LOCAL & GENERAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 January 1917, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Improvements iu The Ohroniclc are to be seen io-day. In addition to the full quantity of news given usually on' pages 2 and 3 several additional news columns are to be found on pages 1 and 4. "Dont's for Bowlers," "A .Soldier's AVedding," and "Humoured Cabinet Changes" are headings'of articles published on the title page; while on page 4 appear Walt Mason's "Useless Regrets," "-The Price of Wheat," "Cycling and Motoring N'oitea," "Jottings," _ "The Happy Warrior," and some health notes. These extra news columns will be utilised in eveiry issue. At next sitting of the S.M. Coart in Levin a case from Ohau way; may be heard. It concerns a disagreement between three settler over the sum of £1 and the" forcible removal of 'me settler from an agricultural implement t,on to the hard ground) by the other two people oncerned. A gentleman strolling in reflective mood by the Heathcote River the other day, found a small boy seated 011 the bank addressing something on a hoolk in hushed tones. Creeping nearer the observer found that the boy., who was very . small, but very earnest, was making general remarks in somewhat lurid tones on the poor iishing in the locality. Most of the blame seemed to be fastened'on an unfortunate worm, which wriggled dismally on a hook, and the listener heard the lad conclude liis peroration tliuswise: "Now, worm,. I'se jest goin' to give yer one'more clianst, an' if yer don't catch a fisli, sure as I'm sittin' here I'll take yer back and bury yer alive again."—Christcliurch Star.

"It is a remarkable fact," but it is true that New Zealand already lias sent to the front double the number of men than tlie Duke of Wellington had under liis command at Waterloo," said tlie Hon. G. W. 'Russell, at tlie unveiling of tlie obelisk to men who fell in the Maori war at Tuakau recently. , "Wellington 1 ill ad .under his command only some 23,000 men, but New Zealand, after being settled for only seventy years, Iras been'able to send over 60,000. It is an aoliievement of which the country: might well bo proud."—Cliristchurcli Star.

An accident befe.l Mrs Kay, of the Gladstone road, yesterday morning, as she was driving to Levin. Her horse got beyond control in Queenstreet, and bolted from near "Winchesterstreet. As the vehicle neared the Post Office the horse turned sharply and the tra,p tilted on to one wheel, with the result that Mrs Kay was thrown with violence on to tlie roadway. Her face was badily cut and in addition she sustained a slight concussion of the. 'brain. Dr Bryson was summoned and was promptlyi in attendance and rendered medical air. Later in the day Mrs Kay was moved to Mr Peter Stewart's house. Private Bay Munro, wlio left Levin with one of the early contingents, has been in Egypt ever since he landed there. In a letter he speaks of the heat the flies, tho sand, and other annoyances. He writes cheerfully, but was getting anxious for a change. 'He writes: "Do you remember Jack Young, a stockman on J. R. McDonald's station, near Levin. -Before he left Mr McDonald presented him wi:b an excellent juniper called "Ginger.' Jack had to go into hospital after the big fight at Katia, but Ginger canio through all right and it still with Jack. I hear that —is still at! home. I can't understand young fellows who gas a great deal and show such friendship ,;for those who enlist and yet shirk their duty. If they get drawn in the ballot, which we hear is to be iij operation in New Zealand they will get plenty of cliaff if they come over here." Young. Munro is now a corporal.-

The full force of an electrical storm on Boxing Day was experienced at Ohakuue, where the lightning illuminated the darkened' sky and thunder roared like a thousand guns. The ajccompanying rainfall was phenomenally heavy and did considerable damage in the borough. The enjoyment of those attending the United Friendly Societies picnic sports at Maltarumii was rudely disturbed just before 3 o'clock. All were in holiday attiro and there was a rush • for whatever shelter there was . available. B-aetihi was evidently out of the line of fire, only a moderate fall being experienced here. The storm took a northerly course; it was an hour or two •afterwards' before the downpour was experienced further up the line.— Wkimarino Call.

