Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1927. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3659, 30 June 1927, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1927. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A teacher asked her class to w rite an essay on London. She was surprised to read the following attempt : “The people of London are noted for their stupidity.” The young author was asked how he got the idea. “Please miss,” he said, “it says in the text hook that the population of London is very dense.”

“Are you in favour of closing hotel bars at the hours when other business premises close?” was a question asked of Mr. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, at Hamilton. The Minister replied that he saw no reason why hotel bars should close at the same hours as other businesses. A voice: And have a late night on Fridays. (Laughter).

“I do not admit that the children of the present day are spoilt,” said Dr. Lawson, Professor of Education, in the course of an address at the Otago University. “The present day child is more open and frank than when I was a youngster, an l he is having a more enjoyable time, there not being the same need for repression.” A steady demand for sleeping car accommodation has- been a' feature of the traffic on the Main Trunk express this winter. Twice lately there have been small waiting lists of applicants for berths, the names being taken only in case an intending passenger cancelled his booking. A new aspect is the readiness with which the extra charge for tin* “de luxe" sleepers is paid.

Here is an official description of American films given at a conference of cinematograph exhibitors’in Great Britain: “A Yankee mixture forced upon the patient thrice daily. Ingredients: A pound of sob stuff, a. pound of thrills, two pounds of tegs (bare if possible), half a pound of night club, three pounds of star at. it million dollars per pound, one pound of humour, three pounds of settings, one ounce of story.

“f think we might inquire into the question of bringing down the commercial charges both for illuminating and advertising purposes.” said Mr. C. Blcnkhorn, at the meeting of the Horowhonna Power Board The Chairman (Mr. G. A. Monk) said that the Board would have to consider both commercial and community lighting; the engineer (Mr. J. A. Smith) was preparing information on the subject now, and the Board would have something to discuss in the near future.

Even constables get married. In the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch an adjournment of a by-law ease for a week was asked for. “In that case I would ask for a longer adjournment," said senior-Sergeant Martin, adding that the reason was that the constable concerned in the ease was about to be married. “How long does he get?” asked the Magistrate, Mr. E. D. Mosley. “A fortnight,” replied the senior-Sor-geant. The case was therefore adjourned for a fortnight.

For some time past a wellknown man in Christchurch has employed a gardener, who was quite contented with his job and the pay he received, which was some 12/0 a day (says the Sun). The gardener kept to his work well and gave no trouble until just recently. A day arrived when the gardener failed" to put in an appearance, and so the householder sought him out and inquired the reason for his non-appearance. “Oh!” replied the man, “why should I work for you for 12/6 a day when I can get 15/4 bv joining up with the unemployed?”

A man can fall in love and not

break his neck, but if be escapes breaking bis bank account lie is lucky.

Spinal injuries and shock were sustained by Mrs. Evelyn Garde, of Frankton, through falling down a flight of stairs on Tuesday. "Her condition is considered serious.

Spurious half-crowns arc said to be circulating in Wellington. The coins are said to be silvered over and bear surfaces similar to the legitimate coin.

Owing to detonators exploding while held in his hand, George Blackpool, aged 23, of Waitoa, had his fingers and portion of his left hand shattered on Tuesday, states a Hamilton message. It is feared that the hand will have to be amputated.

“I think it can be said quite truly that during the fifteen years in which medical inspection and treatment of school children has been in force there lias been a definite improvement in the general condition of New Zealand children,” said Dr. Ada Paterson, Director of Hygiene. There are now 13 school medical officers, and 31 nurses, and they are kept fully employed. The nurses paid about 12,000 visits to homes during the year, and 10,000 personal interviews were given to ■the parents by the doctors.

“Sir Oliver Lodge has promised that the next long journey he takes will be to Sunny Nelson," said Dr. Tillyard during a lecture at Nelson. In spite of his age, Sir Oliver was still one of the greatest scientists alive, continued Dr. Tilljard. He was the real inventor of practical wireless, and he put his pupil, Marconi, up to the dodges which later made him famous. Perhaps when Sir Oliver had passed on the prejudice which existed against him because of his interest in psychical research would vanish, and lie would at last be honoured as the real inventor of wireless.

