Shannon News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1923.

Shannon News, 4 September 1923, Page 2

Shannon News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1923.

A meeting of the Borough Council will be held this evening. Mr and Mrs Gillotit are leaving Shannon in a fortnight, to take up their residence in Rotorua..

Following are the vital statistics in Shannon for the month ending August 31st'Births 6, deaths 1, marriage 1. Mr c. Parsons, ,who has resigned from the staff of the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand and is leaving for England shortly, will he succeeded by Mr Wallace, of Levin.

A soccer match will be held on the Recreation Grounds on. Saturday next between teams from Shannon and Foxton.

During the month of August rain fell in Shannon, om eleven days, giving a total of 1.78 inches. The heaviest day’s irain was .61’ inches on the 4th. Last year 5.84 inches fell on 16 days. A'football match took place in the Recreation Ground on Saturday between Shannon and Mangore teams, and resulted in a win for the former by five points to nil. a. try scored by Buckmaii, which was converted by T. Napier. In. the evening a smoke concert was held in the Druids’ Hall and was largely attended. On Saturday afternoon as a party of men employed on the transmisr sion line at Marionoto road were coming to Shannon on a motor lorry the vehicle capsized. The lorry got out of control and struck the side of the hank and turned completely over landing again on its wheels. All the occupants jumped clear. The only damage of any consequence to the lorry rvas the wrecking of the cab. A start is being made to-day with the erection of poles for the electric lighting of Shannon. The officer for the installation of electric lighting will be visiting Shannon in the course of a week or two to interview residents re installing lights, when he will give all particulars as to cost 'and installation. • Shannon is to be the first place to havie the lights and it is hoped there will be a ready response from, residents, to beoomie connected up. Last evening a meeting of supporters of the Sports Queen for the conning Queen Carnival was held in the Council Chambers. Mr Grinistone presided. Arrangements were fully gone into in respect, to running the Queen and a programme was drawn up for the campaign.. It.was decided that their colours be yellow and black. On the motion of Mr Hardie it was decided that the Fibre Queen’s Committee be approached with a view t,o running a boxing tournament between the two committees on a, 50-50 basis all round. It was agreed that the fo] lowing, be a remit to th'e executive meeting “That the carnival commence immediately following the executive meeting, instead of on September 11th, as previously decided.”

In this issue Harold Hook announces he has just, landed watches and clocks of all descriptions at prices that will suit all pockets. Included is a line of genuine railway levers and ladies’ gold 1 wristlet watches, which he is offering at. a remarkable low price. Inspection is invited.

The inspectors, are. visiting the school to-day. A start has been made with the work of laying down, the four new tennis courts in Vance street for the local Tfennis Club. Mr Elsinore, of Palmerston North, has the contract. A general quarterly meeting of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce will be held in the Council Chambers on Thursday evening next when matters of considerable public importance ] will be dealt with. Satisfactory progress is being made with the croquet lawn that is being laid down by the Bowling Club. The bowling memibers. are also working hard on their green and the grounds should be in tip-top order for the opening of the season. A great two-star programme will be screened a.t the local theatre on Friday next and patrons will have the opportunity of seeing the Universal special, “Human Hearts,” and also the Paramount feature starring Wallace Reid in “The Hell Diggers.” On Thursday evening a motorist proceeding along the Miranui road in the direction of Palmerston North, , mistook the turning at Kingston road corner, with the result that before he could pull up the car struck the Power Boalrd’s poles lying oin the roadside, smashing one of the Wheels and doing minor damage to the car. The building trade in Shannon at the present time is busy. The new residence for Mr J. V. Burns in Vogel street is nearly completed while Mir Vfiale’s residence in Stafford street and the two-storey building in Ballance street are both well under way. Plans are also out for sev- : eral other new buildings. The* annual refresher training for territorials and senior cadets of Shannon was to commence at the Recreation grounds yesterday morning, but only five youths turned up and as it is necessary to have at least sixteen present, the drill was not gone on with. The annual week’s drill will now be postponed until a date in the New Year. This is a busy time of the year on the farms, and as practically all the youths are either engaged in farm work, at the flaxmills, oir Mlangahao hydro works, it was unwise on the part of the Defence authorities to lattempt to hold an instruction; week here 'at this time of the year. In other places, we understand, the employers are consulted as to the suitability of the dates of these 1 drills. Fishermen report' a scarcity of schnapper along the coast, the fish being few and of the “old man” variety.

