LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1670, 3 February 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Miss Symes, teacher of pianoforte, will resume teaching on the 19th instant. , Welcome rain has at last set in throughout this district, and the atmosphere is decidedly cooler.

At a sitting of the Military Service Board at Wellington, several appeals were entered on behalf of Catholic clergy, members of the Marist Brothers, on the ground that they were engaged in teaching and that their enlistment would entail hardships on the Catholic community. Appeals were also made on behalf of several priests. Decision was reserved.

At Mr James Campion’s sale at Okirai, Fordell, last week, 750 Romney ewes realised the extraordinary figure of £3 4s (id a head, which for Hock ewes must be a Dominion, if not an Australasian, record. Mr Campion’s whole Jlock of sheep, numbering several thousands, averaged well over £2 per head. —Manawatu Daily Times.”

An exchange says that a good home-made glue suitable for paper work is made with powdered rice, and is the kind used by the Japanese when making their exquisite paper goods. The glue is made by mixing the rice to a thick, smooth paste with cold water and then stirring it while boiling water is poured on to it until the right consistency is reached, after which it should be boiled for a minute or two. This is excellent glue for covering boxes with cretonne, paper, etc.

In the course of an excellent address at the special service held at All Saints’ Church, Otaki, on Tuesday evening, in connection with the unveiling of the honour board, the Rev. A. M. Johnson, of Wellington, said that the war had done much to break down many artificial barriers between the various churches. He expressed the opinion that when the war was over each denomination would be stronger, that there would be no feelings of antagonism between the different churches, but, instead, a feeling of brotherhood such as had never existed hitherto.

The camp fire concert to be given by members of the N.Z. Medical Military Corps from Awapuni camp in the Coronation Town Hall tonight should attract a bumper house. The programme will be given by members of the corps. "We are informed that the programme will be varied, including some clever

humorous songs and sketches by artists well-known to public audiences throughout the Dominion. That the audience will get full value for their money goes without saying, and at the same time they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are assisting the corps in their efforts to provide a camp orchestra.. Gifts of musical instruments of any description, whether out of repair or not, will be thankfully received by the Corps and publicly acknowledged.

The presentation took place at Government House on Thursday by His Excellency the Governor to Mrs M. E. Cooke, of Brooklyn, of the Victoria Cross awarded to her husband, the late Private -Thomas Cooke, Bth Battalion Australian Imperial Forces, together with a letter signed by His Majesty and addressed to her. The act for which the late Private Cooke was awarded the V.C. is described in the London Gazette of the Bth September f!)lti, as follows:—‘‘For most conspicuous gallantry. After a Lewis gun had been disabled, he was ordered to take his gun and gun-team to a dangerous part of the line. Here lie did fine work, but came under very heavy fire, with the result that finally he wHs the only man left. He still stuck to his post, and continued to fire his gun. When assistance was sent he was found dead beside his gun. He set a splendid example of determination and devotion to duty.”

In a circular letter written at the front, Bishop Cleary, of Auckland, says : ‘‘Throughout the war the bayonet has been a great Allied weapon that the Hun simply cannot and will not face. Our men, of all the Dominions and the British Isles,, simply long to get at the Huns with the bayonet, but at sight of the levelled blades and the tierce yelling faces of our men, the enemy either beats a retreat or throws up his hands and shrieks ‘Kamerade! Ivamerade!’ Out of a group of twenty-two dead Germans counted by an informant of mine in a place not far from here, eighteen were killed with bayonet thrusts, mostly ghastly wounds’ in the neck. And quite a number of ambulance and hospital doctors have assured me that, in a long experience, they have met with no British fighter showing bayonet wounds. The feeling everywhere prevails among the army (so far as I have come in contact with it during the past few months) is that, despite occasional local reverses, such as that in Roumania, the Allied armies can quite surely win the war, and lay the evil spirit of Prussian militarism, if only the party politicians give the fightng men a lighting chance. I azn recording facts and feelings as I find them.”

Calf in at Walker and Furrie’s when you require anything for cleaning or cooking purposes. All household lines stocked and excellent value given.

