LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 May 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Those numerous people who approve the Borough Council's -action in raising and repairing Oxford street, and those other .numerous ones who condemn the action, will have a fine opportunity to-morrow night to argue the matter in public. The occasion is tlie opening debate of the Levin Y.M.C.A. Literary and Debating Society, to which meeting every interested' citizen is invited, and: made welcome. Everybody present will be allowed to participate in tho dismission. Mr .Tames Prouse will affirm the wisdom of the Council, and Mr T. G. Vincent will allege that Wisdom and the Council were at loggerheads n the evening when the vote.was passed. The time for commencing the debate is fixed at 7.45 p.m., and the location is the Century Hall. As this topic has been a much-dobated one in private, it is anticipated that the public discussion will be warm. Tndiaruibber recently dropped to 4s BJd per pound in London. At this time hist year it was 10s <xl. and had been above 1.25, and the fall is severe. Tt is reported that five acres of land in Hastings lias been offered to the Government free of charge for the purpose, of erecting Government railway workshops. Although Western Australia has an area of about 975,870 square miles, or, roughly, 024,500,040 acres of land,'the' Hon. Mr O'Brien, M.L.C. for the Central Province, states that the Government, in obedience to an. outcry from the •coastal settlers, is buying baok some of the large estates, cutting them up, and selling them in farms. These are regarded as some of the best lands in the State, and generally fetch about £4 an acre. Tnproved sanitation, so as to combnt the effects of disease amongst the Maoris, is to be taken in hand bv the Public Health Department. Seventeen nurses will be appointed to visit the kainga.s, and they will, in addition to nursing tho sick amongst the Maoris, endeavor to educate them in sanitary matters. The Hospital Boards in each district will have control of the nurses, but the Department will pay their salaries out of the annual vote of £3000.

The battleships wliich have gone in the last decade include ninny famous units. There is the Inflexible, which Captain J. A. Fisher commanded afc the 'bombardment of Alexandria in 1882. and the Renown ■in which the same officer flew his admiral's flag as conimnnder-in-ehicf in the Mediterranean in 1900. Thero were the Benbow and the Sans Pareil (the latter a sister ship to* the ill-fated Victoria), which earriodl a pair of the largest gnn.s ever mounted in British .siiins- 110-ton anus, with a calibre, of 10.25 inches, firitm a shell of 1800 tons, besides which Hf the comparison he not pressed too closely), the new 13.5 inch weapon, weighing 8H tons, and firing a shell of 12501h5. still looks puny. Perhaps the most noteworthy of the ships which hnve been lost to the British Navy during: the last ten vears, however, is the Devastation. Laid, down at Portsmouth in 18fiO, she was the first armored seacoinsj .ship built for the fleet whieb did not hnve a spread of canvas to assist oi , replace the engines as circumstances misrht require. Further, she was an "nll-hic-sinn" ship in tho strictest sense of the term, for when she- was oomiilet.fvi in 1873 she went to soa with four 12-in 35-ton nniz/lo'lohdfcTs;—the hoariest guns up to flint t.imo lnounted in n British ship — and with no other weapons whatever. The .torpedo boat bad l not reached the stride tihen which to-day requires that our Dreadnoughts .'■ball caiT.y small qniekfiring aims for defence against thoir attack. The Hercules, built only a year or two before the Devastation, carried in 1001 the decidedily mixed armneight 10-in.' two D-in. and two 7-iii muzzle-loaders, and two fi-in and six 4.7-in breach-loading omck-firers. so that the step from this ship to the Devastation was far more remarkable than that from the Lord Nelson, with two calibres "f battle guns, to the single-calibre Dreadnought.