City clerks and other office workers are earning good wages as bricklayers in New York; they iare being trained at the Y.M.C.A., where classes are also held in plastering and other building operations. A'visitor to Australia was greatly impressed with the difference in the price of beef in New 'Zealand and what the same quality brings in Sydney and Melbourne. Beasts sold here at from £lO to £l2 brought from £23 12s 6d to £2B on the other side. A tombstone erected near Hamburg Pennsylvania, is a reminder to motorists of the danger of careless driving 1 . The stone, which .is about four feet high, has the word “dangerous” at the top. A' skull and crossbones appear above the ominous words: “Fourteen miles to the nearest hospital.’*

The Matamata. Rugby Union recently hired a private train, consisting ol an engine and passenger coach and a guard’s van, to convey the Matamata representatives from: Hamilton t.o Matamata. The guard said that in his 17 years’ experience this was the first time footballers had hired a, special train. About 60 passengers made the trip. The cost to the union was £2l. A charge of 5s each was levied on supporters who accompanied the team.

The public schools have their own special codes of honour. It was at ai famous school that the headmaster, taking a late evening walk, noticed a boy who, contrary to the rules, was out for a walk too. The hoy took to his heels, and the master gave chase, just succeeding in grasping and tearing off a coat-tail. Thinking to identity the culprit by his torn coat, the master had all the boys in the form paraded for inspection next morning. But every coat had a coat-tail missing!

A writer in an American journal says he has received several letters from correspondents who dispute the statement that the following two actual newspaper sentences are both correct and mean the same thing:— (1) “At the time of the collision the pilot wais in charge of the ship.” (2) “At the time of the collision the ship was in chairg'e of the pilot.” The verbal battle over this thrilling question was still unfinished according to the latest files.

It is sometimes noticeable at competitions that in certain classes there is occasionally a run on. one particular favourite in the singing section, own selection. This was the case at the Wellington competitions last week. In the English folk song class no less than five out. of twenty-five competitors chose “On the Banks of Allan Water,” “Home sweet Home” coming next in popularity, being selected by three. “Arrow c nd the Song” found two . competitors, and “Lass with the Delicate Air” two.

Very few are aware that frost fish have been caught on a line, therefore the following from the Otago Times is interesting. A few years ago a frost fish was cgught on a line in Blueskin Bay in summer time, and another was caught in Lower portobello Bay in a seine net on a December evening in the 80’s. In years past frost fish were very frequently found on the foreshore of the harbour in winter time. Nowadays, frost fish are far less plentiful, and, in fact., they are seldom found in the harbour. It bias been suggested that many steamers passing out and into the harbour may be a contributory cause. The best time for finding frost flsh( it is said, is when a. mild morning succeeds two or three days of bard frost.

The effect of the steady shipment of fat cattle to Australia is making itself felt locally. The local butchers to-day advanced the price of prime joints of beef in sympathy with the higher stock values ruling. The County Engineer, Mr W'. N. Anderson, yesterday commenced a preliminary survey of the suggested . Koputaroa-Buckley road, with a view to ascertaining the cost and practicability of the route. Mr Anderson will prepare a report on the subject, which will come before the County Council at an early meeting. On the retirement of the Rev. W. Beatty from the charge of St. Mark’s parish, Remuera, Auckland, it was decided, on the recommendation of Bishop Averill, t,o purchase, a home

.-■in which Mr and Mrs Beatty might spend the remainder of their lives. The proposal has. met with such, a liberal response from all classes that the vestry has been able to obtain a house. “I think that the Kopane district would be eminently suited to the growing of peaches, raspberries and gooseberries, provided that attention is paid to shelter,”- stated Mr J. W. Whelan,, Government orchard instructor, to a Palmerston reporter. He added that the commercial growing in the Manawatu of loganberries,.raspberries and gooseberries was markedly on the increase.

