LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1376, 20 March 1915, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There is aa agitation afoot to close the local business places from Thursday night to Tuesday morning during Easter. This idea is to be carried out in a number ot towns this year. The main roil of electors in the City of Wellington prepared for the municipal elections contains 32,333 names. The roll for the Auckland City has only 18,493 names.

In connection with the Rangitikei Racing Club’s annual race meeting at Bulls ou Wednesday and Thursday next, special tram arrangements have been made for the convenience of patrons in this district. The full time-table appears in our advertising columns to-day, A sixfeeu-year-old student of the Wanganui Boys’ College, named Patrick Gordon, whose parents reside at Hastings, was found dead in a paddock at Putiki ou Thursday afternoon, with a pea rifle bullet wound in his head. Deceased, who had been suffering from nervous depression, from which, however, he appeared to have recovered, purchased the pea rifle on Thursday. A club in Loudon held a contest to see who could write the best “tongue-twisters.” Here are some of those sent in. Try them, and see what they will do to your tongue : —-A glowing gleam growing green. The black breeze brightened the bright blossoms. Flesh of freshlv-fried flying fish. Strict, strong Stephen Stringer snared slickly six sickly silly snakes. The prize was won by the sender of the following : —Give Grimes Jim’s great gilt gig whip. It is quality that makes a bargain, This will be found in every pair of boots or shoes purchased at Retter Bros. Ladies, call and see the special line of 6dong welted sole shoes from 13s str. Bools and shoes of all makes and prices stocked. Don’t forget, we sell five tins of Nugget polish for is.* Ask for the famous “Roslyn” Writing Pad every time. Contains 100 sheets fine bank paper, with artistic picture of New Zealand’s wonderland (Rotorua), including photo of a charming Native girl. Only fid each from local dealers. For Chronic Chest Complaints Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, 1/6, 2/6. 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 pverytime,"

The latest addition to the local Belgian Fund is a donation, of by Mr Frank Robinson.

Mr T. P. Henderson, pianoforte tuner, will visit Foxtou on Monday next. Orders left at this office will be promptly attended to.* At Westport, a seven-year-old child named Henderson, got it to a boat and drifted out to sea. The boat was picked up on the beach but there was no sign of the boy. Patrons of the Royal are reminded that in order to secure seats it is necessary to be not later than a quarter to eight, as the extra length of programme make it necessary to start punctual at this time.

At the local court this morning, before Messrs Hornblow and KentJohnston J’s.P,, a prohibition order was granted against a local resident. It was stated that prohibited persons were being suppliei by “cutter runners” and that the police were taking steps to bring these individuals to justice. The commission to fix the boundaries of the new education districts has been constituted as under; A. D. Thompson, Assistant Public Service Commissioner, chairman ; George Hogben, C.M.G., retiring Director of Education ; Donald Petrie, formerly Chief Inspector of Schools, Auckland ; John Strauchon, 1.5.0., exUnder Secretary of Eancls ; G. M. Thomson, ex-M.P. for Dunedin North.

The following new books have just been added to our local public library, viz., “A Lad of Kent,” H. Harrisou ; “A Band of Brothers,” C. Turley; “The Turn of the Sword,” C. McLean Savage; “The Lure of Romance,” H. Battersby; “Two’s Company,” D. McKellar ; “The Stain,” F. Halsey ; “Wild Honey,” C. Stockley ; “The Ivncouuter,” A. D, Sedgwick; “The Victim,” T. Dixon.

Wednesday nest, provided the weather is fine, promises to be a red letter day for Moatoa, when a sports carnival will be held in Dr. Walls’ paddock in aid of the Belgian Fund. An enthusiastic commUtee is working the affair up, and an attractive programme of athleticevents, and novel competitions will be provided. Some handsome trophies have been awarded, and there should be keen competition in all events. The necessity for public swim ming baths was again discussed by the local School Committee at Thursday evening’s meeting. The Chairman stated that there was not much chance of constructing baths at the school until the borough had a water supply scheme. Mr Chrystall said he did not think an artesian flow could be obtained iu the grounds. It was decided to wait and see whether the Council would take steps to construct public baths at the riverside.

At Auckland on Thursday, Ada Parsons, a married woman, aged 36, whose husband is an invalidj when talking to two other women in the presence of her husband, suddenly drew a revolver from her pocket and shot herself in the left breast. The bullet penetrated about an inch above the heart, Mrs Parsons was removed to the hospital. A fatal result is not expected. In a statement to the police she said: “Oh, I think everybody is against me, and I want to end it all."

Bead pencils are among the articles manufactured in enemy countries which British firms are now undertaking to supply. Information has been received by the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce indicating that it will shortly be possible to replace slocks of pencils manufactured in Austria and other enemy countries by high grade goods from British houses. Recently the chamber was asked if there was a contract in existence between Johann Faber, the Bavarian pencil-maker, and New Zealand Government for a supply of pencils to this country. The chamber made inquiries, and has been informed that no such contract exists.

