Shannon News FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1923.

Shannon News, 14 September 1923, Page 2

Shannon News FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1923.

Arrangements are being made for a concert to be given by Devin talent in aid of funds for itiie Shannon quota for tbe Pearson Memorial Fund,

A short butt sharp shock of earthquake .was felt in Shannon at 9.56 a.m. on Wednesday. It wa s preceded by a rumbling sound and was severe enough to c-auise. buildings to rock, but fortunately no damage is reported. The funeral of the late Mr H.' Rex who was accidentally killed at Mangore on Monday blast took place at Shannon on Wednesday, a large number of his late workmates following his remains to their last resting place. A number of wreaths were placed on casket by Shannon residents. Rev. Mr Abbott conducted the service at the graveside. The adverse report of the County Engineer on the Buckley-Koputaroa roadi diversion, published in last issue of the News, caused great disappointmient in Shannon. A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce will be held this evening to discuss the report and consider the action that will be taken in the matter. A packed house greeted the performance of the Maori Concert Company at the Maori land Theatre last evening, and as a result the funds of the Soldiers’. Memorial Avill be considerably increased- There was not a dull moment, the performance being full of interest throughout. At the Hopital Board meetinigf at Palmerston North yesterday the new managing secretary, Mr Phillips was welcomed by Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., acting chairman, who said that if Mr Phillips could follow the lines adopted by Mr Fraser during that gentleman’s period of office with the Board, hie would give every success. Mr Phillips will take up his mew duties about September 17th. The fortnightly eyehue and dance held by the committee of the Anglican Church on Tulesday evening was well attended and a most pleasant evening was spent by those present. In the euchre tourney Miesdames Davis and Mudgwiay tied for first, prize in the ladies’ section, the former winning the cut, Mr IT. Buckman winning the gents’ prize. Mrs Merwood and Mr A. W. Robinson got the consolation prices. “In every hundred hoys there are about isix brilliant ones, about six rather dull and the others are average,” remarked Mr George Lancaster, headmaster of the Christchurch Boys’ High School. “Well, T Tike to look after the average boy, not only in the class Avork hut. in the sports.” He mode it clear that his policy was to improAne the average rather than to sleek special. lirnelif|ht for the school by giving more than a. fair share of. attention to the exceptionally clever lads. Some years ago Mr .T. p. Firth (formerly headmaster of Wellington College) ‘expressed similar opinions, when it. AVas complained that tine college wasi not av inning as many scholarships as some of the other 'secondarc schools. Mr Firth explained that others schools had a, habit of “pushing on” the brighter hoys. He merely stated his policy—and his record showed that, he acted- on it, to the advantage of the pupils in the aggregate.

On Friday week the famous production by W. D. Griffiths “The Orphans of the Storm,” will be screened. at the Maoriland Theatre. Members and supporters of the Public Works Cricket Club are reminded of the meeting to be held in thse institute to-morrow evening at 7 p.m.

The public are reminded of the grand ball in aid of the Catholic Church Fund, to be held in the Druids Hail Vhi’S levjening. Tile committee have been busy for some days making the necessary preparations and those who attend can, be assured of spending an enjoyable time. The floor is reported to be in good order. Smith’s orchestra has been engaged, so- nothing will be wanting as regards the music.

In converstion with a Wanganui Chronicle reporter, a well-known land agent stated that inquiries for purchase of farms now exceeded the demand. His firm had clients ready to negotiate to purchase, but holders preferred just at present to hold on. A position apparently indicative of a coming era of .prosperity in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. A dairy farmer once said that the mistake of his life had been that he had not travelled more and seen, how the best men. in the business managed their farms. “I lost ten times the money it would have cost me in blunders and unwise efforts that I need not have made.” He was right. There cannot be too. much interchange of opinions and experiences amongst farmers.

“Oh, no,” said the Sandon farmer to the, Feilding Star, /‘we do not plough three and four inches deep now. Most of the farmers p’ough seven to eight inches deep. This skimming over the surface is out. of date. When I took over my farm 20 years ago,. I started to plough deep, and had great trouble with the pan about four inches down which had been left through the light ploughing. It is different now. Deep ploughing is always done early, so that the; land may have time to sweeten. The deep ploughing is practiced for all branches of agricultural farming.” An amusing tribute to the efficacy of newspaper advertising i s paid by an officer of an insurance company who was visiting country agencies in the Auckland district. Included in' some advertisements published w:as a statement to the effect that “ashes are useless, but the company pays for them without delay.” With an eye to business, two. small boys, who evidently read the papers, collected and silted the household cinders. They appeared at the country agency bearing between them, a benzine tin filled with ashes; Their enterprise did not go unrewarded, as the company’s officer appreciated the joke.

