Shannon News FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1927.

Shannon News, 30 December 1927, Page 2

Shannon News FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1927.

The next issue of the "News" will be on Wednesday, January'4th. We wish our subscribers and advertisers a happy and prosperous New Year.

An old Shannon boy, Mr W. Quarrie, of Napier, has been on a visit to his parents Mr and Mrs G. Qua trie, of Grey Street, during the holidays.

Mrs W. N; Brown, of. Shannon, whose health has not been good for some time, is now an inmate of a private hospital in Wellington where she, is to undergo an operation.

Mr and! Mrs Dan Le Roux, of South Africa, who are walking-around the world, wheeling a ; wM>terrow, will speak at the Theatre this evening, describing, their /-experiences.

Mr W. H. Gunning was taken ill on the Bowling Green, on Saturday last, and as a result he was confined!,? his bed. His many friends will be pleased to learn that he was able to get up yesterday and was much better.

On Boxing Day the township wore a very deserted appearance, many residents journeying to the races at Awapuni, while others spent the day picnicking. A large number of local families are camping at the various seaside resorts along the coast.

The business area was well crowded on Christmas Evq, and shopkeepers were kept busy till closing time, and for them it was the closing of a very good week's business, this being the opinion of those approached by our representative.

At the musical service held at Aramoho Methodist Church on Sunday last, and conducted by the Rev. Abbey (formerly of Levin), Mr Grcig, of Wan ganui (gold medallist at the Competitions) sang "The Star of Bethlehem," and Mr Howard Andrew sang "My Prayer." . .

In the University of New Zealand diploma in banking examination held in November last, the following Shannon candidates passed in the subjects mentioned: —F. L. Murray, Banking Part 1., Commercial and Banking Law I.; W. J. G. Roach, Economics, Bills of Exchange, Commercial and Banking Law I.

A motorist who visited Wanganui during the holidays, gives the highest praise to the Wanganui City Council for the up-to-date camping ground provided at Aramoho Park. That it is very well patronised is not surprising. The surroundings are ideal, being on the bank of the river. The camping site has a cookhouse containing about twelve gas rings, worked by the penny-in-the-slot principle. Close to this is a spacious shower-bath room. Tents are supplied, and these are of a large type, well put up, and reinforced with timber. Outside each tent is a rubbish tin. An obliging caretaker is in charge, who, although firm in regard to the regulations, is ready to assist all visiting campers. There is a kiosk store, where campers can procure the necessaries of life, and meals can be supplied if ordered. A children's play .area has been laid out, containing all 'the latest appliances; and cherry plums grow wild and may be had for the picking. The camp life is delightfully simple. The motorist runs his car alongside the tent at night, turns the ear lights on, and thus can see to read in the tent. He may don his pyjamas, switch out the lights, and sleep till the milkman wakes him in the morning. As many as 45 tents were counted one morning, people being present from all parts. The hire of tents and parking of cars is at the rate of 4s per day, or 20s per week to members of the W.A.C.

In an advertising space on page 3 Howard Andrew has no advertisement but thanks, and good wishes for 1928.

A teacher in a country school received the following excuse for non-attend-ance of the son at'school recently: "Bill as Beliac." It was .some minutes before the meaning dawned upon her!

Thev did tilings well in the good old days. * When the Lyttelton graving dock was opened on January 3, 1883, the event was celebrated by.a dinner which e,ost the Lyttelton Harbour 'Board £033, the wine'bill being £240. There were 30 wines on the list (states the Christchnrch Sun). It is recorded as a very successful function in a booklet issued by the Lyttelton Harbour Board, which covers 50 years of activities.

> .Although it is a comparatively short while since the line spell of weather set in, water is stated to be none* too plentiful in the two dams at present supplying the Mangahao electric power station. The new dam, however, is rapidly Hearing completion, and it is possible that it will be available in three months from now, after which the sources of power should not present any difficulty, especially in view of further relief which will be afforded when the Waikaremoana scheme is complete.

