LOCAL & GENERAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 October 1916, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

It is stated that the names of 631 alleged family "shirkers" have been reported in the dominion. One district is said to have suppliedi 88 names. The manner in which n child recently admitted to the Masterton Hospital contracted the infantile paralysis is one of those mysteries peculiar to the epidemic (says the Age). There is no evidence to show that the disease was conracted by contact, and it can only be assumed that it came through postal matter which the parents handle in a small way. An interesting Maori relic in the shape of the hip-bone of a celebrated northern chief of eight or nine generations ago, was uneartherd in a cave at Motatau recently. It is generally believed that the one-time owner of this portion of the human anatomy was Ivawharu, a chieftain of the tribe of the Xgatiwhatuas noted for his size. Sweeping over from the direction of Dargaville towards the Bay of Island, he and his followers became a menace and a terror to all the northern tribes. It is said of him that he disdained the ordinary weapons of the (Maori, and used only those supplied him by Nature, bis method being to seize his enemy, raise him above his head and dash h'im to the ground. His great height, however, ultimately proved his undoing. During a tribal fight one of- his enemies crept forward, and smote him on the shin wffch an axe, breaking the bone. The great warrior fell to the ground and was speedily killed. It was stated by one speaker at the Hastings branch of the Farmers' Union tlint one buyer in the Hawke's Uav had recently purchased 50,000 lambs at a very high figure, viz., 16s. He said that buyers bad got information which the farmers were not aware of, and it was the duty of the Government to enquire into the circumstances It meant that prices were going to be very high. Another speaker pointed out that unless the lambs were of a heavy sort they would not pay for the freezing. A Sydney report states that the damage to Connell's premises are over £70,000. The police are convinced that the fire was of incendiary origin owing to the many suspicions circumstances. During the fire an explosion occurred' leaving a smell of gun powder and gelignite. The water supply was deliberately cut off several times. The building was not fitted with sprinklers and the alarm was not connected with the fire brigade. Two attempts to fire a block im King street were frustrated. Resin spirit and candles were used. A Press Association cablegram says: The tug Koputai from Dunedin arrived at Sydney much battered. She encountered. a terrific gale. The sea smashed the port side. The vessel ran short of coal and was forced to use her woodwork to maintain steam. Distress signals were unnoticed. She managed to reach Botany Bay and ' obtained sufficient ooal to reach Sydney.

A delightful story is told in the first birthday number of the Gazette of 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, regarding a newly - arrived patient with a bullet wound in the arm who was examined by one of the most eminent members of the medical staff. "That's all right," said the doctor, "I'll have you well again soon." "Thank you," replied the patient, "but 1 was going to ask permission to go out and see a specialist about it." Given permission, the patient went to town with his purse stuffed with bank notes to consult the best surgeon in England.—and was ushered into the presence of the very man who had seen to him in Wandsworth. The heat experienced during the past few days has had a marked effect cn vegetation, the growth of grass being perceptible (says the "Mount Benger Mail"). Fruit trees, as a result of the warmth, are also looking fresh and healthy, and are carrying a luxurious growth of foiliage, which, to a good extent will shield the fruit, now forming rapidly, from damage by late frosts. Orchardists in the Dumbarton and Ettrick districts, where the fruit growing industry is quickly expanding,, are very optimistic concerning the prospects this season. One grower 7-emarked that under favourable circumstances his output of stone fruit this season would; show an increase of at least 1000 cases. The prospects for the future in Ettrick and Dumbarton. as far as fruit growing is concerned, are very promising. Large areas of young trees will come into bearing in the course of a few years, and being admirably suited for cultivation of pip fruit they should Tank amongst the most important apple producing centres in this part of New Zealand.

A Melbourne message says the Government lias refixed the following prices f rom October 30:—'Butter 149s 4d ; Dams (including New Zealand) Is 3Jd; bacon 10d to Is 2di; cheese, except fancy cheese (including New Zealand matured white cheddar and prime), 9d.

An unusual point was decided by the Chief Justice in the Blenheim case, R. W. Young v. H. S. Monro. Young brought a claim of £1000 damages for assault. Two days before the date fixed for hearing Monro paid £175 into Court with a denial of liability. On the day of the hearing Monro committed suicide, and seven days later Young's counsel notified that he would accept the £175 in settlement of the case. The Court had now to decide whether the money should be paidi to plaintiff of to defendant's widow. The .judge held that defendant's death abated the action and the money must bo paid to the widow.—Press Association.

