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Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 248, 18 September 1929, Page 6

The Manuka left Melbourne this morning for Wellington. Cyril Hope Butler, aged 41, described as a traveller, was sentenced at the Central Police Court at Sydney, to twelve months’ hard labour, for having stolen 13 books, valued at £9 }ss, from the Public Library. It was mentioned that the Josses by theft from the library totalled approximately £3OO a year. While it was merely a coincidence, Mr 1). Buchanan, of Tiakitahuna, had an unusual experience during his recent visit to America. He was sitting in a restaurant in a city of the United States when he was dumbfounded to hear a stranger come in and call out his full name in a loud voice. Greatly surprised, he turned round to find that it was the proprietor who was being addressed. His name was exactly the same ■* as the New Zealander’s. In the course of his report, adopted at the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council op. Saturday, the engineer, Mr J. Brewster, stated that he had investigated the matter of signposting the main highways, and found that, to comply with the motor regulations, 98 signs were required. These would include 10 signs which were proposed to be erected adjacent to the small townships where it has been decided that speed shall be limited. Provision was also made for erecting eight school signs. A selection of stock valued at £ls was removed from the pharmacy of Mr Matthew Eecles, Ponsonby Road, .Auckland, by an intruder the other evening. When the shop was opened next morning it was found in a state of disorder, the thief having removed goods from the shelves and searched the premises thoroughly. The missing articles comprised photographic films and toilet requisites, no drugs having been taken. An entrance had been gained by breaking a glass-panel in a side door and turning the patent lock from the inside. A most unfortunate accident occurred on the Ulimaroa during the run across from Sydney when the members of “The Desert Song” Company were havTng a playful time on deck. One of the men picked up Miss Vioiet Turner (a member of the ballet) and was carrying her along the deck when his foot caught in the leg of a deck chair and he fell forward, letting Miss Turner drop with some force. It was found that she had sustained an injury to her back which prevented her moving without pain. On the arrival of the Ulimaroa Miss Turner was conveyed to tho hospital in a motor ambulance, and it is hoped that she will recover in the course of a week or two. Every member of the company was upset by the untoward accident. An observant Otago motorist, wlio returned recently from a tour of the North Island, has something to say on the subject of siguboards erected by motoring bodies. Wellington he considers has gone very thoroughly into the matter of providing accurate guidance for drivers, but as far as the provincial districts are concerned a distinct weakness is noticeable. There is quite a forest of signs which direct one from township to township, but very few which make one feel confident of being on the quickest route to Wellington. In tho Auckland Province, on the contrary, all roads lead to the Queen City, and any boroughs en route are merely incidental. The signposting in Otago, says the motorist, is very well carried out, but there is something to be learned from Wellington as regards the clear-cut indication of “one-car” bridges. Hon. G. W. Forbes, replying to a request for the assistance of the Department of Agriculture in combating seasonal plagues of crickets and oilier insects on the Hauraki Plains by Dr. D. Miller, of the Cawthron Institute, states that a parasite could be introduced from America to kill crickets, which are a serious pest on Hauraki Plains, but the matter requires investigation before action, was taken. Poison could be used, but this w’as not recommended, as it would have to be used universally to be effective and cattle would have to be kept off tlie treated land for a period. Mr J. Muggeridge, assistant in entomology at the Department of Agriculture’s plant research station at Palmerston North, states that he does not know of anv remedy which cquld be used on a large scale for keeping “slaters” or wood lice under control. The attitude of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union toward the proposed union of Empire Farmers, which is sponsored by the National Farmers' Union at Scotland, will be discussed at the next meeting of the Dominion executive. The Scottish scheme aims at the development of the agricultural resources of the Empire and seeks to obtain united action for the promotion of agricultural interests. It is proposed that representatives of the united farmers throughout the Empire shall constitute a central council in Britain and that meeting shall be arranged by the council. Other proposals are the establishment of agencies throughout Britain for the better distribution of produce from the Dominions, the elimination of unnecessary competition between Empire countries, the regulation and control of surpluses, the stabilisetion of transport, and, when thought advisable, the establishment of central stores or distributing depots.

What will probably bo the most enjoyable dance of the seuson will be given tonight at the Anzac Club. Tho arrangements are in the hands of a capable committee of tho C. and C. Hockey Club. Those who attended a similar function held two years ago wore loud in their praise and i this effort will eclipse tho former function.

Speaking at the Lunch Club yesterday, Mr M. A. Eliott stated that in the United States one could get permission to see an operation being performed in the hospitals. He knew of no other country where such a practice obtained. Over 700 school children have been supplied with cocoa each day for 11 weeks this winter from the free oocoa fund of the Auckland City Schools Committee. The total receipts for the fund amount to £6l, and there has been an expenditure of £56.

At the Maori mission festival, last evening, Rev. A. J. Seamer referred to the ltatana movement. Though not strictly orthodox, Ratana was doing the best he could, said the speaker. If his success was not greaber, it had to be remembered that this was due to much unnecessary criticism and many needless hindrances. Before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, W. J. Tozer, proceeded against A. Dick for the sum of £9 8s lid. Plaintiff, a hawker, alleged that this amount was owing on goods sold about four years ago. The defence was that cash had been paid for the goods though it was admitted that a balance of 10s 7d was still owing. Judgment was given for this amount with 12s costs. Mr Cooper appeared for plaintiff and Mr Grant for defendant.

Dunedin enjoys the unenviable distinction of providing the largest number of chimney fires in the Dominion, according to a report submitted to the Eire Board meeting there by Superintendent Salmon, in a report covering fifty fire board districts it was shown that for the year ended March 31 last there had been 354 chimney fires, and Dunedin easily headed the list with a total of -124. Wellington came next with 65, then Auckland with 21, and Christchurch with 15. Surprise was expressed at these figures, and it was decided that the instituting of more frequent'prosecutions in the case of chimney fires should be left to the discretion of the brigade superintendent.

A net cast at Shoal Bay, Auckland, was bulging and heavy when two fishermen hauled it in, but somewhat to their surprise they found that the haul oonsisted of 97 sharks, which ranged from 6ft. in length downwards. There were no other fish in the net. The fishermen wero more than disappointed with the result of the catch, for small sharks, which are more popularly known as dogfish, are not much in demand, public taste in Auckland riot running in that direction. It is said that a piece of dogfish, nicely boiled, or fried with dripping, is quite good eating, and might easily be mistaken for a fillet of something else, says the Star.