Mr Burlaee asked Mr Heivlett (headmaster) at the Woodville. School Committee meeting, if it were a fact that some of the lady teachers smoked in front of the children. The headmaster said he was not aware of it, and while he disapproved of either male or female teachers smoking in school hours he did not know of a regulation against it. If the children saw the teachers smoking .in the teachers' room the children had no business to be there. He thought the Committee would be well advised to approach the teachers concerned directly.—Examiner.

All along the line from Horowhenua, through Manawatu, into Hawkes Bay there is a great abundance of stock feed- this summer. Hay is apparently even more plentiful than it was last year, when, in the Levin district at least, it established a record of production per acre. The valley lauds between Daimevirke and Hastftigs are at their best, owing to the copious spring rains, of which the district does not'get enough in some years. Potatoes are being extensively grown on the flats this year, and the plants have a healthy and prolific appearance.,

A writer in the Christ-church Sun says: "Recently I had occasion; to dine with a dairy, f.armer, his wife and two daughters. After some discussion of the Arbitration Bill and the price of butter fat, the conversation turned to hides and skins and the time taken in skinning cows and calves. My host was choosing his words carefully and correctly as he knew how, and I was listening attentively until he startled me by saying: "Do you know, the last cow 1. skiin I skan in twenty minutes." The youngest daughter tried to stifle a giggle—l laughed outright, and when the general, merriment had subsided father wanted to know how he should have said it.

Even in these enlightened clays the belief that ill-luek is associated with No. 13 persists, and one does not have to look far'for evidence of this. The berths in the sleeping-car of the "Limited'* total eighteen, but, though they are numbered consecutively, there is no No. 13. It is designated 12a. It not infrequently occurs that when booking clerks in the railway inform a passenger that berth 13 is the only one available, they are met with the reply that "I couldn't possibly take that one," and so, in order that this berth, which it is stated is the best in the car, should not go empty on a full train, it is disguised. It is stated that since the change, "12a, alias 13;" is no longer unpopular (says the Post).

The habit of the godwits in migrating from Siberia to New Zealand during the winter months has frequently occasioned comment, large colonies of these long-legged birds having been seen in various parts of the Dominion. Eesidents of Ngatapa, however, have obtained unusually interesting mementoes of the visit of these migrants. A number of birds, were recently seen and heard in the vicinity, and by observing their habits a number of their eggs were obtained. These, it is stated, are coated with mud, and buried in swampy places, and consequently are somewhat difficult to find. The eggs, one of which was shown to a Poverty Bay Herald reporter, are about the same size as those of a pigeon's, only more pointed, and in colour closely resemble those of the blackbird.

A remarkable record of scholastic achievement is to the credit of members of Mr William 0. Collins's family, of Ohristehurch. Clifford, aged 18, is dux of the Boys' High School this year. He gained the Birdling Scholarship for an historical essay and the Thomas Millar prize for English literature. 'Ruth Collins, aged fourteen, is first in form oat the Girls' High School, and has gained a life-saving certificate. Two younger brothers, Burton and Noel, aged ten and nine respectively, are at the Sumner Bis trict High School. Burton is dux of the school, and Noel lias first place among the pupils of Standard IV.

A Parnell resident, who has become an apiarist much against his inclination, is still seeking advice as to how to shift a swarm of bees which have taken a fancy to his house after obtaining entry through a small hole beneath an eave, states the Auckland Star. The use of acetylene gas with the aid of a long tube for "peaceful penetration" was highly recommended by a neighbour, but the effect was to shift the family out into the fresh air, while the bees "remained and appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Various bee experts in the locality have been tendering advice. One was stung on the ear while explaining how harmless the little things were.

Tomato growers in the Hawkes. Bay district are likely to have a record crop this season. Mr G. A. Green, organiser of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, estimates they will have about double the usual quantity to handle.

A special poll at Eketahuna decided by nearly a four-to.one majority to revert to' Wednesday half holiday. At last municipal elections Saturday was carried by a small majority, but the effect on "trade was such that special Parliamentary provision was secured to take another poll.

An artistic Christmas supplement in magazine form, consisting of twentyfour pages /of fine paper,, has been issued by the proprietors of the Taranaki Herald and Budget. The illustrations are a splendid collection of scenic views and artistic camera studies, particular prominence being given to the attractions of Mount Egmont and the garden city of New Plymouth.

