NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19995, 12 January 1927, Page 14

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Two Mormon preachers exercising their lungs in Esk street, Invercargill, the other evening interested so many passers-by (says the Times) that the police had quite a busy time keeping the thoroughfare clear. The golden jubilee of the Westland County will be celebrated on Tuesday of next week. The celebrations will include a jubilee dinner, which will take place on tne evening of the golden jubilee day. Girls’, Maids’, and Ladies’ Summer Frocks, from 4s■ lid up. See windows.— A. F. Cheyne and C 0... _ A record for loading wool, which is not likely to be beaten for some time to come, so far as Napier i sconcerned, was established •in the roadstead last week. Working on the Port Sydney, one gang of lightermen, operating one hatch, discharged four lighters, the equivalent of 1576 bales of wool, in the course of a day. As 1000 bales is considered a good day’s work, the performance was a most meritorious one. Another shipment of “Busy Bee” drophead treadle Sewing Machines has reached us, and the samples are now on. view. These machines are up to date in every respect, and are being sold at the extremely low cash price of £9 17s 6d each, or easy terms of payment may be arranged at a small extra./ We also have good stocks of the famous “New England” Machine, a beautiful machine, and uses standard needles, shuttles, etc. —Laidlaw and Gray (Ltd.), Rattray street... At the last quarterly meeting of the Southland League a suggestion was made that the Blgckmount road which offered an alternative to the Lurasden-Te Anau route, should be- made suitable for motor traffic. It was held that the round trip thereby offered would be greatly appreciated by motorists (says the Times). After some discussion the matter was referred to the local bodies concerned. The Otautau League is not overlooking the suggestion, for towards the end of the month one of their representatives and the county engineer will make an inspection of the road, and report to the other bodies on the work entailed to put the road in order. James Gray and Sons (Ltd.), Milton, thank all who brought them pleasant business during 1926, and wish their many kind friends a “Happy New Year.’’.. A» some indication of the value of direct shipping to the port of New Plymouth, it is worthy of note (says the Taranaki Herald) that trie 1000 tons of sulphur discharged by the motor vessel Bronno.Vj represented about 1500 tons in the loose—six full train loads. This was railed to Wanganui and in sddi tion to the heavy expense incurred meant an exceptionally busy week-end for railway employees. It was necessary to run several special goods trains as well as to augment those included in the regular timetable. _ . Send your Films to Waters' Pharmacy. 20 Princes street, for development... How football training may be useful m the more peaceful walks of life was illustrated in forceful manner on a provincial main highways (says the Napier Telegraph), when the value of a good tackle was ’useful in averting trouble by stopping a.runaway horse. A horse bolted near Clive, just'as a bus from Hastings was coming into Napier. The driver of the j> us , seeing the unruly steed V®/Voo^ the road, pulled up, and Mr A. L. Cooke, the well-known All Black, dismounted and at great risk of personal injury, . fiun f himself in the approved Rugby fashion at the bridle and succeeded m stopping the tightened equine, to the great joy of the ' V for saveloys.—Barton all The'Aurora Australis was visible from Ashburton on Saturday evening, long shafts of white light, characteristicofthe phenomenon, extending from horizon well up into the sky. Th lfisplay, however, was not as brilliant as has been seen from that locality on previous occaS T\ood tailor for next suit.—MacLeod MacGilll vray. Rattray street.. • . Stray schnapper of remarkable size have been caught from time to time in the waters of Sunshine Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound. Last, year a 29-pounder was landed, and just the other day another fine fish was captured, the successful fisherman being a son of Mr W. W. Tyl°r. This fish weighed 201 b, was 3ft 2m in length, and 24in in girth. Why be without an overcoat? Another shipment of good-enough-to-loose-or-lend gent’s fawn waterproof coats, doublebreasted, with belt; sizes 36in to 44in chest; 25s each—Kilroy and Sutherland CLtdl 192 ’’rinces street. Dunedin... Some weeks ago a country clergyman went to Wellington to order a church banner to be used during the Christmas festival (says the Wanganui Herald). On arrival he remembered that he had left the paper giving the necessary particulars on his desk, and so he wired to his wife, asking her to wire back the details. This was the reply that caused considerable astonishment at the post office: ‘‘Unto us a child is born, six feet long, four feet A Fragrant Christmas Gift! A tin of “Blue Mountain Jamaica Coffee. 3s od, or posted 4s. Only obtainable from A. Durie and Co., coffee specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin... ~ . The mountain resorts of the West Coast are rapidly increasing in popularity, and this season will be a record at the Franz Jofeef Glacier. During last week the guests at the Waiho Accommodation House numbered no fewer than 150, and it was necessary for parties of 50 to be taken up the glacier by the guides. The Arthur’s Pass Hotel is also drawing crowds of visitors, and the addition of 20 extra rooms is contemplated before next Easter. At present the best values in Suits are showing at “Ascot,” corner Princes and Rattray street. Clerical Greys all sizes hand finished can be bought at £4 10s, posted anywhere...