Mr John, I. Fox, the organiser of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, has arrived in Levin to make preliminary arrangements for an organising tour throughout the district. In converfF,tion with our representative, Mr Fox stated : “I think at last the working dairy farmer is beginning to realise that unless he is well organised, he will be left behind. About a year ago we were looked upon as visionaries or dreamers. To-day we have created a union of 5000 members. Wherever I go. I impress on dairy farthers /the inevitable advent of competition which will have to be faced.”

We understand (says the Manawatu Standard) that at' caucus meetings of the Reform Party held in Wellington during! the recent session, tlie rank and file of the Parliamentary Party set up committees for the more effectual organisation of the party in general. Tlie 'Reform, Government organiser, Mr T. Lisle, has retired from the service of the party. His successor is said to be a gentleman well knoAvn in the Wairarapa, Avho is to take up his duties early next month. It is hoped by more vigorous action to re-establish, the party on its old footing, the GoAtemment being one of which its supporters have every reason to feel proud, as it is Avel] deserving of the confidence of the people generally.

Splendid Avork is being done by the special board set up lor the improvement of the Manawatu Gorge road. About la. mile of Avhat were the Avorst parts of the road have been transformed into a higirway giving ample room for two cars to pass: Instead of cutting away the bank, Avhich in the rotten rock of which the country consists, starts innumerable slips, the road has been built out on concrete pillars 12 x 12 inch square. A concrete retaining wall slopes inwards and downwards from these, to* the rock, the upper "portion of Avhich rises eighteen inches above the surface of the road to form a parapet. Rising above this again is a four foot railing composed of 6. x 6 inch hardAVOod uprights .with a' similar rail on top. As one of the motorists Avho Avent through from, Levin to Napier on Saturday, remarked “Soon there Avon’t. be a thrill left in the"old Gorge.”

In the course of an eloquent tribute to the late Mr J. E. Wilson, S.M., of Auckland, a i brother Magistrate, Mr E. G. Cutten, S.M., said the deceased gentleman had left a wife and family of ten. It seemed hard that he should he taken at the comparatively early age of 50, Avith many of his ‘family st|ill dependent. But it Avas a Avonderful tribute to hini to know his family, and to see the outcome of his example, influence and training, and it. might, be, it was not for his colleagues to knoAV that now the Avork he had to do in this world Avas finished, that he had built up forces that, without his presence, would carry on his influence for good, Avhile Ire was taken for higher work. But this 'thought though it might later be a consolation did not at present relieve the deep- sense of loss occasioned hv his death, concluded Mr Gut ten. ‘‘Our own sense of loss brings us to (an understanding of the loss felt by his Avife and family, and we oan only express to them our deepest sympathy.”

At tine Foxton Borough Council meeting attention was drawn to the. fact that people were in the habit of eating fruit in the main street and leading title skins on the footpath. One Councillor said that the Town Hall of a Saturday night was -also left in a state. Anything from peanuts toi pig-trotters could be found under ithe seats after the performance.

Misses Hannah and Eda Spiro, after gaining the first prize in the open piano duet at the Wellington Competitions on Tuesday evening, went to a broadcasting sitation in the city and pPayed t]he winning piece l , Liszt’s “Rhapsodic” No. 2, for transmission to Sydney. The playing was so much appreciated that a wireless promptly came back from Sydney for an encore, which was given. A Wanganui “Chronicle” reporter, during a perambulation of Halcombe, met Mr W. Monk, who, iad though 86 years of age, has just completed digging over a quarter of an acre section, and who said, he felt fit to repeat the task. He still possesses a retentive memory, and his reminiscences of olden times would fill a fair-sized volume. Mr Monk has been in New Zealand for over 82 years. Mrs Monk, who is still hale and hearty, has reached 75 years of age. The late Lord Plunket, when Governor of New Zealand, told a quaint

