LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1346, 12 January 1915, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The recent showers have freshened up pastures and gardens throughout the district. A first draft of 500 lambs from 1000 ewes was sold at Ealing (Canterbury) last week, at prices varying from ii3s 2d to 19s iod.

Rabbits are reported to be increasing rapidly is some parts ol: tbe'Wairaraps, as a result of tbe continued dry weather.

The Patea Borough Council have decided to move in the direction of erecting municipal dwellings.

The Rongotea Dairy Factory is now producing 53 boxes of butter per day. The highest reached his season was 58.

Since the war commenced, eighty-seven aliens of hostile nationality have been sent to Somes Island from Wellington district.

A Mastertou small farmer, says the Age, had to sell his cows last week, because he had neither grass nor fodder with which to feed them.

The Commonwealth statistician estimates that 14,682,953 acres were under various crops at the end of 1914, being an increase of over 5,000,000 lor the past nine years. Tbe wheat acreage has increased from 6,000,000 to 9,187,000 for the same period, the increase in 1914 being 2,000,000 acres.

(Questioned by an Eketahuna Express reporter on Saturday as to the low values ruling for certain classes of stock, a representative of an auctioneering firm stated buyers were holding back lor a further drop, which they assumed would occur owing to the droughty conditions in other parts. He, however, predicted a sharp rise in a very short time.

The United States Government had intented to issue special postage stamps bearing the American and British flags to commemorate the century of peace between the two countries. On account of the war it has, however, been decided not to issue trie stamps, as such an action would naturally be invidious under existing conditions. In the official Year Book just Issued, tbe population of Napier is shown as 11,083, or, including Napier South, West Shore, and Awatoto, 12,628. The figures for the other principal towns outside tbe four centres are given as follows : —Wanganui 13,751, or with suburb 16,031 ; Palmerston North 12,042; Nelson 8,052, or with suburbs 8,705 ; Invercargill 14,526, or with suburbs 17,868. The Church Chronicle, issued in Wellington, states that Bishop Sprott desires that no marriages should be celebrated in private houses, except iu cases where both parties are living at least six miles trom a church or churchroom. It is also announced in the same journal that it is the desire ol the bishops of the province that no clergyman be married within three years of his ordination to the diacouate.

Not the least touching tribute to Lord Roberts was one addressed by an old sergeant-major of R.H.A, to a squad of recruits he was drilling the morning of Lord Roberts’ death. Turning to the men while they were taking an “ easy ” this grim old non-com. said huskily; “It’s a pity about Lord Roberts. He was a flue soldier, and a great gentleman. I served with him, and I knew him. He died the best way. Don’t forget he gave us the warning words. But we wouldn't listen to him. Eyes front.’’ A modern invention, says the Bruce Herald, has been installed in Tokoraairiro Presbyterian Church. The instrument comprises a telephone transmitter of exceedingly strong capacity, which is.placed under the reading desk of the pulpit. Wires are connected therewith to any part of the church, and those afflicted with deafness can attach a patent telephone receiver over their heads and listen to the sermon with distinctness and without any discomfort. Wires can also be connected to private residences, and bed-ridden persons can listen to the service while reclining in their homes. Already one private outside connection has been installed.

The origin of the name of General Joffre has been exercising the minds and imaginations of the French. The Paris correspondent of the London Truth writes:— Gascons are known to be imaginative. The alleged origin of General Joffre’s name (a supposed ancestor who hawked about wares with the cry ot “J’bffre’’) arose, it appears, out of the imagination of a Gascon, who attended the autumn manoeuvres, and entertained a party of reservists with, a story of a Chatalan “Dutch auctioneer, ’’ who remarked “J’offre” (“I offer”) as he held up a penknife, scissors, or spectacles. The name of Joffre was really the Chatalan form of Geoffrey, Jauffret, Jauffre —all akin to the English Jeffries. The writer proceeds to remark that General Joffre is not of aristocratic birth, and therein he resembles Gambetta, the son of a Gipsy ; Ney, a cooper’s son ; Murat, the son of an ostler; and Lefebve, the son of a laundress.

