Manawatu Herald THURSDAY., JUNE 7th, 1928. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3802, 7 June 1928, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY., JUNE 7th, 1928. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. Joseph McLean was elected chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board, defeating the sitting chairman, Mr. Jesse Steer, who had held the position for over thirteen years past. The voting was even, each receiving three votes, and under the Harbours Act the issue decided bv lot.

On turning over a piece of wood the other day a local resident saw a large black spider —-known to the Maoris as the “taipo.” He set it moving and his terrier dog became interested and put his muzzle near the insect which immediately reared itself up and nipped the dog on the point. The canine's curiosity was more than satisfied.

The huge 50,000-ton floating clock will leave for Singapore on June 21, and arrives there on November 11, states a Press message from London. The three days’ passage of the unwiedy structure through the Suez Canal will necessitate the entire suspension of all traffic as each section is being hauled through.

An eight-hell carillon has been installed in the tower of the Church of All Saints, Brixham, England, in memory of the Rev-. H. E. Lyte, the author of the hymn, “Abide With Me.” It has been found that- an additional two hells are necessary if the carillon is to play the hymn, and a fund to raise the £SOO which is needed for the installation of extra hells and apparatus has been opened.

“The first white child born in Christchurch,” said Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, “was my sister, Miss Mary Agnes Thacker, who was horn at “The Bricks,” my father’s residence, on February 23, 1851. The Maoris here had never see]] a white child before, and my father used to tell me their great curiosity as they tried to buy the child or barter it away from niy mother.”

Unusual circumstances surrounding the death of a valuable cow led to a Ivai Iwi farmer, who had already lost three other good animals, having an investigation made, which revealed that death was caused by an irritant poison, Further examination disclosed the presence of a chewed golf ball in Ihe stomach. The farmer now keeps his stock as far away as possible from any land used by golfers (says the Patea Press).

The Drake millions and castle property, claimants to which are announced from Canada, will not interest those in the land of the maple leaf alone (says a Canterbury paper). At least three families in Christchurch have for years claimed to be direct descendants to the vanquisher of the Armada; indeed, some are said to bear stinking resemblance to the Elizabethan admiral.

Tobacco, always a joy to the smoker, is never perhaps, better appreciated than on a long railway journey when one has, perforce, to remain a prisoner lor hours at a , time. .Such is the beneficent influence of the weed that it will relieve even the tedium of the longest journey. But on a trip like that you want a brand you can smoke all day without tongue or throat or nerves being affected. “Wlhere is such tobacco to be obtained?” you may ask. Why, any tobacconist will supply you. What strength do you like? Ask for “Riverhead Gold” if you fancy something mild and aromatic, “Navy •Cut” (Bulldog), if you prefer a medium blend, or “Cut Plug No. 10” (Bullshead), if you are addicted to a full-flavoured ’baccy. These brands are grown and manufactured in New Zealand. They are all .toasted in the making and lienee their flavour and fragrance. They can be smoked pipeful after pipeful, with impunity because, unlike the imported tobaccos, they are comparatively free from nicotine. That’s why doctors recommend them. —Advt.

The Racing Club ball will be held in the Town Hall on July 19th.

A number of local residents attended the annual smoke concert held by the Oroua Downs Sports Club on Tuesday evening.

Eoxton possesses the oldest Borough Councillor in the Dominion if not in the Empire, in Cr. C. A. Spring, aged 92 years. The old gentleman is physically active and except for partial deafness takes a keen interest in municipal affairs-.

A 'Wellington telegram reports that- Stanley Blank, a labourer aged 19, was committed to the Borstal Institute for three years yesterday on three charges of theft- of goods and money valued at £l3, and unlawfully converting a motor cycle to his own use.

Many Bays water (Auckland) residents were strolling casually towards the wharf a few mornings ago when one man started to run, and soon all the intending passengers were moving at a greatly increased gait-. The race was continued right to the wharf, when it was found that there were still five minutes before the ferry left. “What made you run?” inquired one resident amid gasps for breath. “I felt a bit eold” replied the man who had started the race.

A case was commenced in the Supreme Court at- Wellington yesterday before Air. Justice Sim when Norman Parata and John Alridjge, fromer Public Works employees, each claimed from Albert Goodman, a horse trainer, of Upper Hutt, £ISOO as damages in respect of a collision between the motor cycle they were riding and a motor car driven by Mr. Goodman on the Main road, Upper Hutt, las! iSelptiembei). As a result of the accident- each of the plaintiffs lost a leg.

