LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1481, 4 December 1915, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The attendance shield at the local State school this week was won by St. 11., with an average attendance of qq. i per cent.

There was a large audience to witness the “ Mother Goose” pantomime in the Town Hall on on Thursday night. Judging by the continued applause, patrons were well satisfied with the bill of fare.

While the recruiting song, “Your King and Country Need You,” was being sung at the “Mother Goose” pantomime in the Town Hall on Thursday night, Miss Jennings, principal boy, and the chorus girls took up a collection from the audience on behalf of the Girls’ Guild Fund. During the collection a tableau, depicting a wounded soldier supporting the apparently lifeless form of a comrade beside a field gun, was appropriately staged. Mr Stevenson later announced that the collection amounted xi'.d, which sum was handed to a representative of the Guild, amidst the applause of the audience.

In the course of an editorial comment upon the strictures which Mr P. C. Webb, M.P. for Grey, passed in a recent speech at Christchurch upon the Maymorn camp (and incidentally on employers), suggesting that they should first don the uniform before asking their employees to do so, the Greymouth Evening Star (which has supported the Liberal interests) says: “Now, we have a wholesome regard for Mr Webb’s sincerity in his efforts to uplift and improve the tolling masses, but we are not going to stand the member for Grey hiding himself behind a bushel and abusing the employers, many of whom have died in the cause of justice, righteousness and liberty, when he himself, a single man, has not donned the khaki in a manner which has brought upon Lieut. T. E. Y. Seddon and Lieut. Downie Stewart the high encomiums of Reformer and Liberal alike. The present is no lime for cheese-paring; a man who is not for us is against us. We do not want any maudlin philosophy; the present is lime for action.

, . . The paper calls upon Mr Webb to define his position or else “return to the electors that trust which they on two occasions have so handsomely reposed in him.’’

Brandishing his arm vigorously, and bringing it down with a thump on the table in front of the recruiting officer at Gisborne last week, says the Poverty Bay Herald, an eager recruit demanded that he should be sent to the front. “Aye, avc, but what’s your age, maun ?” inquired the recruiting officer. “Sixty-nine," was the response, backed up by the declaration that he was good still for plenty of hard work. He said that he was physically fit, and that surely he could go as cook. He had, he said, a grownup family of ten, and he asked why he should not be allowed to do something ior his King and country. The grey-haired old volunteer was warmly commended for his excellent spirit, but was informed that the age limit was 45 years. The old man who was persistent, said that he had lived in every clime, and had seen service as a lad of 14 in the American Civil War, evidence ol which he displayed by a missing finger—the result of a bullet wound. It was not until his name and address had been duly entered, and he was assured that when the call came for greybeards he would not be forgotten, that he leit the recruiting depot. Two other offers from elderly men, one of 75 and another of 62, have also been lately received at Gisborne. Purity and Quality are the two main features of Walker and Furrie’s business. Value combined with the above brings success to our store. We are still in business to treat and serve you well. Come now and shop at our store. Walker & Furrie, Foxton. Farmers and flaxmill employees are recommended our new special waterproof boots. We guarantee them. R. T ; Betty.*

Mr C. Blenkhorn has been elected unopposed as Mayor of Levin.

Mr R. E. Selby, of Shannon, is amongst those who have enlisted to go to the front.

The Otaki Town Board is unable to raise a loan to carry out its electric lighting scheme. Correspondence has been prohibited with Thurland and Tharland, Illinois, U.S.A.

The offertories at All Saints’ Church to morrow will be given to the Diocesou Pension Fund.

Mr W. W. Young, of Foxton, who has enlisted in the infantry of the nth Reinforcements, has received notification to proceed to Trentham on the 14th inst.

The friends of Mr A. S. Easton, who recently underwent a serious operation iu a private hospital in Wellington, will be pleased to know that he is progressing satisfactory.

The 2400 men representing the Rifle Battalions are now comfortably settled at the Rangiotu camp. The men are a fine lot physically aud appreciate the change from May Morn.

A call (0 the Rev. Bowden Harris, of Pahiatua, Is being signed by members of the Levin Presbyterian Church to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of the Rev. Mr Randerson, M.A.

The duty of collecting agricultural statistics, which has for the last few years beeu done by other agencies, Is to be again undertaken by the police force. It is understood that the police will commence the work in February.

A man wearing the uniform of a soldier, named George William M’Donald, was placed in the dock at the Magistrate’s Court Wellington yesterday, charged with having obtained subscriptions by false pretences/ Accused was remanded for a week. The chairman and at least six members of the Wanganui Education Board have determined not to seek re-election to the smaller district created by the Council of Education, but the whole question will be discussed at the next meeting of the Board.

Tooth-pulling is a very simple and painless process in China. The dentist mbs a secret powder on the gum over the affected tooth, and after about five minutes, the patient is told to sneeze. The tooth then falls out. Many attempts have been made by foreign dentists to ascertain the nature of this powder, but no one has ever succeeded in doing so.

A very conceited man enlisted in a Kentish regiment. The new recruit boasted so much about what he would do to the Germans that bis chums decided to have a rise out of him. He got one morning this wire from London : “ Heartiest on enlistment—Kitchener.” lie showed the wire round all day. But next morning he got still a finer one. It said : “ Thanks and compliments. England is proud of you. —George.” Still unsuspicious, he showed his second wire round, too. But he smelt a rat at last, when, the third day he got a third message: “Von Hindenburg says he will draw out unless you do. * How much, then, to remain neutral? —Wilhelm,”

Ninety years of age a fortnight ago, Mr Free, of New Plymouth, is the only survivor in New Zealand of the “Old Black Cuffs ” (the 58th Regiment) Mr Free went with the regiment to Auckland in 1845, and fought that year in Heke’s war at the Bay of Islands. In 1850-3 he saw service again as a lieutenant in the Taranaki Militia. lieutenant Free, in an interview with Mr W. Jennings, M.P., said very few oi the officers and men left New Zealand in 1858, when the regiment was ordered Home, and he thought fully 1500 men out of the regiment remained in the North Island, many of them becoming successful farmers, two became directors of the Bank of New Zealand, one was hrst Superintendent of Auckland, many became members of Provincial Councils and the Parliament of New Zealand, two being Ministers of the Crown.

A very enjoyable social took place in the Presbyterian Sunday school last night, the last of the series for the year. There was a fair attendance, and the programme was one of the best in point of merit that has yet been submitted. Among those contributing was Mr Lees, wellknown in musical circles throughout the North Island, and his items were keenly appreciated. The Rev Mr Bredin presided. The following contributed to the programme: Mesdames Boyesand Aitken, Misses Olliver (pianoforte selection), D. Signal, Messrs Bnglass, Jenks, Hornblow, Lees, Aitken, Bullard, Simmons (instrumental), and Messrs Barr and Lees, vocal duet, “Watchman, What of the Night?” a very fine rendering, Accompaniments were played by Mrs Boyes, Misses Jenks and Signal, Messrs Lees and H. B. Collins. A guessing competition was won by Miss Millar. Refreshments were provided by the lady members of the congregation. The usual votes of thanks were passed to all who had assisted. You have no doubt had a disappointment some time or another when being served with groceries, but you never gp out of Walker anq Furrie’s with that feeling. They-, want only to do business when they satisfy customers. Walker & Furrie, Foxton. BUY WHOLESALE FROM LAIDLAW LEEDS’ CATOJLOG IT'S FREE.