"I was only once in a Police Court," said Mr L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. "I was charged w-ith clouting a man on the head for calling me a liar and putting it to the meeting. L was fined £2 and costs, and my grateful constituents took up a penny collection to pay the tine. It not only paid the fine, but provided me with a handsome gold watch."

The Christmas'number of The Australasian, a specimen copy -of which reaches I '-us per Mr Aitken, is a voluminous publication that will provide an abundance of holiday reading. The principal features of life in the Commonwealth are dealt with, and the illustrations, which cover a wide range of topics, are brimful of interest.

Miss Ina Stockley, the New Zealand 100-yds lady swimming champion, lias accepted an invitation from the New South Wales Ladies Amateur Swimming Association to again visit Australia in February with; Kathleen Miller, of Dunedin. In 1925 Miss Stockley won the 100 yards free style and < backstroke championships of Australia, establishing a new record for the latter.

It is estimated (says the Waikato Times) that calf products to the value of £40,000 were handled by the Waikato and Thames Valley Co-op. Calf By-product Company, Ltd., during the three months' period of operations covering the season which extended from July 16 to October 8. The first season's work has been very profitable, and the benefits which should accrue from next season's operations will probably be realised when the returns in respect of the calves handled are examined.

On Monday, the cross, which thirty years ago was blown down from the Amberley Church steeple, was replaced. This c will gladden the heart of Archbishop Julius, who, during the whole of this period, whenever visiting the church, has never failed to inquire when the cross would Be restored. On his last visit in October he asked the question, and, when assured that the mater was in hand, said, "I will believe it when I see it." The vicar prqinptly replied, "Will you come again and preach when we have it ready for you to see?" The answer was in the affirmative, and the vicar will now claim fulfilment of his promise at an.early date.

"There, are some things we like to talk to our people about which are not for the press," said Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P., to the Foxton Herald representative at Motuiti pah. This statement was made after Sir Apirana had delivered a speech in Maori to those assembled in a large marquee. The speech was listened to with rapt attention by the natives, and occasionally there were interjections of,> approval. Sir Apirana was referring at* one period to Maori poetry, and said -one of the themes made' allusion to the beautiful Maori maidens of the East Coast (his own district), whom thcT'West Coast male Maoris much desired. An old Maori woman present objected to the comparison, much to the amusement of the speaker and those assembled.

"Ain't it lovely!" This is what members of a suburban family said on a recent evening when they gathered on the back lawn to make collective search for the comet (says the Auckland! Star-. Technical terms like "right ascension," "so many hours and, 'minutes,!'" and "south declination," bewildered them, so they diligently searched the whole sky. It was father, using the end of a broken bottle in lieu of a telescope, who first made the discovery, and located low down in the northern sky a long white plume that stretched unbroken towards the zenith. After due admiration of the free display, the neighbours, by invitation,- also became interested. It was father who made the next discovery. The new comet was of white smoke, that trailed from a neighbour's wash-house chimney !

The mention of the name Roscoe at the Court at Wanganui a day or two ago recalls an incident at a sitting of the Supreme Court' at Masterton at the time of the influenza epidemic, when Mr Justice Chapman was presiding. Eoscoe is a book as well-known to the law students as the Bible is to a divinity student. In the course of the case the Judge wanted to refer to this book. The registrar and clerks were doAvn with influenza. A policeman who had been commissioned to act as registrar knew not Eoscoe, the text book. The Judge remarked: "Get me Roscoe." "I beg your pardon," replied the man in blue. "Get me Roscoe," repeated the Judge.. Off the policeman went, and some minutes later he returned with a local boardinghousekeeper in his shirt sleeves. '' I have -brought. Eoscoe," cheerfully announced the policeman. The laughter which followed relieved any anxiety on the part of Roscoe as to the reason why he had been so hastily summoned to the Cour.t.

Owing to the rough surface of the Sanson-Foxton highway, a considerable proportion of through motor traffic is being diverted to the Pahnerston-Shan-non-Levin route.

