. His record of executions to date at the famous prison Sing Sing is 140. In the many years that New York ha* electrocuted condemned prisoners, the State has had only as executioners Hulbert and Edward Davis, who held the position from 1891 to .1914. Davis resigned, il was said, because the State reduced his fee from 250 dollars lo 50 dollars an execution. It was later raised to 350 dollars. The task of filling the place <>f executioner is expected to be difficult, because of the job's unpopularity and, besides, its holder must be a skilled electrician.

Licensed porters will soon be on the platforms of the larger railwav stations in Now Zealand. They will have the recognition of the Railway Department, and be allowed to handle passengers’ luggage at tin 1 following rales; Single article (id, for more than one trip to or from a cab, tram, vehicle, railway carriage, parcels office, or part ol station directed or appointed, as the case may be, 1/- per trip, 'these licensed porters will not be employed by the Railway Department, ami the Government will not be lialde for their acts or defaults. During the time he is on duly in connection with his calling every licensed porter shall wear a cap lettered and numbered, and be tidily and suitably dressed. Provision is made for licenses to be transferred.

All Saint’s troop of Girl Guides intend spending a fortnight in camp at the Foxton beach from Boxing Day.

The wedding took place last Tuesday of Mr. D. R. Ogilvy, of Foxton, and Miss Wjilkin.son, of Masterton. Mr. and Mrs Ogilvy are spending their honeymoon in the South Island prior to taking up their residence in Foxton. Preliminary heats were swum oft yesterday in connection with the Palmerston North Boys’ High School swimming sports, to be held to-day. The following loal pupils were placed:—2s yards open handicap: G. Tver. 25 yards (14.15) handicap: Delany and Ball. At the request of the head muster, Mr. J. K. Hornblow spoke to the senior scholars at the local State School this morning on certain phases of his trip round the world. The pupils were keenly attentive and at the conclusion a request was made for a further instalment.

The three-year-old child of Mr. and Mrs G. Trwin, of Reeve street, was accidentally scalded about tbe body at its parents home on Sunday, and was removed to the Palmerston North Hospital for treatment. We understand that the little sufferer is progressing satisfactorily.

A two-storeyed 10-roomed house that has stood on Rangitikei Line, just, outside the Borough boundary at Palmerston for 40 years at least, was completely destroyed by lire on Saturday evening. The house was empty at tbe time, having been vacated by the tenant on Thursday. The owner, Mr. F. W. Jewell, resides at Paraparaunm. A swagger was seen about, the premises during the afternoon and is being sought for. For many years the house was the homestead of the late Air. David Buiek, M.P.

Although hoop-la games, dnrtIbrowing contests, and other such side-shows were in full swing at the Wanganui Show, they were barred permission at the Stratford Show (states an exchange). This decision has been communicated to the A. and P. Association by the police, and instructions wore given to the grounds stewards not to allot spare for this purpose. Tt is understood that the action of the police is bast'd upon a recent decision at Hamilton. when judgment was given against a hoop-la proprietor on the ground that it was a game of .•bailee, and therefore illegal.

It is quite a common sight to see dogs joy-riding on the footboards of their owner’s motor car, but it was left to a Hastings motorist to institute this modi' of conveyance for cats, reports the “Daily Telegraph." Such a sight was witnessed in Napier on a recent morning when a powerful looking motor car, bearing a Hastings registration plate, and driven by tt woman, drew u)i in Emerson street, and was left in charge of an enormous black cat that paraded up and down the tootboard to the consternation and indignation of several of Napier s canine tribe that harked in no uncertain manner at what they obviously considered to be an infringement of their rights. The maintenance of first class health and good eyesight at the age of 81 is one of the remarkable qualities of Sir Robert Stout. He was asked bv a representative of the Christchurch Star if lie could indicate the secret of his constant vigour. Sir Robert did not mention it," l,uf much must he attributed to his robust Shetland ancestry. As for his personal habits, ho is a devotee of the light lunch, though generously giving those who practice in his Court time to enjoy a lunch adjournment long enough tor ilie satisfaction of an avciagc man’s appetite. Sir Robert remarked that he always brought with him in the morning a few sandwiches, and these with an apple and a glass of water, made a sufficient lunch. “I never touch intoxicants, hut in 1870 when run down my doctor ordered me to take wine. I tried it for a fortnight and gave it up and never have tasted alcohol since. And I never smoke. That is bad for the eyesight.” Sir Robert does not use spectacles.

A Shannon resident has received a letter from a friend, who is a meinher of the volunteer crew of the Arawa. The writer (who is an old seafaring man) states the crew, which is representative of all classes and trades, taking them on the whole, are doing very well. He statics that at the time of writing they were crossing the Line and have had a splendid run, except for the first few days when the weather was a hit dirty with heavy seas, und as a result most of the crow were sick on and off. While in Wellington he had listened on two occasions to the strikers airing their grievances; during which they I'oumffault with the food. Tie quite agrees that the wages are not too !ii»-h, hut lie states the food is really It'ret.’ class, and that the average New Zealand family docs not live heller, if as well. He was not referring lo what they were getting onlv, hut the few men who had stolid by the ship during the strike had told him the food was exactly the same as on the passage out. They expected to reach England on November 25. —Shannon News.