LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 95, 12 June 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Egg circles are increasing in popularity. Tlio one at Levin is doing satisfactory business at present, close upon one Hundred dozen of eggs having been sent to Wellington last week, and a considerably larger number will be sent this week. A sensation was caused in Warkworth, Auckland, recently, when a lady resident entered a shop and horsewhipped the proprietor in the presence of a large crowd of persons, who had been called in to witiross the man’s punishment. The lady alleges that tnc shopkeeper made certain grave allegations against her. Some of the instruments (writes the Australasian) used by the Sousa Band arc weird to a degree. One perlormor sits in the centre of a huge silver instrument, which circles round him like an affectionate 1 oaconstrictor, and rears a lingo bead ;ust behind his own. Another gentleman spends good deal of Ids time on bis knees where ho vehemently hammers something with a wooden nadict, shakes a long'thin metallic shutter, or rubs together wlml appear to be two sheets of sandpaper, and at intervals clashes together strange objects which look iatlier lisp, cocoanuts. The glockensiee] win'll consist.■?. ol a Irame.v.wiv bong with a dozen graduated net.il n.pes winch, when struck, give forth clear hell-like notes—is a more usual instrument, and was effectively used in Rachmaninoff’s “Bells of .ties cow/’ The Taranaki Winter Show was brought to a conclusion on Saturday night, the weather for the four days upon which ll was open being so bad a: to prevent a large number of country settlers from attending. Thin o. to be regretted, because fao Show was on? of the best object-lessons in this direction ewer held in the l mother town. Tilt' display made ii apparent i hat North Taranaki settlers ic.-iibc' 11‘;‘ ";;;ys:d,w !; f being up-to-date, i bis being ! iiMv cseiuulili al in. ihe nir.liner in v, 1:i; • i Bell HI cl.; cd Yalta!.: West set mat their exhibits. All that v.as wanted to male? the Show a " as bme but jj/s was denied the promoters.

The Toko Fannota’ v’nion v.ill hold j its annual crmvcrf'.vzianc at tho i oko Hiill, on riiday, June PJth. Dairymen round admit Alastcrfon ore at present paying as high as £l2 for good cows to conio into profit at once. With tho object of minimising tho stray dog nuisance the Gisborne Borough Council is calling tor applications for a dog pmindkeeper and ranger. A number of working horses in the Id aster ton district are suffering from acute attacks of influenza just now. A large number of horses were similarly attacked about this period last year. Tho "--Toppers’ Club,” of Masterton, which has latterly been in a comatose condition, is showing signs of renewed vitality, and is pursuing its calling at no little peril to tho liberty of its members, remarks the “Age.” “I have no friends,” the Creycown Borough ranger said, when asked how he treated friends whose stock strayed on tho loads, meaning, we suppose, that he puts duty before friendship, says the “Standard,” Certainly the ranger’s report is a decided feature of the Borough Council meetings now-a- ---< lay s. An amendment has been made in the Hail way Department’s regulations covering the scale of charges on ship’s goods from Lyttelton for Christchurch and for stations beyond Christchurch, says the “Lyttelton Times.” Previously tho charges were computed on not more than twice the actual weight of any package. The new regulations provide for computation in the same way on tho basis of consignments instead of packages. Sharks, it appears, are a primitive typo of fish, with cartilaginous material in place of a backbone. Their primitive nature is shown, further, bv their having the remains of teeth all over their bodies. ’This was stated by Mr D. G. Lillie, in a lecture at Canterbury College. Ho said that in spite, of being primitive, they wore a very successful class, and added that some people, no doubt,, thought them too successful. “Hump-backed whales are very human,” said Mr I). G. Lillie in a lecture at Canterbury College; “they are said to make love, and to show their affection by exchanging pats on the body. 'Those love pats can be heard six miles away.” Another interesting fact mentioned by Mr Lillie was that the throat of the sperm whale is very elastic, so much so that two men could bo put down it. Ho suggested that it must have been a whale of ibis kind that swallowed Jonah. It appears that the supremacy of the whale in the Canterbury Museum as the biggest animal known may 1)0 wrested from it by some of tho reptiles now turning up in South America. Such was the statement made by Mr I). G. Lillie in a lecture at Canterbury College. Ho also said that authentic whales ran up to 88ft. only, and lie had seen one in an Irish whaling station that measured that length. A Gisborne gentleman who has just returned from a tour of tho backblocks, in relating his experiences, stated that one dark evening, as the horse bo was riding was plodding along through the bush and the mud, some 10 nr 50 miles from Gisborne, a roar like tho sound of the sea caught bis ears; Cor a time all sorts of superstitious fancies filled Ins mind, until coming suddenly out of the bush be discovered a large woolshed. A peep inside at mice set Ids mind at ease, for the mysterious sounds wore caused by a party from the adjoining stations who were engaged in the fascinating pastime of skating. The officer in charge of the Christchurch branch of the Department of Labour, Air W. H. Hagger, told a “Press” reporter yesterday that there were a great number of applications from barmaids for registration under the provisions of the Licensing Act still to bo dealt with and investigated. In connection with the latter process, considerable delay bad been occasioned by the number of licensees who bad -moved fiom one place to another. About eighty applications had already been dealt with and roughly eighty per cent of these bad established their claims satisfactorily, and have been enrolled.

