LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1417, 29 June 1915, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dr Marlin, who arrived at Palmerston this morning, was accorded a civic welcome. A cablegram has been received at Gisborne from a member of the Maori Contingent stating that it is leaving for the front. It was ' stated at the National Dairy Show at Palmerston that the Allied armies were using 700 tons of New Zealand cheese per week—two-thirds of the whole ot New Zealand’s output. A combined meeting of the Young Men’s Club and Girls’ Guild was held in the Council Chambers last night. Mr Chas, Simmons presided. It was decided to hold an invitation dance in the Masonic Hall at the end of next month. The holder of the winning ticket in the diapers' art union tor the house at Kelhurn (Wellington! is a girl tour years ot age, who lives with her mother at Hantana square, Lower Hutt. The little girl, who has lost her father, had the ticket presented to her hy her uncle.

The unveiling ot a statue ot the late Richard John Seddou in Parliament grounds, Wellington, was performed by His Excellency the Governor on Saturday. Speeches were made by the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward, The ceremony was witnessed by a large concourse of people. Messrs T, E. Y. Seddou, M.P., aud W. Downie Stewart, M.P., who have enlisted as members of the Expeditionary Forces, were tendered a complimentary luncheon by the New Zealand Club at Wellington yesterday afternoon, The function was very largely attended, among those present being the Hon, Jas, Allen, Minister for Defence, aud Colonels Robin and Gibbon. The male members of the local Methodist Church are providing the entertainment to be held in the Masonic Hall to night, in aid of the circuit funds. Tiny sox have been sent out, aud these are to contain contributions in pence corresponding to double the size of boot worn. A capital programme has been arranged, and refreshments will be provided. An error was made in our last issue in stating that a charge would be made tor admission, as there is to be no definite charge, the novelty of the social being that admission will be by sock money. The wedding took place to day, at the Taranaki Street Methodist Church, Wellington, of Mr J. W. Hodgson, late assistant postmaster at Foxton, and now postmaster at Otaki, and Mrs A. M. Nye. The ceremony was performed by the Rev Mr Chapman. With the many friends of Mr and Mrs Hodgson in this district we join in wishing them health and happiness. A series of four pictorial lectures on interesting and educational subjects was commenced at the local State school yesterday afternoon. The first lecture was ou the "Animal Kingdom,” and to day’s on ‘‘A trip beyond the Clouds.” To morrow’s lecture will be, “The Wonderlul story of the Earth,” and Thursday’s, ‘‘Round the world in eighty minutes.” A small charge is made for each lecture to cover the expenses ot the lecturer. The children are keenly interested in the lectures. Those who attended the Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening had the pleasure of listening to the sacred solo, ‘‘Nazareth - ,” sung by Mr Meates, of Wellington, who possesses a bass voice ot remarkable volume and richness. His interpretation ot the song will remain a pleasant memory to those present. Mr Meates is well-known in Wellington musical circles, and was a pupil ot Mrs Queree. An endeavour is being made to get him to come to Foxton ou Thursday night for the social to be held In the Presbyterian Sunday School.

The death sentence passed upon Norman Keals for the murder of his sister-in-law, Edith Kmma Keals, and her infant child, at Onewhero, near Auckland, in February last, has been commuted to Imprisonment for life. The opinion of three medical men, experts in insanity, was taken on Keals’ case before this decision was arrived at by the Government. The three specialists were Dr Hay (Inspector General ot Mental Hospitals), Ur Hassell (medical superintendent at Porirua Asylum) and Dr Truby King (of SeaclilT Asylum), and all three agreed that Keals was ot unsound mind. The effect of the mitigation of the extreme penalty in this case will he that the man will be confined in a mental hospital, but it may not be considered desirable that he should at once be transferred from the Auckland prison to any other institution not penal. We are showing a splendid line of ladies “Equity” shoes, guaranteed quality, latest style. Betty’s Boot Emporium.* 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 strong welted sole shoes from 13s 6d. Boots and shoes of all makes and prices stocked. Don’t forget, we sell five tins of Nugget polish for is.* Quality pays always, and Walker and Furrie make it a point to give the best procurable at the price in every line. This has made their business the success it is to-dav. Gentlemen! Next time you require a “best hat,” buy the “R. & G.” make—it will style and comfort give you. Apply local drapers.*

At a caucus of the Government party held yesterday Mr Tau Henare (Northern Maori) was present. All the other members of the party attended with the exception ot Mr Hine, who was absent owing to family bereavement. The full strength of 40 members (exclusive of the Speaker) is thus accounted for. It is stated that many important subjects were discussed and that the greatest unanimity and enthusiasm prevailed. Owing to the frequent change of hospital address of wounded soldiers, the Postmaster-General notifies that all cable messages should be addressed to the care of the Officer Commanding New Zealand Advanced Base, Alexandria, who will direct to correct address. To reduce the cost, the code indicator “ Basenz ” should he used instead of indicator of regiment or unit. Four vvoids in the address should he sufficient. Ex-imple : “11/549 Rankin, Basenz, Alexandria.’’

Much amusement was caused at the opening of Parliament on Friday afternoon through a simple case of mistaken identity. A motor car was seen to be ap preaching, and it was recognised as the Governor’s. The officer in command of the guard of honour gave the order to “salute,” and the band struck up the “National Anthem.” When the occupant of the car alighted it was seen that the gentleman was not his Excellency, but a member of his household.