story of his distinguished relative; the Protestant Archbishop of Dublin. The celebrated prelate had a horror of paralysis. He sat on one occasion next to a duchess at dinner, and to her surprise suddenly exclaimed “It has come at last! I have been pinching my knee for half a minute and have no feeling In it whatever.” And the duchess replied: “Pardon me, your Grace — MY kneel” The recent spell of dry weather in Oamaru reminded ah old settler of a period about twenty years ago when a severe drought .was experienced (relates the North Otago Times). The farmers of Tokarahi adopted the novel idea of shooting at the clouds with a big gun. They were quite satisfied with their experiment, for rain fell almost immediately. It was a mere coincidence, of course, that rain also fell in other parts of the district. • Mr R. Cobbe, of Feilding, speaking on railway freights at the Dairy Frmers’ Union Conference, stated that, taking a 100 mile railway journey as a basis of comparison, the freight on butter in 1913 for that distance was 14s 7d per ton., and to-day was 37s 4J per ton—an. increase of 156 per cent. Mutton in 1913 carried over the same distance was "26s 3d end now 36s 9d per ton, an increase of 40 per cent, only. ' General merchandise had increased by 40 per cent., passenger rates by 25 per cent., but the dairy farmer had to pay the large increase simply because he lacked the organisation of the meat interests. For some time past rumour has been busy in Queensland racing circles (regarding the activities of stipendiary stewards in relation to the financial transactions of jockeys and I|ie impiression exists that- an effort is being made to trace a “master hand.” Certain jockeys have been asked to plrodulce 'their bank-books. It is well known that many get hansome presents at times trom persons who have good wins over (horses ridden by them, and there is no law in the land, racing or otherwise, to prevent jockeys accepting such presents. .The.demand for the production of jockeys’ bankbooks is of more than ordinary interest to pacing folk. It provides a striking example of the elasticity of the racing laws, and many consider it amounts' to undue interference with the liberty of the subject. The right of racing officials to pry into tlhe private financial dealings of jockeys is likely to be vigorously contested.

Til© Hon. Dr. Newman, writing of a survey of routes at" Tawa Flat suggested to hint by some country people and authorised by Sir William Fraser, says : “The engineers reported that, from a point some half-mile beyond Ngahauranga, by means of a tunnel some 60 or 70 chains long, -a new good level route could be obtained to Tawa Flat. When this route is made there will be a level road for all trains from the city to Plimmerton a great saving in the heavy costs of the Johnsonville route. The grade in the tunnel would be lin 100 —a practically level route. In Mr Seddon’s time it was proposed to avoid the heavy haul from Paekakariki to Pukerua by running the train at sea level from Paekakariki to Plimmerton.” This would effect a very considerable saving in the running costs of trams between Wellington and Paekakariki, and so secure a fairly level route up th© country as far as. Feildmg. The inauguration of the Tawa Flat deviation 'works is, therefore, of no little interest to the Manawatu people as, wijth its 'construction, it should be possible for the trains to make better running time between Wellington and Feildim®, and might also have the effect of cheapening freights. In Honolulu are two oi the finest picture theatres in the world, states a Palmerston North resident, who adds that no buildings of a like nature in New Zealand can compare with them'; One of the theatres, known as the Hawaii, had the interior decorations designed by one ol the leading artists in Paris, who was brought, to Honolulu for the purpose. The other theatre, the princess, is also a fine building and both were constructed to provide the greatest decree of comfort and convenience. Bach theatre possesses a. magnificent organ and, the performances each evening are of a very high class character. Mr Harold Clregson, the wellknown Auckland organist, played at the Hawaii theatre for several months this year and attracted large crowds, many people attending, not to see the pictures, but to listen to Mr Gregson’s playing. There was a. general regret when he left to return to Auckland at (the end of July. With reference .to the charge for admission to Honolulu’s picture palaces, pairons of the pictures in New Zealand are, in comparison, very much better treated and in this respect are much more favoured 1 .

A Masterton telegram says Mr D. Hebenton, secretary of the Wairarpa branch of the Farmers’ Union, to-day resigned in order to take up the position of organiser for the Reform Party.

A classic essay, lately immortalised in type in tne “Bulletin of the Chicago noard oi Education,’ Is’ about frogs, and was written by a young Norwegian. The essay runs: "What a wonueriul bird the nog are! When fie stand he sit, almost. When he hop ne tty, almost, ne ain’t got no sense, hardly. He ain’t got no tail, hardly, either; wnen he sit he sit on what he ain’t got, almost.”

In a report to the Minister lor Marine, Mr L. F. Ayson, chief inspector oi Fisheries, reports that quinnat salmon had made their way across Cook Srait. The body of a spent fisii was found in, tipe Pauoa River, South Wuirarapa. Mr Ayson says tue fact that a spent fish was found shows that a number spawned there last season. He expects to. hear soon, that qufniuat salmoni are running into Ruaniiahungp, ,and tributary rivers m the Wairarapa, and into the Hutt. River.

