Shannon News FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1929.

Shannon News, 10 May 1929, Page 2

Shannon News FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1929.

Mrs Gordon, of Christchurch, is in Shannon visiting her daughter. Mrs E. T. Moody.

Miss Sinclair, infant mistress at the local school, who has been on leave owing to ill-health, resumed her duties this week.

The Plunket* Society's competition for the baby's outfit presented by Mrs Burling was won by Mrs A. Butt, of Palmerston North.

To-day the schools in the Wellington Education Board's district breakup for the term holiday. School will be resumed again on Monday, 27th May.

Owing to a number of counter attractions the attendance at the Women's Institute crib tourney on day evening was not so large as usual. On the evening’s play Mr and Mrs R. Harding were the winners.

Advice has been received that Miss Wapp, who' was unpointed assistant mistress at the local school, has been appointed to another position and that Miss M. Smi h, of Hillsborough, Taranaki, has been appointed to take' her place.

The chairman of the Road Committee (Cr. R. Downes) has reported to the Shannon Borough Council that the trial truck of sand obtained from Ohau was easily 50 per cent, better than any they had been usings and was just about as cheap as getting sand from out of their own creek. *

The film “Uncle Tom’s Cabin" shown at the Maoriland Theatre last evening, drew a good attendance. The acting and photography is some of the best yet shown at the local theatre. Picture lovers .should not miss the opportunity of seeing this picture which will be screened again this evening.

The .monthly meeting of the Shannon branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Plunket room on Monday night, Mrs H. Clifford Jones presiding. After routine business had been tram •sacted, the Nurse’s report was read, \vhich showed that she visited Shannon on four occasions during He month, when 36 adults, 32 babies and 7 older children, making a total if 75 visited the rooms. It was decided that the annual meeting be held on 10th June.

Stating that he (lid not know whether it came within the jurisdiction of the Council, Cr. Thwaitcs said he understood that, under the regulations, a bus conveying passengers had to have the means of exit at dhe redr fi-ee. He had noticed that buses passing through the town often had these exits blocked up by luggage. He thought tjhat the owners' attention should be drawn to the regulation. The Town Clerk stated that he would take steps to see that the rule is observed.

Yesterday afternoon Mrs Armstrong who 1 severs her connection to-day with the Shannon School as a member of the teaching staff, was met by the staff and children and presented with an oak bedroom clock and antique bronze tray. After Mr Morgan (the acting headmaster) and Mr Hyde, chairman of the Committee had expressed regret at 'her -departure both wishing her every happiness in her new position, the staff entertained Mrs Armstrong to a dainty afternoon tea.

The Methodist Church Anniversary social, held in the Parish Hall on Monday evening in aid of the Trust fund, was well attended, everyone spending an enjoyable time. The evening was spent in games and competitions, interspersed with musical items by Mrs Bullard (Foxton) and ■Mrs J.. Riches (Foxton). The competitions and tug-of-war contest were full of interest, all being keenly contested. The tug-of-war was won by Mr Hill’s team, which was comprised of Messrs Hill, Swift, Freeman, Jagger and Bowker. In the competitions, Miss Allen was the best in cutting the shape of a cat out of paper, the same lady also being successful in guessing correctly the largest number of signatures. The nail driving was won by Miss S. Quarrie and Mr E. Thorne.

Referring to the unfortunate Illness of the borough foreman (Mr F. Haley) at the Shannon Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening; Cr. Downes said there was no doubt his trouble had been caused while on Borough work, probably by receiving a knock on the leg when using the grader. Under the circumstances he would move that he be granted one month's sick, lleave on full pay. The motion was unanimously carried, the Mayor pointing out that Mr Haley, who has been permanently employed by the Council since 1923, had always proved himself to be a good workman. It was also deeided that, during Mr Haley's absence, Mr H. Butt, who is carrying out the former's duties, be paid the foreman’s rate of wages. The question of engaging a temporary hand was lefs to the Road Committee to make an appointment.

i Mr C. C. Franks announces in this issue that he has taken over the wood | and coal business conducted in Shan--1 non by the late Mr J. C. Rotter, also that he is the sole agent in Shannon for Pukemiro coal.

A reminder is given of' the social evening to be held in the. Parish Hall to-night in aid of the local Church of England fund. A good evening’s enjoyment is promised, the committee having drawn up a programme that will appeal to all.

From reports tc hand the ‘'Hardup” dance organised x by the committee of the Women’s Institute to be held in Carter’s Buildings on Tuesday evening promises to be a great success, judging by the number of enquiries for suitable costumes.

The weekly euchre tourney held in Laurvig’s Hall last evening avas well patronised, those present spending an enjoyable" evening; The following were the winners:—Ladies: Mr Mabey, 51b box of tea; Mr Olsen, 251 b bag of flour; Mrs Radford, lib of tea. Gents: Mr Taylor, 51b box of tea; Mr L. Richardson, 251 b bag of flour; Mr Pullman, lib of tea. Those to qualify to compete for the gold watch were Mrs L. Richardson, Mrs S. Anderson, Messrs McLaggan, A. Pullen, R. Cam- ( pi.

At about 3.45 on Wednesday morning residents of Shannon were startled from sleep by a violent earthquake which lasted several seconds. Although the shake was severe, with the exception of a few falling chimney bricks in two eases, no damage was done in -the borough. The only damage in this district that has come to our knowledge was at Mr and Mrs Best’s residence, Kingston Road, where the circulating pipes in the water service were broken flooding the kitchen, while a chest of drawers, was shifted two feet out of position and ornaments were "thrown to the .floor. The kitchen chimney was levelled while the tops were rattled off others.