Whilst engaged repairing an oilengine, on (Friday, Ms* Hill, a travelling railway fitter, whose home is in Kaiwarra, met with a painful accident. The spanner slipped off a bolt, and Mr. Hill was struck across the mouth, injuring a lip considerably. He fell, and in doing so appears to have come in contact with the engine, the bridge of bis nose being cut to such an extent as to necessitate the insertion of six or seven stitches. Mr. Hill, who was stunned by the blows received, is now making good progress towards recovery from the unfortunate mishap, being an inmate of the \\ aipukurau Hospital.

An echo of the recent seamen s dispute was heard in the Wellington Court, when Denis Driscoll, printer, was lined £lO for printing a paper for -publication without his name and address. Chief Detective W ard said the case arose out of the formation of the new seamen’s union. Defendant published a circular purporting to have been issued by Mr. W. T. Young, leader of one section oL seamen, but Young denied authorising it and said ii had been published to discredit him in the eyes of some of the men. The police had been unable to find out who authorised the circular. The defence was that the imprint had been cut off during trimming and that •when the proof was sent out for correction the draft copy had been lost.

This js the tale of a domestic tragedy* A mother was busy over her cooking the other day. The young twins of the house entered, and one spoke up, “Mother, may we play football with this? Now, women have a habit of saying “Yes” to any question when they are pro-occupied on the question of the height of the gas-flame in the oven. The mother said “Yes." The young hopefuls went out into the yard, and played football, as their gliidsonu.* shouts revealed. t athci came home, and wished to go out in his Sunday best. He was all ready for Hie fray. He looked round the bouse, and looked again. .1 hen he sought the unfailing assistance of his wife. “Where on earth is my now bowler hat? It was on the bull-stand when 1 left this morning." The wife aided in the search. Enter the children, hearing. with them something that looked like a cross between a drowned black cat, and an ill-used door mat. It had a brim, and once bad been a bowler luit. There’s a picture for you.— Wanganui Herald.

In spite of the many attempts by the struggling farmer, the gum lands of the North Auckland district have proved unsuitable for general agricultural purposes. Cropping is not- a paying proposition in those parts. There is one exception, however —tobacco thrives well ill these latitudes and splendid types of leaf have been produced on soils that not long ago were covered with ti-trec and fern. A small portion of these waste lands if planted in tobacco would be sufficient to transform this pov-erty-stricken district into regions of affluence and wealth; £SO net is the average yield of a tobacco crop per acre ami often more. Few people realise the immense possibilities of llie tobacco industry, but anyone wanting information on the subject is referred to the ready manufactured article. “Riverhead Gold’-’ mildest of all; “Toasted Navy Cut” (Bulldog), of medium strength; and “Cut Plug No. 10” (Bullshend), full strength. -Do not forget that all three brands are “toasted” and, therefore more wholesome, than the average class of goods from overseas, often so harmful on the score of excess nicotine. %<-

The Whirokino Road is still impassible owing to flood water. The total estimates approved at yesterday’s meeting of the Foxton

Fire Board for the current year was £475 12s Bd, against £5lO for last year.

Frederick John Alexander Smith, of Ilford Forest, was committed for sentence in the Methven Court yesterday on a charge of making a false declaration under the Mamage Act by stating that he was 22 years old, whereas he is only 19.

An anonymous donor has offered £IOOO towards the erection of an art gallery and museum in Napier. The Napier Borough Council was informed of this fact at its meeting on Monday by the secretary of the Art Gallery and Museum Commit-

Thero has been a 50 per cent, increase in the list of unemployed in Palmerston over the week-end, sev-enty-four out of the ninety-four men seeking work being labourers and farm workers. A departmental officer reports that there is no work offering, and his office is bosciged daily by a continual stream of men.