Charged with making bets on the Takapuna racecourse, William Arthur Glover was fined £25, and Henry Edgar Forgie £SO. The latter was fined for a similar ‘offence two years ago.

Mr E. Newman, M.P., has written to the Marton Chamber of Commerce urging that steps should be taken to support one or other of the schemes promoted by Wanganui or Palmerston North with regard to securing hydro-electric powerfor this coast.

Pte. McCallum, in charge of the pipe band at the Awapuni camp, and which the local public will he afforded an opportunity of hearing to-night, is one of the leading pipers in New Zealand. The band consists of four pipers, two side and bass drums.

The Auckland Observer hits the nail on the head: One tries to imagine the fate of the lunatic in the trench who tried to influence his mates not to dig after ten o’clock at night unless they got more wages. The position of the war worker in commerce and the war worker in war should be precisely similar, and refusal of duty met with the same drastic penalties.

charges

Considerable interest attaches to the butterfat competitions at the Levin Show. The highest honour fell to a Shannon farmer. Details are as follow: —Ist, No. 5, J. Curran (Shannon), 431 points, milk 4.8 test, 3.3 Imtterfal; 2nd. No. 1, E, M. Herrick’s (Levin), 401, 6511>5. milk, 4.4 test, 2.8; 3rd, No. 6 Miss Vera itiehards (Levin), 40, (illhs., 4.6, 2.8. There were seven entries.

A remarkable story was (old at a Nottingham meeting' by Mrs Dcspard, Lord French’s sister . She said that some men in a British trench, learning' that hunger prevailed in a German trench near them, threw some loaves over to them. A little later one of the Germans crawled to our trench and warned the men that a mine was soon lo he exploded, and (he British were able to escape in time.

The greatest heat experienced in Wellington this summer was recorded on Thursday last, when the maximum temperature in the shade was 81.5 degrees. By a coincidence the hottest day last summer was on the same date of 191 G, the temperature in the shade being 85 degrees. The highest temperature in the shade ever recorded in Wellington was on February 20th, 1805, when the thermometer stood at 88 degrees. The following par appeared in a recent issue of the Elthani Argus: —“To whom it may concern: You live on the road. You are continually stealing your neighbour’s copy of the Eltham Argus. We have had you rvatched. You have been seen in the act, but your neighbour will not give evidence, hence we cannot prosecute. Bue we shall tix you ere long, if you were a poor man we would supply you with the Argus gratis. You must want it

very badly when you descend to stealing.”

Some time buck (writes Captain Malcolm Ross, war correspondent with the N.Z. Forces) I mentioned that our General Staff had in their possession a seal ring found on the beach at Anzac. Many newspapers were good enough to publish the paragraph, and now, through the medium of the Daily Mail the owner has been found. The owner is a, trooper in an Australian Light Horse Brigade in Egypt, and his mother, who lives at Pontllyfni, Clynnog, North Wales, saw the paragraph and claimed the ring on her sun’s behalf.

The Patriotic Women Workers and the Foxton Patriotic Society have arranged to entertain the N.Z. Medical Corps now in camp on the raceconi’sc at a supper to be held at the close of the concert to-night. The committee would be pleased if all lailios who can will assist in providing food, and also in attending Co the wants of the men during the stippor. The bulk of the arrangemenls are in the capable hands of Mrs Walls, but assist nice from the ladies is also requested, as it is expected that about 14b men "will he jtresenl. His Worship the Mayor will extend a welcome to the corps before the concert.

At the instance of the Railway Department a commission has been set up to enquire into insinuations that the rolling stock on the railway has been allowed to deteriorate. The commission consists of Professor J. R. Scott (Canterbury College), chairman, Mr James Marelibanks, engineer to the Wellington Harbour Board, and Mr J. P. Maxwell, civil engineer, of Wellington. The Commission is to report not later than Kith March. The sittings will open at Auckland on Monday, afterwards visiting centres considered necessary. Mr Myers, solicitor, will represent the Department. The enquiry is open to the press.

