LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 811, 12 February 1910, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During the service at All Saints’ Church to-morrow night, Mrs Boyes will sing a solo. The services will be conducted by the Rev. F. I- Sola, F.R.C.0., Vicar of Bulls. The Review of Reviews for February is just to hand. The subject of the Character Sketch is Mr Ure, Lord Advocate of Scotland, and is full of present time interest. The Books of the Month include studies of “Survival of Man," by Sir Oliver Lodge : and “The Story of how Old Age Pensions came to be,” by Mr Herbert Stead. The other sections of the Review are well edited, and the subjects dealt with are of a high order of general interest.

Mr J. Murdoch, of Shannon, has definitely decided to contest the Otaki seat at the next general election. Mr Murdoch will stand in the Labour interests.

A priest at Villa Franca, near Verona, while celebrating mass fell unconscious at the alter steps. The wine was poisoned with sulphuric acid. The deed is attributed to Solialists, between whom and the Catholics there is a bitter feud.

The Women’s Labour League Conference at Newport has resolved that the Government should be urged to extend the time during which mothers would be prohibited from factory work after child birth from four weeks to six months, and that the local authorities be empowered to maintain them during the prohibited period. The heathen by the light of reason conclude that a usurer is a double-dyed thief and murderer. We Christians, however, hold him in such honour that we fairly worship him for the sake of his money. Little thieves are put in the stocks. Great thieves go flaunting in gold and silk. — Martin Luther.

The suggestion is made (says the Taranaki Herald) that about 3,000 square miles should be cut off the northern end of Wellington and added to Taranaki, which would result in two handy-sized provincial districts, instead of one small and one unwieldly district as now, and a saving in time, trouble and inconvenience, as well as distance from headquarters would be effected, whether in church work or Government work, or any other work. Commenting on the latest phase of the Knyvettcase, the Post says : —“ The penalty is painful for the officer, who has done excellent work, as commentators in all the centres have admitted, but as he has been found guilty of insubordination, and discipline must be maintained if this country is to have any military efficiency. Possibly Lord Kitchener’s visit may help to remove some of the Auckland soreness ; we hope so, for the Aucklanders have been vigorous New Zealanders, with all their zest for such little trifles as the San Francisco mail service.”

“ All indications point to the prospect of a good year for 1910,” says the Trade Review. The Review reports that at present, however, importing houses describe trade all round as distinctly quiet. The grocery trade generally is affected by the dulness which usually follows the activity of the Christmas season. In the hardware section trade seems to have been slow in resuming work after the holidays, while the clothing trade is in the dead period between two seasons. On all hands, however, there is said to be the expectation of a return of the activity which preceded the recent spell of stringency.

The Melbourne Argus states that Sir Firnest Shackleton has published a supplementary volume —an edition de luxe, limited to a comparatively few copies to his original work on the dash to the Pole. This contains the original autographs of all members of the expedition, two poems by Sir Ernest, and a prose article by Mr Mawson. The price is fixed at ,£lO 10s. The publishers sent a few copies to Australia, and seventeen had already been sold. Then the Australian agent received peremptory orders to stop the sale and get back by some means the copies sold. Further instructions were sent, ordering certain pages to be cut out and certain other pages which were sent bound up in their place. The proceedings roused great interest, as well as surrounding the new volume with an air of mystery. “What is your Christian name?” was asked ot a witness before the Nautical Court inquiring into the stranding of the s.s. Kaipara, the Auckland Star states. “ Frank,” was the reply. “Frank Richard,” corrected Mr Kettle. “ No, plain Frank,” answered the witness. “ But your officer’s certificate gives your Christian name as Frank Richard.” “Yes, I thought that was my name until I was forty years of age. Then I got my birth certificate, and found that I was just plain Frank. My mother wanted me to be called Frank Richard, but my father didn’t like the man after whom I was to be called Richard, and so in registering my birth he quietly gave my Christian name as Frank, and dropped the Richard. It was not till forty years later that I discovered what we had done. That accounts for the two Christian names on my certificate where there legally should only be one,” explained the witness amidst some laughter. The Rev. Edward Walker, of Halcombe, has published his annual summary of the Dominion drink bill for 1909. This, worked out at per gallon rates, amounts to 137, or ,£3 ns o}4d per head of the population, a decrease of ,£123,831 upon the previous year’s expenditure, notwithstanding an increase of the population of 26,780. The decrease per head of population is 4s 3d. During the first six months of the year nolicense was operating in six districts, and during the latter half of the year in twelve. Mr Walker states that it is difficult to say what proportion of the decrease is due to the increase of no-license areas and what is possibly due to a diminished spending power of the people ; but he has no doubt that both have contributed to the decrease. That no-license has done so he regards as beyond dispute. The total estimated expenditure upon alcoholic liquor in this country from the foundation of the colony of New Zealand, at per gallon rates, has now reached the sum of

Palmerston is thinking hard about a tram system.