After meritorious and honorable service covering a period of about 80 years, the North Otago Mounted Rifles last night ceased to exist—

at least so far as the old squadron is concerned (says the. Oamaru Mail). It happened after the parade at tho Drill Hall. General Godley ba-d addressed the troops with particular reference to the "Momffeds" and their decision to leave the Territorial force. When the General bad left the ball Major Maodonald and Captain Orbell also spoke to the men. On 'being called upon to make their decision, the men almost .unanimously elected to leave tho corps, the new conditions of service interfering with their work. It is now about 30 years since a contingent of the Otago Hussars was formed in NoiiJi Otago. That was the beginning of the mounted rifles, '•but they were not Mounted Rifles then, nor for some years later. The contingent continued for some years, until, as the Volunteer movement spread it was found advisable to form a separate squadron entitled tlio North, Otago Hussars. The first commanding officer was Captain Chaff ey, afterwards Colonel commanding the Ist Regiment Canterbury Mounteds, and now Brigadier of the Canterbury Mounted Brigade. During his Captaincy it was found advisable to change the corps from a purely cavalry armed to mounted rifles, just thcai coming into prominence as an arm of the service.

This was about 20 years ago. Under the new designation of the North. Otago Mounted Rifles a very strong company was formed, and was the first mounted company in New Zea-

land to appear in khaki, which was tiien almost unknown. On Captain Chaffey's removal from the district the command was taken over by Captain J. Cowie Nichols, now Brigadier of the Mounted Brigade in Otago. On Captain Nichols' promotion the company passed into the capable hands of Captain A. L. Gillies, who retained the command

until liis removal to the North Island. He was succeeded by Captain G. W. Macdonald, now Major ot the Ist Regiment of Otago Mmmteds. After his removal to Dunedin, Captain Macdonald, out of considera-' tion for the corps, continued in the captaincy for some years, !but on his promotion to the majority the company was taken over by Captain H. S. Orbell, under whom its career has been one of uninterrupted prosperity. Throughout the long; career the company has preserved those high traditions inculcated _ by the first commanders. Its history has been of a long "Vitai Lampada," those who have played the game and; passed from the ranks flinging to those behind a torch, burning brightly with the light of military disipline, etiquette, and the efficiency that swings therefrom to all interested in the company—and (by _ supplying an effective force in training land reserve the company has merite etl the interest of all—to' all, therefore, it must be a matter for deep 3-egret that the last link of the torch chain has been forged 1 .

Teddy came home late from echool, Gave a norricl > sneeze. Had a tickling in bis throat, Soon began to wbeeze. Mother took his temperature, Put him straight to bed, Ga> him Woods' Great Peppermint Oure, , ' • ' "BoL V stnfft" said Ted.

iMJany of tho old diggers of Gabriel's Gully at the jubilee celebrations spent hours in walking round the old gully trying to identify the site of the original claims.

Miss Winder, who formerly conducted a private school in ];evm,"has returned to this town and intends to resume her post as a scholastic instructor. Particulars will bo advertised in a later issue.

'We Levin Town Hall is to bo engaged as a skating rink at Tin early date. Tt will be conducted 'by the New Zealand Picture Company, and is to be fitted up with the latest improvements.

"There is all over New Zealand at the presont time a mania for land, and people will give any price at all for land they require." declared Mr J. Warren, Clerk of the Cook Countv Council.

During .an egg-laying competition organised by the English Utility Poultry Club, a Buff Orpington laid 103 eggs in 112 days. The highest individual score at previous competitions was 00.

An interesting method is being practised in rooting out old go-rso hedges on the Edendale Estate in Southland. A couple of horses are attached to a long wire rope, which is slipped round a three or four yards' length of hedge, and by a long and strong pull the gorse is rooted out and drawn some distance away. Another length is made ready in a few minutes, and in the course of a day several chains are thus disposed of.

Thursday next. Ist June, is fixed as the d!ate of tihe anniual general meeting of the Levin Horticultural Society. Tt is. to be held in the Century Hall, at 7.30 p.m. Amongst the proposals set down for discussion is ono by Mr P. W. Goldsmith, that the 'annual subscription for ladies and young people be 2s 0d in all cases, instead of being 5s in respect to all those whose household heads are not included in tho 5s membership.

The Education Department is having inquiry made regarding the cost, etc., of connecting the Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa, with the Lovin high pressure water supply, in a, letter convejttng this information to Mr FiekVM.P.,the Minister foj . Education intimates that instructions have been given for the erection of a gymnasium at the. Training Farm.