The Kaiser is the most exigent Royal traveller of the clay (says an English exchange). His personal servants accompany him everywhere, and on a State visit their number is increased. When he visited England last year his suite comprised the Court Chamberlain, two personal aides-de-camp, six adjutants, two physicians-in-orclinary, twelve body servants and a secretary, all in waiting upon him, while the Empress had a master of ceremonies, two maids of honour, six tiring women, and two grooms of the chamber. There were besides twenty coachmen and stable attendants to look after the two carriages, and twelve pairs of horses, and ton chauffeurs for the six motor cars.

Of tiie “drunks’’ who appear at the Magistrate’s Courts there is an infinite variety. The other morning a young man who had boon arrested the day before, strenuously domed that he had been in liquor at the Christchurch Court, says “The Press.’’ He waved a doctor’s certificate, which, ho declared set out that lie had been sober when arrested. The constable who had arrested him gave evidence that at one period accused had hung across a fence with In's head drooping. Then the station sergeant gave his evidence. When the young man had-been first brought in lie had said that he had had two beers and two whiskies; later ho had said that lie had , had . three whiskies and one beer; later still ho had declared that he had had four whiskies. Even the doctor’s certificate availed not against this testimony, and a fine of 10s was inflicted.

In t.lio course of his speech in acknowledgment of the gift of a p-ec-tor.nl cross of Irish design, the Bish-op-clod of Wellington (Rev. T. H. Sprott) relieved tne seriousness oi the occasion hy one or two touches of humour (says the “Dominion”). The story of his experiences ■in connection with the degree of Doctor of Divinity was quite amusing, _ especially his dealings with the Regius Professor of Divinity at Dublin (adversity, and the Batin sermon which _!ic wrote on one occasion for submission to that learned an'd august personage.

Mr Sprott drily remarked that tin* Regius Professor had not up to the present returned that sermon, and he had an uneasy suspicion that he

(the professor) had retained it to regale himself with dining ids hours of leisure. After expressing his ver • sincere thanks for the beautiful gold pectoral cross and highlv praising its workmanship. I'm _ Bishop-elect- •• c-

nnirked that Ids native (own of Dromorc was one of the few places in .Inland which still ; 'pained a tow 1 ’ cross - and alongside ttint cross stood the ancient stocks, Mr Sprott thanked ihe donors for giving him a pectoral <vo:-s of Dish design, which v,, add remind him of ids birthplace, o P) 1 ho added, with a twinkle in his eye, he also thanked them for leaving cut the mocks.

