GENERAL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2444, 8 March 1909, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

In conversing Av.it h a “Standard” reporter the Hon. A.. W. Hogg stated that he was introducing to New Zealand, from England, some up-to-date road-making machinery, including a motor lorry which would at once metal the roads and consolidate the metal, as. its broad, heavy Avheels would act in the same way as a steam roller. If this machinery, proved successful, more would bo introduced for use on roads in. various parts of the Dominion. , .

Practically all the grain crops in the Waitohi district, Canterbury, have been cut, -and! a great many have been threshed from the stock, says the “Lyttelton Times.” Wheat is yielding particularly Avell, many the crops returning over fifty bushels to the acre. One paddock on a farm at the head of Bangitata Valley yielded fifty-five bushels, and a paddock ot about 120 acres on the Kakahu-Te-muka Road is threshing out about fifty bushels. “Nothing but confusion awaits the Church, if she resorts to Ca-rnegie rather than to Calvary for her magnet,” said tlie Rev. C. E. Beecroft in his presidential address to the Methodist Conference on Thursday last. -He urged that -in the midst of -appalling spiritual indifference Avitli men and avonien engrossed in materialism, the moro imperative requirement of the times Avas nobler living and a truer Avorsliip. Pessimism might rhyme with Methodism, but the gospel of the Methodist ay as the gospel of hope. Oil Saturday last (says the “Press”) Miss M. J. Black, who for tho -past 25 years fxas been matron of Lyttelton Gaol, and avlio is .about to -retire from the prison service, Avas (presented by the members of the gaol staff Avith a diamond and ruby ring. Hie presentation was made by Mr. M. M. Cleary, Governor of the gaol, who, in a short speech, expressed his high appreciation of tho services rendered by Miss Black during her long and unbroken career as matron of Lyttelton goal. Mr. Sniaill returned thanks on behalf of the recipient. Miss Black Avill leave Lyttelton shortly for -Scotland. A parrot hanging head doAvnAvards from a “-live” electric Avire in Willis Street engaged tho attention of a crowd last Aveek, says the “Dominion.” Was he or would ho be electrocuted? Avas the problem that three or four score of intellects and tongues were busy thrashing out. Altogether tho exhibition -given by the bird was a good illustration of lioav harmless a “live” AA'ire is Avlien there is no direct contact with the earth. But the croAvd aver© uot fully satisfied that this until the parrot, finishing his aerial exhibition, blinked solemnly at the spectators and betook himself to the roof of the Bank of New Zealand.

It is a notorious fact that the credit system is responsible for a large number of b9d debts made by doctors and dentists. This undesirable state of affairs especially in relation to dentists, Avas emphasised by Mr John Jamiesou at a meeting of creditors in tlie estate of a dental surgeon at Christchurch. Mr Jamieson stated it was very annoying for a dentist to walk down the street and meet people avlio had no thought of paying for the professional services lie had rendered them, but who smiled benignly on him “Avith their mouths full of 'his good gold.” The credit system was the Avorst curse of a mail in any line of business.

In presenting a silver cup on Saturday to the winner of the' recent SAvimming race across the harbor, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr A. M. Myers, remarked (says the “New Zealand Herald”) that some time ago he personally took part in a swimming race across Lake Takapuna, and managed to coA r er the distance. Mr Myers said that long-distance SAvimming should be encouraged, as it Avas a manly sport, the development of which Avould mean the building up of a fine, sturdy type of young New Zealanders. He expressed a. hope that on his return from abroad up-to-date baths would be available for the convenience of the people. While tho Auckland unemployed have been dancing hakas outside the Star Hotel, the temporary abiding place of Sir Joseph Ward, and heaping anathema upon the Government (savs the Clutha “Free Press”), the farmers of South Otago -are complaining that they cannot get men to assist in farm Avork. High -wages are offered for milkers and other hands, but without avail, and generally speaking the position of the man on the land with coavs to milk and crops to ga-. tker is exigent. The Government might well take steps to divert the tide of immigration from the overboomed North Island, Avliere there seems to be a decided slump in business generally, to the solid South. “Hospitality! 5 - 5 exclaimed Bishop Neligan in . relating some of his experiences in London during the PanAnglican Congress— “hospitality! Why, bless my soul, it took the archdeacon six weeks to get over it. “That,” he added .amidst great merriment at Archdeacon Calder’.s expense, “was the reason he returned in a cargo steamer.” Taking a serious vein, the Bishop ivcnt on to expatiate upon the extraordinary effect that the gatherings and religious meetings in connection' Avith the Congress had upon London. He had come out of the Congress a better, a bigger, and a humbler man, with bigger and broader views.’ -He did not care it no results iA r ere seen for 25 years. He lioped so, for quick results did not last long. It would be better that they should not slioav until the seeds of thought sown had had time to grow. ' - ' ’

, One of those cases of cruelty to others of their own ago of which children are sometimes guilty occurred in Dunedin a feiv days ago, says the “Star,” and it had a very sad ending. .A little boy was in the habit of going home fi'om school. sopping wet as if he had been -paddling in wator. This occurred so often that his parents at last said 1 that he would bo punished if it continued. The warning, apparently had the desired effect, but later the boy was seized by pneumonia, of Avhich* lie died. Before his death he confessed Avhat had been tho cause : of his getting wet. He had been “ducked,” he said, by other children, and, being afraid of the punishment with .which he had been threatened, ho used to loiter about until Lis clothes dried before going home. Then folloAA'ed the pneumonia. The state of the parents, it may be imagined, avlio know not whom to blame, but ennuot help blaming themselves, is a sad one,