LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 January 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Wellington Press Association message received to-day states that sympathetic messages in connection with the deaths of the Princess Royal anti Marshal JoflYe have been forwarded by Lord Bledisloe, the Covernor-Generai.

After a hot, windy day yesterday a refreshing shower fell this morning. Not enough rain fell, to do much good on the Waimea plain, which is very dry at present. Heavier rain was experienced between Spooner s range and Tadmor. By 11 o’clock the weather had cleared and warm sunshine prevailed this afternoon.

History has recorded the last words of many great men. Every schoolboy knows that Napoleon’s dying words were “France” and “The Army,” and that as Mr Gladstone passed away he murmured “Amen,” thus ending a long life of service. There have been publisher: recently in Berlin the notes made by a son of Prince Bismarck in 1898 concerning the passing of his famous father. .Lire maker of the German Empire had been muttering for some time, hut those neai his bedside could not make out what he was saying. Later they heard him say quite clearly, “I am ready to die and do not ask for life. ’ A little later the medical attendant with the Prince decided to give him a stimulant. My father,” states the son. “pushed the spoon aside and, calling Forward, clutched the glass and drank the contents. That was his last word.” The tobacco crops in the Motueka district promise well for the coming season. The plants show vigorous growth.

The story of how two young women were providentially picked up when in a state of exhaustion and saved from drifting to sea in an open boat is told by launchmcn from the Whangarei Heads. The launch Alwyn rounded a point and came upon a small dinghy containing two young women, evidently in distress. They had been rowing for some time against the tide and wind without gaining distance. Just as one of the men aboard the launch inquired whether they would like to be towed, one of their oars broke. When the young women were taken aboard the launch they collapsed.

Here is an old hook on etiquette published before you were horn, and it tells you when to smoke (writes M.A.T. in the Auckland “Star”). It is laid down that you must not smoke in the presence of a clergyman and never otter him a cigar. The ten thousand clergymen who’ knocked off smoking during the war will he amused at this. The hook mentions that if you are in the presence of smokers and aftoiwaids in the company of ladies you must before you see the ladies change your clothes. Modern misses who incinerate three packets of “Love’s Young Dream” (see our list of prizes) will smile, and many men one knows if they had to change their suits after smoking would be usually clad in pyjamas. The book tells you that instantly after smoking one must rinse the mouth out with water and brush the teeth. We have water faucets in Queen street, but one hardly ever sees anybody armed with a tooth brush at any of them. It is laid down, too, that if you are about to smoke a cicrar you should offer everybody in the company one, too, but must not on any account offer a clergyman one. Parsons seem to have had a had spin away back in 1860. The authority on etiquette concludes bv declaring that if a cigar is given to you, you are houml as ail English gentleman to smoke it even if it is the worst cigar ever made. You could, of course, smite the giver with a blunt instrument when you got him by himself in a quiet spot.

A correspondent of the Auckland “Star” from Otorohanga, in the King Country, records the appearance of what lie describes as a “moving army of snails, fathers, mothers and families complete,” that was seen slowly crossing the lawn of a local residence the other evening. lie conjectured that they were in seach of food. An Aucklander, who heard the news, mentioned that the King Country has no monopoly of snails. “They have been a perfect pest in suburban gardens since early spring,” he said, “and constant war has to he" waged to keep them in check.” Not long ago an enterprising youngster collected a kerosene tin full for the next door neighbour’s ducks. He left the tin in his father’s garden overnight, and the snails escaped. In the morning it was found that they had ruined three rows of young cabbages.

Facing the setting sun, on the western slopes of Mount Victoria, Devonport, is one of the little-known historical burying grounds of the early city and its northern shores, says the Auckland “Star.” Takarunga, as the Maoris called the hill, had for centuries been a pa, hut the vicissitudes of war had led to its abandonment as a fighting place, so that when D’Urville landed in 1827, and forced his way through tangled fern and scrub to the summit of the hill, lie saw no trace of man; his gaze.resting on scarped hills and shores blasted by inter-tribal war. In 1842 the Government purchased the lands of the North Shore, and in 1850, what is now Devonport, was surveyed into “suburban farmlets,” provision being made for Anglican, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian Church burial grounds on Mount Victoria. Then a waste land “back of’beyond,” it looked out on a salt water marsh, part of which is now Takapuna racecourse. The first burial at the cemtery was in 185(3, and the area was gazetted “closed” in 1890. Until the last session of Parliament the land beyond the Roman Catholic Church remained vested in the Anglican Church, but in consideration of fi section of land, the church authorities have handed over the area to Devonport Borough. During the holidays the weeds of a decade were removed, the work being carried out by those of tlie workless whom the Unemployment Board have sought to help.

