NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3766, 13 March 1928, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

The force of wind was so strong at Tokomaru the other morning that a light car was blown oft' the road. The driver was the only occupant, and he escaped injury. George Nepia, the Hawke’s Bay and All Black fullback, is in negotiation for a position in Masterton, and if satisfactory arrangements are made he will play Rugby for one of the Masterton clubs during the coming season, says a Masterton' correspondent. This is the way to write a thoroughly angry buiness letter: “Sir, my typist, being a lady, cannot take down what I think of you. I, being a gentleman, cannot write it. You, being neither, can guess it all.”

Howlers from recent examination papers: “An artesian bore is an animal something like a pig-” “Juveniles are tributaries of the River Nile.” “Diver’s diseases is a kind of water on the brain.” “Knuckles are small elbows on the hands.” “Shoes are undersized boots.” “Pilgrim’s Progress was the journey made by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620.” A Christchurch motorist back from a North Island trip says that the way is tedious in some districts for the man who does not follow in the wake of the service ears. At certain points drovers with huge mobs of sheep know when and where to expect the service cars, and “park” the sheep ac-

cordingly. The private car drivers must needs sit awhile in contemplation of a sea of woolly backs.

A vicious attack by a sow was made on a child named Thomas Herbert, the 15-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Herbert, of Ivorito, on Friday evening (says the Feilding Star). Wfliile the mother was picking blackberries on the side of the road a sow with a litter came along. The little fellow attempted to play with the young pigs and was attacked by the sow. He Avas taken to a doctor, ivho found it necessary to insert 18 stitches in the head and face. The child is now making good progress towards recovery.

The fines that are being imposed are like water flowing' off a duck’s back,” remarked SeniorSergeant McLean in the Gisborne Police Court the other morning, ivhen a young man was charged ivith being on licensed premises after hours (states the Herald). “This type of offence is becoming very common,” he added, “and we cannot keep it down. I think the penalty should be increased.” “Am I being too kind-hearted?” asked the magistrate. A fine of 20/- and issuing a final Avarning. “If this issuing a final laming. “If this does not stop I shall put on the maximum penalty,” he said.

No less than 7civt. of broken glass has been collected on Narrow Neck Beach during the Christmas holidays by Mr. F. W. Ludloiv, a special constable for that disti’iet (says an exchange). With these figures in view, the large number of serious accidents that have occurred through this means is not surprising, and the residents of the neighbourhood are agitating for a thorough clean-up of the beaches. The Devonport Borough Council realises its responsibilities in this matter, arid regularly removes a huge collection of miscellaneous picnic litter. Its efforts, however, are impotent against the lethargic public conscience, Avhic'h disregards all receptacles for rubbish and delights to strew the beach Avith leavings. /

A railway servant aa t lio Avas on duty at the Dunedin railway station early on Sunday morning Avas alarmed to see a shadoAV pass the AvindoAV of the room is Avhich he Avas Avorking. He Avas instantly alert, and the faint sound of footsteps indicating that someone Avas mounting the stairs leading to the toAver seemed to confirm his suspicions that some unauthorised person had entered the building with no good intentions. He immediately sought a Avorkmate avlio Avas in a neighbouring room and after discussing the situation in whispers they concluded that, for safety putposes, the assistance of the nightwatchman should be enlisted. Armed Avith heavy ebony rulers the trio Avaited at the only exit from the tower. An hour passed and their patience Avas almost exhausted ivhen steps Avere heard on the stairs again. The intruder s sui - prise Avhen he slowly opened the door- and found three men awaiting him can be easily imagined, but the trio ivere probably more astounded Avhen the captured one informed them that he had been guilty of not thing more serious than putting back the clock one hour.