Certain members of" the advance party of the Awapuni Camp corps put in time the other evening rabbit; shooting. They bagged eight in a short time, and the slaughter closed. One of the party—an Aucklanderasked permission to act as cook for the special occasion. He bundled the cook aside and set to work on the “stoo.” He commandeered potatoes and onions, and put the eight rabbits in the water with vegetables and other ingredients, and stood guard over the mixture for several hours. His hungry companions waited expectantly, and finally'the weird mixture was ladled out. His cooking exploit is now the talk of the camp. Suffice it to say he and his companions are still alive.

Land in the North Auckland district ■down in orchards is producing £IOO an acre.

A commercial traveller told an Age representative that in his opinion Masterton is the most flourishing inland town in the North Island at the present time, from a business point of view. It is a “dry” area! Imports into New Zealand during the December quarter of 191 G totalled £6,850,748, compared with £5,588,628 in the corresponding period of 1015. Imports from the United Kingdom were valued at £3,745,226, as against. £2,032,248 a year ago. The total imports for the year 1016 were £26,330,283, compared with £21,728,834 in 1015. Last year's total included £1,283,880 in specie, and in 1015 this item was £1,070,114.

A returned soldier. Walter Robert .Manning, admitted forgery at the Auckland S.M. Court of three cheques, and was committed for sentence. He also pleaded guilty to several charges of theft, assault, and other offences. Sentence was deferred until accused is sentenced by the Supreme Court on the major

A New Zealand artilleryman who has fought with the Main Body of the. Expeditionary Force since the landing at Gallipoli, with only two short furloughs, writes to his mother as follows: “Is it not lime that they saved some of us Alain Body men as curiosities ? There tire so very few of us now. and we have been lighting so long that it might be interesting to people to find out what we are like.”

Dr. Lamb, who has commenced the practice of his profession in Foxton after an absence of 20

years, in conversation with our

representative yesterday, remarked on the progress Foxton had made during that time. Ho referred to his first trip to Foxton in the ‘‘Queen of the South,” and said he would never forget that voyage. He recalled the names of many old residents, the majority of whom are no longer in our midst. There arc, says Mr J. W. Boynton, chairman of the Military Service Board now sitting at ]\l asterion, two distinct meanings to the term "appeal dismissed." In one instance, where good cause could not be shown why the appellant should be exempted, the appeal is dismissed, and appellant must proceed to camp on a lixed date. In the other case, where apjmllant has been declared medically until by the Medical Board, the appeal is dismissed, and appellant is exempted from service abroad, but is still liable to be called up if required for home service.

Some of the principal orchards in Port Aiben were inspected by the Parliamentary party which recently toured North Auckland. The principal fruit grown there is apples, to which an a era. of between 700 and 800 acres is devoted. The residents are complaining of the lightness of the crops this year, the yields of stone fruit being even poorer than those of apples. Some line specimens of apples, peaches and nectarines were on the table at the tea provided by the residents in honour of the visitors. Most of the orchards are enclosed by high belts of trees.

Many Foxton residents will remember Dr. Lamb, who was in practice here for a time about 20 years ago. Since' leaving Foxton, Dr. Lamb jjra.cti.sed his profession in Levin and Wellington. For health reasons he removed to Australia, ■and until quite recently ju’aetised in Adelaide. While there he underwent a serious operation, and to use a sporting phrase, his medical brethren thought he was “down and out.” Since coming to New Zealand, however, lie has made a wonderful recovery, and is now lit and well to attend to suffering humanity, lie has decided to cast his Jot again in Foxton, and in the meantime may be consulted at Mr Jonhs’ residence, Clyde Street.

. The cheery way in which New Zealand soldiers who have returned home permanently disabled face the loss of a limb has become proverbial. One evening recently there was a three-legged party at the Theatre Royal (says the Christ-church-Press). The members of the party were three young New Zealand officers, each of whom had lost a leg on active service. In London such reunions are quite common, and one annual gathering of officers has become an established fixture. The men, all of whom have suffered some form of .disablement in the war, gather at one or other of the big hotels, and over a jolly dinner discuss the old days in the trenches and light their battles o’er again.