In his time Sir Arthur Dobson lias played many parts, says the Christchurch “Times”. One of the most unusual was when he added diving to his long list of accomplishments. He was building a mole at a Victorian port, and diving was the key to the situation. He familiarised himseif with the work, and thanks to his remarkable constitution, could stay down an abnormal length of time. He had six divers on the job, so one day, feeling confident that they were not “all out,” he went down below, unknown to them, and for a full twenty minutes, which he counted by his pulse, the gang simply sat down and -did nothing. .Returning to the surface, he sent orders for them to come up, and after telling them what he had seen, he "sacked" them all. The same afternoon they came back, looking rather sheepish. The leader said they were really an excellent lot, but they had not realised with whom they had to deal and franklv admitted they had made a mistake. '“All right,” said Mr Dobson, “get to it again, ’ and during the several years he had the gang under him, they worked 1 like Britons, and would do anything for him. A laxative which is perfectly safe for children and invaluable, too, when tlie.v are “out of sorts” is Dr. Don’s Granules Being made from purely vegetable ingredients they ale in action, a.ud do not cause' griping. 1/6 packet. Obtainable R. W. Martin, Chemist.* For greater Beauty and skin freshness use Godet Face Powder and Cream, exquisitely perfumed with Ctodet’s newest perfume—Forget-me-not.—YV. McKay and Sons, Did.* Chronic constipation overcome by taking Lubrolax, a combination of Japanese seaweed and pure paraffin which encourages natural wave-like movements.—W. A. D. Nees, Ltd., Chemists.*

■ On Saturday afternoon in a. heavy sea at Tahuna a girl aged about 15 years got into difficulties in the breakers and found herself unable to return to the shallow water. A girl friend who was near by returned to the beach and informed Messrs Ron. Wood, D. Ricketts, and Stan. Grant who swam out and rescued the girl who was almost exhausted when they reached her. The three men had a difficult task in the heavy seas and were well nigh exhausted themselves by the time they had brought the girl back to safety.

With examination time at the end of the year, there usually comes a crop of “howlers,” and the Taranaki primary school inspectors have selected a few that have come under their notice. One bright youngster said that “Marco Polo was an explorer of the interior ol the Tudors.” Ideas as to who was the leader of the Saracens varied, and this honour was ascribed to Lord Jellicoe, Salaman and Aladdin. The answer required was doubtless Saladin. Some others were: “The wife of Charles I. was the Young Pretender.” “The first Christian missionary to England was the guillotine.” “Cartier discovered Aluminium.” “The name associated with the Revenge is Te Kooti.” “The name associated with the ‘Rocket’ is Guy Fawkes.” “The Methodist Church was founded by John Methodist.” “Before the jury system, criminals were tried by Act of God.”

One of the most striking things about modern travel is the way places inaccessible only a few years ago can now be visited with ease by the most sophisticated globe-trotter. In the ‘Travellers’ Gazette,” issued by Thomas Cook and Son. there is a list of tours that shows how travel in Palestine has been revolutionised since the war and the linking up of that country with Egypt by broad-gauge railway. Jerusalem is now only fifteen hours from Cairo, by a comfortable train, and the troublesome landing from the steamer in Jaffa Roadstead has been cut out. In place of the old style of travelling by horse or camel, with camping outfit, and a rptinue of servants, one can now traverse the country by motor car and stay at hotels, instead of passing the night in one’s tent with a guard of soldiers or Arabs keeping watch. The journey “beyond Jordan,” once an adventure with a possible attack by Bedouins, is now only a halfday run from Jerusalem and Petra, “the rose-red city, half as old as Time,” is a mere incident in a six-day trip that also includes Amman. Jerash, the Jordan, the Dead Sea, and Jericho—names that all bring mixed memories to men of the N.Z.M.R., and look odd on a tourist agency itinerary.

An outbreak of fire occurred at 8.35 yesterday morning at the rear of the Empire Hotel, Blenheim, some old mats and clothes hanging over a rail fixed between the outer wall of the scullery and the coal-house having become ignited in some way (reports the “Express). When the fire was discovered there was quite a big blaze, with a sheet of flame licking up tho scullery wall. Boarders quickly formed a bucket chain from the kitchen and held the fire in check until a hose was brought into play. Meanwhile, a general alarm was sounded, but there was very little left to do when the brigade arrived, the bla/.e having been practically extinguished.

Mr Leslie Grant, who suffered severe head injuries in a motor cycle accident at Takaka, is still in a serious condition at the Nelson Hospital.