Kingfish are reported to be very plentiful in Queen Charlotte Sound at present (states the Marlborough Express), and some good catches have been recorded. Mr W. E. Wastney, of The Rock?, secured a couple in the course of a day’s fishing recent”. S. • the Prince ot Wales Hotel. Goou aix ‘inmodation; riiest brands of liquors. Phone 721 —@ Hinchclilf. proprietor... Indications that the River Avon is resuming its place in popular favour for pleasure boating are given by the numbers to be seen in boats and canoes (states the Christchurch Press). The pleasure boat sheds neat the Montreal street bridge have resumed operations, and with the sheds at the- Hospital bridge, are doing good business. An unusual sight in recent times ia the appearance of pleasure boats as far down stream as the Bridge of Remembrance. There’s a saving on every purchase made with us. —A F Cheyne and C 0... Victoria, like New South Wales, is this year lamenting the almost complete wreckage of her fruit crop (says a Melbourne paper). Normally the southern State produces anything between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 cases of apples. _ This year's crop, it is estimated, will sink to about 450,000 cases, which means that the popular Jonathan will be about worth its weight in gold on the market. The pear crop also will be much reduced, and the berry fruits the lightest for years. This ravage has been caused by thrip, which seemingly has made a Commopweaith invasion this dry year. A Victorian orchardist, at a conference to talk matters over, dropped the remark that, “if he killed a million pests with spraying, seven millions more attended the funeral ” Country Shopkeepa.s.— We supply the finest Smallpnods obtainable, at special rates. Inquiries solicited.—Barton and Trengrove. Manse street. Dunedin... A striking instance of the influence the old Te Whiti faith exercises over its few remaining adherents among the' Maori race was revealed (savs the Taranaki News) when it transpired on the death of an old Maniopoto chief that he was in the habit of carrying about £2OOO in notes in a belt round his waist. The money was the proceeds of the sale of land through the Maori Land Board, and during the last 18 months payments have been made to the old man from time to time amounting to between £3OOO and £4OOO. He clung firmly to the Te Whiti-ite objection to banks and hoarded the whole amount in his belt, to the knowledge, perhaps fortunately. of only his immediate friends and relatives. Furniture at less than town prices.— A. F. Cheyne and Co., Mosgiel... That the tourist possibilities of the longdelayed direct road between Blenheim and the West Coast have already attracted attention far afield is shown by the fact (states the Marlborough Express) that _ the Progress League has ' received inquiries from a San Francisco tourist organisation asking whether the road is yet open for traffic. It would be a good advertisement for the Public Works Department to reply that work on the road has been in hand for something like, 14 years, during _ which time six miles of unmetalled _ formation has been done, a bridge repaired, a short bridge erected, and another commehced. Possibly the grandchildren of present-day tourists will be able to use the road. Obanism: The quality of Oban 'draft whisky is so favourably known that over the counter and country orders Oban draft whisky is invariably specified; in quarts, pints, large and small flasks. Sample, 8 nips, 25.-—Oban Hotel... The great bells for the Marlborough War Memorial Clock Tower have arrived at Wellington from the bellfounders, the famous firm of Taylor and Co., of Loughborough, England, and the clock, which is being amnufactured by Messrs Littlejohn, and Co., of Wellington is nearing completion. Messrs Littlejohn and Go. are anxious to exhibit the bells and clock in Wellington, prior to their shipment to Blenheim, and the Wax Manorial Committee has agreed to this being done (report* the Express). In the meantime, the construction of the stone tower to house the clock and bells is proceeding very slowly, the work having been delayed through a variety of causes, but it is hoped to speed things up so that the memorial may be unveiled on Anzac Day. “Jones.” —The most efficient and reliable Domestic Sewing Machine ever offered to a discerning public. The British-made “Jones,” with beautifullyfinished drop-head stand in Real OakPrice 14 guineas. N.Z. Agents; Glendermid (Limited). 