Shannon News TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1928.

Shannon News, 19 June 1928, Page 2

Shannon News TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1928.

Two first offenders appeared before Mr E. J. S. Spencer, J.P., yesterday, morning, charged' with drunkenness, were convicted and discharged.

At the monthly meeting of members of the Women's Institute, to be held on Wednesday, a demonstration will be given by some ladies from Levin of making baskets from pine needles.

The public are reminded of the concert to be given in the Maoriland Theatre this evening by a party of talented artists from Palmerston North and Levin in aid of Miss E. Butler's candidature in connection with the Queen Carnival being held In Palmerston North.

A visitor to Shannon yesterday was Mr Howard Parsons, who some five years ago was on the local staff of the Bank of New Zealand. Leaving Shannon Mr Parsons went to England, but during the past three years ne has resided in Hong Kong, where he has ben engaged in the shipping business. Mr Parsons, who arrived in Wellington on Saturday from .China, is on his way to Auckland.

The death occurred at the Palmerston North Hospital yesterday of a very old Levin, resident in the person of Mrs Jane Svensson, wife of Johan Ellis Svensson. p"tie lady, who had been ailing for some time, was 81 years of age. She arrived in New Zealand 54 years ago, settling in Feilding, where she resided for 28 years, removing to Levin 26 years ago, where she resided up to her death. Besides her husband she leaves to mourn her death four daughters, Mesdames F. Thomson, Shannon; B. Tremewan, Shannon; W. Lovejoy, Levin; Pocock, Fiji; and two sons, Charles, Ohingaiti; Walter, Carnarvon; also thirty grand children and seventeen great grandchildren. The funeral takes place at Levin to-morrow at 2.30 p.m.

Having taken over the stationery and news agency business, recently carried on by Mr J. V. Burns, we wish to intimate to the residents of Shannon and surrounding districts that we shall endeavour to carry on the business with the same promptness of delivery of papers, etc., with civility and attention and we ask for a share of patronage. What we have not in stock we shall if possible procure for you. All accounts will be rendered monthly, present day business will not permit extended credit.—Miss Baxter.

Members of the Tuberculosis Commission who visited the Pukeora Sanatorium, WaipUkurau, during the weekend, hearing the evidence of the medical superintendent and seeing every patient, left last evening for Palmerston North, en route to Auckland.

Many tennis enthusiasts have wondered what became of the New Zealan team in the Davis Cup. After they defeated Portugal, they had to meet Czecho-Slovakia at Prague not later than June 13, and followers of the game in the Dominion were looking forward to the two young New Zealanders (Andrews and Young) having the opportunity of meeting the players of another European nation, as it was considered they had an excellent chance of reaching the final of the European zone. All these expectations have been suddenly dispelled by a cable from Prague, however, informing us that New Zealand has scratched. The first news that the New Zealand Association has had, since congratulating its players on the victory against Portugal, is this eabled advice from Prague. Naturally there is a great deal of disappointment, and, in the absence of any satisfactory explanation, it is felt that New Zealand's entry into the European arena has been something of a fiasco.

There is no sign yet of the whereabouts of Mervyn Hodgkinson, lost since last Monday on the Orongorongo hills. Search parties are still out.

The following paragraph is from the Christchurch Star of June 14th, sixty years ago: —Soon or later the native flax of New Zealand is certain to become a valuable article of commerce. This is the opinion of everyone who has paid any attention to the subject. At present the manufacture of this fibre is in its infancy. All that we have succeeded in doing with it up to the present time is to produce a coarse fibre which realises, according to the nature of the dressing, from £lO to £25 a ton. But'it is well known that the fibre of the Phormium tenax is capable of being used for spinning purposes and for the manufacture of paper. For either of these purposes, if in proper condition, the flax would realise a very much larger price.

"The new maternity home is now ready to take in patients," said Sir James Wilson, chairman of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, at a meeting of that body. Sir James stated that persons of the Palmerston hospital district only would be eligible for admission to the home, and in the event of the institution being unable to supply sufficient accommodation those people in poor circumstances would be given preference. Referring to.the proposed charges to be made at the home, the chairman said it was thought the following fees Avould be equitable:—Where husband's salary is between £5 to £6 per week, 9 S a day; where salary between £4 and £5 per week, 7s a day; where salary under £4 per week, 6s per day. Where the salary was above £6 per week, it was thought that 15s per day would be a fair charge. The board agreed to these charges, which were adopted.

The discovery of an escapee from the Boys' Training Farm'at Weraroa was made at Palmerston North late on Saturday evening, under circumstances which appeared suspicious. He 'is the remaining lad of two who were wanted in connection with the burglary which took place at Mr Harwood's shop opposite the Grand Hotel during the time t*he premises were closed between June Bth and 9th. The first boy was apprehended by Constable Bagrie on the morning following the. offence. On Saturday night the other lad, who is about 15 years of age, was found without excuse inside the garage of Messrs P. M. and K. Havill, Rangitikei Street, Palmerston, and was handed over to the police, who identified him, When Mr P. M. Havill, who resides opposite the garage, was retiring to bed he observed the lights inside the building being switched on and off. Immediate investigations revealed the youth in the office. There was no evidence of the building having been forced. It is surmised the lad watched his opportunity and hid in one of the firm's lorries until the premises were locked up for the night. He was to appear before the Court in Palmerston to-day.

In the transfer of the headquarters of the fields, division of the Department of Agriculture to Palmerston North, one of the biggest changes in the history of the department has been made (says the Standard). The division is to be incorporated in the new Government plant research station, at present housed in Princess Street,-but which later will be established on portion of the Massey Agricultural College estate,'where some 24 acres Have been set aside for its work. Some 30 members of the division are involved, in additional to the staff of the Government biological laboratory, two of whom, Dr. G. H. Cunningham and Mr J. C. Neill, are already in Palmerston North and have begun their scientific work. "This is really the first step in recognition of the necessity of scientific research in agriculture," said Dr. Cunningham, when interviewed by a Standard reporter. The plant research station is under the direction of the fields division of the Agricultural Department and a committee comprising members of the Massey, Agricultural College, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and commercial interests. Mr A.' H. Cockayne, of the fields division, is director, and will later occupy administrative offices in the town.