The entry of Percy Coleman as a competitor next Saturday at Richmond has added considerably to the interest taken in the meeting. Coleman lias for many years been the idol of the crowd and has thrilled thousands by his superb riding. Followers of the sport will be glad of this opportunity of again seeing the champion as it now about three years since he attended a Nelson meeting. Other entrants include Tui Morgan who has always been a favourite throughout the country. This rider has recently been doing very well in North Island meetings. One of the effects of the new regulations governing manufacture of cheddar (standardised) cheese is that several factories are contemplating a return to full cream cheese. Several companies have already reached this decision (states the “Taranaki Daily News”). Last week the directors of the Joll and Normanby companies held meetings to discuss the question. No statement was made to the Press, but it is now understood that these companies are making full cream cheese at all factories. The regulations, which came into force on January 1, were introduced for the purpose of raising the quality of New Zealand cheese. They provide that the minimum of 50 per cent, fat in dry matter shall be replaced by 52 per cent to December 31, 53 per cent, from January 1, to March 15, and 54 per cent, from March 16 to the end of the season. The regulations will greatly reduce the profit in partskimming. Less extra butterfat will be available for making butter, while the labour costs will be practically the same. From what can be gathered at the Trades Hall, Wellington, industrial organisations are not by any means opposed to tho rationing of work, which has been prohibited in New South Wales except in the case of the Crown (states the “Dominion”). Trade union officials would prefer of course, to see sufficient work to keep their members fully employed, but they freely admit that when this is not available they would rather see what employment there is rationed out. This method of distribution, they contend, is better than dismissing some men and keeping others in continuous employment. Among the rank and file of the union members the same attitude toward rationing appears general. Rationing is practised to a certain extent in a number of Wellington industries, including the engineering trade, and no complaints have been heard, at least publicly, against the scheme. In some cases rationing has been introduced at the request of the men themselves, for they prefer the system to seeing certain of their fellow-workers lose their employment altogether. “It is better for men to get part-time employment than none at all,” said a trades union secretary on Saturday. “An even distribution of work among men is better than certain employees getting all the work and others of equal ability having nothing.” Rationing is admittedly unpalatable, particularly to the man earning a small wage, but to many it has meant the lesser of two evils—partial employment or unemployment. The attention of the public is drawn to the fact that trains will run to Richmond at 1 p.m. and 1.30 p.in. on Saturday 10th January not at 1 p.m. only as has been hitherto advertised by the Motor Cycle Club. The 1.30 train will give those who are unable to make an early start a chance of getting to the Races in reasonable time. To-morrow evening all miniature golf enthusiasts, both Indies and gents, will have the opportunity of winning a beautiful engraved cup which is being presented by Messrs Ilealy and Son. We have several entries in, but still room for more.* Something special for the little girls ! Children’s Organdie Sun Bonnots. Helio, sky, green, and sunset, regular value 5/6. January special 2/6 at McKay’s tomorrow.* January special at McKay’s ! A lucky purchase of Ladies’ Celanese T.oeknit 2 piece suits, smart tuck in blouse with flared or plealed skills, regular value 65/-. Special 35/-.*

Intent on securing the best possible red deer heads which the country has to offer, Sir Douglas Hall and party will arrive in New Zealand from England, and will proceed to the Upper Lansborougli Valley, reaching there about 18th March. The party has secured blocks four and five in this district, and, with Mr Conrad Hodgkinson as guide, will penetrate into country into which hitherto no stalkers have gone, including the Zora Valley and the headwaters of the Otoke and Edison Rivers. It is the intention of the sportsmen to remain some five or six weeks in the district, where it is anticipated that some excellent heads will be secured.

The coloured lights which have illuminated the main City streets since the visit of Their Excellencies were removed yesterday. The streets appeared comparatively dull last evening. A month-old baby was hurled violently out of a motor car and fell on to the bitumen road when a spectacular motor accident occurred at New Plymouth. A motor car driven by Mr A. E. Woodward was involved in a collision with another car driven by Mr A. McKay. The impact was terrific, and Mr Woodward’s car, a light one, was swung violently round. Both the back wheels were seriously damaged. Mrs Woodward, who was nursing the baby, was thrown forward against the wind-screen and the laby was thrown out at the side of the car. By a miracle the child was not injured.

Save in isolated instances there is now very little gold circulating publicly and the sovereign or half-sovereign is almost unknown to many of the later generation. Cy.rious episodes in connection with the tendering of gold have been recounted from time to time. A visitor to the races at Awapuni the other day found himself in a peculiar position of having a sovereign declined by a ticketseller at one of the totalisator windows (reports the “New Zealand Herald”). While it was apparent that the seller’s knowledge of coinage had not been fully developed, the delay in exchanging the gold for the more common .variety of bank note might well have been attended with unfortunate results. However, such did not occur, for the investor duly made the exchange and got back in time to back the winner.

Long before it was time for the Municipal baths to open this afternoon there was a large crowd of young folk waiting on the steps and river bank. Evidently the heat was too much for some of the younger ones who changed in the trees ori the riverbank and cooled themselves in the Maitai till the baths were opened.