LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1684, 10 March 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Mayor and Mrs Fraser have returned from a motor trip up the Main Trunk.

The annual picnic in connection, with All Saints’ Sunday school is taking place in Mr 0. Robinson's properly, Lady’s Mile, to-day. The Borough staff is engaged in tarring and sanding the north end of Maiii Street. The work previously done is a great improvement, and the dust; nuisance has been greatly minimised.

Airs Prank Robinson lias received a letter from Miss Saunders, of Wellington, acknowledging receipt of the sum of £1 15s od, being amount of local donations to the Fresh Air Fund.

The Borough Council elections lake place next month. The .Mayor and several Councillors do not intend to seek re-election. So far we have not heard of any new aspirants to office, but a little interest mav be evinced later on.

The Catholic Church committee, who are arranging a national concert for Friday, March Kith, have been fortunate in securing (he services of Mr Berryman, a cornelisl. of exceptional merit, and winner of the New Zealand championship in one of the brass hand contests. Miss Tabor, of Palmerston North, a recognised artiste in monologue and character work, has also kindly consented to give a couple of items.

The Rev. W. Rowe, local Methodist minister, intimated to the President of the Conference some time ago (hat he was anxious to enlist with the forces, in reply, the President, while appreciating Mr Rowe’s loyal motives, asked that the matter be held over until after Conference. Mr Rowe is now informed that Conference cannot sanction his departure, as the irreducible minimum has been reached. The Methodist Church has given 52 of its ministers and home missionaries and probationers, and as a, result 20 stations are now vacant. Mr Rowe informs ns that he feels very disappointed over the matter.

Bishop Cleary, Homan Catholic Bishop of Auckland, who is acting as'a chaplain wilh Iho Now Zealand forces in France, writes to his parishioners: “My escape from a highexplosive 5.1) German shell may, perhaps, present some point of interest to yon. The shell exploded only eight feet away from where three of us (one a young English artillery officer) were standing side by side in the front line in the height of a bombardment. The shell explosion made a great hole, fortunately of soft earth. All three of us were thrown down, and great puantities of earth and mud were cast over us. There was a highly unpleasant singing in my ears. The young artillery ollicer never rose again. 1 drew him into cover as two other shells burst near by, covering both of us with earth and rubbish. I looked at the wound in tile oflicers head, but found he was past all human aid, as a fragment of shell had taken off a great part of the left side of his head. During the bombardment in question, a pieee of shrapnel struck my stead helmet and dented it, and a. ‘77’ exploded right over the head of a lieutenant and myself.’’

“Produce more/" was the essence of an appeal made l by Mr E. Newman, M. P. feir Rangitikei, at the Martou A. am I P. Show this week, lie sheaved very plainly with some striking.Jigures that the country was proelueiug less than was the case before the war. Mr Newman staled that the wool exported in 1914 totalled 220,000,0001 b. In 1915 this fell to 190,000,0001 b, .and in 1910 to 185,000,0001 b. As an offset Lei the decreased export, however, prices had soared upwards, anel values were as billow: 1914, £9,000,000; 1915, £10,000,000; and 1910, £12,000,000. These figures indicated a reduced production of 34,000,0001 b since 1914, which, under normal conditions, would have meant a substantiallyreduced income to wool-growers. Then, again, taking frozen meat, the quantity exported decreased from 3,591,000 cwt. in 1915 to 3.320.000 cwt. in 1910. The export of butter fell from 240,000 cwt. to 358.000 cwt, during the same period, but cheese increased slightly from 803,000 cwt. t'ei 949,000 cwt. The figures lie had quoted disclosed the unpleasant fact that our main products were being reduced in quantity, instead of being increased. It was well that farmers throughout the country - should he informed of this fact, because it was clearly their duty to increase the production. Housewives should bear in mind that Walker and Furrie can supply household ironmongery of every description at the best value prices. See cheap rates, front pages Laidlaw Leeds’ Wholesale Catalog.

A piece of ambergris weighing Kill), was picked up on Wednesday hist by a Maori on the beach at Maunganui Bluff (says the Auckland Herald).