Farmers and. flaxmill employees are recommended our new special waterproof boots. We guarantee them. R. T. Betty.* Messrs Pearson and Co., from Wellington, successful tenderers, have issued instructions to throw out the stock at some price or other of Mrs Hamer’s stock, Foxton. Come to-day and next week as all must be sold,* We like the R. and G. brand of hats and caps very much, they are so comfortable, light in weight, perfect in style and very durable. Ask your local clothier for the R. and Gbrand evervtime.'* English Hake {dried fish), I/- per lb. Walker <S; Fume,

The Federal Prime Minister was entertained by Cabinet at Wellington yesterday. The person who took an urn- v i brella by mistake from Perfeau’s > on Saturday is requested to return same. Mr C. H. Speiis, who recently erected a flaxmill on his Kingston property near Shannon, started stripping last week. Feed is plentiful in the Forty Mile Bush district and the milk supply shows a marked increase. There is a slackness in quitting surplus stock. Since Saturday there has been a further advance of from 10 to 15 shillings in the price of hemp, good fair quality being to-day quoted at £2O 10s to ,£2O 15s. We acknowledge with thanks handy wall calendars from Mr Alf. Fraser, local agent for thfe Victoria Insurance Co., and Mr F. D. Whibley, agent for the South British. A company has been formed in Palmerston to run a continuous picture show. Central premises have been secured near the Post Office and a start is to be made with the erection of an up-to-date building straight away. The clothes oft proclaim the man, Heasman’s tailoring is the last word in style and finish. Select your suitings now for the festive season to save disappointment. A wide range of summer material to select Irom.* Mr and Mrs Witchell are spending a few days in Foxton. After Mr Witcbell’s transfer to Dargaville his health broke down and he was transferred to Otaki and will take up his duties there in a fortnight’s time. The friends of Mrs Furrie, who went on holiday to Wanganui during Christmas week, will regret to learn that she was taken seriously ill there, and is confined to her bed. She is staying with her daughter, Mrs Kay. Mr H. Osborne advertises the arrival of a shipment of Puponga coal. This coal is unsurpassed for economy and cleanliness. Small or large orders left at Messrs Goldingham and Beckett’s Office, Wharf St., will be promptly executed. A business notice appears elsewhere in this issue from “Kaganski,” the costume specialist of Wanganui, which should be of interest to our women folk. The costumes turned out by this firm have a dominion reputation. William Lewis Giffen, eighteen, years ut age, was drowned on Saturday atteruoou whilst bathing in a gravel pit on Surrey Park estate, Invercargill. Another lad named Donald Eric Barclay attempted to rescue him, Pit failed, and was pulled down M-y deceased. Ensign and Mrs N. Jenkins, m charge of the work at PeikliifL have been appointed to take charge* of the local Salvation Army Corps and will arrive on Thursday. Arrangements are in hand to give them a public welcome in the Salvation Army Hall at 8 o’clock ©a the same evening. The (Queen of the South arrived at 7 o’clock this morning from Wellington with general, and will sail again at 5 o’clock this afternoon for the same port with hemp. The Kennedy, coal laden from Westport, is due on Saturday, and the Awahou is expected from Wanganui on Sunday or Monday to load hemp for Wellington. The coarse for the fourthcoming local Racing Club’s meeting is in splendid order, and should meet with visiting owners approval. The stewards have made every provision for the comfort and convenience of the public, and given fine weather the meeting should be one of the best from every point of view yet held by the club. In connection with the sentence recently passed upon F. E. N. Gaudin at Samoa, the Minister for Defence (Hon. James Allen) states that the Governor, having examined the papers relating to his trial, has communicated with the Judge Advocate General, Mr J. R. Reed, K.C. of Auckland, and the Administrator of Samoa, Colonel Logan, on the matter. A very severe burning accident occurred at Shannon last week. Mr Alb. Judd, who is a dairy farmer on the Kaipenua road, was starting his engine prior to milking, when the spirit ignited and Mrs Judd, who was standing near, was very badly burnt about the breast, head, face and arms. Mr Judd managed to extinguish the flames. A doctor was summoned, who immediately ordered the sufferer to Palmerston, where she lies in a critical condition. Mr J. A. Matheson, touring manager for the Florence Young Musical and Dramatic Company, writes to us from Titnarn as follows; “Having one of the most expensive co’s. on the road and being held up for a night or two I have unsuccessfully applied for Foxton Town Hall for Saturday, Feb. 6th, I presume it is because of pictures. I would esteem it a great favour if you could use your influence in the direction * of getting us that date, if not given us it means Foxton is debarred from seeing a great show, Florence Young, Reginald Roberts, Claude Bantock, etc.” We passed the letter on to the Town Clerk, who ± informs us that the application ' will be granted. Buy at J. M. Kelly’s for Cash Packet Magic Soap, equal to Sun. light, I/- pkt. If you are contemplating giving anyone a Xmas present see Thomas Rimmer’s stock —bv far the best assorted and best value in town.*