18 Dowling street, Dunedin... To post a letter without a stamp may not be a very grave offence, but to expect to get it back agai:. some hours later in order to affix the forgotten tribute to his Majesty’s revenue, is unpardonable in these days of speedy mail despatch, especially at a chief post office like Palmerston North. It was a shocked official, therefore, who, during the recent holiday rush when the counter was banked six deep received a request from a flurried young damsel for the return of an epistle posted stampless earlier in the morning. This calls to mind an incident that happened in the early days of a small post office adjacent to Palmerston North, and vouched for as true. In this case a girl with a note, from her mother, asked for the return of a letter posted three days previously, as she had forgotten the postscript. Save your eyes. Consult Peter G. Dick, D.8.0.A.. F. 1.0. (London), optometrists. Peter Dirk, and opticians, 490 Moray place (opp. City Hotel)... “The property business has just passed through a very successful year, and, judging by the early inquiries, 1927 promises to be equally profitable.” These we*e the remarks of a Timaru property agent, who emphasised his statement by saying that in one week last month he had sold six houses; two sections, and one farm, the majority of which were cash sales. In reviewing' the vear’s business he stated to a Herald representative that the demand even surpassed expectations. _ Houses most sought after ranged in price from £BOO to £I2OO. 'and it was surprising the amount of cash that could be paid. Farms bad been very slow during the year, and this also applied, for some reason unknown, to sections, which did not_ sell as readily as was expected. He said that already this year, there was keen inquiry for property. and houses, ©specially up to £I2OO, were in great demand. . Precise. Prompt, Prescription Service, at Waters’ Pharmacy. 20 Princes street... ’ “While it is difficult to form sound impressions on a first visit to a districts I can sav T was favourably impressed with the country, particularly in ” - Marlborough portion near Blenheim,” remarked the Hon. Tv. S. Williams. Minister of Public Works, when asked his views the route of the South Island Main Trunk line, which he had traversed. The Minister considered that the hill country was carrying splendid feed for stock, out as he got down to the Clarence River he began to be impressed with the difficulty likely to be encountered bov the railway engineers hi their efforts to find a good route to connect the existing lines. He mentioned that surveys are still going on with a view to ultimately submitting _to him a complete report on the position, with a close estimate of the cos’ We have the finest range of silk stockings in the city from 2e lid, 3s lid, 4s lid, Gs lid. up to 17s 6d pair, in black white and 45 different new shades.—T Ross, 130 Princes street. Dunedin... An institution of great value to the community will in all probability come into being in Gisborne shortly in the form of a. body of volunteer fire police. The depredations caused by sneak thieves at fires, and the loss of valuable roods which could have been salvaged, has led the Gisborne Fire Board to consider the inauguration of a police force (states the Times), and at the next board meeting arrangement© will be made to call a public meeting to discuss the matter and call for volunteers. The scheme at present outlined provides for the division of the town into sections with ono man tationed in each, and it will be the duty of that man to answer all calls within his block; for large conflagrations the whole force will require to turn out. Their duties wil be te supervise salvage operations, and to restrict the activity of thieves, ind while the brigadesmen are concentrating on the fire they will keep the crowds back. It is hoped to have the force formed bv the end of next month, and thev will he given special badges and granted full authority to carry out their duties. Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full ot rye. . ' Mum has put some Hitchona bacon in the rabbit pie. When the pie was opened we all began to sing— Hitchon’s is the bacon sure to set before the king...