Shannon News FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1926.

Shannon News, 13 August 1926, Page 2

Shannon News FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1926.

A large number of Sliannonj.tes attended the Benedicts’ Bail held at Mangahao on Saturday evening. The ball was a great success, the visitors reporting having a most pleasant time.

A special meeting of members of the Shannon branch of the (Plunket Society will ,be held in the Council Chambers on Monday evening at 7.30 p.m. to receive the report of the Biennial Conference.

The annual meeting of members of the 'Shannon Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club will be held in the Council Chambers next Thursday evening at 7.30 p.m. Important business is to be transacted and a full meeting of members is requested.

There was a record attendance at the Cribbage Club’s weekly tourney held last evening, when a number of crib and euchre games were played. At the conclusion of the games light refreshments were handed round. The winners for the evening were:— Grib: ladies, Mrs- E. Butt; gents, Mr C. Gray. The trophy for the winner of the most euchre games'was won by Mrs Bert Wilkinson.

On Wednesday, as Mr H. Edwards, of iPalmerston North, was proceeding by motor-car to Shannon, he had the misfortune to meet with a mishap. When passing-a lorry on the hill at Makerua, the car collided with the bank with the result that the occupants, Mr Edwards and Mr Mclnnes, representative of the Marton Advocate, were thrown out, both receiving cuts on the head and bruises, lhe car was damaged, one of the axles being broken, also the windscreen, while the hood was also damaged.

On Saturday, August. 21st-, when th© Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, visits Shannon to lay the foundation stone of the Masonic Temple now in course of erection in Stout Street, he will be met at the station on arrival of the Napier Express from Wellington by the Mayor, councillors and citizens, who will welcome him to the town. Arrangements are being made for the school children to form a guard of honour. . The GovernorGeneral, after giving a short, address, will then become the guest of the Masonic Lodge. He will return to Wellington by the New Plynlouth express.

The Auckland .Star says Mr Justice Hardman permitted himself a smile when a jury, after hearing a case in the Supreme Court in which an agent was charged with obtaining one hundred pounds by false pretences, returned this verdict: —“W e have decided to give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt, and return a verdict of not guilty in the hope that he will pay the money back at some future date.” Such, a finding is classical in our day, and must have dropped as the gentle dew from heaven upon\ the defendant.

At a recent meeting in North Otagu a letter was read from a farmer complaining that lie had purchased cows at a clearing sale in the district. He had discovered that these were cull cows, and had been “rung in’’ as part of the herd that was being sold. The farmer expressed the opinion that steps should be taken to put a stop io this practice. Several members said that the practice of “ringing in” was one that could not be commended. It was decided that the complaint of the farmer be brought under notice of the whole of the auctioneers’ agents in Oamaru.

A well-known Sydney city business man has made a vow that he will never again play the Good Samaritan to little boys. The citizen was walking along a laneway in “The Rocks” district, after having said good-bye to a friend who sailed by the Hobson’s Bay, when a grubby-faced urchin accosted him. “Let me hunger off for me, will yer, please mister,” he asked ’in a pleading voice. The citizen replied that he would be pleased to do so. It was evident he was not used to fireworks, but screwing up his courage, he held the hunger at arm s length and cautiously applied a lighted match to the wick. There was a spurt of flame, and before the Good Samaritan had time to throw the hamper away it exploded in bis band, which was slightly burnt. It was a “joke” hunger, hut the citizen failed to see the humour. The shrill laughter of the urchin as he scurried down the street and a burst of cheering from his mates, who were hiding round a corner, did not tend to calm him.

In view of there being insufficient postal accommodation at Koputaroa, the Post and Telegraph Department arranged to remove the Park vale (Wairarapa) office in sections and rebuild it at Koputaroa. The work is now complete, the office will be occupied to-morrow, and shoultj prove of no slight benefit to the public, which has long felt the inadequacy of the old building.

Will Wellington bring back the Ranfurly Shield from Napier? This is the paramount topic of .conversation in the city this week, as the little incident appended below seems to exemplify. A well-dressed stranger approached a small messenger boy outside the Magistrate’s Court building shortly before 5 o’clock yesterday. “Can you show me the way to Parliament, sonny?” he inquired. The small boy gave the necessary directions. The stranger commenced to move off. A pause—then, “Porter’s all set for Hawkes Bay, sir,” was gleefully shouted an the stranger’s wake. And the stranger enjoyed relating the story last evening—N.Z. Times.