An unusual find was made by Mr W. F. Fryer in the course of a chimney sweeping operation in Nelson. His brush disturbed a small copper coin which fell at his feet. Apparently it is a farthing fairly well.preserved and bearing the head of Charles 11. The date 1075 is clearly discernible. How the ancient coin came to be up a chimney is a mystery —unless it may be suggested that it was dropped from the pocket of Father Christmas on one of his annual visits.

The Westport Tim<?s reports that a farmer, when stumping, found under a stump a "nest" of half a dozen Jish in the soil. The largest of the fish is about four inches in length and the smallest about two and a-half inches, and about as thick as a man's small finger. They have large heads and a long, round body, and broad tail. Thev do not resemble the eel very much. When found, they were quite dark in colour, and apparently dormant, but on being put into water became much lighter and almost mottled in appearance.

"We are threatened with a tax at a verv unpopular figure, but I can visualise most of the 170,000 vehicle drivers in New Zealand taking sudden interest in their carburettors,'.' said an Auckland garage proprietor apropos of the petrol tax. He added that a considerable portion of the dominion's annual petrol consumption of 44,000,000 gallons was blown inefficiently/ into the atmosphere. A substantial increase in price would result in a sudden interest in mileage per gallon, cost per mile, and other matters which the mo-, torist neglectt/d after,he had been driving for a few months.

One of the inspectors of the P. and T. Department, visited Foxton recently (says the Herald) and made inquiries from business people as to whether there were any complaints in reference to the local service. His inquiries met with satisfactory replies from those called upon. "We are endeavouring to institute a three-second telephone response to subscribers,'' he said to our representative. "May I put a call through your 'phone'?" He did so, and the response was immediate. The local telephone staff were not caught nap : ping.

When the barrier that spans the new marine parade at Lyall Bay (near Onepu Eoad) is removed to-day, Wellington will realise, for the first time, a twenty-year-old dream —that is, the completion of a marine drive from Clyde Quay round Oriental and Evans Bavs, Watts' Peninsula, and on via Lyall, Houghton, and Island Bays, to Ohiro Bay, at the seaward end of the Happy Valley Boad. This is a distance of approximately 38 miles (all within the metropolitan area), and is said to be the longest and one of the most picturesque marine drives possessed by any city in the world.

'' Don't be surprised to see them return home with their colours lowered," says Major A. Modsley, of South Africa, in a letter to Mr Bert Pry, of Wanganui, regarding the prospects of the All Black football team on its tour of South Africa next year. "We are looking forward to the visit," says the writer. "We get news occasionally of the doings of your men. No doubt you will send your best, and they will have to be top-notehers, as they wlli have a hard time with our young Dutchmen. They will not have the soft thing they had with the British. Don't be surprised to see them return home with their colours lowered."

Prominent amongst the Jersey obituaries of the month is that of Holly Oak Superior Chief, the son of Grannie's Knight and Lady Superior, for whom Mr W. J. Chynoweth, Pukeroro, Cambridge paid 505 gns. at one of Mr John Hale's annual sales. Superior Chief evidently ate more than was good for him on the day preceding his sudden demise and getting bound that night, he was just a carcase when Mr Chynoweth found him the following morning (says the Dairyfarmer). He Hvas not insured and the loss is natur- ' a iiy a heavy one for Mr Chynoweth, who. however, has some consolation in the fact that he has a number of very promising daughters of the bull in his herd. As a successor to Superior Chief, one of his sons from that good cow, Marshlands Stylish Princess, who has a c.o.r. of 715 lb. fat as a senior two-year-old, should also help to make good Mr Chynoweth's loss.

A somewhat sensational accident happened to a motoring party early on Sunday morning, when the car in which they were travelling en route from Palmerston to Levin left the road and crashed at the bottom of the Buckley Hill, on the south side of Shannon. The cause of the mishap was one that has become comparatively common in motoring—namely, loose gravel at the side of a bend, Avhere it has a tendency to accumulate owing to the frequency with which the road surface is ground up by fast-running cars and lorries. The loose metal in this case was at the turn which leads on to the 10ft embankment across the swamp. The car, which was owned by Mr W. Craig, of Levin, was being driven by Mr Howard Stratton, of Levin, and the other occupants were Messrs K. Drysdale, J. Webb and H. Bell. As the result of the side-slip, the right-hand wheels went over the edge of the road. The driver managed to retain the car's balance for a distance of two chains or more, but it then came to a declivity aud toppled over. The whole party had a marvellous escape from serious injury at the least, the worst of their hurts being a few scratches and bruises. At the bottom of the embankment there is a four-foot drain, and the car up-side down fell astride it, the occupants being able to crawl out from underneath.

