Shannon News FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1929.

Shannon News, 1 November 1929, Page 2

Shannon News FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1929.

The Ladies Guild of Vcn. Bede’s Church intend holding a- sale ,of work and entertainment on November 22nd and 23rd.

The weekly euchre tourney conducted by the Shannon .branch of the N.Z. Labour Party was held in Laurvig’s Hall last evening. The winners for the evening were: —Ladies: Mrs Chiistofferson 1, Mrs Paterson 2, Miss E. McKenzie 3. Gents: Mr Mabey 1, Mr L. Richardson 2, Mr G. Freeman 3. Those to qualify to compete for . the gold watch being Mesdames Christian, Radford*, Butters, Gregory, afud Messrs F. Peach, Lester, W.. Christian, J. Hughan, W. Forbes, R. Harding and L. Treggill.

Last evening \a jreturn ping pong match was played in the Parish Hall between teams from Mangaore and Shannon. On the last occasion tne teams met Mangaore came out winners, and last evening they again won the singles, but Shannon were successful in securing the doubles. During the evening musical items were contributed and the usual toasts were honoured, the evening proving most enjoyable!. At the (conclusion 1 of the games it was decided to form a Ping Pong Club in Shannon.

The danger of children holding in their hands even the smallest of crackers when setting them off, has been very forcibly brought home by the injuries received Dy the boy, Ray Ifermansen, on Monday"evening, when the cracker he iwas letting off, exploded in his right hand, blowing away half his thumb and the tops of three of his fingers, while his mother and young sister who were standing nearby, received minor injuries. The cracker was one off a penny string which is usually considered harmless, but in this case had serious resultjs. .'With the 'approach; of Guy Fawkes celebrations it is the duty of every parent to impress upon the children the danger when handling fireworks.

Eight members of the local branch of the Women’s Institute journeyed to Pahiatua on Tuesday to attend the half yearly meeting of the Federation of Women’s Institutes, which was held there, among them being Mrs Waring Taylor, who is president of the Wellington Provincial Women’s Federation, and Mesdamcs McKenzie and Pritchard, the local delegates. A most interesting and delightful day was spent, and as a result those who made the trip are keener than ever in the work undertaken by the Institute. They state that the exhibition of .articles made from waste material, was simply wonderful and comprised mats made from worn woollen articles and bedspreads made from silk jumpers. Afternoon tea was served and was followed with community singing by the members of the Pahiatua Institute.

At the last meeting of the Wellington. Fire Board it was announced that the old fire-bell, which has been in possession of the Wellington brigade (though not in use) for many years, had been sold to the Catholic Presbytery, Kilbirnie. for £35. This fine old bell, of perfect shape, and a deep,, resonant tone, stands about three feet in height, and its diameter from rim to rim is fully three feet. It is made of true bell metal, and weighs 9ewt. 2qrs. 141bs.

While Constable and* Mrs. W. Carran, of Otaki, with their two sons, were driving along the Otaki-Mana-kau road on Tuesday evening, in their Baby Austin car, they ran foul of some gravel at the Waitohu corner, and the car capsized. The occupants were all more or less shaken and bruised. Mrs. Carran had one arm badly bruised and cut, and stitches had to bo inserted, while Billy, the elder son, was cut about the head, also requiring medical attention. Constable Carran escaped with a slight cut on the face and bruises. The ear, a new one, was considerably damaged.

The turbulent monarch of a turbulent country, the Sheik of Irak, will soon have his almost impregnable domains exposed to his surrounding enemies, this being accomplished by Great Britain opening up a road through the Kowanduz Gorge. Engaged on tlii3 great engineering feat is A. M. Hamilton, 8.E., an ex-Waitaki High School boy. Mr Hamilton, while engaged on this work, met the sheik on the Spillik Pass, and describes hint as of the-var-iety to thrill the flapperettc. v Mounted on a black stallion, the Sheik, Said Taha, with his cohort of armed men, interpreters, servants, and heavily-lad-en mules, returning from Bagdad, was so interested that he pulled up and made many inquiries from young Hamilton regarding the work. The latter knew well that the sheik is opposed to the road being through, but’ owing his very existence to Britain’s protection, he deems it discreet to say nothing.

After rejecting many loan proposals for an extension of "the gravitation water supply system, Palmerston ratepayers Wednesday carried a poll authorising the borrowing of £14,000 (£lO,500 to improve the reticulation and £3500 to put down artesian wells and provide pumps). The voting was—For 1024, against 405. The total number on the roll is 5800, so that only 20 percent*.' of the ratepayers troubled to vote.

