Shannon News TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1925.

Shannon News, 4 August 1925, Page 2

Shannon News TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1925.

The vital statistics for Shannon for the month ending July 31st were: Births 4, deaths and marriages nil.

The winner of the yak grainaphoue presented by Martin’s corner drapery house proved to be Mrs T. Gardner, of’ Stout Street, who was the biggest purchaser of goods for the month, of July.

The sunshine and the football match on Saturday were no doubt responsible for the large number of people about the town on/ that day, and local business people report that it was the host Saturday for business for weeks past.

At the Manawatui Competitions festival held in Palmerston, Miss \Y. Rickies, of Shannon, secured a second in the violin solo and Mr R. R. Bishop also of Shannon was among the recalls for National song (gentlemen):

There is still, no improvement in the health of his Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Murdoch) and yesterday it was considered advisable to remove him to the Palmerston Hospital. All will join in wishing him a speedy return to good health.

The Shannon Football Club will hold a dance in the Druids’ Hall on Thursday evening next, when, a number of old time dances will be included on the programme. The Maoriland Orchestra will supply the music and the floor will be specially prepared for the occasion.

A missionary rally will be held in the Methodist Church on Thursday evening when the public will have an opportunity of hearing the General Superintendent of the Methodist Home Missions (Rev. A. J. Seamen) who will be accompanied by a party of talented Maori singers and orators.

A special meeting of the Shannon Bowling Club will be held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday night at 7.30- p.m. to discuss the lighting of the green by electricity, and transact general business. Ail members and intending members are requested to attend.

The weather report, for the month of July, as forwarded to us per favour of Mr Sinclair, of Vance street, is as follows:—There was a total rainfall for the month of 2.41 incites, rain failing on eleven days, the heaviest being on the 22nd when .89 inches fell. For the corresponding period of last year rain fell on 12 days with a total' of 2.86 inches.

Advice has been received of the success of a former Shannon hoy who ha,s developed into a gifted artist. This is Mr Ronald McKenzie, son or Mr and Mrs David McKenzie, of Pe-t-oine, formerly of Shannon, and nephew of Mrs -Tagger, of Marotiri. Mr McKenzie was a student of the Canterbury College School of Art and is at, present attached to the School. Word has just reached New Zealand that, one of Mr McKenzie’s pictures has just been hung in the famous exhibition of the Old Salon. Paris. The painting is a. water colour entitled “Southern Alps, New Zealand.” His work has each year attracted increasing attention in Christchurch, and a large water colour entitled “Craigieburn,” was recently acquired by the Auckland Society of Arts for the Auckland collection.

A benefit hard-up dance took place In the Druids’ Hall ’last Friday evening when a large number were present. The men’s prize was won by Mr Cherry, Senr., who very kindly donated it towards the school Piano Fund. The Lady’s, prize was won by Miss E. Fitzgerald,. Several old dances were tried and proved so popular that they are likely to, be kept on future programmes, Mr Bireliall congratulated the promoter, Mr Coyle, for putting on such a good evening, remarking that' socially and financially (lie gathering was a great success. He said it was nice to know that Mr Hendrickson’s services to the club wore appreciated and considered Mr Hendricksen the best junior player in the district. He would have gained rep. honours but for-his accident. Cheers overe given for Mr Hendricksen. The Maoriland Orchestra supplied the nuisic, which was much appreciated.

Through the medium iof a twovalve wireless set, a party of four in Christchurch were able to hear the performance of the musical comedy “Kid Boots,” in Melbourne, on Saturday evening. All the music came Liuough distinctly.

.large (who had made a century in his previous match) went in to bat for tae village cricket team, and went out first ball. “Not like last week, said the vicar beamingly. “No, not likely,” said Jarge. “Last week Oi came out an’ found you blokes ’ad drunk up all the durned cider.”

A Dunedin telegram states that a Brown, 'of the Civil Service Clun, [ who won the Otago five miles cross ( country championship in 28 minutes ( 4 seconds lust year, succeeded in loweringhis record by winning this year s i-a“e on Saturday in 27 minutes 38 seconds. Caversham Club again wins the banner for the third successive year.

A Hawera telegram says that, a b ter three days’ preliminaries the final of the Waterloo Coursing Cup event uated on Saturday, when J. M. Jul jail’s black dog Paphian beat F. s. Harrison’ s blue bitcli Gray Lady. The Waterloo Plate contests resulted in J. Lannan’s red dog Red Sentry defeating H. Cates’ black and white Sure Sting.