Among the names drawn in the last ballot is that of Captain 11. Seddon, who is starred as having previously volunteered.

End-days of various race meeting were held on Tuesday. At Hastings, the Summer Handicap went to :Wap>ping; at Mar ton the Summer Handicap was won by Bon Keve; Colonel Soult and 'Wishful ran a dead .heat in the .Grandstand Handicap at Auckland ; Merry Gain won the Tau.hcrenik.au Handicap at the Wairarapa meeting; Margarine won the North Otago Cup (Oamaru).

"There will bo plenty of money m circulation shortly," so a prominent commercial man 'assured a iG-Lsborne pressman, when discussing the purchase. of the wool clip by. the Imperial Government. Sheepfanmers, he pointed out, would receive their wool cheques fourteen days after valuation find as the second catalogue is being submitted this week, a considerable sum will .slioi t'.y be paid over locally on the initial purchases.

Tlio Ashburton Guardian states that the frcsfc has played havoc with several of the wheat crops in the Killin-

chy district, and more particular!!}' those grown on the heavy peaty soil. In one instance, the whole crop of 30 acres was, .'on examination, found to he devoid of any sign of grain, and the owner,. 011 making the discovery, promptly cut it for chaff.

A iTeviii irink has entered for the .dominion - championship bowling tournament, which begins at Wellington next Monday. The entries Con-" i?titute a record for rinks, no fqwer than 134 teaims taking part. For the pair 204 entries were received and 209 foil* the singles. Only once has this record for pairs and singles been brok•cn and that was four years ago when the tournament was held at ©nnedin. From private information there .is reason to believe that visiting bowlers will- have nothing to complain oi regarding greens. Never before have such perfect greens been seen inf Wellington-and this may be accounted for through the inducement offered! by the Centre, which is donating a cash prize to the green which is considered best. Particularly gctod reports have been made about the Victoria, Hutt, Petone and Newtown greens, and the rinks who are drawn to play 011 any one of those, aire sure., of having nothing to Complain of. Exceptioally heavy rains have fallen in Hawke's Bay since Monday night, aud fears are felt that an inundation of standing crops and uncarted hay will take place. Customs revenue collected in New Zealand during 1916 showed an increase of £033,815. Beer duty for the year increased by £51,775. December, 191G, however, showed a falling off in comparison with December, 1915.

Five Levin men for the 24tli Reinforcements left here this week. They went to Pailmerston by Monday's midday train, and yesterday they ivont down to Trentham. A goodly number of citizens assembled at the Levin railway station to bid them farewell. The departing soldiers were V. E. iHi'fccliijigs, A. O. Mason, It. ft. Butt, F. Ferris and A. Doig. Amongst the visitors to Levin at ~ yearend was Pirivate W. Clark, on final leave 011 the eve of his departure from .New Zealand.

The following are Levin's vital statistics for the quarter ending 31st December, 1916: Birtli 22, deaths 4, marriages 6. For the corresponding quarter, 1915, 26 births, 4 deaths, and 9 marriages -were registered. For the year 1916 the totals were: births 89; deaths 25; marriages 22; while -for 1915 the figures were: births SI; deaths 16; .marriages 28.

Ohau and Muhunoa East resident? are busy making hay this week. Several lair crops of oats are to* be seen in the district but they are nothing wonderful, the absence of rain du'ring December having caused a slimuess and shortage of straw and a premature ripening. At the Hokio Beach on Saturday and Sunday last a good catch of fish as made by Messrs Collins and .'Hudson, of Levin. They were line-fishing and the total caught included ninej teen snapper, one kawhai and three sharks. I Mir P. E. Palmes, Levin advertises a pedigree Yorkshire boar for sale. Paches of good quality, froim the orchard of Mr J. O. •Noill, Tirvean, Ohau are for sale at 5s 6d and 5s per case. Ordeirs may be left with Mr Harkness, Weraroa, who will see that they receive prompt attention.'