LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1678, 24 February 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Government ollices throughout the Dominion will be closed on St. Patrick’s Day (17th March).

The annual Sabbath school picnic in connection with the local Presbyterian Church is being held in Mr 0. Hubinson’s property, Lady’s Mile, to-day, in ideal weather.

A meeting of members of the Poxton Defence Ritle Club is adveritsed to take place in the Herald office on Tuesday evening, 27th instant, at 8 o’clock.

With reference to the rumours of a shortage of sugar supplies, the Colonial Sugar Co. state that full supplies are available, but delivery has been delayed owing to shortage of: steamer communication.

There was no Poxton delegate at the hydro-electric conference held at Palmerston on Thursday. All other district local governing bodies were represented, including Messrs field, M.P. for Otaki, D. Buick, M.P. for Palmerston, Guthrie, M.P. for Oroua, and Ed. Newman, M.P. for Bangitikei.

On the recommendation of Mr. Alf. Fraser, the Wanganui Education Board has decided that steps be taken to obtain legislation to secure the present site for the Bainesse school, the Chairman of the Manawatu County Council (Sir James Wilson) and the Chairman of the Pducation Board to arrange details.

Al (he Magistrate’s Court yesterday, James McKnight charged Phoebe Andresen with assaulting him. When the case was called, delendant’s husband appeared, and slated that his wife was unable to attend as their child had the measles, and he produced a doctor’s certificate to this effect. Under the circumstances the Magistrate adjourned the case until the next sitting.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Mr Kenrick, S. judgment for plaintiffs was entered up in (he following undefended civil cases: —Walker and Purrie v. E. Taltnell, claim £l4 15s 2d, crisis 28/(1; If. Moore v. J. Richardson, £2 3s 4d, costs ss; W. Nye v. A. D. Scott, £2, t costs 18s; T. If burner v. I. tfopiha, £JB Ids Id, costs 41s (id; W. Nye v. 1. Ropiha, £4 10b, costs 2 Is.

The fifth annual conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand opened in Wellington on Thursday night. About 240 delegates were present, representing all parts of the Dominion. The president, the L’ev. A. C. La wry, presided, and delivered his retiring address. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair, of Christchurch, was elected president, with 153 votes, Mr J. Yeale vice-presi-dent with 112 votes, and Rev. E. Drake was elected secretary. The new officers were installed, and the conference adjourned.

By an oversight the expenses of a Wanganui linn of solicitors were not included in the costs against the Wanganui Pducation Board in connection with the recent Supreme Court proceedings over the acquisition of land for school purposes at Aramoho. On Wednesday the firm wrote to the Board appealing on moral grounds for their costs, as the legal position was evidently untenable. The conclusion the Board arrived at was that they had already paid sufficient in connection with the matter.

Speaking at the conference at Palmerston on Thursday to discuss the hydro-electric scheme for the North island, Mr IV. 11. Field, M.P. for this constituency, said it had always been patent to him that in the Tararim ranges there were a large number of swift-running streams from which power might be generated. In 1910 in the House he advocated a report on the MangaJiao and other streams. At one time the Hutt river's claims were paramount, but the Mangahao had been found of more value. Mr Field detailed the steps he had taken in advocating the claims of the Mangahao river, and said he had been present with the deputation on the previous day. He assured those present that the plans presented were most complete, and would provide all the power that was wanted. He urged the appointment of a deputation to further the claims of the conference.

Wanted Known! A reliable machine for cleaning Currants and Raisins Ims been installed at Walker and Fume's, You can now purchase your fruit with every confidence of cleanliness.

Private board and residence is advertised for by single man.

A parcel, containing lady’s boots, lost between Himatangi and Foxton, is advertised for.

Environment eertilicates have been issued to the bead teachers of the following schools; —Apiti, Foxton, Ohakea, Forded. Bridget O’Connor, aged 82 years, who was severely burned in a lire in Carlton Gore road, Auckland, died in the hospital yesterday.

A disclaimer from an Auckland paper: “Harry Wilson, milkman, of Devonport, has no connection of any kind with Woodrow Wilson, of United States of America.”

The flag of the local office of the New Zealand Shipping Company flew at half-mast yesterday as a mark of respect to the late Mr IT. P. Murray-Aynsley, a director of the company, who died at Christchurch on Thursday.

“There is no sting in the word ‘wowser.’ however loudly it may be bawled by those who stay home to gamble and drink while the best men die at the front.” —Rev A. C. La wry, at the Methodist Conference at: Wellington.

A good story of a wounded soldier who rose in a crowded omnibus to offer his seat to a lady is told in a London paper. “No thank you," she said. “1 should not take your seat, since you have been wounded.” “Madam,” he answered, “1 have been wounded three times, and should be wounded a fourth time if you do not. take it.”

Considerable surprise lias bran expressed at the fact that as many as (J 24 New Zealand Method! st soldiers have been killed <luriii" - the war. The ex-president of the Methodist Conference (Rev. A, C. Lawry) said at Wellington yesterday that the statement had been fully verified, and each ease certified to by the respective superintendents.

In accordance with the retpiesl from the Mackenzie County Council, (he Wellington City Council has decided to give its support to a resolution urging that the Government be asked to impose a Customs duty of not less than 10 per cent, ad valorem on motor tyres, (he money so collected to be refunded to local bodies for the upkeep of roads, on the basis of capital value or in such manner as the Government may deem equitable.

For some time past it has been common talk (hat published acceptances for certain meetings have not been as genuine as they ought to be, but no action was taken in the matter, says the Wanganui Herald. Happenings at a recent fixture in (he North Island, however, have caused inquiries to be made, and the officials of the club in question have been asked by the District Committee, under which they race, for an explanation. It will be interesting to note the outcome.

Jn connection with (he recent refusal of the Wellington waterside workers to coal the Maori, fourteen informations against the men concerned have been issued under the War Kegulalions gazetted on lith February, H)l7, dealing with strikes and lockouts. Thirty-live informations have also been issued againsl the men who refused to unload coal from (he Kittawa. The trouble arose over the use of the Burton block. The Maori cases came before tin* Magistrate yesterday.

At the Palmerston S.M. Court yesterday, before Mr .). W. Poynton, S.M., a charge of attempted suicide was preferred against John Davidson, alias John Dalton. The police stated (hat accused, when in the cells on Thursday afternoon, tried to strangle himself by tying a boot lace tightly round his neck. Sergeant Henry inspected the cells at ahout 3.45 and found Davidson lying on the lloor, and at once removed the bool laee, and the man revived. Accused pleaded guilty to the charge, and was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.