A London cable says that the Daily Telegraph has been sold by the Burnham family, who have been the proprietors for three generations, to Sir "William Berry, Mr Gower Berry and Sir Edward Iliffe, who already own many othler newspapers. The Telegraph wil be issued as a penny paper. There is deep regret at the departure of Viscount Burnham from journalism.

A story of the Hon. E. W. Alison and the .New Zealand poet, Tom Bracken, was told at a recital at Hamilton last week. When "Not Understood" was first published in the newspapers, and the author was unknown, Mr Alison recited it at a concert at. Devonport. At the end, he received the great tribute of thanks from a shabby-look-ing individual who rose in the hall to say how much he as author of the poem, had appreciated Mr Alisom's rendering.

A combination of features believed never to have been included in any single building in the world is shown in the plans of the new £7,000,000 Fisher Building, latest of Detroit's large business structures. The plans include a 1000-car garage, a 3000-seat theatre of the most modern type, one wing of 11 floors devoted exclusively to professional offices, and a full complement of stores and shops so varied that it would be unnecessary to leave the building for ordinary shopping purchases.

All of the geysers have been very active at Bbtorua recently, states an Auckland paper, Pohutu. which has not played for about two months, played very high and was active for a long time. Wairnangir, which plays at rare intervals, also gave a splendid display. Waikite, which came into action about two months ago, after being silent for about three years, was also very active, sending up fine shots. Two other small geysers were also playing, while at Whakarewarewa the whole of the valley was enveloped in clouds of vapour.

A sidelight on the first election held in Waipawa for the purpose of electing the first town board was touched on by Mr E. E. O'Halloran, during the recital of a few reminiscences at his golden wedding celebration. A burly North countryman, "Mr W.," defeat- v e'd at the poll, complained of the poor support experienced. "Nobody voted for I." he said. "I voted for 'ee,'-' corrected a mendacious listener. "Thou did not vote for I," censured the outraged candidate. Only one voted for I; I voted for I."

Mr A. W. Blair, the new judge of the Supreme Court, was admitted to practice in 1899 by Sir Eobert Stout. Mr Blair's admission oeing the first judicial act performed by the former Chief Justice. On his admission the Judge presented him with a book containing the following inscription : "Patrem olim amavi nunc filium quasi paterna auctoritate in viam vitae admis!" ("I loved the father in earlier days, and now. with a sort of paternal authority, I have welcomed his son into his path of life.")

Eeferring to the pork subsidy of £30,000, the Minister for Agriculture said he was hopeful that payments would be made on pigs killed for export after January. Ist. ' Only standard weights of first qualities would be subsidised. Details of the allocation would be fixed after consultation with the Dairy and Meat Boards early in January. He points out that Danish exporters receive a bonus of about 6? per carcase. Last season about 69,00 C cwt. of pork was" exported from New Zealand to the United Kingdom and 16,000 cwt. was sent to Australia, the total value being £190,000.

Tuesday was the twelfth anniversary of the completion of the evacuation of the Anzac and Suvla positions at Gallipoli by the British forces. The announcement of the event was made in the House of Commons on the following day, December 21st, 1015, In Mr Asquith, Prime Minister, who said: "It was here where our gallant kinsmen from Australia and New Zealand won undying honour." The total losses in withdrawing were four men wounded and the destruction of sixguns and -a quantity of stores. The landing at Gallipoli by the Anzaes was effected oh April 25, 1915.

Working in the garden is a joy in itself, so some people say. but there are times when the result jis' a little discouraging. Take the cask of a woman who lives in one of the hill suburbs of Dunedin. She dug industriously for an hour or so, and then went into the tool shed for some lime to scatter over the freshly-turned earth. She gave her garden a liberal coating of white, \>ad just for luck scattered a little over the newly-mown lawn. That night it rained, as it sometimes does, and next morning, when she found time to survey her handiwork, it was all she could do to restrain some naughty unladylike words when she realised that it was not lime that was in the bag, but cement, which had caked into solid lumps.