Christchurch has initiated a 'bottle' campaign in aid of the Lady Liverpool Fund, and results on a large scale are expected. Empty bottles are collected and sold by auction. Linwood school lias collected 10,000 "empties," and at Dunedin' 307,800 have been sorted and put into 2077 cases.

"Ah fire yo' is liouse-clennin'," said Mrs Snow White. "Yes," replied Airs •Marsh Green, "dey is nothin' lak' movin' things 'round once in a while. Why, I des come ercross a pair oh slippers under de bed dat All hadn't seen for five yealis."

To break the anti-shouting laws costs £20 ait Rotorua, £5 at Tauranga, and £'1 10s (without costs) at Wanganui. These (says the Masterton Age) are recent magisterial decisions.

A letter received in Masterton indicates that a New Zealandier, whose name is given, has been shot in France for desertion, while two others have been courtmartialled and condemned to death. *

Some weeks agO Mr Leger, of the Village Settlement, kindly donaited two sittings of -purebred White Leghorn eggs to he sold for the Red Cross Funds. His name was inadvertently omittedi from the list of donors. Mr 'Leger has again sent in a setting of eggs to 'be sold for the benefit of the Christmas Gift Fund.

There was a fair attendance of workers at the Red Cross room ('Levin) on Friday last. The list runs:—Mesdames Pink, Keedwell, Viokers, Gibson Plaster, Goldsmith, Phillips, Reading. "Walkley. Iv'irk. ißryson. Cork. iMackenzie, Olark, S. Hall, Misses Kirk, and Butler. Mrs Plaster dispensed afternoon tea which was much appreciated. More workers are urgently needed and the committee will welcome anyone willing to help. The need! is as great, if not greater, than ever and it should be wur duty and privilege to do all We can for our brave boys at the front.

In a letter to the New Zealand Dairyman Mr G. C. Starup, of Copenhagen, Denmark, tells the reason for tlie scarcity of rennet Danish manufacturers of rennet. Danish manufacturers of rennet before the war, imported Jive to six millions of dried veils from Russia, Poland, Galicia. Austria and Germany. Enemy goods, of course cannot he imported into a.ny part of the British Empire and Russia has prohibited the export of veils andi none has arrived at Copenhagen since the autumn of last year. The price of Russian veils has risen about 3000 per cent and now cost four roubles each, equal to 60s per gallon for the liquid rennet. Denmark produces only about 30,000 pieces of dried 'Veils per annum. The Mark Lane Express says the relative quantities of fertilisers used per acre of cultivated lands in the different countries of Europe are:— Russia 31h per acre; Austria 431b; France 781b; Germany 1841b; Britain 1911b; and Belgium 2661b per acre. The yield of wheat in tlie various conntries is in exact proportion to the fertilizers used, being least in Russia and greatest in Belgum, with Britain next after Belguim. Rifleman W. J. D'Ath, of Manakau, who some little time ago was reported wounded, now is reported as killed! in action. Tlie Catholic euchre parties thait have been held fortnightly in Levn for some time now will be brought to a close on Friday. Prizes are given on each occasion to the most successful players (men and women). Supper and a dance follow each tournament.

The Wellington correspondent of the Christcburch Star reported last week that prices for benzine dropped (3d a case, under arrangement of the Board of Trad® with the importing companies. Prevailing prices ex store are: Distillate 13s 6d, heavyi benzine 18s 2d, light benzine 19s 2d, benzolin'e 21s lOd a case. The Hon. W. D. S. McDonald, Minister in Charge of the Board of Trade, stated tha.t the board had an understanding with the importers that prices would be reduced; in ■Sew Zealand whenever rates fell in Australia. Freights still were high from America.

In June the maximum shade temperature taken at a hospital in' the Suez Canal zone varied from 84deg. to 116 deg. In the hospitals the clinical thermometers had to be kept in doe water, and the readings were taken while the instruments were still under the patients' tongues.

The factories erected by the late Sir William Perkin discoverer of aniline dyes at Wimbley, which, owing to German competition, have been closed) for over twenty years, have been re-opened by a manufacturing oompany.