Shannon News TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1929.

Shannon News, 21 May 1929, Page 2

Shannon News TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1929.

Miss Nancy Barnes, Wellington, and Mr A. G. Whitcombe, London, are the guests of Mr and Mrs C. Cronquest, of Stout Street.

Lester Burling, son of Mr' aiid Mrs A. E. Burling, entered the Palmerston North Hospital on Friday; to undergo an operation for throat trouble.

A further appointment to the headmastership of the local school has been made, Mr W. B. Roe, at present headmaster of the Paraparaumu School having been appointed.

• Two Shannon cyclists, K. Carter and H. Keriona, charged with cycling on the footpath in Shannon, were convicted by Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., at Pal-' merston North yesterday, and fined 10s each, with 10s costs.

Mr F. Haley, who has ben an inmate of the Palmerston North Hospital for the past three weeks, continues to improve, but, it will be another fortnight before he will be able to leave the institution.

Miss C. Blackwood, who left for Taihape last Aveek, where she will reside in future; prior to her departure from Mangaore was tendered a fareAveil social, by her ;friends Avhen she was the recipient of a camera and snap album, accompanied by their best wishes for her future happiness.

On Friday evening Messrs Mason and Peach, butchers, had a dressed sheep on view in their window, which the public Avore invited to judge the weight of. Over 100 entries Avere received, Mr Stan Pederson being the nearest Avith 921bs, the correct weight being 931bs.

This evening the weekly cribbage tourney conducted by the committee of the Women's Institute will be held in Carter's Buildings. Good prizes are being offered and as the price of admission is low, those Avho Avish to spend a pleasant evening should not fail to attend.

Motorists should take warning of the notices erected by the Railway Department at the Vance Street crossing and that over the Otaura stream. It is,compulsory for motorists to stop before passing over these crossings, and we are informed that the police intend to see that this rule is observed. Offenders are liable to a heavy penalty.

A number of local young men, with a view to raising funds for a local institution,, will hold a “Joy Night” im the Druids Hall, on Tuesday evehing, 28th May. The Levin Jazz full orchestra has been engaged to provide the music and a number of the latest novelty dances will be put on, for which good prizes will be awarded to the winners. An excellent supper will be provided. The committee who are organising the function intend to provide ‘patrons with a good evening’s pleasure and as the price of admission is within the reach of all, a large attendance is anticipated.

The Shannon Volunteer Fire Brigade dance held on Friday evening, proved a very enjoyable function. Mr and Pareell supplied the music and Mr J. T. Bovis carried out the duties of M.C. At a suitable interval, the Mayor (Mr E. Butt), on behalf of the superintendent of the fire brigade (Mr Jas. Curran, jnr.) thanked those present for their atendance, An enjoyable demontsration of the Irish jog was given by the two little daughters of Mr J. Smith (Moutoa). The hall was decorated with red and black streamers, the brigade colours. It is the intention of the brigade -to hold these dances fortnightly.

The Committee of the Mangaon Tennis Club celebrated the wind-up of the Club’s season by holding a social and dance in the . staff bach at Mangao're. on (Saturday evening. The bach was decorated with greenery , and blue and white paper streamers for the occasion. There was a good attendance, a number of visitors journeying out from Shannon. Mr King officiated as M.C., the music being provided by Mr and Mrs Pareell, which was much appreciated. During the evening an impromptu speech competition was held, the subjects being mostly of a humorous nature, causing a deal of amusement. Mr C. Cronquest was the winner his subject being “Popularity.” The prizes for the holders of the lucky entrance tickets was won by Mrs King (ladies) and Mr James (gents). A dainty supper was served, a very enjoyable evening being brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.

A heavy loss has befallen Mr Geo. E. Merrikin, of Hatuma, on Saturday night. After treating a line of over ninety Southdown rams with sheep tablets Mr Merrikin the rams into a paddock of green oats. The feed almost immediately set up a scour in his flock, with the result that ninety odd rams are now dead. Apart from thfe loss of the stud stock at this particular time of the year, Mr Merrikin places his financial loss at something in the vicinity of £IOOO.