Although little lias been made public in recent months regarding the scheme to develop the mineral belt in the hills along (he Thames coast with German capital (says an exchange), the promoters have actively carried on the project aiid a sum of over £SOOO lias been spent to dale in unwateving and exploring the mines over which the syndicate has acquired an option.

While engaged in removing the roof of a two-storied residence in Broad Street, Palmerston J. P. Wilson, aged 20 years, lost his footing, with the result that lie fell a distance of 25 loot on to a llowei bed at the foot of the building.. He had a lucky escape from injury, however, suffering only from bruises and shock.

Arising out of Superintendent Downes’ report presented to roster day’s meeting of the Foxton l'ire Board, it was decided to include, a sum in the estimates for the purchase of a siren for the lire station. A proposal had been made that provision should also he made for the purchase of 500 ft. of hose, but this was deferred.

Although only a faint, liazy patch to the naked eye, .the comet PonsWinneeke is now visible. Rising in the north-east at present, it should be looked for about midnight between the Milky Way in the north and Fomalliaut.in the south-east. In the telescope the comet shows a star-like head and a spreading tail.

At yesterday’s annual meeting of iiu> Foxton Fire Board, the chairman (Mr F. C. Cray) paid a tribute to the excellent manner in which the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuen) had carried out his duties. He expressed the wish that the Board would he privileged to have the services of Mr. Rangilieuea for many years to come.

At yesterday's meeting’ of the Foxton Fire Board, a letter was received from the brigade secretary, making several requests. The chairman said the letter was out of order, and it was decided to refer the matter to the superintend-ent-for a-report. The Chairman pointed out that all matters coming from the Brigade must first pass through the Superintendent for his report and comments.

The annual report of the Foxton Fire Board, presented at yesterday's meeting stated that insurance companies had submitted their returns of premiums received with the lire district for the year ending December 31, 1925, the amount being £2030 8s lid. There had been eight tires during the year, two outside the borough limits, three rubbish, and three partially serious fires, one involving the destruction of a fiveroomed dwelling. The efficiency of the brigade had been well maintained. Appreciation was eypressed of tlic services rendered by the brigade and by Inspector Hugo. Following the severe frosts on dune 21st, conditions until the end of the week wemuotiso severe with a daily thaw, and the Kawarau River at Cromwell remained about oLin. higher than the lowest level reached on June 31st. In the last two days the frosts have been more severe, with an absence of thaw, and the water is again receding slowly. However, the level is still -lightly above the lowest point touched a week ago. Work is being done on the river only in a few isolated places. Others are waiting for the lower level, which is confidently expected but which is slow in being reached.

“Say what you like, bill I reckon the birds which shift to a warmer climate for the winter season have go! a bit of sense." This was a remark by an overseas sailor who was asking a Dunedin “Star” reporter about wiiat birds visited Few Zealand for the summer season only. The sailor being something of a migrant himself, proceeded to say that his personal experience was a factor in his admiration for the habits of the migratory birds. At one period he missed the winter in Great Britain and New Zealand for three and a half years. It was very pleasant. But at the present time he had slipped his moorings at the wrong stage of the tide, so to speak. 'Leaving England last winter and coming via Australian ports, he had now arrived here to experience a second winter in six months. "And,' he added, with a smile, “If my luck hangs out I shall he back in Enbland for my thirl? winter inside of twelve months. ’

A block of acacia wood that glowed in the darkness like a piece of pure phosphorus was the remarkable phenomenon displayed by a resident of New Plymouth (reports the News). A strange feature was that the phosphorescence permeated the whole block, which disposed of the theory that light was caused by the familiar “glowworm.” At a private party held in Balclutlia recently, “possum pie” was the chief dish on the supper menu, and those who partook of it are all agreed that it was excellent (says an exchange). The legs and tails were the portions used, these being first half boiled and then baked. The result was at once pleasing and appetising. The flavour was distinctly good, being, as one of the party put it, “a cross between rabbit and poultry.” As “returns” were demanded, the quality of the goods evidently satisfied the palate. With hot mashed potatoes possum pie makes an excellent dish.