“Let’s play funerals,” said one of a band of youngsters recently. The inspiration was connected with the appearance of a youngster whose father is an undertaker. He was seized upon as a suitable corpse and duly laid out. “I’ll he the parson,” volunteered another young blood and forthwith pieces of earth were dropped on the “corpse” with the words “dust- to dust, ashes to ashes.” An irate parent moved quickly towards the group and then followed a quick resurrection and dispersal of “mourners.”

There was a brisk sale of old clothes at the St. Andrew’s Church on Friday in New Plymouth school room for the benefit of missions. So brisk was it (states the Herald) -that a buyer who rashly put down her coat- on a stall while she tried on another found, when she turned to recover it, that it had already been sold at a bargain price to another buyer amp wrapped up in a parcel. Fortunately the mistake was discovered and rectified before it was too late, and apologies relieved the strained position.

The new military policemen in Samoa have several gifted members in their ranks, but two of their number, who play the bagpipes, will probably do more to make their force famous than any action they are likely to have with the Man (comments the Auckland “Star”). These two are greatly admired by the Samoans, who never seem to have heard such instruments before. The white residents near the barracks have different opinions on the matter, varying according to their distance away. At a concert given by the men during May one of the most appreciated items was a bagpipe solo.

“There is no danger in telling a child’ that he is smart,” remarked Dr. \Y. J. M’llraith, senior inspector of schools, to members of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, “But there is a danger in telling a child that he is dull,” he added. Mr. E. C. Wright: “Don’t you think that puts a kid on a pedestal? Dr. M’llraith: I don’t think so. Most of us suffer from a too modest idea of our own capabilities. Now and again we meet a case of a person suffering from a “swelled head,” but generally most people refuse to accept their responsibilities.

Picton has had a “Peeping Tom” scare and the Press says: "It Is somewhat dangerous just now for anyone of the male persuasion to look up friends after dark without due notice being given. This was proved the other night, when a man visited the house of a fellow-work-man at a late hour with a message from the foreman. Gaining no response after knocking at the front door, he was walking round to the back, where he was met and, before he could state his business, was promptly knocked over. Explanations and apologies smoothed things over, but it only goes to prove that the rumours about “Peeping Tom” have mhch to answer for.

Two seamen named George McDonald, 39, and Charles Applcbee, 20, were committed for sentence at Wellington yesterday, on a charge of breaking and entering a jeweller’s shop and stealing watches and rings valued at £ll4 13s 4d. The police were aided in arresting the men by the receipt of an anonymous letter together with a parcel containing a number of the watches and rings. They interviewed Applebee, who admitted sending the letter participating in the oil'ence at the instigation of McDonald. The latter took full responsibility for the burglary, which he organised as he was out of work. Both pleaded guilty.

A verdict of death from a revolver shot self-inflicted while in a state of depression was returned at the inquest at Wellington yesterday on Cecil James Bilton, a married man aged G 3, who was found dead at his residence in Karori on Tuesday night. Cyril Powell, licensee of the Commercial Hotel, was fined £2O and £2l 5s costs at Whangarei yesterday for selling brandy not true to label. At the annual meeting of the Licensing Committee held later in the day his certificate as a licensee was withheld for three months.

In the course of the hearing of a Wiaihi defended divorce case at Auckland, in which the co-respon-dent is a nephew of the Archbishop of Wales, Judge Blair issued a stern rebuke in connection with a letter written to him by the wife of a witness, characterising it as an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice.

A deputation of horse owners and breeders waited on the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, at Dunedin, on Tuesday, with regard to the heavy burden of taxation on racing. The deputation received a sympathetic hearing, but the Minister said he could not give them much hope of a reduction in taxation on racing. What is probably the most serious mortality ever experienced amongst lambs in the South Canterbury district is being suffered by farmers at the present time, says the “Timaru Herald.” From all parts of the district reports of heavy losses are being received, and to make matters worse, nothing can be learned, with certainty, as to the cause. Lambs, both fat and store, are dying in a most mysterious way —they sicken and no matter what is done for them, they die in a few days. It is not thought that the feed is responsible, as the lambs die no matter what class of feed they are on. Stud as well as flock lambs are being lost, and the present death rate is far heavier than that of which so much is heard at lambing time.