New Zealand couts ins approximately 1,100,000 people, on an area which is admittedly capable of carrying five times as many under the existing method of production and exchange, and ten times as many under easily attainable scientific methods of agriculture and other industries. Yet the amazing fact stares us in the face that even with this unquestionable natural opportunity and in spite of the relatively large output of produce from our agricultural occupation, there is complaint of unemployment and a visible lack of settlement opportunity.—Auckland Herald.

Dissatisfaction has been expressed by several exhibitors at the local Horticultural Society’s shows in respect to the prize awards. Originally prizes were awarded in each section as follows: —One entry is first prize, the same for two entries, three entries first is second 6d, lour is 6d and 6d, five is 6d and is, and six ss and is, the entry fee was 3d each. The amended scale with an increase to 6d per entry provides the following scale of prizes:— One entry, no prize ; two entries is first, three do., four is 6d, five is 6d and is, six 2s and is. It is proposed to discuss the scale with a view to its improvement at the annual meeting to be held in May. We are showing a splendid line of ladies “Equity” shoes, guaranteed quality, latest style. Betty’s Boot Emporium.* The famous Roslyn Writing Pads obtainable from all stationers and storekeepers at 6d and Is each/

Public meetings of. protest against the increased cost of living are being held In many centres. It Is reported that the Kaiser intends to liberate the German fleet from the Kiel Canal to have a fair fight In the North Sea. It is reported that the German' light cruiser Karlsruhe was blown up off the Grenadines in the Windward Islands sometime in December, The Germans kept the news a close secret. The death occurred at Motuiti this morning of Mrs Mete Kipa, aged 38 years. The deceased had been in very indifferent health for some eighteen months past. A tangl is being held. The hemp market continues firm, and yesterday buyers were offering £2% per ton for good fair. This price is about £6 above that ruling just prior to the outbreak of war.

The Kennedy, hemp laden, sailed for Wellington last night. The Awahou, with general from Wellington, arrived this morning and the Queen of the South, also with general, will leave Wellington to-night for Foxton. The friends of Mr R. Ashmore, who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis in the Palmerston Hospital, will be pleased to learn that he is making a good recovery, and was able to return home on Wednesday. The services in the Presbyterian Church to-morrow will be conducted by the minister, Rev J. M. Thomson, M.A., both morning and evening. The children’s portion will be given in the morning and the Sabbath School will be held at usual in the afternoon. There is at present on view in Mr J. Golder’s shop window a baudsome cup, which has been presented by Mr J. Smith, of Moutoa, for the winner of the Hunters’ Competition at the Moutoa sports next Wednesday. At different times flaxmills in the district are stopped temporarily for various reasons, but something quite out of the ordinary was responsible for the Poplar mill being idle yesterday, no work being possible by reason ol the fact that no less than nine of the employees were “down” with influenza.

Cabinet has granted permission for the burial of Bishop Grimes in St, Paul’s Catholic Cathedral at Christchurch. The fuueral takes place at 10 a.tn. on Thursday next and will be preceded by a Pontifical Mass. There will not be any ceremony in Wellington during the transference of the coffin from the Sydney steamer to the Lyttelton boat on Tuesday. The Palmerston Standard states that advice has been received of the death iu Egypt of Bandmaster B. J. Simpson, a member of the main expeditionary force, following upon an operation.. He was well known in the Wairarapa, Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay In connection with brass bands, and for three years was champiotT cornetist ot the Dominion. He' was appointed Bandmaster to the Regimental Band in the main camp at Awapuni. He was a son of Nurse Simpson, of Palmerston, and leaves two brothers iu Ashburton, one sister in Carterton, and three others in Palmerston. A touching incident occurred outside the Auckland Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday last. A case had been heard and adjourned, in which a wife applying for a separation order and maintenance had been telling how her husband had ill-treated her. Meanwhile a little girl of about three years of age, who had been living with her mother since the husband had left home by mutual agreement with his wife, was climbing all over her recovered father, while the complainant was relating what a bad man he was. When the case was adjourned, the child ran away from her mother, calling out “Dad ! Dad !’’ and had finally to be taken away another road crying bitterly because she was separated from her father.

Mr Harry Bander, after giving a second donation of ,£I,OOO to the National Relief Fund, was interviewed by a Scottish newspaper representative, and made the following remarks about us and the war: “I was in Melbourne when the war broke out, and I believe the Australians and New Zealanders are even more in earnest about it than we are. They are ready to send auy quantity of men to help, so far as their limited population will allow. You can take it from me that both Australia and New Zealand are ready to make any sacrifices for the Empire. Everybody is for the Motherland, and will do their best to see her through.” The charge against Charles Harvey of having murdered Wong Way Ching in the deceased’s shop in Acelaide-road, Wellington, on 12th September last was withdrawn by the police. This course was taken upon the recommendation of the Crown Taw Office. Against the accused there was ouiy his own statement, or, if it could be so termed, his confession. The police had made enquiries, and, as the result, were satisfied that no jury could reasonably convict the man, and that it would be unreasonable to ask them to do so. The Inspector handed to the Magistrate the report pi the Crown Baw Officer. He added that there had been very little' evidence ; the police had sifted it very carefully to substantiate or disprove what accused had been heard to say, and that was the reason so many remands had been asked for. The Magistrate agreed that the charge should be withdrawn. No jury could convict upon the evidence. The accuse 4 was discharge^.