Extremes met in the Ilorowhenua cricket competition on Saturday, when the furthest north team, representing the resuscitated Shannon Club, journeyed to the most southerly portion of the Association’s district to play the Parapardumu Club. Before the match commenced, the occasion was taken by Mr C. Reeves, captain of the home team, to extend a hearty welcome to the Shannon players. He remarked tha* this was the first time for about 20 years that the Paraparaumu Club had had the pleasure of meeting a team from Shannon. The welcome was feelingly acknowledged by the visiting combination. . . H ' Death has removed yet another of the men who pioneered Palmerston N., this being Mr. William Henry Smith, who pased away Wednesday, aged 75. The late (Mr Smith was a journalist, who purchased the Manawatu Times in 1834, and controlled it for fifteen years, when lie acquired the. Mavton Advocate, in which ha was actively engaged until his retirement three, years ago. Mr Smith established the first newspaper in the Wairarapa, the Wairarapa Daily Times, in 1874. He leaves a widow' and four daughters. One son, Lieut. K. G. S. Smith, was killed at Passehendaele and the other, Mr Gordon Smith, died during the 1918 epidemic.

A little tragedy of bird life, which occurred in a marine suburb of Auckland recently, was witnessed by two residents on their way to business. They were interested in watching two sparrows busily engaged in putting the finishing touches-to a new nest. Suddenly one of the birds darted from a branch and returned immediately with a long piece of string, which it thrust into the nest. The bird then prepaid to fly off again., but by some means or other the string became twisted around its throat. In endeavouring to. free itself . th.e sparrow, fell and was ; neatly hanged, much to the distress of the pthqr bird, which flitted- helplessly about its suspended mate.

The Anti-Tuberculosis Christmas Seal Campaign supplementary penny stamp originally intended will be .superseded by a specially designed combined postage and charity twopemiy stamp (postage Id, and charity Id). The alteration in the first proposal is made to comply with the International Postal Convention with reference to stamps used on letter faces. : It- was not possible. to produce for this year the particular] design most desired. Another year this may be adopted. The central figure of the design, upon'which the engravers are busy, is a blew Zealand nurse in uniform with a Maori border on either side. The words “Help to stamp out TubeWulc sis ” appear on the stamp. The stamps will be on sale at the end of November.

Banking tales were the vogue during the informal portion of a farewell function to Mr F. S. Seamon, retiring manager of the National Bank at Napier, and naturally most of these narrated concerned overdrafts. One story concerned a native who approached his bank manager, but was refused an overdraft. On the Maori being persistent the manager said that If the native could pick which was his glass eye he would grant the request. The Maori norilinated the correct eve at the first guess, and on being asked by the manager how he managed it, he remarked: "Well, that eye was the only one with any sympathy iu It. ’ ’ Another story concerned a business man who asked for an.. overdraft "How much do you want?" asked the manager. "How much have you got?" replied his' client.

The Prime Minister, Sir .Joseph Ward, has definitely decided that he will not resume his Parliamentary duties this session unless there is a very urgent call for his personal attendance. His strength continues to build up slowly, but the process has taken longer than was expected. The good advice of his friends received substantial corroboration when he realised what a physical ordeal was saved by leaving the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill to Hon. G. W. Forbes acting-lead-er of the party. It is no secret that the whole of the Cabinet has been anxious concerning the leader’s strength, and when the session is over they hope that he will take a change of air for he has remained in Parliament Buildings throughout his convalescence and proposes to do so, continuing in con stant personal touch with Ministers till the session ends. ,

The story of how a Scottish boy from Lensburgh lias made good overseas is told by the New Zealand High Commissioner (states a London correspondent). The lad in question, Alexander Ritchie, sailed for New Zealand under the New Zealan d Sheepfanners ’ scheme in August, 1924. He was trained in'farming-at Flock House, and a year after , he landed, being then 17 years, he was ..apprenticed to a farmer in the, South Island. After .completing this engagement he sent home to Scotland for his brother, and the two have gone into partnership in a farm at Havelock, in the South Island, which has been possible through the thrift of the Flock House lad in putting by ‘his wages.. The two boys have now sent for.their mother and younger brother, and in a little while the family, lafter five years, will be reunited in their new hom*.

It is estimated. that it costs - the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board over £SOOO a year for the treatment of tubercular patients, taking into account the patients treated in shelters in the hospital and those dispatched to sanatoria.

A party of Feilding fishermen who visited Kapiti for the holiday report having seen a swordfish.playing off the island. Some two years ago a mako sharp was seen in these waters and others have reported the presence of swordfish. It is a popular fishing ground and may develop into a deep sea fishing area.

The Grey town Standard says that the South Wairarapa district is being systematically combed by representatives of outside drapery firms in motor cars laden with wares. ‘‘lt seems to us,” (says the paper), “totally unfair that these people, who do not pay rent or local taxes, should be permitted, without restraint, to canvass the district in opposition to South Wairarapa traders. ”

Mr F. H. Murray has on exhibition in his shop (says the Foxton Herald) a piece of totara through which a shoot of couch grass has forced its way for a distance of about two inches until finally it penetrated right through the wood and continued its growth iu a normal way. The fact that the grass made its way right through the totara peg unassisted by a hole or cavity says a great deal for its hardiness and penetrating qualities.