Recently the Manawatu County Council undertook the work of reconstructing a section of the SandonBulls Main Highway, to bring this thoroughfare up to the Main Highways Board specifications. About half a mile of this roadway was recently completed, but it has not stood up to the traffic, and has been the subject of comment by those using the road. Cr. H. .1. Fagan brought the matter up at a recent, meeting of the Manawatu County Council, and on the motion of Cr. W. E. Barber, the Council went into committee to hear £r. Fagan, and to discuss the position. On resuming in open council, the following resolution was carried: “That tile work on the SandonBulls highway be stopped until such time as all plant required is available.”

The Foxton Herald isays: Mr J. Symon met with a serious accident while attending to some machinery at Messrs Boss, Rough’s mill. Mr Symon was engaged in making an adjustment to the stripper slip “washer” when his shirt sleeve became caught in the belt and he was twisted round and thrown into the well, sustaining severe chest injuries as a result of being struck by the weights on the washer. Mr Symon’s plight while in the “well” was unenviable as every time the “grabbers” came round he was knocked under the water and it was only due to the prompt action of a fellow employee in switching off the motor that Mr Symon was saved from his precarious predicament. The sufferer was removed to his home when a medical examination revealed the fact that he had sustained four broken ribs. He is progressing satisfactorily.

When discussing the balance-sheet at the Hainua factory meeting yesterday Mr. Godfrey mentioned that the reserve fund was not very big and might be increased. The chairman (Mr. P. Davies), admitted the reserve should be bigger and jocularly suggested that suppliers put any pay-out that was coming to them to this fund. Mr. Godfrey: “I didn’t say all at once.” (Laughter). The chairman: “ We would be able to go to the banker then without taking our bally hats off.” (More Laughter).

. The fact that it has no specific charges to make regarding the administration of the Auckland Hospital will be made clear by the Onehunga Borough Council in a letter to be forwarded to the commission of inquiry. The Council decided at its last meeting to support the general request for a full investigation and urge that an independent inquiry should be heftl. The only definite complaint of the council was that its levy had been increased by 50 per cent, last year and it thought the additional expenditure should be reviewed.

A horse dealer and breaker, with more than forty years-* experience, told Mr. H. Y. Widdowsoon, S.M., in the Court at Dunedin that he had nevei used bad language in his life, and. further, that he did not touch' drink ct any kind. “Moreover,” he declared, as he thumped the rail of the wooden witness-box, “I wouldn’t have any one about my place who swore or drank liquor.” ’’You’re a Very strange horseman if you haven’t in all your forty wears’ experience, used one swear word!” observed Mr. W. R. Luscelles, the solicitor, who was cross-examining.

“Let us toss for it! ” was the homely suggestion made by Mr. W. Scott during the discussion of a disputed clause at the Conciliation Council proceeding in Dunedin. Mr. Scott's proposal was greeted with laugh for, but one of the union’s assessors was inclined to give the matter further consideration. “All right,” he exclaimed, after producing a suspicious-looking penny, “I’ll have heads.” Heads turned up all right, and it was then discovered that the penny was what is known to the sporting fraternity as a “double-header.” Mr. Scott did not persevere with his suggestion.

The spectators who throng the Magistrate’s Court on the look out for spicy details in certain cases are notoriously thick-skinned, as was demonstrated at the Blenheim Court last week, says the Express, when a girl was giving evidence in an affiliation case.

“I am sorry.” remarked Mr. T. E. Maun sell, S.M., as he surveyed the Court, which was crowded with men, “that I have no power to order the Court to be closed, for I can imagine no ordeal more trying than calling on a girl to give evidence in a case like this before a crowd of onlookers,” Despite the Magistrate’s pointed hint, not one of the “rubber necks” in Court made a move.

A testimonial signed by between 50 and 60 passengers of the derailed Limited express’s appreciation of the prompt action of the driver and fireman in averting what might have proved a terrible disaster had not/ the train pulled up when it) did, and also the kindness and consideration of the guard who made it his first duty to see to the safety of the passengers. —Press Association.

