Shannon News FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1923.

Shannon News, 2 March 1923, Page 2

Shannon News FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1923.

The Moutoa School children,; with beaming smiles and spirited songs, left for Foxton beach this morning on their annual picnic. Weather conditions are ideal for the outing, and. a most enjoyable picnic is assured.

Recently a number of orchards about Tokomaru have been visited by persons, who' have not been content with taking the fruit, but have done considerable damage to the trees. The matter has been reported to the police, who have been investigating, aryl more will probably be heard ot it.

A grand Scotch concert will be held in the Maori land Theatre on Tuesday, March 27, to iaise lunds towards the Soldiers’ Memorial. It is the .intention of the promoters to give the public a treat., arrangements having been made to secure some- of the best talent in the district.

■ The secretary of the Manawatu A. and P. Association has received advices from the headmasters of Wanganui College School and Te Aule Native College to the effect that they are again willing to play the annual footha li matches at the national 'dairy show on June 2b next.

Bunnythoipe is losing one of its best known residents, Mr G. H. Espiner, hedmaster of the school, a position he has held for the past 40 years. Mr Espiner is retiring in May of this year, and with his wife and family will reside in Palmerston.

Some time ago, the New Plymouth Borough Council lor warded a protest to the Valuer-General concerning a charge of £342 12/ made lor the revision ol the. valuation roil lor 192122. That official replied to tire Council last night that this sum represented the proportion provided by the regulations. A close inspection of land and improvements had been necessary, and, in addition to the cost of revaluation, the charge included a share of the expenses incurred in the preparation, of plans and field books, the- typing of notices to owners and occupiers, advertising, postage and binding, assessment of court expenses, and. the recording of transfers during the year. The items in the account had been carefully checked. “Extortionate,” commented seve- j ral councillors, .

The Manawatu-Oroua River Board has appointed Mr F. G. Hay, of Wellington, resident, engineer. The,geyser Pohutu, after a lengthy period of inactivity—five months—has again resumed business, says the Rotorua paper. Title geyser gave a good display on Wednesday and again on Thursday. The possible reason for this resumption, ft Ts’"suggested, is to be found in the intelligent blocking oi steam vents which , were dissipating 'the geyser’s force.

Aage, eldest son of Prince Valdemar of Denmark' who is brother to Queen Alexandra of Britain and uncle of King Christian' of Denmark, left Copenhagen recently to take a commission in the French Army in Morocco. He has given a frank and outspoken interview regarding the family fortunes. There is, says Prince Aage, absolutely no possibility of his remaining in Denmark', as he lost the whole of his fortune in the Llandmand’s Bank catastrophe, and his father is unable to help him, because he also lost heavily. Now he and his 'brothers, he says, have only what tliey can earn, and it would be' impossible for him to live on the wages of a captain in Denmark. His brother, Prince. Erik, is now. working in a Canadian dairy. The Prince coficfuded philosophically: “It is a remarkable situation, but nothing to lose courage over. We must take the bad with the good.”

A very pleasant party was spent at Mr J.'W. Murray’s residence on Wednesday evening, when■■ several"of Mrs Murray’s friends gave a surprise party to Mrs Murray, the occasion being that, lady’s' birthday. A roost enjoy able time was spent in music, cards, etc. Mr Watterston, in an appropriate) speech, took the opportunity of wishing; on behalf of the company, birthday greetings to Mrs Murray, and after Mr Murray had suitably responded, the gathering was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”

In connection with the Tennis Club's art union .to raise funds for the new courts, Mr Bums, ,the secretary, reports that the art union books have been sent out, and the response already received points to their effort being a great success. The annual picnic of the Children the Methodist Sunday School was held on Mr Byers’ farm on Wednesday, in beautiful weather, when there was a very large attendance ,of children and their parents. The arrangements, which were in the hands of the Sunday School Committee and ladies, left nothing'wanting. A most happy time was spent by the young folk in games, races, scrambles, etc. Lun-

