NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3739, 10 January 1928, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

A white rose as large as a sunflower is described in the Pahiatua Herald. The flower measured 7£ inches across and was grown by Mr. J. J. Boagey. Three plums on one stalk is a vegetable curiosity grown in the orchard of Mr. T. Parr, of Glen Eden, Auckland. The fruit was perfectly formed and the stalk of normal size. The exhibit bears a striking resemblance to the conventional “club” of playing cards. One does not often bear of a hawk attackng a person, but this happened on Thursday to a boy of

13 on a farm near Hawera, when he was out after the cows, states the Hawera Star. A similar happening is reported of magpies on the Eltham golf links. It seems probable that in each case the bird had its nest nearby, and that it was the natural desire to protect the nest and eggs, or perhaps the young, which caused the attack. The number of names on the list of officiating ministers under the Marriage Act in New Zealand is 2004 and the denominations'to which they belong are: Church of England 448, Presbyterian 403, Roman Catholic 302, Methodist 271, Salvation Army 157,: Baptists 68, Congregational 32, Lutheran 2, Evangelical Lutheran 4, Hebrew 5 . Church of Christ 30, Catholic Apostolic 4, Liberal Catholic 8, Unitarians 5, United Evangelical 4, Seventh Day Adventists 10, Brethren 7, Lattarday Saints 10, Spiritual Church 9, llingatu Church 45, Church of the Seven Rules of Jehovah 11, Katana Church 113, others 16. The Ringalu Church, the Church of the Seven Rules'of Jehovah, and the Ratana Church are Maori denominations. Considerable excitement was caused at Lyttelton on a recent evening as thjfforry steamer Maori was steaming«>ut from the wharf to the moles, Juen a. man was seen to jump ovffiboard (says the Christchurch War). The ship's telegraph elangttdjlmd the vessel was put astern. |Pt* man, however, was seen to be Swimming strongly for the shore,Slid the ferry then proceeded on hewway. As lie neared the Jerry \\Harf the swimmer found that lie hadfleft his hat floating at the spot ufiere he entered the water. Nothin! daunted, he turned back and recovered his hat before swimming to the wharf, where he landed none ( tne worse for his immersion. To bystanders he explained that he was a seafaring man, and went oil board the Maori to have an argument with a member of the crew. When he found lie was being carried away in the ship, l le jumped overboard and took the shortest way back. ' In connection with a. . fire which occurred recently in Masterton when a car was damaged while replenishing with petrol from a kerbside pump, the Borough engineer reported that according to an opinion of Mr. T. Martin, solicitor for the Municipal Assoeiaton, the Borough would be liable for damages had such damage occurred to other persons property, and recommend;ed that the Council should insure itself against such a contingency. When the matter was referred to the Mayor, he stated that the titles between the Council and the owners of the kerbside pumps indemnified the Council, but according to Mr. Martin’s opinion if any pump owner was unable to meet a claim by any person suffering damage, the Borough would become liable. Mr. Jordan (the Mayor) intimated that the whole position would be reviewed When the pump proprietors renewed their applications for 1928. An invention which may have farreaching effects in the mechanical world, has been patented by a To Kuiti resident. The device/which has been named the gravity motor,, is said to be capable of harnessing the forces of gravity and converting the same into mechanical power without the aid of fuel, such as petrol, oil, steam, or gas. The inventor has already several successful patents to his credit, including a special manure mixed and bagger. At a private demonstration the invention displayed a mixture of novelty and ingenuity, the various parts of the mechanism performing their functions perfectly. The demonstration model was developing 1 h.p., and was coupled to an electric dynamo which is generating power, a very small percentage ot which is being utilised in a most remarkable and manner to keep the whole of the machine in motion. The surplus power genei - ated can be utilised to drive motors, for lighting, milking machines, etc. Several prominent engineers who have been acquainted with the working of the machine describe A as incorporating a new mechanical movement.