A Sydney telegram says that Gloaming s condition is causing concern m .racing circles. His front fetlock vAnts are not at all sound, and lie is unlikely to go to the post at Raudwiek again. Mason, his trainer, thinks that the rough track at llus;ings (New Zealand) brought about the weakness, and is of.the opinion that with rest and treatment the horse will get over the trouble and be aide to run in short races in New Zealand.

A bankrupt baker at 'Wanganui attributed liis position to “these Shy-' iocks of landlords,” asserting tha; high rents in three premises were the chief causes of his financial collapse. Bankrupt said when he .came to New Zealand lie was told that it was “God’s own country,” and he expected to find “God’s own men” here, but failed' to do so. Rents were too high in Auckland. “We want a fanrents’. bill,” he added, or else things will get worse.” The eflect of bankrupt’s denunciation was rather spoilt by counsel who poimed out that in hi.-, client’s case bankrupt had solved the problem by not paying the rent to- the extent of £252, as well as £6( rates unpaid.

“Business in the pawnbroking line is scarcely flourishing at the present time; but it is just the lull beiore the storm. We’re waiting for the races. With us Grand National week is harvest week.” With these \yords a Christchurch pawnbroker summed up the ruling conditions u.nd prospects of his business. At this time of tfie year there never is much doing, he explained, and he smiled optimistically as he contemplated the rich harvest lie would reap during race week. The first day is generally dull as far as pledging is concerned, but from the second (lay, and thereafter until die conclusion of the races business in the pawnbr-oking line is anything but dead.

A ribbon-fish, .owe of tlie rarest and most beautiful fishes in the Seven Seas, was washed ashore on the beach near the Breakwater Hotel, New Plymouth, on Wednesday. The specimen is of the'species known as regaleus argenteus because of its silvery body. The body is covered with a substance which comes oh on the hand like aluminium paint, and altogether tin: fish present a beautiful and briliiani spectacle. It has a head like the John Dory, and is adorned with a beautilul scarlet crest. This crest may be likened to the ribs of a fan anil on the specimen washed ashore most of the crests are intact. Tin ribbon-fish, which lias lost its tail, measures Bft 7iu, and would proban extend to 10ft with a tail. It is only lifin wide at the widest part and 3iin. thick. The fish was taken- to tin.' Now Plymouth museum and there it will be mounted. A specimen of the ribbon-fish is to be seen in the Wanganui museum. Tins was caught on Waikanae Beach in 181)7. The rarity of the ribbon-fish is indicated by the Tact lit at from .1860 to 1003 records show that only sixteen were washed ashore on the New Zealand coast, h is believed by some, that ribbon-fishes have given rise to the myth of the sea serpent. The longest known specimen was 26 feet long.

The Mataura Ensign tells the story of two Waikaka hoys who scoured tiie district for rabbit skins to obtain the wherewithal to take them to Invercargill io see the North and South Islands play Rugby. They viewed every kick 'and tackle with eyes that lost nothing and hearts that heat fast. And they screamed and yelled with the best when scores came. A

half-time two very small youngsters timidly tapped at the door of a dressing shed. “Is Nepia, in?” they asked of an enquirer as to their business. Wonder of wonders! The far-famed, tlie great, the glorious Nepia himseli appeared. No doubt the Jeelings oi the lads were a,kin to those experienced by Muck Bake from Sbiawashec, Michigan, when he stood in the presence of the lord of White House, Washington. Nepia looked twin id Coir the “gentlemen who wanted to see him.” The lads plucked up courage. They told him they were his callers, and would like to have a yarn with him and shake hands wil.ii 'him. “And do you play football?” asked the Rugby giant. “Yes,” came the eager reply. “And where do von play?” “Oh, we come from Waikaka, and play for the Waikaka Bantams.” Nepia proved the good chap the boys expected. Not only did he shake hands, but lie gave tlie lads a couple of rule books containing his signature. Not only did he do this, but lie got bold of the famous Maurice Brownlie, and the giant forward had “a yarn” with the lads. It’s terribly hard now io concentrate on school lessons; those rule-books are much more interesting.

A ploughman employed on a I-la-tuma (liawkes Bay) farm recently had an unenviable experience. About lour o’clock in the afternoon, while he was fixing a plough, the horses jumped forward, witli the result tluu the ploughman became pinned down between the horses and the implement. With great presence of mind, tlie unfortunate man grasped the reins' and" kept the horses from moving any further. For two hours the 'man hung on to the horses with dca.i: threatening him if the horses moved a few inches. He was found, hy a search party an hour after darkness had set in.