A high south-west wind that came in a succession of vicious squally gusts, blew throughout the day, and raised storms of dust.
Hats were also raised from the heads of pedestrians in a highly unceremonious manner and, the wind being no respector of persons, old and young alike could be seen speeding frantically along certain streets in pursuit of elusive articles of head-gear.
The question on everyone's tongue - asked more in sorrow than in anger - was as to the whereabouts of water-carts.
These useful vehicles, which, with the corporation sprinkler, might have effected some amelioration of the unpleasant conditions, were nowhere to be seen, and the public had to suffer in silence.
The state of the city reservoirs would doubtless be put forward as the reason for their non-appearance, but it might be suggested that it should not be an expensive matter to procure water from the harbour in such emergencies, as salt water would doubtless prove just as efficacious as fresh water in dealing with the dust nuisance.
■The work of the Tapanui Hospital was referred to in most flattering terms by Mr Walker, the chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, at the meeting of the board last night.
He had paid a visit to the Tapanui Hospital some weeks ago, he said, and he thought that every member of the board should congratulate the committee on the excellent work it had done. The institution was in an excellent state.
It was beautifully kept, and was really an education to other institutions under the board's control.
■While giving a man time to pay the fine just imposed upon him on Monday at Auckland, Mr Justice Hosking commented on the folly of the old practice of sending a man to gaol if he could not immediately find the money to pay the fine.
His Honor pointed out that they were following a much wiser and more practical course in England now, and were giving persons who were fined time in which to pay the money.
It was a far more expensive way to send a man to gaol because he could not pay his fine right away.
It made the public keep him and did not give the man a chance to pay.
It was far better to give him time to pay his fine, added the Judge.
■There was an angry man at the New Plymouth races on Thursday week (states the Argus), and he was roundly abusing totalisator clerks as being the worst kind of fools.
He had purchased three tickets, and he declared that the wrong number had been served out to him, but the clerk refused to correct the alleged error.
This disappointed speculator then tried to sell his three tickets for £2, but could not find a buyer, so he held the tickets.
The wrong number tickets were on Tree Lucerne, who returned a nice little dividend.
How happy our speculator then was to think that he had been unable to sell his tickets. - ODT, 18.2.1916.