One of the officials at the Wellington Competitions had an amusing experience yesterday. He had been suffering from a severe cold, and, had exhausted his stock of linen handkerchiefs, so that he had to resort to silk ones. So he went to his bag, dived his hand in, and took what he believed to be a silk handkerchief. Reaching the bottom of the lift lie found it necessary to have recourse to his handkerchief, so dived his hand into his pocket, and pulled out —not a handkerchief—but a silk camisole belonging to' his wife! A hurried ehang.'e was soon made. Inspector George F/tar, with his stopwatch tuned to split fractions of seconds, took with him one of .the borough employee to St. John’s Hill (says the Wanganui Herald) there to trap a host of speeding motorists who would be on their way to the Mart on. races. George waited long

and anxiously, and although cars passed in scores, their rate of progress indicated a funeral procession rather than sports who were anxious to get a “bit’ on the first race. He could not undersitand this careful observance of the by-laws until a friend on a motor bike came along and imparted the interesting Intelligence that a notice board had been posted up in a conspicuous position at Westmere, to warn motorists that, tire inspector was on the alert. A series of prosecutions was to have be|en heard 'against certain members of the Kihikihi Town Board at Te Awairuuitu, for an alleged breach of the Public Bodies’ Contractors Act., 1908, authorising certain payments to Samuel Edwin Temple under the fictitious name of S. Davis, for work performed by Temple, who is a member of the Town Board. The prosecutions were instituted by the Audi-tor-General, who. claimed from each £2O and full costs, and from S. E. Temple himself the sums of £l3 15s, £ll ss, £l4 14s, £ls 12s, and £lB 19s 6d, the claim in each of the latter cases representing: a £lO penalty on the amount paid defendant by the Board. All the claims were paid into Court.

A remarkable motor accident occurred in Auckland last week. A motor car chassis on which a body had not been placed, was being driven' along the road at a fair pace. In some manner that is not quite clear, the clothes of the, driver became c'augiit in the driving shaft immediately behind his seat. He was jerked backwards,'and his frantic yell, as he disiapplearled, attracted the attention of a passer-by. The motor came to a standstill outside “CouirtvUle,” and when the first witnesses of the occurrence arrived on the scene, they found on the greund between the four wheels a gentleman in a perfect state of nature, bar a pair of boots and the ragged ends of his socks. Round the rapidly revolving shaft was tightly wound the rest of the unfortunate’s clothing. When he was pulled out-, garbed in an overcoat, and examined,-it was found that the extent of his injuries was confined to bruises. It wfas lucky that, the motor was stalled by the expeditious manner in which it disrobed its driver, and the car brought to a standstill. Bluff oysters enjoy a. far-famed attraction for visiting football teams and on Tuesday afternoon the members of tlie Wairarapa touring side paid a visit to the port. The team is is a young one, but their consumption of the luscious bivalve proved small in comparison with those of other parties. The record is reputed to be held by a well known -Wellington forward, who is said to have consumed 25 dozen in a very nonchallanftl 'manner u an-d ion 'tfie following day was one of the best players on the ;groute!. The record since the war stands to the credit of a prominent Lin wood and Canterbury rep., who lightened a. sack to the tune ol IS dozen. A Taranaki player accounted for 13 dozen last season, but tbe best individual effort m Ihe Wairarapa team stood at a modest five dozen. • , , The Wellington fruit brokers report: Weather conditions still continue favourable and for fancy grade quality we report a fairlv continuous demand at recent rates. The following prices are being secured for fancy sticker fruit. Apples (Delicious) according to size, 10s to 13s; Stunners, well coloured, 6s 6d to 8s; green, 4s 6d to os ?d; Doughertys, 6s to 7s; choice cooking varieties, 6s 6d to 7s 6d bushel; peais, Winter Coles, best sizes, 12s to 14s; jSTelis, 12s 6d to 13s 6d; Bariys 7s to 8s; Beurrc Diels, 6s-to 6s 6d; Vicars, 6s to 6s 6d bushel. Green vegetables are in demand. Cabbage, Savoys, -os; spring, 10» io 13k case; to 245; parsnips, 16s to 18s, carrots (voung) 18s to 20s; swedes, 0 s tolls, lettuce, 10s to 14s; pumpkins, 12s to 14s; marrows, 10s to 12s; - cueuiubon,, hothouse, 8s to 10s dozen; rhubarb, 16s to 18s dozen; eggs Is 2d to Is 3d, porkers, 7*d to 8d; potatoes, Dakotas, £ll to £ll ss; Melbourne onions, 9s 6<l to 10s cwt.; walnuts, prime bright, 8d to 9d lb; green peas, 4s 6d to 4s 8d peck; new potatoes, 7d to 74d lb; reds, 2!d to 3d per lb.