A farmer in the Waimate district who had 70 acres in wheat and oats last year, found himself £3O out of pocket, when all expenses of production, threshing chaTges, etc.. had been paid. This is one of the reasons why the dairying and sheep farming industries are making such a forward move in the wheat districts at the present time. A traveller tells the story of a visit he made to Greymouth (states the Westport News). On 'arrival there he engaged a conveyance to take him and his. luggage to an, hotel. The owner of the car took him some considerable distance and finally landed him at his destination,, charging him 5s for doing so. Later, he was chag- . rined to find Jhat the railway station was just over the roadi from this hotel.

Tuesday last was a “red letter” day in the history of the Presbyterian Church of Waikato, for two local members of that body were solemnly set apart as missionaries for the foreign . field—Dr. Harold Turbptt for China, and Miss Dorothy Mathew, daughter of Senior-Sergeant Mathew, of Hamilton, and a niece of the veteran missionary (Mrs A. E. Henderson), for India.

, A novel position arose at the annual meeting of the Tuna Dairy Company when a ballot was held for the election of four directors, six candidates being nominated. A draw was announced between the chairman (Mr W. Skedgwell) and Mr R. Alward. A second ballot -also resulted in a draw, upon which both the nominees offered to withdraw, it being felt that the casting vote of the chairman should not be/taken, as he was one of the contestants. Mr Skedgwell finally decided to stand down, after having been a director of the company for eighteen years.

The* present unseasonable weather with the consequent;late spring, is finding out those dairy farm'ers who* have not made adequate provision for the spring months. In many instances cows, have come through, the winter in excellent condition, but calving early, with bare pastures to run on, and no extra feed, have within a few days dropped away in com dition to such an extent as to seriously affect their production for the early part of the season. A number of local fanners, notably in the Koputaroa district, have "useful crops oJ »reien oaits for the newly calved cows and the difference in the appearance of the stock in these cases should 'be sufficient to convince all dairymen ot the advisability of making similar provision.

The market for good killable cattlt is a steadily improving one, thanks mainly to the good demand from. Australia, Christchurch, and more particularly from Auckland. There are reported to be standing orders from Auckland for cattle at 30 s per 100 lbs. Although good prices have been made in Christchurch, the northern market finds more favour with local producers, because the cattle are bought in the paddock, and can be railed without the bother and risk entailed by shipping.

The Prince of Wales, who has just entered his 30th year, is the fiist direct heir, for some tune, to the Throne to reach that age unmarried. King Edward was married at 21, and King George at 28. Queen Victoria was not quit© 21 when she was married, William IV. was 53 when he married and George IV was 33, though there are many people who believe in his secret marriage with Mrs Fitzherbert some years earlier. George 111. married at 23, and his. father, who was Prince of Wales, but not King, at 29.

A correspondent writes to a contemporary that when travelling on a Californian coastal steamer she noticed that both olive oil and olives were placed on the table at even m.eai, a little olive oil being poureo on the foods with a dash ot vinegar. It was mentioned that the regular use of this oil prevented consumption, and also that the fact of the lavish use of oil in Italy, Greece,- and among the Jewish residents ol' these countries made them free, to 1 a large extent, from rheumatism and appendicitis. When the writer returned from California she secured a gallon each of the best French and Italian oil, and used it freely on the food of her children, with the result that from being rather delicate, that they were strong and healthy, with a good colour. The writer considers that U oil was generally used in New' Zealand there would he a much higher standard of health attained. She also remarks that California having, the same latitude as Auckland, has a great number of olive trees, which are a valuable asset. The_advice is given that either French or Italian brands of oil should be used only, as they are the most palatable.

Statistics show that the. favourite marriage age in England is 24 for men and 21 years for women. Dame Fashion (says a London journal) has decreed that handkercuieis are to become oval. Over 800 motors for milking machines in the Waikato are now being operated lrom the Horohora power station. For some time the N.Z. Farmers’ Union has advocated the withdrawal of the regulation requiring the appointment oi an agent mr every telephone line. The Postmaster-Geii-erar has informed the Dominion Secretary (hat provision is now being aiiio.de. lor the- acceptance oi rentals direct from the individual members of a party telephone line. We are asked to draw attention to the .opossum-taking regulations which prohibit the sale of skins until they have been officially marked in Wellington t.o show that the royalty of one shilling per skin has been paid. The clause reads: “No person shall dispose of opossum skins by gift, sale, or otherwise howsoever unless such skins bear the official mark, and no person shall dispose of opossum skins for gain unless sold to or' by a licensed broker.” Heavy penalties are provided for a breach of the regulations.