A great deal of interest has been taken in Mr Zane Grey’s forthcoming book relating to his experiences dn New Zealand. A cable from Messrs Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., London, informs us that the book, “Tales of an Anglers’ Eldorado —New Zealand,” will be published in London at tile end of August. It is a unique and fascinating record of deep-sea sport consisting of 238 pages of letter-press and 128 pages of illustrations. It is understood that Mr Zaire Grey intends returning to New Zealand in October of this year, which time will coincide with the arrival of his book. \

‘‘ I did not see the policeman s'gna to stop.” said a defendant at tin Police Court at, Auckland when cluu'goi with failing to obey the traffic signa of a policeman. “You missed the s.g nal—like Lord Nelson did at the BBtU of Copenhagen. You must have pu ; the telescope to the wrong eye,” suk the Magistrate, Mr. J. W. Boynton

Recently, when making out a list of Justices of the Peace who had sorvet; for over 25 years in the Auckland Province, it was found that one Justice had held his commission since IP 6. and that another prominent Auckland resident, who had been Mayor of the city, had held his commission since 1878.

The slip in the Manawatu Gorge on Friday night caused a great deal of in convenience to a party of motorists who journeyed to Dannevirke in the evening and returned late that night. On their return trip they found it impossible to get,through via the gorge and perforce had to turn back and come over the Pahiatua track, arriving in Palmerston North about 6.30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

“ China is advancing in trade and commerce, and when a good Government is established in Pekin—it is a

poor Government now —-and the present feeling against the British in thr sentiment of China for the Chinese is wiped >out, the nation will prosper,” stated Mr. J. A. Urquhart, a Scotsman who has been engaged in shipping circles in Shanghai for 30 years, and who is now in Dunedin.

A sensational explosion' occurred at a residence in Oamaru recently. A woman had lighted a coal fire in a range, for the purpose of preparing breakfast, when suddenly a loud report rent the building. The front of the range was -blown out and the woman was knocked back stupefied. When she, recovered she discovered the room to be in flames. With great presence of mind she dashed water upon the flames, which she succeeded in sup-pressing-before much damage was done The woman ’s injuries were fortunately not severe. The cause of the exfdosion is believed to have been a dynamite cap or other combustible material in the fuel.

• The Wanganui Chambor of Commerce at a previous meeting decided to obtain some information regarding the price of cement in Wanganui, and in consequence wrote to Golden Bay Portland and Milburn Cement. Companies. Golden Bay explained that the firm had a contract with the Anchor (Shipping Co. to ship and therefore could not quote f.o.b. at the works Portland Co. said it was a matter of transhipment at Wellington. If they could get an order for 250 tons at a time for one direct shipment it would burn Co. thought that £6 12s lOd as quoted in Wanganui was very reasonable. They could not quote f.o.b. at Dunedin, but relied on their agents at Wanganui to work on a commission basis.

During the month of July the Nelson Public-Hospital was taxed* to capacity, 108 patients being admitted —the largest number for the period with the exception of that during the epidemic a few years ago. There were S 4 patients discharged, leaving 77 remaining in the institution. In commenting on the figures the chairman of the Board (Mr. G. M. Rout) at the last meeting, said lie had received a complaint from a patient that ho was not attended to immediately on admission. The chairman explained that the staff was working very hard to cope with th’e work, and that at the, time there were more serious eases requiring attention than the one mentioned. A few days later the man referred to walked out of the hospital without notice. The secretary said that for one complaint received there were 50 patients who left the institution pleased with their treatment.

“.School cleaning is often inadequate,” says Dr. A. G. Paterson (Director Division School Hygiene) in the course of her annual report. “The difficulty of securing efficient labour is great, especially in country districts. I again advocate the system adopted in Victoria, where the Education Department has its own staff of school cleaners in addition to the usual school caretakers. These officers visit the various schools periodically throughout the year, giving each one in turn a thorough ‘spring cleaning.’ In some country schools an excellent standard of cleanliness is found, owing to the fact that the children themselves, under the supervision of the teacher, undertake the cleaning of the school, and the money thus saved is devoted to school funds. Though this system meets with objection from some parents, it is evident that it is more degrading for children to sit at school in untidy and dusty surroundings than it is for them to combine to bring about a more hygienic state of affairs.

The growth of the moving picture entertainments is one of the amazing phases of Auckland’s progress in recent years. It is indeed questionable whether the growth has not been too prodigal. Twenty years ago there was not a single picture theatre in Auckland. To-day there are 58, representing £850.000 worth of invested capital.

