NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3699, 4 October 1927, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

Henry Herbert Pearce, for assaulting Clarence Raymond Hancock whilst the latter was escorting a young lady along the street at Christchurch, was lined £5, in default one month in gaol. The police evidence showed that accused was under the influence of liquor. He threatened to kiss the woman and she took refuge in a gateway. The Waitohi Dairy Factory, Marlborough, charged at Blenheim with selling to Connolly and Co., butter containing a greater portion of added water than was permitted under the regulations, was lined IDs and costs 21s (id. Connolly was charged with selling the butter to a Department inspector, and Ordered to pay costs, 10s. The Magistrate remarked that the offence was not a serious one. No attempt had been made to evade the regulations. ■Some photographs' taken at Cape Kidnappers recently show that the gannets are already selecting nesting sites and preparing for the upbringing of their broods, says an exchange. The gannets begin to arrive at the Cape in August. For the visitor who can make but one trip to the sanctuary in the year, .December, January, and February are the best months to go. Then the chicks may be seen in all stages of development, from the chick ,just out of the egg to the older chick with its speckled plumage.

The well-known horse-trainer, Charles Hodder, aged 44, residing with his wife at Green Lane, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor at the Auckland Hospital. He had been suffering from nervous depression. He served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces early in the war, and was gassed while on 1 active service. He was on the steamer Wimmera when she was blown up by a mine off Three Kings while on a voyage to Sydney. He never seemed the same man afterwards, and several weeks ago had a severe attack of influenza.

Perhaps the most interesting relies of the earliest Maori days, “moutama Whiria,” the axe which hewed into shape the “Tokomaru,” the canoe which brought the first Maoris to New Zealand from Hawaiki, and the anchor stone of the canoe, were deposited in the New Plymouth museum yesterday with appropriate ceremony in which many Maoris and pakehas participated. The relics have been handed down from generation to genera- ' tion and have known various resting places. They are held in great reverence by the natives. A board of trustees of both races was ap- , pointed yesterday for the safekeeping of the relics. For stealing six tomato plants, valued at 9d, Andrew Johnston lost his situation with the Railway Department and faced Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch. The police stated that Johnston, had had eight years’ service with the Department. The foreman went to B shed and saw Johnston taking the tomato plants. He was at once suspended! His position had been more or less one of trust. • Mr. Tracey said the matter was a regrettable one. Johnston had giyen good service and there was no suggestion of any prior offences. He was a married man with two young children. He had lost his position. The Magistrate: Has he lost it definitely? Mr. Tracey:. Yes, sir. Johnston was convicted and discharged.