Shannon News FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1924.

Shannon News, 2 May 1924, Page 2

Shannon News FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1924.

Tlie vital statistics for Slmbnoii 'Sor the month ending 30th April are:— Births 5, deaths 1, marriages 2.

An, enquiry ait the railway station yesterday afternoon we were inf owned that it was expected the full railway service would again be running at the week end.

A committee consisting of the Mayor, Crs. Miurray, Hyde, Beard and Gunning has been set up to make arrangements for a function to mark the turning on of the electric light in Shannon.

A meeting of members and intending members of the Shannon Boxing Association will, be held in. the Council Chambers on , Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock. All members are specially requested to attend as important business is toi be discussed.

During discussion by the Gouncil on Tuesday evening in respect to the suspension of heavy by-laws during the railway strike, the Engineer (Mr Edwards) stated that he estimated already damage to the extent of £3OO had been done to the Borough roads Owing to tile extraordinary motor traffic.

The euchre and dance held by the Ven. Bede’s committee in the Parish Hall On Tuesday evening proved quite as enjoyable as previous socials, there being quite a good attendance considering the boisterous evening. The prize-winners in the euchre tournament were: Ladies, Miss Alma Gray Ist and Mrs Balllantine 2nd; men, Mr Denton Ist, Mr H. G. Gardner second.

A pleasant gathering was held at the Parish Hall on Wednesday evening. The function took the Toran of a tea for the children, Which was provided by the mothers and members of the Ladies’ Guild of Ven. Bede’s, when occasion was taken by tlie children attending the Anglican Sunday School, to bid farewell to the Rev. J. C. and Mrs Abbott, who are leaving for Palmerston North. The hall was nicely decorated for the Occasion With streamers, while tlie tables were festooned with chrysanthemums. A suinptuoufe tea was laid, which was partaken of by about 100 children, land dlolne full justice to. After tea was oyer the children indulged in song, games, and dancing until 9.30 p.m., the little ones having a thoroughly enjoyable time. During the evening a presentation! was made to the departing guests by the children, Mrs ADhott being presented with a set Of serviette rings, jam spoons and butter knife, while the Rev. Mr Abbott was the .recipient of a pocket wallet. In thanking the children Mr Abbott feelingly referred to the happy times in the past and extended to them all good wishes for the future.

About one hundred children from tlie local school accompanied by their teachers, journeyed to Wellington fcliis morning by the. special train to see the Fleet.

Mrs P. Gill's many friends will lie pleased to learn she is no.w om the ■road tp recovery after her serious illness.

An error was made in last issue in regard to the big picture at the Maoriland Theatre to-night. The title is “Rupert of Hentzau” (not “The Prisoner of Zend a”). The duck shooting season opened yesterday. A large number oil local sports were out and .some good bags were secured. From reports, the ducks were rather plentiful and die season should be a good one. On Tuesday evening next at the Maoniland Theatre Miss Mona Neale, A.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., A.L.C.M., will give another of her popular concerts, the proceeds from which will be dev.oted to the local school fund for improvements to the grounds. Those who were present at Miss Neale’s last concert will rainemlber the splendid perforinanoes given by lier pupils and we feel sure her efforts will again be rewarded with a bumper house. An Aucklander, who was called to Wellington, started to scour round to see what a car would run him into. One firm quoted £75 for a ear to go right through. This seemed a “bit steep, ’’ but inquiries in another quarter only knocked' £25 off the quotation. He finally decided that it would he cheaper to buy a oar,, drive back, and then sell the outfit. The danger of ‘speeding, which has come into prominence with the increase of motor traffic consequent on the strike, was exemplified last week when one of the Horowhenua County Council's surfacemen, who was proceeding to .work on a motor cycle, was struck in the face by a shower of mud and/ water thrown up by a furiously-driven car. The cyclist was temporarily blinded and lost control of his cycle, with the result that he was thrown" and sustained minor injuries. It is understood that the County Council intends to. adopt .stern measures to cope with the evil. A visitor to Wanganui told how it is possible for a dairyman to lake a test right under the eyes of a Government inspector. Recently when an .inspeotor called on a farmer near Waodville to supervise his test, the farmer milked his ‘cow, but while doing so he had a bulb in his pocket with a rubber tube attached. The bulb wias in a handy position and contained cream, and unnoticed the cookie squirted the contents into the bucket. Under this testing scheme the Government official strips the cow dry, buit there was no necessity for Jiim to do so on this occasion, for the bucket of milk doubtless yielded a rattling good test, and the farmer was able to boiast to his .neighbours what good dairy stock he kept on the premises.

“Reference to wild pigs a few weeks ago recalls ia quaint incident that came under my notice at Taumarunui recently,’’ a correspondent writes. “I had climbed a hill to get a glimpse qf the meeting of the Wanganui and Ongarue Rivers, when I became aware that there was another occupant of the ferny hill-top, a pig O/f huge proportions, and, strange sight two plump crested quail perched on his back. A closer view convinced me that the birds had solved the problem of living in luxury while the other fellow did all the work. , The pig worked through the rich soil for the fern roots., bringing to the surface numbers of grubs, worms and other creatures, and like lightning the quail hopped down via his head, possessed themselves of the tit-bits and returned to the eminence of their landlord’s fat back, and waited for more.” \

The death occurred in the Pallia,tua Hospital on sunday, April 27, of Mr William Winter, of Tiramea, and "on old colonist. Deceased, Who was born at Mornifigton, Dunedin, on June 4, 1865, Was the son of the late David and Mary Ann Winter, who were Otago pioneers. He resided in the South for several years, and removed to the North Island in the year, 1899, and settled at Awahuri, Manawatu, where he was employed as foreman for the late Hon. Walter Johnston for four years. He subsequently settled in Levin, where he was farming for some time. He. was afterwards engaged in contracting for the Horowhcnua Counity Council, and later the Ekotalhuna County Council. The late Mr Winter was a member of the Druids’. Lodge for 35 years. He is survived by a widow and family, the latter comprising Mi's J. Follas, oi Hunterville, Mrs L. Nation, of Eketnhuna, and Mr Geo. Winter, of Levin.

Speaking on tlie subject of Land Tax as it affected returned soldier settlers, at last night’s meeting of the Levin branch of the R.S.A., the president (M,r G. Diacre Hamilton) stated that the average soldier settler’s finances had got into such a state that he had ceased to worry, with the result that When the Government Land Tax assessment reached him he did not bather to give it his attention.' In hardly any case was a returned soldier liable for land tax, the Government having a habit of making out the application irrespective of mortgages on the land, but if the' settler did not protest within a stated time, he automatically became liable for the amount, The local Association has been successful in getting a refund in some instances and be recommended that where soldier settlers were in doubt as to their linihility 'they should consult the secretary of the branch or himself. .