'The annual self-denial appeal campaign conducted by the Salvation Army proved successful in New Zealand this year. The New Zealand total amounted to £36,500, and 'compares very favourably with the Australian self-den-ial results v/hich were £35,902 15s 3d for the eastern division, which includes Queensland and New South IV ales, and £39,156 for the southern division which includes Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

The • appearance on Muriwai Beach of a racing car capable of travelling at from 140 -to 150 miles an hour is promised, according to advice received by the Muriwai Racing 'Club from Australia. The driver will be Mr Norman .(Wizard) Smith, who established an Auckland-Wellington record of 13 hours 10 minutes in 1924. Mr Smith will bring his car to New Zealand iu January. It is a special machine throughout, with a 12-eylinder engine.

Messrs Ross, Rough and Co., of Foxton, have received word that their scutching shed at Te Puke was destroyed by fire at about 5.30 p.m. on Friday. The eause of the outbreak is a mystery and following so quickly on a similar fire at the company’s Wairoa mill lends colour to the suspicion that the outbreak was the work of some incendiary. The Wairoa fire last week was the third occasion on which portion of the mill has been destroyed by fire while the company suffered greatly from mysterious outbreaks at Te Puke some time ago.

The growth of motor traffic is amazing, and the congestion on some of the highways is of a nature which, a few years ago, would have excited comment even in a fair-sized town. The main roads leading out of Wellington are Ihc scenes of what can only be described as processions of motor vehicles, when the cooped-up thousands of the city’s population seek relief of mind and body in more healthful surroundings. Yesterday there must have been record traffic on No. 1 Highway, as a thousand and one ears and motor cycles were, counted between the Ngahauranga Gorge entrance and Waikanae by a party who left Wellington at 5 p.m.

. The severe southerly gale which swept both coasts of the Dominion during Wednesday and Thursday last, resulted in a general hold-up of shipping. The steamer Himatangi had barely cleared the Manawatu Bar on Wednesday afternoon when she ran into the southerly which by nightfall had freshened into a gale. The vessel left Fqxton with a large cargo of cattle and sheep and it was thought, in view of the heavy weather along the coast, that the mortality among the animals would be high. Word has been received, however, that Himatangi reached Lyttelton on Saturdaj’- and although the voyage occupied 72 hours instead of the usual 24, all the stock, numbering 76 bullocks and 65 sheep, landed in gouu order. ■ .

The wherefore of a recent crusade against lupins was made clear at the meeting held in Levin Wednesday for the puirpfose of forming a Rabbit Board. Mr R. R. Karris asked why the Manawatu Rabbit Board had taken action to have lupin declared a noxious weed. He considered that this plant was an essential protection to much of the sandy land in this district, and that ar.v action making for its removal would be detrimental to that class of land. Mr Findlay, inspector stationed at Wellington, after referring to the cover provided by lupins for rabbits, stated that notices served on land-holders, requiring them to clear lupin, did not mean that they were expected to eradicate anything that had been, grown to bring the land into a more profitable state. The Department was only too pleased to help anyone in that connection. Mr Barron, inspector for Manawatu Rabbit Board, stated that it was that Board that had 'approached the' Manawatu County Council to have lupin declared a noxious weed. On flat paddocks, where there was no need for it, it was a noxious weed, but on sandhill dountry it was a necessary growth. He knew of a jiiece of flat land, ten acres in extent, which was left alone, with the result that it became a mass of lupiu from one end to the other.

It b not generally known that trout will . not live in Hie Wangaehu River, which flows through the Wanganui district, not very far south of the Wanganui itself.’. The; reason for this is believed to be the mineralisation- of its waters at certain points by springs cither in the banks or the bed. of the river. Years ago attempts were made to populate the stream, .and fry and yearlings have been liberated, but they have never thrived, and long ago the attempt to make it a fishing water was given up.

Two of the nightingales which were introduced from England and liberated in Auckland nearly two years ago were heard at Mount Eden on Tuesday evening. Reports show that the birds sang strongly for about an hour aud were evidently in good health and condition (states the New Zealand Herald). Although they were not actually seen, the birds were located in the garden of Mr R. S. Abel, of Pentland Avenue, Mount Eden. They commenced singing about dusk, and attracted the attention of residents by the unfamiliarity of their song.

The god wits, whose annual migration from North Auckland is closely followed by scientists and and lovers of birds, have now arrived in North Auckland (states the Auckland Star). The first lot were seen to arrive at a river bank opposite Te Kopuru last Thursday. It was a flock of from 400 to 500 birds, emaciated after their long flight from Siberia. On a previous occasion some years .ago. the same observer witnessed a wonderful sight of a black cloud of godwits stretching from Tikinui to the Awaroa Creek, below Ruawai.