'i ordinary meeting of the Borough Council ,\iil be held this evening. Air. C. D. Silo loft on a short buri'ioss • visit to Wellington by this, me ruing’,-, mail train. Two sharp shocks of earthquake wore felt at Xew Plymouth on Saturday night, says the “News,” the first, occurring at 9.85 and the second at 10.85, both being of exceptional severity. It was a noteworthy feature in connection with tho dozen divorce cases beard at the Christchurch Supreme Court recently that all but two of the marriages had taken place in registry offices. Mr. E. W. Lewis left by this morning’s mail train for a holiday tour through the North Island. Ho will be away about a fortnight, during which time Mr. Liddington will be in charge of his business. A Ballancc dairy farmer, who is a supplier to a butter factory near' Pabiatua, furnishes some particulars of the value of by-products for the past season. The settlor milked 18 cows and from the skim milk reared 50 pigs, valued at £2 Gs each, which brought in Cl 12 IDs, and !2 woanor calves at 85s, making a total return of £lB3 10s. The danger of youngsters playing with dynamite detonators was demonstrated at the Waiongona School one day, last week. A lad named Horace Lumsdon was playing with a dynamite cap that be had found, when another lad procured a lighted stick from tho school fireplace. The firestick was applied to the cap, with the result that the boy Lnmsden had portions of a thumb and two fingers Mown from bis iiand. The boy is now being treated at the New Plymouth Hospital (says the “Daily News.”) The programme for tho hsg cycle race round the Mountain has now Lo-.m issued, and it is hoped ty: the piomc’Ters that upwards of curries will be received from New Zealand and Australian riders. A sum of £BOO is provided for prizes, and the New Plymouth Committee in charge of the race desires to have £IOO in hand also for contingencies. On Wednesday evening, at New Plymouth, a performance in aid of the race fund will lie given by Air S. H. Saunders. A,postcard with an interesting record has just reached the Secretary of the Postal Department. It has travelled between the Antarctic re- 1 * gions and 'New Zealand on no less tinan three occasions, and would be a valued piize Jor any collector, as it carries two of the special stamps issue! by the Postal Department to the recent expeditions. The oldest stamp iT an oulinary penny one, and brought tin postcard back , from McMurdo Spun;l in April of 1901, when Captain Scut’s first expedition wont into quarto ; there. The card went south again with Lieutenant Shackleton’s. expedition, and was posted to New Zealand once, more from King Edward VII. Land in Afaicli, 1909. Its third trip was, at tho end of last year; and it was posted hack to the Dominion in February, tin's time from Victoria Land. Air A. Alexander’s Warea grazing run, subdivided for closer settlement, was submitted to auction at Air Newton King’s Now Plymouth mart on Saturday, when there was a good attendance, says tho “Nows.” The beach lot on the north side of tho Stent road, comprising 125 acres, was sold to Air ('has. Sole at £27 10s an acre, and the other two farms, of 100 acres each, on the same side of the road, to Messrs J. and L Afeier, at £2B an acre Gu tho opposite side of : io ; tent nm i Mr H. N. Cliaom in pi ivhasod two allotments, totalling 223 acre's, at £25 10s an acre. •Alt T.'Doyle purchased 85 acres at the lower end of the Ncwail road for £BO an acre, and the adjoining 97 acres (homestead site) at £25 an acre. The beach lot on the south side of this road was sold to Air T. Prop by at £3O an acre. Air D. F. Grcpnway purchased tho two beach farms between Pungarehu and ipc Waitekanre stream, 160 acres and 151 acres, at £26 10s an ;wr?. A queer story is related by the men of H.AI.S. Cambrian, now in Picton (states tho local paper), about one of their number who has succeeded in gaining his discharge from tho British Navy. Tho sailor in question did not take kindly to tho service, and deserted tho ship at a southern port. After a short period oh land he was arrested at Lyttelton,, and received duo punishment for bis misdemeanour. The man’s opportunity came for a daring stroke on tho noxt occasion that be was allowed on shore. Suffering acutely from alleged toothache, ho paid his respects to the dentist, and rejoined Ids ship in almost a toothless condition. The novel scheme proved effective, for lie was paid off and discharged at Picton, . and is probably by this time considering whether “the cure is not worse than the disease.” Anyway, it is not thought at. all likely that any more of the Cambrians will follow his example.

