LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 January 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

During December 24 births, 22 deaths and 19 marriages were registered at Nelson. For tire year 1930 the figures were 292 births, 173 deaths and 133 marriages as against 239, 188 and 85 respectively in 1929. Mr Scott Ramsay, who suffered burns while yachting at Catharine’s Cove, D’Urviile Island, returned to Wellington on Saturday night.

“Traveller” writes to the Christchurch “Times”: “Every climate has its advantages. While Christchurch is enjoying an unlimited supply of excellent cheap cherries, the northerners still 'have to pay dear for that delicious fruit. On the other hand I was astonished to -see in one of the local shops passion fruit marked ‘four for Is.’ In London I once paid 2s for a dozen to send to a friend in Shropshire who had never tasted them, and coming from Auckland. where one can get them from one’s friends by the bagful for carrying them away, ‘ I thought the price pretty steep, even though they had to come from over the seas. A fruit salad without passion fruit is a very insipid affair. That is .why some New Zealanders and Australians say they can never enjoy the fruit salads they get in tire Old Country, and they cannot understand why the fruit is so little known there, as money does not appear to count. In one of the swagger Piccadilly shops I have seen a small bundle of ultra early asparagus ticketed 30s, and three blushing peaches, packed in a box like chocolates, priced at a modest- three shillings each. No wonder they blushed.” The stampede-like rush of three-quart-ers of the dense crowd in Cathedral ■Square, Christchurch, down Worcester Street and along Oxford Terrace to Hereford Street' and the Police Station was one New Year’s Eve incident, reports the “Times”. The police had occasion to make an arrest and a group of young hoodlums jeered at the officers and followed them and their capture to the station. This move soon attracted others, who wanted to see what it was all about, and in a moment everyone in the Square seemed to become infected with curiosity and joined in a rapidlymoving procession down Worcester street. When the station was reached the hoodlum element counted the police out and followed with a chorus of “boos.” Most of the people were merely onlookers, and the aggressive attitude of a small section received no support. - Police stationed themselves in the doorways of the station and kept an eye on the crowd. For a few minutes the main entrance was subjected to a bombardment of fizzing “doublebanger” crackers, and a cheer was given when one of these burst with a loud report fairly in the doorway. A few minutes later the crowd returned to the Square to be on tho scene when midnight struck. When the stampede first began most of those who joined in did not know what was afoot-, and several rumours spread through the crowd. The most persistent was that someone was being “ducked” in the Avon.

Scene. Auckland suburban motor-bus. Tall stranger of forbidding aspect io young fellow enjoying his pipe. “How long, may I ask, have been been addicted to the pernicious habit of smoking”? “Well, if it will do you any good to know, ten years, governor.” “-And the cost?” “Two bob a week.” “Tut, tut ! over £5 a year!! Is it worth it, my friend?” “I shouldn’t- wonder !—Every blooming penny of it, boss. Got a match?” The tall stranger groaned. Everybody else laughed. These busybodies mean well. But why will they butt in? Smoking’s not a crime. It’s quite harmless, too, so long as the baccy’s right. Avoid brands rich in nicotine, as the imported brands invariably are. They are dangerous. Stick to New Zealand - toasted baccy and you’ll be as right as rain. The toasting kills the nicotine and makes the tobacco safe to smoke. There are onl- four brands of toasted—Riverhead Gold. Cavendish, Navy Cut No. 3, and Cut Plug No. 10. Sweet, cool and fragrant every one of them !*

Bowels act regularly when Lubrolax is taken. Lubrolax is not a purgative but a combination of Japanese seaweed and pure paraffin.—W. A. L. Nees, Ltd., Chemists.*

just a suggestion of colour on the lips produced with a Godet- perfumed lipstick, adds greatly to your charm.—W. McKay and Sons, Ltd.*

After calm fine weather conditions since before Christmas, a strong north westerly of gale force blow on Saturday afternoon and boisterous but fine conditions were experienced over the weekend. Although heavy scud passed overhead on Saturday afternoon, except for a brief shower at the Port in the evening, no rain fell. A strong north westerley veering to souih-westerly in the evening blew yesterday when the sky was a cloudless blue until about sunset.

The Nelson fire brigade received a call yesterday afternoon at about three o’clock to Mr Howard Harley’s twostoried wooden dwelling in Milton street, where the outside cover boards on a small gable were on fire. With the help of a garden hose and later a firg hose the outbreak was controlled with only small damage done. The fire was evidently started by a spark from a nearby chimney lodging in the weatherboarding and being fanned into flame by the strong northerly wind which was blowing at the time. Jimmy Houlker, who was playing with the Harley children, was the first to sen the fire, and Mrs Harley rang for the brigade. Mr Harley was away at the time.

Wedding cars with either silken ribbons or cords from the radiator to each side of the wind-screen, are seen frequently, but a Christchurch party went one better on Wednesday bv adding a doll bride, about fifteen inches high, the lady being tied by the legs to the radiator cap, reports the “Times”. Natrually it attracted quite a lot of attention. We seem to be getting nearer to the pleasant custom in Egypt, where a wedding, even in very humble circumstances, is the occasion for a tribal procession round the town, the cortege being headed by Arab music, which is a compelling and fearsome thing. At one time Gisborne, in the North Island, used to “stage” its weddings with a distinction that was unique in the Dominion. A local livery stables had a dashing team of four greys, and they must have drawn hundreds of brides round the town. As though four horses in the bridal carriage were not sufficiently conspicuous, the stable always made a point of gilding their hoofs with gold paint, and adding a bright rosette here and there on the harness.