There is no sensational war news from the Eastern or Western frontiers. In the Black Sea the Russian fleet seriously damaged the Breslau and Hatnidieh. A message from Vancouver states that a British cruiser engaged and sunk the German battle-cruiser Von der Taun. The message is not official. Despite the inclement weather on Saturday evening there was a good attendance at the municipal pictures, the audience being most appreciative and vociferous in their applause. The Italian film. ‘‘The Adopted Son,” was a first class subject and staged in a masterlymanner. The other items of the programme especially the comics were well received by. the audience who were thoroughly satisfied with the whole programme. “What a magnificent river for boating and sailing you have iu Foxton,” remarked a visitor the other day. This is true, but very few people seem to indulge iu boating or sailing. There is a fine stretch of water from the Heads to the Shannon bridge, about 20 miles, yet it is very rarely one sees a boat out. There was a time when Foxton folks took an interest in this recreation, but that was before the advent of motor cars, bicycles and picture shows. Spurious half-crowns are apparently in circulation in Auckland at present. One of the bad coins was found amongst the takings in a picture theatre. This particular sample is described by an expert as an excellent imitation, down to the minutest detail. It looked as though it had just been minted, was slightly heavier than the genuine half-crown, and had a slight yellowish tinge, which could be detected ou close examination. The composition of the coin was evidently largely aluminium, and it rang like lead. A sad drowning accident oc-, curred ou the Hokio beach on Sunday morning, at 10,30. Mr T. Broome, Mrs Broome, her daughter aged 11 (all of Levin), Mr and Mrs Carey, of Birkenhead, Auckland, and Phyllis Chapman, aged 12 of Levin, were bathing when they got into a hole. All got ashore except the girl Chapman. Mrs Broome went to her rescue, but got into the hole and was forced to let go. Mr Broome then attempted a rescue, but was soon in difficulties. and was rescued by Mr R. Smith, who was about an hour bringing him round. Meanwhile the girl had disappeared, and her body has not been recovered. The police are searching the beach. It is to be hoped (says the Christchurch Press) that New Zealand troops who are going to tb* front will be well supplied with tE\ture of iodine and taught how re apply it to wounds. This war has ; confirmed the high opinion previously held of its virtues as a sov ire jg n specific for cleaning v bounds and preventing them from developing tetanus, gangrene, and other microbic diseases which swell the mortality list in the war. Many thousands of pounds have been subscribed iu England to insure a full supply of this preparation for troops, and an ingenious Frenchman has invented a little tube, about the size of a pencil, containing a supply of iodine, and a brush or pad lor applying it. It is hermetically sealed, but the soldiers having the use of only one hand can break the bulb and apply the dressing. A circular from the Board of Agriculture, with reference to noxious weeds, which was read at the Wanganui County Council, was responsible for some interesting remarks anenl Californian thistle. The circular stated that the cavings from the thresher, if spread over the section affected, would help to eradicate the weed. “Cutting Californian thistle is all rot, it spreads more than it does if not cut,” remarked a Councillor. “The thistle does not do much harm,” said another Councillor, “it is all over my place.” A third councillor gave an illustration of the plan mentioned iu the circular. He spread a quantity of r hay cavings over a section growing. Californian thistle, to a depth of two or three inches. By and by the thistle came through, and he came along and pulled out long stalks like celery. Next year there was no thistle. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter, in response to a request from the Board. For Children’s Hacking Cough at night, Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, 1/6, 2/6. The famous Roslyn Writing Pads •obtainable from all stationers and storekeepers at 6cl and is each/