What is perhaps the greatest memorial in all the world is fast nearing completion—the Lincoln Highway across the United States. This highway has a minimum width ol sixty feet. It reaches from New York city on the east, across the continent to San Francisco, on the west; and quite a crowd gathered in New York the other day as the engineers were erecting-a: signpost at one of the down town comers. The hand on the sign was pointing west and it read: “Lincoln Highway: To San Francisco 3384 mil-es.” Truly a worthy memorial to the man who the average American looks upon as the greatest man of his race. Among the very earliest residents of Oamaru were twin brothers named Fraser. They were so much alike (relates the North Otagoi Times) that it was impossible to tell one from the other. The brothers owned a schooner named “The Twins,” which they used for whaling purposes. Sandy Fraser, having obtained a full cargo of oil, took his vessel to Nelson to try and dispose of it. He was unable to do so for a time. But be conceived the novel idea of buying up all the candles he could lay hands on and storing them on the schooner. In a few days Nelson was in darkness, and Sandy succeeded in selling his oil at his own price, and the candles afterwards.

Although much of the mortality among new-born lambs is .attributable to hawks, on rare occasions seagulls have been known to participate in the killing. An instance of this has been reported by a farmer who recently purchased a portion of the Highden Estate. Quite recently he discovered lambs which had been attacked!, -amdi on watching, discovered that seagulls were the culprits. On this particular farm, six lambs have been destroyed in. this fashion by these birds and it appears that such destruction should immediately warrant the removal of the protection. Hawks have always been fair gamie, and 'acclimatisation societies, until recently, always ptaid premiums for their feet. Perhaps the societies could move in the direction of getting the protection on seagulls lifted.

The Palmerston Times reports a minor tragedy: The tarring operations in Cuba, street caused a pedestrian yesterday to use 'words that linotype machines are not allowed to make. A nice, thick, shiny coat of tar had been applied to the sloping side surface of the roadway, waiting for a deluge of sand. The pedestrian mentioned decided to make a short cut to the other side of the. street, and accordingly planted a foot . gingerly upon the blackened road. But the incline was his downfall, and his feet*, shooting backwards, he came with some force into contact with the road. When he was able to stand upright once more, he presented a. laughable spectacle, being covered from head to foot with tar. It is believed that insult, will be added to injury through the borough proceeding against the unfortunate mortal for removing borough" property.

Many people who write out cheques 'are labouring under the impression that st long as they place upon them the words “not negotiable” they have secured all Uhe protection necessary, and, in fact, ihat .the cheques are properly crossed. As a matter of fact, unless the words appear between two parallel lines the crossing is not complete. The lines are absolutely essential, and are in themselves sufficient protection. When the words “Not negotiable” appear the banks have merely to assume that the person drawing the cheque de : sired it to be crossed. A number of offices which use patent writing machines issue cheques with “Not negotiable” printed neatly, bu!t -the machine does not draw' the lines. .therefore the value is lost unless the person drawing the cheque remembeis 10 add the essential marks.

A large and curious crowd gathered around the end compartment of a first class bird-cage carriage on the express at Dunedin last Tuesday morning, the reason being that, the two prisoners who received each a term of seven years’ imprisonment at the recent criminal sittings were m the compartment, bound for Paparua prison. The ex-missionary, Lmd, took an affectionate farewell of his. wife and children on tbe platform, while several people shook hands with trie ex-chemist. Inside tbe compartment the two sat for a ->vhile with the blinds up,, but a few minutes before the train started the ex-missionary shut himself out from tbe crowd bv pulling down tbe blind, un the other hand, the ex-chemist, preferred to look out. of his window, and when the train moved off numerous hand-waves were directed toward him, the reply being a wave of bis handkerchief!