The Hon. G. Forbes, Minister for Agriculture}, informed the New Zealand Farmers' Union that it is regretted that no alterations can now be made in the method of payment of the bonus for the current season in connection with the export of pork,

The Commissioner of Crown Lands states that the Central Development Farm is being subdivided into nine farms, ranging from 63 to 68 acres. •These sections will be offered for closer settlement about the middle of July.

It is reported by the Examiner that on Saturday, a lady resident of Woodville left a handbag in a shop in that town. It contained over £IOO in notes, and wheir she returned a few minutes later it had disappeared. The police are investigating.

Several appointments of vicars to Anglican parishes in the Auckland and Waikato dioceses have been made. The vicar of Mayfield, Newcastle, Australia, Eev. R.. 8. Davidson, lias been appointed vicar of Thames. The former incumbent, Rev. N. F. E. Robertshawe, recently resigned to go to England. Rev. J. W. Robinson, who lately relinquished charge of the' Iluntly district through ill-health, has been appointed priest in charge of Norfolk Island. 11-3 Will proceed there immediately. His successor will be Rev. C. J. Bush-King.

The deer-stalking season, which will end on May 31st, is said to be well up to the average, if' not rather better, in the Wellington district. One guide to the number of heads’taken is'the number placed in the hands of taxidermists. So far the number so placed for mounting is just over 80. But with those not already placed in the hands of the taxidermists, and the heads yet to'be secured before the season closes, it would not be surprising if the total reached 150 for the season, which would be equal to the average return.

A remarkable coincidence has been pointed out by a reader of the Lyttel ton Times. In an issue recently there was published an account of the railway mishap at Pareora on April 15, in which 13 waggons were wrecked. In the “Fifty Years Ago” column of the same day there appeared a short account of a railway accident which had occurred a few miles south of Timaru on April 15, 1879. In this case also 13 trucks were wrecked. The date, number of trucks, and to some extent the locality were the same in each case, with a fifty years’ gap between.

'“I must congratulate the secondary school teachers on having at last in sight the substituting of. accrediting for examination in the case of .University entrance,” remarked the Director of'Education, Mr T. B. Strong, in addressing the Secondary Schools Association at Wellington. There might be ihisgivings in th'e minds of' some and timidity to shoulder responsibility on the part of others, he said, but he had no doubt that, with suitable safeguards, the change would be of immense benefit to pupils and their teachers. —Press .telegram.

The Man-iwatu-Oroua Power Board, which centres on Palmerston, has expended £454,559 of loan money on capital expenditure in its district. Its revenue last year from sale of current totalled £60,309, and £21,880 -was paid for current. The total income including trading was £61,713 11s lOd. The expenditure totalled £59,224, leaving a credit on the year’s working of £2489. The Board, however, is required by law to write-off £4836 as depreciation, so that when this was done, the loss on the year’s working was £2346. For comparison it may be stated that the Horowhenua Power Board has expended £186,730 in the capital account. Its total receipts last year were £40,396, and its expenditure (including £3171 depreciation) £39,792, showing an actual net profit of £604. It paid £15,263 for current, and received in revenue from sale of current £38,933.

Mr H. Cotter, who is employed as a stripper feeder at King’s Mill on the riverbank, at Foxton, had a narrow escape from serious injury one day last week. He was working at the stripper at the time and while engaged in clearing away some rubbish about the mouth of the feeder the bottom of his coat by some means got dragged into the machine.' In a, second Mr Cotter was hurled against the mouth piece of the stripper, his right arm, the top caught, was twisted up around his back. Fortunately the belt from the motor driving the stripper was fairly slack and the jamb caused the stripper to stop. Mr Cotter was unable to extricate himself from his position and called for assistance. Those who rushed to the scene received a nasty shock as from his position iti appeared as if Mr Cotter had his arm in the stripper up to the shoulder. He was, however, uninjured and was quickly released by cutting away his coat.—Herald.

