Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1928 LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3884, 15 December 1928, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1928 LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Manawatii River is very high as a result of the recent continued heavy rain.

At present 31 members of the Wanganui Education - Board’s staff are engaged in painting and repair work at schools in the Board’s district.

Although it is still awaiting the arrival of its aeroplanes, the Auck - land Club is now the second largest club of its kind in Australia and New Zealand, with a membership total of 403, including 72 pupils. An acceptable ’Xmas Carnival Gift. Ladies’ Art Silk Hose, Mock Seam, new point Heel; 5 leading shades, 3/9. —At the C. M. Ross Coy’s.* There are now 7947 consumers of power supplied by the WanganuiRangitikei Electric Power Board, of these 5304 being in Wanganui City. There was an increase of 112 consumers last mohth, 69 being in the city.

On Thursday evening the local Fire Brigade held a five hundred evening in the Town Hall supperroom. 'There was a good attendance. The prizes were won as fol-lows:—-Men: W. McKnigJit Ist, E. Parkin 2nd. Ladies: Mrs. Vertongen Ist, Mrs. M. Ross 2nd. . Monday next marks the twentyfifth anniversary of the first flight made by a power driven aeroplane. Orville Wright was the airman and his twelve-horsepower biplane managed to reach 850 feet in 58 seconds, an event which created great interest, because it indicated that heavier-than-air machines could be devised that would add a new power to mankind.

'Speaking at a meeting of managers of the local Presbyterian Church on Thursday evening, the Rev. Mr. Nicholas said . next year would mark the 85th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Foxton. He said that Presbytery was prepared to assist in fittingly celebrating fiie event and probably Presbytery would meet here in April. Several suggestions were made in reference to the event and the subject will be discussed more fully at a later meeting. The medical superintendent of the Palmerston North Hospital (Dr. Frank Ward) reported at Thursday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board that during November, the average number of occupied beds has been 169. The number admitted has been 203 and the number discharged was 220, while 10 had died. This left 159 in the institution on December. Six cases of infectious diseases were being treated (five scarlet fever and one diphtheria).

Dainty Coloured Nightdresses, pretty Embroidered and trimmed lace,*7/6 and 8/9. ’Xmas Carnival price. At the C. M. Ross Coy’s.*

Proof that the deer herds at Stewart Island are very numerous has been given recently, several score of deer having been shot by island residents • and visitors. A week or two ago two young men went out for a tramp from the Fresh Water River to Hellfire Bay after deer and ambergris and secured 27 deer for the trip. The little Virginian deer are multiplying very fast and are not so timid as their bigger brethren, the Red deer. The Virginian deer are evidently at home in the water as they swim out to little islets either for fresh food or out of curiosity.

Over one hundred years of age, and “he thoroughly enjoyed, his pipe.” That was recorded a while ago of Mr. William Reeves, who passed away recently at Knox Home, Tamaki, Auckland, aged 101. The anti-tobaccoites are never tired, 'of telling us that smoking shortens life, but if anyone cared to take a census of inmates of these charitable institutions, they would discover that great numbers of very old men —yes, and very old women too, derive comfort and consolation from their pipes. Smoking so far from being injurious is really beneficial so long as the tobacco is good and does not contain a heavy percentage of nicotine. 'The imported brands are practically all of them loaded with nicotine. Our New Zealand tobaccos, on the other hand, contain so little that they may be smoked all day without any ill-effects. They are full of flavour and fragrance too, sweet and mellow and delicious. Ask for “Riverhead Gold” if you want a fine aromatic, “Navy Cut” (Bulldog), if you like a good medium, or “Qut Plug No. 10” (Bullshead), if you prefer a grand full-flavoured sort. Popular Gift Stationery, in boxes, delicately tinted Note and Envelopes. ’Xmas Carnival price, 1/-, 1/6, 1/11, 3/6 to 9/11. At the C. M. Ross Coy’s.

A bust of Thomas Bracken, the New Zealand poet, has been found in Christchurch and brought to Dunedin (states the Star). Tho work is by an Italian artist. Tliero is a probability that it will be acquired for Dunedin, the city to which Bracken belonged. Some evil disposed person or persons scattered a largo quantity of 2-inch tacks in the roadway opposite Easton Park and along Lady’s Mile. Two residents picked up a large quantity in Main St. yesterday, but not before several tyres had been punctured. The up-to-date agricultural machinery at Ratana would do credit to any modern farmer (says the Wanganui Herald). The Maoris, who undertook to cultivate a large area at Ratana this year, procured the best modern equipment, even to reapers and binders. The wheat crop is making excellent growth, and the same applies to the potatoes.

According to a press report of a meeting of the Palmerston North High School Board, held last night, Mr. W. F. Durward, during an altercation “rose to his feet in wrath and with a tremor in his voice he accused Mr. Oram of suggesting that the chairman was a liar.” If I was the chairman,” Mr. Durward added,' “I would punch your nose for you. It is a habit of yours.” On Wednesday afternoon the monthly social afternoon held in connection with the local Methodist Guild took place in the Sunday school room. An enjoyable time was spent by all present and an interesting competition wad- won by Mrs. W. Signal. Mesdames M. H. Walker, J. Chrystall, Dorset, L. Bullard, J. G. Honore, Edmondson and Miss Walker were the hostesses.

Applicants for the position of gasworks manager for the Eltham Borough Council hailed from Auckland, Marton, Foxton, Milton, Lemington; Edendale, Trentham, Wellington, Nelson, Dannevirke, Lower Hutt, Timaru, Pet-one and Eltham. Their ages varied as follows: 53, 50, 49, 47, 45; 44, 42, 41, 40, 39, 37, 32, and one in the twenties namely Mr. Blackman, of Dunedin, who was the successful applicant, aged 24.

At the local 'police court this morning before Mr. J. K. Hornblow, J.P., Poutu McGregor, a Native, was charged with being drunk while in charge of a motor vehicle. A plea of guilty was entered. Constable Owen stated that accused came out of a local hotel last evening just before 6 o’clock and was under the influence of liquor. His motor lorry was on the roadway nearby and accused was in the act of starting the vehicle when he was arrested. Accused was convicted and fined £5 and was given a month in which to pay the fine.

/ Although sometimes their faces are expressionless, and they appear to be busily engaged in writing their notes, Magistrates miss very little that is said in Court. Their ears are well trained. Counsel in a maintenance case in the Magistrate’s Court in Wellington the other day picked up his papers and proceeded to ask the complainant some questions. “Your name is Mrs. ?” he inquired, The

complainant, unaccustomed t,o Court procedure, did not answer. “Just say yes to everything I ask you,” put in counsel. Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., looking up from the papers before him with a smile on his face, quietly remarked: “That is if it is correct.” “Yes, sir, exactly sir,” replied counsel.