cheon and tea were served, there being a plentiful supply of good things, which were much/appreciated by the children. During the afternoon the opportunity was-taken by the Rev. Minifie, on behalf of the Sunday School scholars, to make a presentation to Mr Chapin an, teacher of the Bible class, who is about to return to England, of a greenstone and gold pendant and greenstone and silver pen, as a token oi the higlf regard in which he is held by the scholars. In doing so, Mr Minifie referred in eulogistic terms to the good work done by Mr Chapman in connection' with the Sunday School, stating they were all sorry he was leaving them. Mr Chapman suitably replied. Advance, Shannon! seems to he the cry just now’, and with that end in view a number of ratepayers contemplate calling a meeting for the purpose of forming a. Ratepayers’ Association. All ready live boroughs now have such associations, and by the formation of one in Shannon a big step in life right- direction will -have been taken. Ratepayers other than councillors will have a better opportunity of voicing their opinions oil borough matters; and councillors will receive great encouragement when they know they are supported in certain measures l>y such a strong body of citizens. A noiiee appears elsewhere convening a meeting on-Thurs-day next at- 8 p.m. In the Parish Hall. Any lady ratepayers who cannot attend may be represented by her husband.

Commenting on the tail in wool prices of id to Ud per lb over the January rates, the Post says the fact t that within the month of February j buyers have been expected to- absorb in New Zealand 140,000 bales, more than a quarter of a whole clip, may have something to do with the fall. In January an offering in Wellington oI 25,000 bales was made, and a good clearance effected. In February the sale is made. - a two-day fixture, with a catalogue of 30,000 bales. Buyers, j seeting that there was plenty of wool, j naturally seized anything in the nature of over-supply, and prices receded' accordingly. It was a cuse of the operation of the law of supply, and demand, and evidently the former was’ in excess- of the latter. Grow-, us’ ideas ol values were far beyond what the bench of buyers were prepared to go, with- the result that ietums will be much below what the producers counted on.

To test how far tie travelled during a football match, Mr R. Ermion (the referee) carried a speedometer- in, the Rugby Cup final ,at Headingley. It registered ,250 yards short, of seven miles.

The Foxton Borough Council has appointed Gr. Alex. Ross to fill vacancy, on the Horowhenua-Electno Power Board, caused the resignation of Mr' Whibley. It is understood that, the promoters of a Conservatorium of .Music ni Cliristchurch are in negotiation with M. Skalski, of Sydney,who- succeeded M. Verbrugghen as conductor oi the New South Wales State ■Orchestra, tq take up his residence, in Christchurch as head of the ConseOatorium.

Miss Bosnia Buckinan ; gave < her final concert in New‘.mam.:d at Hastings on Tuesday nigm. -Bfie leaves lor Europe from AliokmaU on ■■March 6.

“What are the health' resorts oi New Zealand?”, was a ./question in the test examination for the third -stum dard at the" Mayfield . (Ashburton) school (relates the Ashburtom Guardian). The following answer was given by a-girl pupil:, “Tire health to-, sorts of New Zealand are farming, cow-spanking, timber felling, flax milling 'and hunting.” The Wanganui IJoiougii Council has decided to have a function in connection with the opening of the power plant. “Will your, Worship turn it. on,” inquired one of tlid councillors, while the others' smiled mud wondered whether it was power that was referred 1 to.

A northern exchange says the riding oi P. Coleman at the motor races dt Takapurra on Saturday was «a revelation. His time in the mile event \vas-48see (or 75 miles, per hour). At the conclusion of thy 15-mi) es Heavyweight Championship of New Zealand Coleman was carried shoulder high in front of the grandstand,, where lie was presented with the championship cup and ribbon. He Won this race in the world’s record time of 12m 19s. In the six-mile race he, left the other competitors standing to* win in the almost unbelievable time- of 4min 49sec, which equals 48 l-6sec a lap. The Turakina Co-op/ Dairy Qo., Ltd., has been, advised that its consignment of cheese per Middlesex' has been sold at 129/ .per cwt, and per Port Victor at .133/ per cwt (l/2£ per lb). Cable advices state that the market has advanced, quotations being 130/ to 134/ for white cheese, and 130/ to 136/ for coloured. It is considered that prices have reached top.