It is announced by the “Daily Telegraph” that the Duchess of York has consented to become patroness of the Roads Beautifying Association, and to allow two flowering cherry trees to be dedicated to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in the avenue which is to be reserved for children under the road-planning schemes of the Association. The children’s branch of the Association has been formed to instil into the younger generation a love of Nature, and to 'give them opportunities of helping to restore and maintain the beauty of the countryside. Membership costs Is a year, and the cost of a flowering cherry tree in one of the children’s avenues is two guineas. It is hoped that mothers _ will buy trees to commemorate the birth of their children.

The Duchess of York sent to every householder in Glamis, Forfar, and to each employee on her father’s estate a piece of the Princess Margaret’s christening cake. The 'gifts were sent by post, each piece of cake being in a little white cardboard box, bearing the inscription :“H.R.H. Princess Margaret Rose of York’s christening cake, 30th October, 1930.” The people of Glamis are delighted that the Duchess should have thus remembered them, and in every house the little gift is treasured.

The Duchess of York made her first appearance at a public gathering since the birth of Princess Margaret, when she attended the Toe H matinee at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. The play, given in aid of the Prince of Wales s Builder Fund and the Toe H League of Women Helpers, was Sir James Barrie’s “What Every Woman Knows,” and the author sat' with her Royal Highness in the Royal Box. The Duchess was received by Lord Forster, the Rev. P. B. Clayton, founder of Toe H, Mr Edward Samuel, and Mr Horace Watson, who lent the theatre. The “star” cast all gave their services. High up on the walls of the senior classroom at the Havelock school, a redhandled pen is impaled, and tradition has it (says the Marlborough “Express), that it was thrown there dartwi.se by Ernest Rutherford (who attended the school from 883 to 1886) during a competition in the absence of the school* master—-in which the boys of the class vied with one another in flinging pens like darts. The .tradition may or may not have a basis of truth, but the pen is there to-day and the story leads one to the conclusion that despite all his attainments in the world of science Ernest Rutherford was made of the _ same human stuff as other boys His old schoolfellows —amongst whom are Mr C. H. Mills, of Blenheim, and Mr E. H. Smith, of Havelock —state that he enjoyed a frolic and loved a lark, but despite his pranks was probably the nost studious lad in the school ,displaying even at that age, quite unusual attainments For instance. Mr Mills recalls that at that tune his bent jay particularly in the direction of mathematics and ■t, was often noted that, whereas his fellows followed the stereotyped methods of working out problems, Ernest Rutherford invented methods and shortcuts for himself He was popular with his fellows and that- shows that he was never that abhorrence of healthy minded schoolboys—a “swot.”

German and Dutch lighthouses have been illuminated to save migratory birds. Rings of lights have been iiiy stalled around the outside of the towers. The lights illuminate the ramparts, railings, and cupolas, thus giving the birds some landmarks' other than the blazing eyes of the lighthouses when they seek perches on which to rest.

The aviation business in the United States now has a language of its own. It contains 30,000 words and phrases, which include the listing of manufacturers’ names, specifications of aeroplanes and motors, parts and parts assemblies, installations, export terms on shipping, boxing, price quotations, steamship lines, ports, banks, and similar types of terms used in export communication. Avico is a. code system worked out by the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce to cut down the expense of communicating orders, especially by cable. It is estimated it will mean a saving of 30 per cent. Here is an example of the new code: “\oslyxbepa.” It means. “Navy requires price on tri-motored biplane seaplane.”

Something special for the little girls! Children’s Organdie Sun Bonnets Helio, sky, green, and sunset, regular value 5/6. January special 2/6 at McKay’s tomorrow.*

The annual summoned meeting of the Loyal Nelson Lodge 3615 ALU., 1.C.0.F., will be held in the Lodge room on Wednesday next, 7th January at 7.30 p.in.

January special at McKay’s! A lucky purchase of Ladies’ Celaneso T.ocknit 2 piece suits, smart tuck in blouse with flared or pleated skills, regular value 65/-. Special 35/-.* Constipation or intestinal sluggishnes* is no doubt a universal curse. Hut now you can obtain quick, gentle relief from Dr. Don’s Laxative Granules, made from a physician’s prescription. non-habit-forming and not-fat-producing. U'6 packet. Obtainable from R. W. Martin, Chemist.*

A recent visitor to the Crimea has brought back the report that the little English cemetery, where those who fell at Balaclava and in the siege of Sebastopol were buried, is kept in perfect order. Nearly 80 years have passed since the ill-starred expedition was made, but on the slope overlooking the Valley of Death the cemetery remains a place of beauty and order. The money for the upkeep of the enclosure is provided by the British Government, and the work must be in the hands of some faithful person, for the paths are kept free from weeds, the flowers are carefully tended, and even the lines on the headstones are kept in perfect order. In winter it is a bleak spot, but in summer, when the trees are in leaf, it resembles a peaceful country churchyard in the Mother Country. It is indeed one of those spots in a foreign land that are for ever England.

■The nor’-westerly gale on Saturday evening blew up a heavy sea in tlie Bay and huge waves went across the Rocks road. The Wellington ferry Matangi had a rough run up the bay.