Mr. and Mrs. F. Petrie and family left Foxton on Thursday for Balelutha, where Mr. Petrie will engage in farming pursuits. Mr. Petrie has been a resident of Foxton for the past fourteen years, during which time he has been engaged in the hemp industry. _ Mr. and Mrs. Petrie 's many Foxton friends will wish them prosperity in their new sphere of activities.

’five Auckland Typographical Union, at a meeting last week, rescinded by a large majority the .resolution passed at the half-yearly meeting on July 24ih, voting £;jo to the funds of the coalminers on strike in Great Britain. The action was taken on the ground that the vote was outside the objects provided for in the union rules and was contrary to the spirit of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitic.rion Act, under which the union was v gistered.

The problem of providing transport facilities in sparsely settled countries is not peculiar to Neve Zealand,” said the Prime Minister -when delivering the Railway Statement in Parliament. “Investigation shows that the practice m other countries is to pay the railway authority from the public funds for remunerative services involved in the working thereof, it being recognised that the beneiits accruing to the State as a whole far outweigh the cost to the State.”

Maurice O’Kane, a linesman employed by the Hutt Valley Power Board, while working near Porirua .early on Friday evening, fell from an electric line p:ole, and was killed. It appears that O’Kane became entangled in some wire at the 'top of the pole while working with a wiring gang, and fell heavily to the ground. Deceased resided at Barraud Street, Lower Hutt. The body was taken to the hospital at the Pjorirua Mental Asylum. Constable Tumii'cy, who is relieving officer at Johnsonville, took the body .to the Wellington morgue pending an inquest.

In the course of the Railway Statement delivered in Parliament, . the Prime Minister referred to train services, making the following reference to the trains on the Main Trunk line: “A daylight express was given a trial between Wellington and Auckland during the summer months. The approach of winter, however, made it quite evident that, the running of three 'express trains between Auckland and Wellington during the slack season of the year would not be justified, and that a reduction in the number of trains was inevitable. As the ordinary express and the nigjit Limited were each receiving greater patronage than the daylight Limited, the running of .the lastmentioned train was discontinued from Juno sth. ”

Six girls from England 'arrived at Wellington by the Athenic last week and are now in residence at the Awapuni hostel of the Shecpowners ’ Fund. Four have brothers who have already come out to the Dominion under the fund's scheme, and another has a cousin in this country. The names of the new* arrivals arc:—Misses M. L. White (South Shields), M. Shotton (South Shields), F. M. I. Ram (Southsea), K. M. Johnston (Grimsby), J. A. Hamm (Grimsby) and I. Fletcher (Grimsby). Within the past few' days 20 trainees from Flock House at Bulls have been sent to stations in various parts of the North Island, and one boy to employment in the South Island. Another ten will go out to positions with farmers in the course of the next few* davs.

It is all very well for a singer when the audience bursts into applause, but it ceases to be a joke when an electric lamp in the footlights bursts with a noise like a nine-pounder gun. This is what at the first concert given in the Auckland Town Hall by Toti Dal Monte. The singer was singing a second encore, when the house lights began to flicker strangely, and sll of a sudden one of the lamps in the centre of the footlights exploded with a loud report, and minute pieces of glass shot all over the platform, sonic of which struck the singer, who started back three or four feet with a look of the greatest surprise, but though she made this “gesture,” she was artist enough to continue singing, so that any chance of panic in the audience was at once prevented. When the people left the hall it was found that there had been a serious blow-out in one of the underground high tension wires in Bliortland street, where q section of the cable was found to be in flames. It is no wonder that the local papers referred to the diva’s electrical success.

To speak metaphorically, Canada has hung out a sign: “Wanted: Farmers.” Canada has one of the smallest populations per square mile in the world, three persons to the mile not including the vast stretches of snow country in the North-West Territories, and only one-fifth of her area is under agricultural cultivation. In outlining the immigration policy of his country, Mr. C. M. Croft (Canadian Trade Commissioner), who is a graduate of the celebrated McGill University,, said that there were imriugraiion officers all over Europe, and although, of course, it was preferred to secure British migrants, many foreigners—Scandinavians in particular—made splendid settlers. “We need farmers to open up our country, ' ’ he said, “ and we desire particularly to get youths between fifteen and seventeen with sdrne practical experience on the laud or with training in an agricultural college. Jf they come over young, they acquire the national characteristics sooner. We want Britishers if we can get them, but, as I said, we have officers operating all over Europe.”