An earthquake, accompanied by a loud report, was felt in this district at about 11.30 a.m. yesterday.

The heat in Foxtou during the past few days has been almost unbearable. The air is a little cooler to-day. Mr A. Jonson notifies the public that he has resumed his duties as inspector of nuisances and sexton.

Mr O. Cook notifies that he will run his bus to the Beach tomorrow, leaving the Post Office at 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Return fares 2s, children half-price. At Wanganui on Wednesday evening, Miss Nicholls aged 23, was drowned through the capsizing of a boat. The other occupants had a narrow escape. The body was recovered yesterday. A French ‘‘Jack the Ripper” is terrorising Paris. Six men and boys were murderously attacked with a big knife. The assailant is supposed to be a madman. He does not attempt to rob his victims.

Clearance week of bargains in remnants and oddments is advertised at the Bon Marche, Palmerston North, positively terminating Saturday, February 19. The balance of sale stock must go and prices are made accordingly.* R. J. Scott, of Stratford, the champion wrestler of New Zealand, wiH wrestle Hackenschmidt in the Wellington Town Hall at an early date for ,£SO aside and the world’s championship. The frame of a monster air liner, the Zeppelin No. 4, is almost completed at Berlin. It contains several saloons and every facility for the comfort and amusement of the passengers, including a reading room. It makes its maiden voyage shortly.

The cver-popular Taylor-Car-rington Company appear in the Public Hall this evening, when they will stage for the first time in Foxton the sensational drama " Moondyne.” The old favourites have been playing to bumper houses right along the line.

Parents of children attending the local school are reminded that Mrs Nye has just received a consignment of school requisites lor all standards, also classical works and the latest novels by popular authors. The leading magazines, periodicals and newspapers stocked, also artistic fancy goods suitable tor presents.*

This mouth’s “ Press Hank ” is to hand, and contains many brightly written articles on matters pertaining to the industrial welfare of the industry. Among other subjects dealt with are “The Accommodation Act,” “ Labour Conditions in the Flax Industry,” “Dairy Factory Employees,” “Hemp Milling,” aud “ Remarks,” (by Hiram Gunn.)

The services at the Methodist Church to-morrow will be conducted in the moruiug by Deacouess Sister Moody Bell, whose subject will be “The Feper’s Prayer,” and the Rev. P. J. Mairs will preach in the evening, taking for his subject, “Witnessing for Christ.” At the evening service the anthem, “My song shall be” will be sung. There will be a prayer meeting at 7 a.m. and Sunday school at 2.30 p.m. Mr F. F. Watson, headmaster of Campbell Street School, Palmerston North, in his report to the committee uses the following words: —“There is criminal carelessness shown by parents in the matter of sending their children to school after the holidays. The highest attendance for last week was 34 below the average attendance for the whole of last year. If the holidays lasted three mouths there would still be parents who would fail to send their children back in time.”'

The roll number of the local school is now 354, while the average attendance for the two weeks the school has been open is 307.7 and 315.4. The attendance shield is causing keen competition. Standards V, VI, and VII won it this week with a percentage of 93.7, while Standard 111 and Standard I made 93.5 and 93 per cent, respectively. A pleasing feature is the number of pupils who are being enrolled at five years of age. Forty-three new pupils have been admitted during the last two weeks, while fifteen names have been removed. Mr A. Jonsoa returned to Foxton on Thursday night, very much benefited in health, after spending a three weeks’ health recruiting trip at Rotorua. Mr Jonson speaks enthusiastically of New Zealand’s wonderland. “I have travelled in all parts of the world,” said the old gentleman, “ and in my time have seen many places, but Rotorua beats them all.” Mr Jonson gave us a graphic account of the sights he had seen, and his many experiences. He also showed us some beautiful scenic views of Rotorua and its environs. At Te Aroha Mr Jonson called on Messrs O. F. Austin and C. E. Barnard, erstwhile Foxton residents, bringing back kind regards from them to old friends, Mr \V. E. Barnard has, Mr Jonson informs us, commenced practice in Te Aroha as a solicitor.

Insectibane is sold in tins only There are five sizes. Messrs Fairbairn Wright and Co. are wholesale agents.* 5 Mr Parkes, he locai watch maker and jeweller is opening up a splendid assortment of gold, silver and electro-plate goods suitable for presentations. Watch he window displays.*

Mr H. C. Cochran advertises a quantity of second-hand furniture for sale.

Mr J, Galland, of Moutoa, advertises White Leghorn cockerels for sale.

The Presbyterian Church services will he conducted in the morning by the Rev. G. K. Aitken, the subject being “ Enoch Walking with God,” and in the evening by Mr G. Huntley. If in want of Birthday', Wedding or other gifts, go to Parkks’, he jeweller, the shop for presents.* During the next few weeks the Yerex Studio will be open on Saturdays and Mondays only. The remainder of the week will be spent around the country districts. Kindly make your appointments for those days.*