In connection with a fire which occurred recently in Mastert'on when a car was damaged while replenishing with petrol from a kerbside-pump, the Borough engineer reported that according to an opinion of Mr T. F. Martin, solicitor for the Municipal Association, the Borough would be liable for damages had such damage occurred to Other persons or property, and recommended that the Council should insure itself against such a contingency. When the matter was referred to the Mayor, he stated that the titles between the Council and the owners of the kerbside pumps indemnified the Council, but according to Mr Martin's opinion if any pump owner was unable to meet a claim by any person suffering damage, the Borough would become liable. Mr Jordan, (the Mayor) intimated that the whole position would be reviewed when the pump proprietors renewed their applications next year.

Motor vehicles in New Zealand next year will carry number plates consisting of white figures on a brown background. This is the official designation, although the colour is more of a chocolate hue. The letter, indicating the class of registration, will be omitted.

Expressing pleasure at the fact that out of 98 boys leaving the Napier Boys' High School this year, no less than 20 were going into farming pursuits, .Sir James Allen, former Minister of Education and Defence, and latterly High Commissioner in London, took the opportunity, when addressing the .assembled parents, old boys, and pupils, to urge that never at any time in our history had it been more necessary to direct our activities to the development of our primary industries and the settlement of the land than it was at the present time.

A drowning fatality was narrowly averted at Pahiatua through the prc"sence of mind of Mr. J. 11. Lister. A local baker named .E. Petersen was, with his little daughter, bathing in the, Mangatainoka Elver, when the girl got out of her depth. Petersen, who is not a strong swimmer, endeavoured to go to. her aid, but would quickly have been in difficulties himself. Discarding only his hat,. Lister rushed into the water and brought the girl ashore. The hole at the spot is about eight feet deep and there is a fairly strong current.

: Waste products from freezing works are becoming more and more valuable as science is brought to bear upon the problem of converting them into useful by-products. Recently, representatives of various freezing companies have conferred with the Department •of Scientific and Industrial Research on the subject, with the result that a fulllime research officer is to be appointed who will exhaustively study the subject under the direction of Professor Malcolm, at Dunedin. The post has been offered to Miss Arini Pope, of the Medical School in Dunedin, who has already done .much valuable work on similar liues..

members of the Christchurch Presbytery smiled when the Rev. J. C. Young related how a little money had been lost on a project for which he was responsible (says the Southland News). Thirty-one copies of a publication dealing with' the history of Presbyterianism in Canterbury had b'een left in the porch at the recent New Zealand Assembly, with a notice asking delegates to'take one,' tne charge being 6d each. A small box was placed handy for' the contributions. Every copy'- disappeared, but' tho receipts, when counted, yielded only 7s 6d.

"The decision of the Commonwealth Government to place a duty of 6d per lb. on New Zealand butter and cheese means, the end of a profitable, if intermittent, market for New Zealand produce." This was the opinion expressed by leading Wellington firms of dairy produce exporters yesterday. However, if one good market is closing, New Zealand appears to have gained another in Canada. Since Australian production was not. up to expectations and she had no surplus \to export until the end of November, New Zealand exported over 100,000 boxes of butter to Vancouver and Hahiax this season, against 0500 during the previous year.

The course was reputed to be somewhat slippery at the motor-cycle races at Levin on'Monday, and there were several spills. The most serious ' happened to 11. 11. Moller, of Hawera, a well-known rider, who has represented this country in the British Tourist Trophy races. ' In the last race his machine skidded at a bend and leapt in the air, the rider being thrown. Moller was found to have sustained a fracture of the left leg just above the ankle. He was given first aid by Dr. Thompson and sent to the Palmerston North hospital. The machine was badly damaged. A mishap befel S. J. Grinstead,- of Palmerston, when he foil and struck tlie fence, suffering facial cuts and bruises. His motor, cycle was severely damaged, and Grinstead was not able to take part in any further events.