LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 554, 3 August 1920, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Southdown and Horotiu Freezing Works are closing down until further notice. Breeders of cattle and dairyfarmers are directed to an advertisement in this issue intimating that t sale of pedigree stock 'is to be held at about the end of September. Entries are invited, and the promoters particularly wish it to be understood that the sale is not confined to Jerseys or Shorthorns, but includes pedieree? (only) of all breeds.

New Zealand Freemasonry will De represented at the celebration of the centenary of the establishment of the craft in New South Wales, ivhich will take place this month. Mr. H. J. Williams, of Wellington, and a past grandmaster of New Zealand, has been deputed by the present grandmaster to act as his representative at the function, and has left for Sydney.

From what were, as far as our knowledge serves, unique causes, a fire was caused in a local chemist's shop to-day, in the premises belonging t.i Mr. R. G. Fear, King St., Pukekoho. Mr. Fear had one oi tiiosc large transparent glass jars called ''carboys'' standing in his window front. This was full of a coloured liquid, as is usually the case with these vessels. The sun's rays playing on the vessel were concentrated on to one spot behind, as happens with a lens, or the ordinary magnifying glass that we are all familiar with. The result was that a curtain running icross the back was set alight, tnd was just beginning to flare up when a passer-by informed the owner of the outbreak. Had this peculiar ru.ppennin» occurred during a week-end when the premises were closed a disastrous fire might have swept away a hvgo block of ousiness buildings adjacent to Fear's Pharmacy. It is an example of how easi'y a lire may be generated, and a warning that one cannot be too careful. We have never heard of a similar .use, either in the Dominion or beyond.

Attention is drawn to the screening of two attractive features at the I'remier Hall to-morrow (Wednesday) 6vening. Advt.