Following upon a suggestion made by the Tasmanian Agent General in London. competitions in essaywriting between secondary schools in Tasmania and Switzerland have l>eein_ arranged. The conditions provide that the competitors in each country shall meet at halls and write essays under the supervision of committees, upon their, respective countries and their resources. Those written in Tasmania are to be in French, and tho.se in Switzerland in English. The Swiss competitions are to be collected by the Director of Education in Switzerland, and forwarded to Tasmania for judgment, while the Tasmamian ones will be collected by the Tasmanian Director of Education, and forwarded to Switzerland to be adjudicated upon. Three or four of the best essays arc to lie published in newspapers of the respective countries.

The question of the installing o electric tramways at Napier is re reiving the- earliest consideration o the Napier Horough Council. A\

engineer's report on the proposals is to be supplied early next week. Horses are now scarce and rlcir in all parts of Eastern Canada. A

decent driving horse brings fioni 17otlol. to 200d01., and any , - ling with any claim to speed can h.-ivliy be had under JOOdol. Ontario's horses are almost all being sr-iit west of Winnipeg. Priiuie Edward Island is still raising large ifinbm.--, hut the increased demand <'i<e'.vh< re prevents the Island F rom l.a:i!g ti;o handy market it was ten ypn.fi figf; for the supply of the maritime provinces; consequently, an a rent of a large, horse firm is now Unveiling through Russia, and An<?s-Ja in search of horses for imporuifon to Nova Scotia.

The "Economist" of February 18 lias an article on the London Daily Stock and Share List, which, m

1881. quoted securities to the nominal value of £5,781i,0.13,y00, and in 1.909 to the value of £10,200,273,012. The. total grows year by year, and the present lf> pages of' tlint sharelist are already becoming overcrowded. There was a time wlhen the Daily List consisted of one page only, though the Twioe-a-Woek list was a longer and more complete publication. But the latter dropped oat in the .sixties, .so did the Foreign Stock List, and for the past forty years the Daily List has been the sole issue, and is a remarkable production, obtainable within an hour and a half of the. closing of the market. For many years" these Stock Exchange lists were private property, but the present Daily List is issued direct by tho k Stock.,. Exchange Committee, 'and it; iSffli-' vided into 38 sections. ■ Jof course , ; British investors do ,not" holds.aft the £10,000,000,000 securities ci'inoted therein. A large section ave foreign, though there-" is a London market for the whole of-them.

The Australian Shipping Cii'ipany which recently purchased tho steam

or Papan,ui. and after having her repaired, despatched 'her with, a iu'l cargo of Australian products and a large number of passengers to Tondon, is having trouble in scciri .% a return cargo, owing to the opv:\t.">n of the system of deferred re bites granted by the shipping r.ng m the United Kingdom. Very little cargo has been booked for the return voyage of the Pnpaiiui, to be made in June, although every other steamer on the berth for Australia is being loaded almost to the hatches.

The establishment of a chemical aboratory in connection with the

Farmers' Union was referred to nt the provincial conference in Auck-

land on Tuesday by Major Lnsk, president. He said that a gentleman lately in the Government laboratory, Wellington, .had- settled in Auckland, and was willing to give the union his services free of charge during nearly half of ea"«"li week for the next twelve months. He would

ma.ke three or four analyses of man

ures or soils, per week, and the only charge would be for the necessary chemicals ami working necessaries. Major Lnsk said he considered , this a chance which should not he missed. A strange custom of salting newborn 'babies is still practiced in certain remote regions of IJurope and Asia. The mother imagines that this custom brings health and .strength to her children, and servos to keep "away evil spirits as well. Among the Armenians of Russia t is the custom to cover the entire skin of the infant with very fine salt. Tin's is left on the Why , far three 'hours or more, when . it is washed off with warm water. The women of a mountain tribe of Asia Minor are even more peculiar, for they are alleged to" keep their newborn babies covered with salt for a period of 24 hours. The- modern Greeks also sprinkle their babies with salt, and even in certain parts of Germans salt is still used on a ■child at birth. ' •

Mr F. JJ. Remington undertakes Milk Teeting, and all kinds of Dairy and Agricultural Analyses, such as analysis of soils, water, butter, manures, etc. F. 0. Remington, Oxford street. Letrin.—Aifat.