Regularity, of attendance has been a notable feature of the school term just concluded at the Levin District High School, the average being well above the average for the Wellington district. In reporting the satisfactory condition prevailing to the committee last night, the Headmaster, Mr Foss, paid that hitherto the school year had been divided on a quarterly basis, but now it comprised three terms. The attendance during last term represented 95 per cent, of the roll in the Primary Department and 94 per cent, in the secondary department, whereas the average for the Wellington District was 90.5 per cent. This high percentage was very satisfactory. It meant that the children generally had been very healthy, and also that parents had been making every effort to support the school. As Headmaster he wished to express his appreciation of the parents’ interest. The ■Committee agreed that the attendance record was very creditable.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has advised the Whangarei A. and P. Society that, after consultation with the Crown Law Office, he cannot class a mounted stag’s head and antlers, which the society propose to raffle at the Winter Show, as a “work of art.”

Auctioneers at Christchurch recently found it difficult to obtain Id & lb for the best quality pears, though the retail prices in the shops ranged from 3d to 6d per lb. The fruiterers say that they have‘to face heavy wastage through the fruit going bad.

Mr Cyril Y. Day, who for the last fourteen years has been a member of the staff of Abraham and Williams, Ltd., has severed his connection with the company and entered into practice as a public accountant in Palmerston North. Mr Day’s many Levin friends will wish him success in his new sphere of work. /

Advice has beep received by the Palmerston Borough Council from the Foxton Harbour Board in connection with the proposed collection of a differential rate. It was stated that, owing to lack of shipping and the loss of the s.s. Kennedy, the board was compelled to collect the rate for the repayment of the loan of £16,000.

If there is one man who is anxious for the early completion of the NapierGisborne railway it is the Wairoa County Engineer (says an exchange). In preparation for vhe winter, all the water-tables on the main highway were recently cleaned out, when along came a mob of 3000 cattle on the way to Hawke’s Bay and practically blotted out all the work. Another 3000 will be passing through in a few days from the East Coast, and fu-ther damage must result. Whrn the line is completed all the Cattle will be railed and the damage done to the road obviated.

A girl of 16, Violet Dixon, was riding on the “chairoplane” at Thames on Saturday afternoon (states the Auckland.'Sun’), and while the machine was travelling round at a fair speed she slipped from her seat and was sent flying through the air. Miss Dixon struck a poster hoarding with considerable force, breaking a leg in two places and lacerating the flesh. She was taken to the hospital. This is the second accident that has occurred at the “chairoplane.” The previous week a youth named Gilmore was struck- on the head by a chair, and the wound necessitated five stitches being inserted.

The capacious three-legged iron pots used extensively, in the days of the earlier settlement of New Zealand had a peculiar attraction to the natives, who termed these new cooking receptacles “koahoa.” “Koahoa,,” explained flotarian G H. Weston at a Rotary ■luncheon at New Plymouth, meant “go ashore,” this strange derivation coming from a chance remark made by Captain Cook. Some natives had been particularly insistent in their demands for the acquisition of one of the pots, and in desperation the much-harassed .captain at last, after heartily condemning them, told them to take one and “go ashore.” Henceforth the appellation given to these was “koahoa,,”

Fires lit 258 years ago are still burning in a pottery at the corner of New King’s road and Burlington road, Fulham, S.W. They were started with tinder and flint in 1671 by John Dwight, the Fulham potter, whose wares are now eagerly sought after. His sons and daughters who carried on the business kept them going. .Then the pottery passed by marriage to the family of White, and when the last White died, in 1862, Messrs Mclntosh and Clements took it over. After two years they sold it to a Mr Bailey, and in 1889 it passed into the possession of Mr G. W. Cheavin, who is now the governing director of the private company which still carries on the business. The kilns of ttjo-|daiy are little different from those used by John Dwight in the seventeenth century. ~

Six jurymen pleaded to be excused from service at a sitting of the Palmerston North Supreme Court. As there was a shortage of jurymen, his Honour was obliged to consider carefully the merits of each application. Three who w.erc farmers were excused without delay, his Honour remarking that their applications were ones that should receive favourable consideration. One applicant who collected cream and had nobody who knew his run, was also readily given leave, but the requests of the remaining two —one a building contractor and the other a welder in an engineering firm—gave his Honour deeper concern. “It is the small man who§e business would be stopped who is only excused as a rule,’ ’ observed the judge. However, as both men were engaged in important work, they Avere given leave.