The installation of P.A. Bro. C. P. Grey as District President for No. 3 district of the U.A.O.D. Lodge, which includes Paraparaumu, Otaki, Levin, Foxton and Shannon Lodges took place in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening, the ceremony being performed by the retiring D.P. Bro. Fletehe r , of Levin. Over one hundred Druids ivere present (including a large number of sisters) representatives being present from the Lodges in the district, visitors also being present from Oroua .Lodge (Palmerston North), Acorn (Terrace End), and Lind (Tokomaru), also Grand President, Bro. F. Jackson, of Palmerston North. At the conclusion of the ceremony dancing was carried on till midnight for which Mr and Mrs Purcell supplied the music.

That -72 per cent, of the petrol imported into New Zealand was used in the North Island and only 28 per cent. ;iii the South Island was a statement .which caused surprise at a meeting of the executive of the South Island Motor Union! It was stated by members that the reasons were probably that the North Island had many more milking machines, and that the large number of motor-boats, particularly on the Waitemata Harbour, also had a ibearing on the consumption. The executive, which had received the record of percentages from the Main Highways Board, decided to ask the board to state the taxable value of the petrol used in each island.

A woman in a Dunedin auction room recently bought 73 ounces of silver spoons, etc., by a bid of 3s 6d an ounce, thus incurring a debt of £l2 15s 6d,'whereas she thought she purchased the lot for the price she was paying for one punce. The spoons were not taken delivery of by the purchaser, but after being gently reminded of her obligation she gave instructions to the auctioneers to re-sell rhein on her account, which was done, with the result that they found a new owner at 2s lid an ounce. The first purchaser thus lost £2 2s 7d, plus commission on the sale, as the result of noz paying attention to the auctioneer when selling the articles.

It is the intention of the Levin Fire Brigade to make every effort to ensure the holding of a district demonstration at Levin next Easter. There are 25 brigades in the district association, which has a territory extending as far as Taihape and including Wairarapa; and if the function c,an be arranged, it will probably bring 150 firemen to the town for a period of four days, anl some of the men will no doubt be accompanied by their wives and families. As a first step towards raising the funds necessary to guarantee the demonstration, the Levin Brigade, at a meeting last evening, decided to hold a series of fortnightly euchre tournaments, commencing on Friday, M\y 10th. At the same meeting, Mr I. Hook, Borough Waterworks Overseer, was elected an honorary member of ■the Brigade.

Harrowing tales are current of a plague of mice in and about the city (says “L.O.M. ’’ in the Auckland Sun v . A peculiar feature thereof is the diminutive physique of the abundant anljnals. They are reputed to be hardly any bigger than a bumble bee, but many times more voracious, and capable* of making enormous inroads into even the most robust commissariat. The tale is told of a housewife who opened a disused bin and found five of these tiny creatures gambolling in the-bottom of it. Lacking any other antidote she resourcefully plied them •with in see tic Me, but this i'ngejnious method failed to produce the desired results, and they had to stay in the bir. until lunch time brought the simultaneous appearance of a husband and a rolling pin.

The net profit earned by the New Zealand Farmers 1 Fertiliser' Company last year was £27,655.

The rainfall at Whangarci last month was 9.99. For the past ten years the April average has been 4.19.

The Government has decided not tc alter the present policy of leasing the railway bookstalls to private tenderers.

The. Public. Trust Office at Auckland states that ‘he sum of £20,000 offered for investment in Auckland Power Board loan debentures is not from the funds of the. Public Trust office, but ' s on behalf of clients of the office.

'The following story is vouched for by the Wanganui Hospital authorities: An eight months’ old baby was known to have swallowed a button, and on being examined by X-rays at the hospital it was found that a number of pins, needles, safety-pins and buttons, totalling 26, were reposing in the baby’s interior. A simple operation followed, and the baby is now well. It was later ascertained that an older child had fed this strange diet to the inf an 1: when no one was watching.

The latest thing in Auckland is for young ladies tc accompany their gentlemen friends at a- game of billiards instead of to the theatre. The new craze is remarkably popular with tin younger class, and occupies a good deal of their spare time. The new amusement den contains in addition to several billiard tables, two ping-pong tables, a miniature golf course, complete with bunkers and 18 holes, and a reading and writing foom. A refreshment- ftall, at which “hot dogs,” sandwiches, coffee and sweets .are obtaioable, is also provided. Many couples spend their lunch hours in this manner instead of walking the street.

“The matter of glass-house insurance is causing growers some concern,” states the annual report of the Christchurch Tomato and Stone-fruit Growers’ Association. ‘lnsurance Companies are not prepared to offer rates against hailstorms, and it has been fuggested that the growers should establish an insurance fund of their'own by paying into the association a special levy for that purpose-. The matter will require careful consideration, ns certain areas have been known to be hailstorm belts.” A report on the occurrence of hailstorms has been received from the Government meterological Office. At the annual meeting of the. association it was decided to forward a remit to the New Zealand Tomato Growers’ Conference urging that the conference should give the matter consideration.

The recovery of a stolen car usually proves a. difficult and frequently protracted proceeding. Realising die need for some better method of detec tion and recovery of missing cars, the South Taranaki Automobile Association has now been atble to make a very satisfactory arrangement with the New Zealand Motor Trader Association, aud is now able to place this additional service at the disposal of (members (states the Hawera Star). Immediately upon receipt of advice that a member’s car is missing, the secretary notifies, by telegraph the general secretary of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association, giving a full description of the vehicle, as notified by the owner. The latter at once sends a “missing car” post card to every motor garage, petrol station and tyre depot in New Zealand, and as the ear may be expected to find its way to one or other of these establishments, recovei'y is almost certain. ‘