Further evidence of the efficiency of the stop banks constructed along the low lying lands in proximity to the river at Moutoa, was given during the past few days. The road between the bridge and Shannon was flooded, the depth being fairly considerable, but the properties on this side of the river, on account of the protection of the slop banks did not suffer at all. A few years ago the same volume of water in the river would have flooded all the low lying country in this vicinity but the erection of the banks, extending from some miles above Elkins’ corner along the bank to Foxton practically flood proof. A correspondent to our Hawera contemporary writes: “The steamer Stormbird, mentioned in your yesterday’s issue as having celebrated her 6ist birthday, was a regular trader in the sixties between Wellington, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, She was cut in half and lengthened some years ago, but has nevertheless enjoyed a career unique in the history of coastal steamers. Although the Stoimbird has had several narrow escapes, she can still claim an unbroken record so far as immunity from shipwreck Is concerned. All her old coasting rivals have gone —the Airedale, Raugatlra, Ahuriri, Ladybird, Phoebe, and a host of other well-known traders to New Plymouth in the early days.” One of the most interesting features of the Coronation cere'mony at the Wellington Town Hall last evening was the patriotic auction of a doll dressed as a Queen that was presented by Mr Myers on behalf of his little daughter, Martha Myers, now in Sydney. The present was prompted by his receipt of the following letter ; —Durham Court, Gleve Point, Sydney; June 15th. “Dear Daddy,—l am saving my pennies for the poor wounded New Zealand boys. If you will buy something to give to the Patriotic Fund, I shall let you have all my money when I see you. Could you get anything for the poor little children. If yon will, please Daddy, arrange it for me ; I shall he so glad. I am sorry for our poor soldiers, and never forget I am a little New Zealand girl. I can’t do more than give my pennies, but if I was a big girl I would go and nurse the wounded soldiers.” The sale netted ,£US. Chlorine gas, which is now being used by the Germans in Belgium and France against the Allies, is made in Germany in enormous quantities for commercial purposes at a cost of 26s per hundredweight. Professor Worley, in lecturing upon the subject of poisonous gases, said that thousands of tons of chlorine were used each year in making artificial indigo, the manufacture of which had killed the British-ludiau indigo industry. Sulphur dioxide, another of the deadly gases, cost only 12s a hundredweight, and was produced by burning sulphur'. Another gas which might be used by the Germans was bromine. This was a more expensive gas, aud was manufactured near the great salt deposits iu Germany, All these gases were compressed into strong steel cylinders for transport, and, no doubt, were being manufactured in enormous quantities at the present time. Perreau'S dare scones are a very popular dish for afternoon tea. Fresh daily.* When influenza is raging, take ‘NAZOL.” Best safeguard against attack. Swiftest reliever to sufferers from colds, catarrh and sore throat. When tender babes, oppressed by croup, Lie gasping in their little cots; Their anguished parents o’er them stoop, And strive to save their tiny tots; To such as these there comes a boon Which needs no doctor but a spoon; A syrup, soothing, safe and sure — World-famous “ Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.” 4 If your order is required in IS minutes —in half an hour —before dinner —give us a call and it will be there. Walker and Furrie. They’re all doing it, all along the line—worrying the post officials ringing up number nine.

The New Zealand Boxing Council has decided not to carry out the New Zealand championships this year. Victor Trumper, the famous cricketer, who entered the Sydney hospital a week ago to be treated for kidney trouble, is dead, The coronation of the carnival queen in the Wellington Town Hall last night was a magnificent success. The legislative Council yesterday appointed July 7th as the date for a call of the Council to elect a Speaker. In reply to Hon, Maginnity, Sir Francis Bell said it will still be necessary to secure that lotteries are held exclusively for patriotic purposes. Herr Dernberg, interviewed at Christiania, gladly admitted that he was splendidly treated in British waters. He smilingly added, “They can be gentlemen over there.” Herr Dernburg’s return is commented upon in the German press somewhat coolly, implying that his mission is regarded as a failure. The Government has completed the purchase of the Gorton Estate, situated four miles from Cambridge, consisting of 1,025 acres. The owner was Mr W. F. Sinclair, who is leaving lor England to join the Royal Flying Corps. The Prime Minister stated yesterday, referring to the purchase, that the laud was suitable for dairying and mixed farming. In spite of the care taken by the authorities, some serious mistakes occur in the reports of casualties, says the Palmerston Times. It has now been ascertained that Privates N. J. H. Strawbridge and K. H. Harre, both of whom have relatives in the district, and who were reported killed, were fortunately only wounded. The late John Bunny, the world-famous cinema, comedian, started for the Vitagraph Company in 1910, at a salary of £8 a week, but it was not long before it jumped to over £2OO a week. He weighed iSst. 81 h. He married Miss Clara Scallen in 1890, and leaves two sons. He was only ill for three weeks. Questioned as to what was a fair estimate of the proportion of Kitchener’s army now in the field. Dr. Martin emphatically declared that, with the exception of a few companies, the 3,200,000 men placed under training since the war began were still in England. The first million were completely equipped for war, but were still in the Old Land. They were called “ Kitchener’s Hammer.” The hammer was supposed to strike at the end of the spring. It had not done so yet. One idea was that at the last moment Holland would come in, and the men would be landed there to strike at Germany. Another was that Denmark would declare war, and that the men would be thrust through that country to attack Kiel Canal.