Sister Martin Nicholson, a nurse, has written a book on the Avar, and it includes the following passage: “On turning a corner way back from the Place de la Station, I tripped over something lying very still in the summer sun. Golden haired, with her little face buried in the dust, and the tiny fingers piteously outstretched, lay a little baby girl of about six, dead. Not dead, from a passing bullet or fallen stone, but dead because between the little shoulder blades shone a knife edged bayonet. Sick at heart I drew out the blade, turned the babe over, and cleaned her blood-stained face. I searched, but 1 could nut hud a trace of anything that would tell me to whom she belonged, poor little fragile butterfly, crushed in the coarse Teuton Angers; so covering her with an old sack I gently laid her to rest among some hushes at the end of a gard-t on.”

. gm |fc||l>l||l ■ liiHili nil 1 niiT The arrivals in New Zealand during the year ended 31st December, 1910, numbered 21,799, and the departures 21,103. It is interesting to note that 15,321 came from Australia and 10,390 left for Australia. Sergt.-Major Chapman, one of the heroes of lions, who was wounded four times, will be a contributor at to-night’s concert. Another talented vocalist is Sergt.Major Barcham, who left New Zealand with the Main Expeditionary Force. There are several other performers of outstanding ability. Owing to the lengthy programme, it has been found necessary to eliminate the picture screenings. According to the Mai!, the bird nuisance is becoming acute in and around A'karoa. 'Phis season the birds are attacking all the stone fruits, and so great is the pest that soon all apricot and peach trees will need to be covered. The birds have never been so destructive as they are this year. Evidently the last few warm summers and mild winters have resulted in a large increase in the feathered world of Banks Peninsula. Motorists should show more consideration to troops on the march when passing a column on a hot and dusty day. One officer informed us tins morning that several cars passed troops on the march yesterday between Foxton and Palmers! on at an excessive speed, leaving the men to inhale dust and petrol ('nines. The officer pointed out that the rear men have to put up with much inconvenience in respect to dust from their own column without the added inhalations from fast driven motor ears. We hope that’ motorists will take this hint und slow down when passing the men on a hot and dusty day. In connection with the wreck of the Mailai, a shipping man who recently had an opportunity of viewing (lie vessel stated recently (hat the vessel had developed a list, and appeared to be driving more (irmly limn ever on to the reef. Good progress has been made with tbe removal of the cargo, and some 400 tons have already readied Wellington, A large quantity has also been landed from the vessel. Tbe work of removing the fittings, which has already commenced, will he completed as soon as possible. The representative of a large commercial linn in New York, now visiting Christ church, informed a reporter of the Evening News that the cotton market is at present greatly disorganised. Anticipating a larger increase in the price of cotton goods, the larger warehouses made extensive purchases, and the consequence is that they are overstocked. Cotton, owing to the had American crop, has risen in price, and so have cotton goods. In this connection the Japanese have made great strides in importation. Their cut ton goods are of a good quality, and they have gone ahead in the manufacture of flannelette —once almost wholly an English industry. They have, to a great extent, ousted the American production, and are putting a great hold on the markets. .During the progress of the war ’ many idle rumours of disaster have been circulated by either foolish or mischievous persons. A few days ago it was busily reported that transports were either sunk or returning to port, without the slightest foundation. The Minister for Defence (the Hon. James Allen), referring to the matter yesterday, said: “People are disturbed to a serious extent by these rumours. The press might point out that official information is always publisher!, If a ship were sunk, for instance, I would let it be known as soon as I was certain of it myself. When a transport arrives at its destination, 1 publish the fact. People are only creating trouble for themselves if they circulate these idle rumours. The best thing they can do is to tackle the person at once and ask him where he got the alleged information, and then let the authorities know. It is wicked for people to make others miserable and unhappy starting wild and idle rumours. It shows, to say the least, very little consideration .for other people's feelings. 1 ’ ■ •’ See cheap rates, front pages Laidlaw Leeds’ Wholesale Catalog.