GENERAL NEWS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9150, 20 May 1908, Page 7

GENERAL NEWS.

A small snake, measuring about seven indies in length, and about an inch in girth, was discovered in a case of pineapples received from Queensland, by Mrs Barry, of Carterton.

Notes for women in a contemporary include the information that “a vessel‘of cold water placed under the head of a restless sleeper will give quiet and relief.” Unfortunately no information is given as to the method of applying the remedy in practice. “Here you are, now, bound in White calf,” exclaimed Mr A. L, Wilson, in recommending a parcel of books at a recent sale. “Calf,” sneered a lawyer, good-naturedly. “It’s linen. You’re the calf.” “And yqu’re the cow to-day,” replied Mr Wilson, “and I’m milking you.” The retort was received with a roar of laughter and received its pecuniary reward also.

The “monogram” waistcoat, with buttons containing miniature photographs, is the latest thing in Chicago. The monogram of the owner is worked over the breast pocket, while the buttons can be made to represent the members of one’s family. On Wednesday Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., when sitting at Lyttelton, ordered a £lO note stolen by a fireman and cashed by a publican to be restored by the publican to its rightful owner. On Thursday Mr Hunt pointed out to the Magistrate that the note was a “negotiable instrument,” and the publican could not be deprived of the rights he acquired under it. He cited authorities in order to substantiate this contention. The Magistrate said that one was inclined to overlook like this, and he was afraid he had done so on Wednesday. He would, however, consider the matter, and until he gave his decision he ordered the money to be impounded.

Some caustic remarks about the manner in which the Agricultural Department is carrying out its inspection were made to a Gisborne Times reporter by a Poverty |Bay orchardist. Said he: “The inspectors seem to be very active i i. some respects and very dilatory in others. The man who grows the Lawton berry is hauled up to Court—that is, if to be an Opposition supporter—whilst those who allow the common blackberry to spread over the land are not interfered With. Then the codlin moth has taken charge of our orchards, but nothing is being done to cope with the pest During the season just closed I sprayed seven times and had a splendid crop of apples, but none of my neighbours did, and the result was that, sitting on my veranhdah at sundown, I could see hundreds of moths coming over the fences to my orchard, thus undoing all the work I had done. If the department does not take steps to compel all those having orchards to take proper steps to deal with the various pests, we shall soon have no fruit at all.” There was a discussion at the Farmers’ Conference at Hawera as to the advisability of railway trucks sent to flag stations to be loaded having cards affixed bearing the names of the persons ordering them. Mr Jones (Patea) in submitting a motion to this effect, related a somewhat amusing incident. He had ordered a truck to forward a quantity of seed to Napier. This arrived, and the .seed .was duly loaded. Imagine his surprise when a week later he received a letter asking what jokes he was playing. Inquiries followed., and he ascertained that another farmer, who was desirous of consigning a supply of potatoes, thinking the seed had been forwarded to the district, unloaded the truck, carried the seed into the shed, and trucked his potatoes. Mr Jones had, however, received the firsi~. consignment note. The (potatoes had been despatched to Napier, the seed still being stored in;the shed.

Sir Joseph Ward seems to have haen deluged with demands for money on the West Coast. At Ross, for instance, the Mayor and members of the Borough Council, all of whom, apparently, made speeches, placed the following subjects of requests before the Prime Minister: — The Ross railway and the need of carrying tne line.lnto Ross; flooring the storm -channel; deviation of Donoghues road ; Bold Head'road extension, Koiterangi track: Big Wanganui River bridge; Waitaha railway extension; Totaa road improvement ; Veronica track improvement ; Recreation Ground extension ; expenditure of Courthouse vote; verandah for railway station ; and a new post office. “I will endeavour to spare you a portion of the surplus,” said Sir Joseph, ‘‘but you can’t have all of it.” He gave some hopes in regard to a verandah for, the railway station. He stated that there were more than 1200 railway stations in New Zealand without verandahs, ‘‘but here,” he added, ‘‘yon have a wet climate, and the case is worthy of consideration. ’ ’