LOCAL & GENERAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 December 1916, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

♦ "Pay and be pleasant," seems to bo the motto of at least ono ratepayer to the Horowhenua County Council. In forwarding a cheque for rates this week, he wrote:—"The County Clerk.—Herewith T take this opportunity of sending you cheque for current rates, and at the same time wish your esteemed council and yourself "A Mprrio Christmas and a Happy New Year. . . With kind regards aud thanking your for your kind attention to this matter, yours most sincerely." Levin Beautifying Society has done a good deal of planting in Levin public gardens during December. Many of the summer annuals already are well advanced in growth. The gardens now are blooming well and will repay inspection. The borough council has re-tarred tho paths, and the seats have been re-painted; in fact there is evidence that the place is receiving excellent attention and care. Three ox-members of the iLevin Brass Band, B. Sapwell, F. Geddison nnd W. McNaughton. are at present in the same band in France. An interesting little note-book, made somewhere in Germany lias \ust been received by Mr W. G. Price, of Levin, from his son, Gunner Price, who forwarded it from France. The owner of the book apparently was an electrician, as there are illustrations of cable sections) and tables of figures relating -to electricity. It has a list of many towns in Belgium and Northern France. The Governor has received a message from tho Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George stat'ng that every man, every pound sterling and every effort is needed to give final victory. Writing from France on October 18. a Masterton soldier says: "So you too got tliat rumour of a chap going over to the Germans! What a joke! It was five minutes' wonder with us, too, but then the tale continues that lie was discovered three days later under tho 'fluence' in an establishment in the town nearby where the firing line runs. What a cock and bull story the correspondents .must send through for consumption In New Zealand. Are we not doing worthier than that over here? I see in the last Gazette the names of 25 New Zealand lads who have received honors on the field. Why not recount their deeds?" An officer well-known in Auckland military circles, Capt. Robert Candlisli Hocking, was arrested yesterday and brought before Mr Fraser, S.M., in the Police Court. He was charged that on or about September 29, 1915. being adjutant of the 3rd Auckland Hegimpnt, having received £5 ■ on terms requiring him to account for saim to the Auditor-General, he failed to do so. On the application of the chief detective a remand for eight days was granted. The hail was fixed at one surety of £100 or two of £50. Mr Denn.iston, for accused. stated there was a perfect answer to the charge. The Hon, W. P. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, stated in Wellington yesterday that the shortage of refrigerated tonnage for butter and cheese was approaching an acute stage. Storage is limited and a great quantity of butter and cheese is coming forward. Ship space was most urgently required for cheese which could not be' kept in store so well as butter. The Minister expected that more tonnage would be available within a few months for butter, and he hoped also to learn soon of an improved outlook for getting the cheese away. •'The Defence Department would be glad," said the Minister of Defence, at Auckland, last night, "if men in the first division who in the .past volunteered for the Expeditionary Forces and who have been passed ari medically] unfit, would volunteer for .service again. All who so volunteer will have to attest. They will be examined by the Medical Board, and if passed by this Board as medically unfit, their names will not be included in the ballot hut will boplaced on the reserve list. Some of these men will be invited to volunteer for home service in training camps. If they could satisfactorily take up the work which is now being done by some of the staff in the camps the latter might thus be let away l for service. Those who are passed by the Medical Board as fit will be invited to join one or other of the next Reinforcements." Tho solicitors of Levin advertise that their offices will be closed from 23rd December 1916, to loth January, 1916, for the long vacation. Christmas and New Year greetings reach us from The Goldberg Advertising Agency. Wellington. They are artistically printed by way of a wall placard in two colours.

An enjoyable afternoon was spent by playens and spectators at Levin Bowling Club's green yesterday afternoon. Croquet and bowling both were indulged in. The club's rink that ,is to .participate in. the Dominion Bowling Association's tournament was matchcd against another from Levin Club, and after a good set-to the team for Wellington •won by points to 15. The winning team was Roe. Mclntyre, Snhan and Pollock (skip), and the losers comprised Kirk, Harris, Thomson and Pyke (skip). A Levin cadet, aged 16, by name C. R. Higgs, was proceeded against at Levin S.M. Court to-day, before Mr Poynton, S.M., by Stergt-Major Sell. The lad was charged "that on 6th December, he did obstruct a parade, by being stubborn in tho ranks." Sei'gt-Major Sell told the Bench that there had been trouble for some time past with certain boys, and that he would bring others to book unless there was sppedy amendment. The Magistrate fined Higgs £1, with costs 7b. Twenty-three summonses for debt were called on at Levin S.M. Court to-dav, before Mr J. W. Poynton. S.M. Only one came to hearing: that of Robertson and Co. v. E. Schramka. claim £9 15s 6d. Defendant failed to appear and judgment was entered for plaintiff, with £1 13s fid costs.