. Anyone requiring a reliable wafcoh should" inspect those greatly reduced in Thompson's windows Levin.— Ady+

A Manchester- man, in nllmg ( up his census paper, wrote m ™<> J"" iirraity" column the words gaii«litv." "portness," and "vanity opposite the names of 'his Wife aiiU two daughters respectively, tort tlie schedule on the mantelpiece and, went out. What a home-coming lie woitld enjoy! A further count of the registration figures for Levin and district "ives the following totals for the Territorials :— Levin - Weraroa, undor 18, 58 with 10 .horses; between 18 and 21, 16 witti 3 horses. Ivoputaroa, under 18, 9 with . 2 horses; between 18 and'2l, / with. 2 horses. Shannon, under 18, 22 with 3 horses; between 18 and 21, 14 with 3 horses. Ohau, under 18, 19 with 2 horses; between 18 and 21, 0. Otaki-Maiinkau, under 18, 52' with 2 horses; between 18 and 21. 22 with fi horses.

The Rev. D. C. Bates' weather summary and forecast are as follows: Very changeable weather has been experienced in most parts of the country, with much fog and rain in tho southernmost districts. Strong northerly and westerly winds liave prevailed, and the barometer has fallen in the .south, but shown little movement in the North Island. Present indications are for a. falling barometer everywhere.. Strong westerly and northerly winds are probable generally with cloudy weather and rain in most parts of the country.

Tt is understood that a raimbor of barmaids in Ohristchnrch liave decided not to take advantage _ of the opportunity for registration given under recent legislation, and they will therefore voluntarily lcaivo their present vocation on .Tune Ist. From Auckland comes reports that the local supply of butter is unequal to the demand; consequently tlie wholesale price has 'hardened, and Wellington firms who have been drawing some supplies from tlhat quarter are paying id per lb in bulk more to-day than last week. The price of Taranaki butter is also very high.

From the Now Zealand Farmer office we are in receipt of an advance copy of the special fruitgrowers' number of that publication. Thecover is a work of art, the illustrations arc both instructive and interesting, while tlie subject matter of the various articles is of a quality sure to be of more than ordinary value in a rising fruit district such as Horowhenua County.

Levin tradespeople, according to latest advices, are resolved to celebrate the King's Birthday on Saturday, as originally decided. The proposal to keep tlho holiday on Saturday arose out of a belief that to do so was obligatory under statute, law. It ilia* been Found, ,now, that the holiday nmy be observed on whatever day best suits, but inasmuch as the grocers and others would be inconvenienced in regard to deliveries on ■Saturday, tho gmit bulk of the Lovin shopkeepers have decided to keep the holiday on Saturday, though up to last night they vrare thinking of keeping it on Monday. Palinerston North is a. town divided on the subject. Monday was resolved upon at a meeting iheldi last night, when by 27 votes to 11 it was decided to keep holid'ay on .Monday. It was stated, however, that a fail , number of Palmerston North shopkeepers would stand by their original resolve to keep tho holiday on. Saturday.

Foxton Borough Council (says the Herald) is arranging a conference with leading Shannon residents in respecfc to the possibility of a combined water .supply scheme for the two centres of population. It is reported that a few miles from Shannon, at a suitable altitude, tihe Tok'Oinanii river would provide an almost never-ending supply of clear crystal water. The, Shannon residents are anxious .that .representatives of the local Borough Council should visit the source from wihence the water would be drawn, and we. are also informed that Shannon is in favour of a combined scheme. Unlike many other towns in the dominion, Foxton has- never applied to the Government for a .water conservation reserve, and possibly .Shannon has also neglected to do so. If the proposed, source of supply is on private property the purchase' of a catchment area would now add greatly to the cost of the scheme. It is impossible to speak definitely , on this point until fuller information is obtained, but the cost of the catchment area must not be overlooked. The question of dual ownership of such an important concern requires most careful consideration

--a liitch in after years might moan costly litigation to (i>? ratepayers. Wo think the majority of townspeople are now agreed that a water and drainage schema is flfbsoliiitely essential, and that the council are moving in the right direction by obtaining the fullest details of the Shannon, project. When this information is forthcoming a comparison can be made with the artesian scheme. Tt is -apparent that our civic fathers are not going to allow this important question to bo shelved.