Vice-Admiral Shimmnra, commander of the Japanese squardron en route to Spithcad to participate in the naval review in honour of the Coronation of King George. V, was interviewed at Colombo on hoard his flagship, the firstclass armoured cruiser Kurrama. Having described as ridiculous nonsense, as least, as far as Japan is concerned, rhe recent rumours, of war between Japan and America, the Admiral remarked that the establishment of the Australian Navy was undoubtedly a very good thing. The now navy would fulfil a useful purpose in the Pacific. Ho had spent some time in Australia, and found it a delightful country with charming people whose hospitality is boundless.” Ho had been particularly struck with this feature of their character. The peculiar rumour that Japan had designs on New Caledonia was, he said, oven more ridiculous than the idea of a war between Japan and America. Pclorus Jack has evidently been rather prematurely lamented as dead in London. The London correspondent of the Auckland “Hera! 1 ’’ writing, on April 2Hth, says:—“Sir .Ls ph Waid received the report m t ho. d aith of Pelorns Jack much as he woi '•! that of a personal friend. He has always felt that the dolph n, *;v ni’aik. or whatever Jack it, was an institution of real value to New /•’;■•! 'id. Only a week a.go, during the voyage of the Lusitania from New Vorlc, Fir Joseph made a flattering reference to Pelorns Jack in an address which lie gave to 000 of the passengers. Many of them regarded the story of imo fish’s sagacity as a joke, and more than one, when assured otherwise, declared a desire to go to New Zealand to see him. . The press hero gives Jack as much space as the death of an ordinary Overseas Premier wouM earn, and some of the stories, passed from mouth .to mouth, are fantastic* enough. The most imposing is that Jack met the Ophir, with the present. King on hoard, and led her rigid into Wellington Harbour! The contradiction of the reported demise hv cable has naturally increased Jack's value to Nov, Zealand.’’ Peppermint ( ore Never fails, is For Influenza 1 .* Woods’ Great lid, 2s lid *

T.ho dates for the Fgmoui A. and r. Association’s next spring y !;cw havc been fixed for Wednesday and ihuvsday, Bth and 9th November, 1911. Mr Faulkner, manager of the Bank of Australasia .at Whaugamomoim. who is at present on a visit to Stratford, had the misfortune recently t< poison one of his hands. He is antier Dr Cavbery’s care, and it will lie some clays before ho will he aoo t: resume duty. \ resident of Wellington has sent to the “New Zealand Times” a sample ’ 0 f milk purchased by him on Saturday week last, from a city dairy. T in sample, says the journal, consists oi two parts—a thin, blnc-lookmg fluui. and a dark solid, the latter being some species of worm, with part ol its natural earth adhering. In compounding his “milk,” the purveyoi apparently failed to properly disclaim nate against all that was yielded In the pump. When the milk was pinchased, the worm was alive. The thousands of amateur wireless: telegraph operators, as well as tin experienced, will he interested in the recent experiments of a 1 hilaclelphian, Frank Chambers, wliich are describee with illustration in “Popular. Mechanics.” Mr Chambers latest feat is “talking through his hat. -p lf outfit consists of a small coil of "’jo a pair of receivers for the ears, who a clamp that joins them, an 1 a smai. s electric device that lie suspends from the buttonhole of his coat. _ '7 011 ' this run wires, carried out ft '.-’gi" down the legs ~f his tro;we:s an I * to the grou-.i tt; complete tin.- } cult. The entire outfit fits casib into the crown of the high sila >t.it. “What is the speed we are travelling?” is w question constantly asked and discussed in railway trams. A member of a London firm of engineer;k has devised a machine winch will * solve the problem at any time tlu passenger wishes. The machine is of a very simple nature and can lie fitted to' any railway carriage. n operates by'means of a clutch ant bolt pully on the axle.. In the com partment is a penny in the slot airanocraent. When a com is put m and" a knob pressed the machine is set in motion and the speed ol the train is shown on a dial. ihe indicator is of the same type as that used on motor cars. A golf match of a most unusual character was played on the Geraldine links recently between two members of the local club. One man undertook to heat the other in a nine hole match, by throwing the golf ball round the course, while Ins op ponent used his clubs. Ihe throw a a e landed. On the putting green lu was allowed to roll the ball towards . the hols. After a most interestmf contest, the game finished all squaie 42 made up as follows . r’a 4g 4 6, 3, 6, 5—42. Goiter | 3,’ 4. 4/ 4,5, 7, 6, 4— 12. The bogey score for the round was 3J.