In the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court a man was tined £5 tor enrolling in the Second Division as a married man when the. woman with whom he lived was not his wife.

We are pleased to he aide to report that at last (here are snliicieni subscribers to the local telephone bureau to enable Poxtoa to participate in an S a an to 10 pan. service. The postmaster is now making arrangements re details with head oflico.

Dewe and Sporle’s wool scouring works were totally destroyed by lire at Feilding yesterday. The building, and machinery were valued at £2,500, and were insured in the Atlas for £1,200. Government wool valued at £IO,OOO was destroyed.

The Rev. W. Rowe, local Methodist minister, Ims been transferred by Conference to the Rangiora circuit, with residence at Woodend. Cp to the second reading of stations the Rev. Rowe was down for Johnson vilie. His successor is (he Rev. Mr Harding, of Waipawa. The transfer will take place early next month.

One of iho soldiers who liiis just, come Imclc by the hospital ship Marama had a curious experience when he was hit. When the bullet, struck him he put hotli Ins hands up to his head, under the impression that that was where he had received the enemy's lead. However, he. I'muid nothing amiss there, but soon discovered that he had been shot through both legs.

A substantial gift of f 1,0011 was made by (he Wairarapa Patriotic Association on Thursday towards ihe work among (he soldiers of the Salvation Army. A monthly contribution of ,tl()0 for six months was also agreed to. A vote of .CI.OO per month for three months wasr made to the. Servian Belief Fund, and a sub-committee was given power to spend up to .C2OO in providing a building near Featherston Cam]) to accommodate parents of sick soldiers.

The death oeenrred at Bulls, on Wednesday, of Mrs Gorton, relict of the late Colonel Edward Gorton, at (he age of 75 years. News of Mrs Gorton’s death will he received with great regret by her many friends in this district. She was deeply interested in the war, Incessantly working for tlk* comfort of the soldiers, and giving generously to all patriotic funds. Her youngest son (.lack) has been all through the Gallipoli campaign, and is now in France. Her oilier surviving sons are Messrs Norman and Leslie Gorton (Feilding), and her daughters Airs E. H. Levelt (Bulls), and Airs Larkworlhy (England).

Mrs .1. IT. Robinson, of Lady’s Mile, has in her possession a first copy of the Lyttelton Times, printeel at LyUellem on Saturday, Janu- y.. ary Pith, 185.1. It is a modest eight page quarto, auel was publishes! onee a week at del per copy. - . It also contains as a supplement the prospectus id' a newspaper to be establisheel in the- Canterbury settlement. and to be published immediately after the arrival of the first body of colonists, to be called the Lyttelton Times. The idea emigrated in Lonelem, anel the honorary secretaries were Eelwarel Robert Ward, Esq., and the Hon. Janies Stewart Wend ley. The little paper cemtaius the account* of the voyagers eif the hrsl tour ships, in connection with the first finely eif Canterbury colonists, ilm “Charlotte ■lane,’’ the “Handedph," “Sir George Seymour," and the “Cressev.” The

pa pern possesses a personal interest lei Mrs Robinson, as it contains an / item in the, shipping news concerning the cutter “Katherine Johnstone,” 12 terns, eif which Mrs Robinson’s father was the master.

ft will’ probably come as a surprise t<> many to know that there is a, wet canteen at Sling Camp, where the New Zealand soldiers receive / their tinal training in England. Dr. Bedford, of Dunedin, who has just returned to New Zealand after visiting England in the interests of the Y.M.G.A., stated to a Post reporter that he noticed, the fact with extreme regret. It seemed to him a great jiity. that a wet canteen should he provided in England, especially as all the canteens in the Dominion and on the troopships wero dry. Plainly it was in conflict with New Zealand’s policy, but apparently the authorities here were not able to deal with the matter. l!e had noticed that the wet canteen was abused by some, but was- glad to report that, on the whole, the New Zealand soldiers were extremely temperate and a credit to their" 1

country. The Y.M.C.A. had a dry < ant,ecu at Sling Camp. Because of their excellent behaviour, on all occasions, New Zealanders received more privileges than any others. They were more popular, too, with i lie society hostesses.

Mr .1. R. Russell died at Dannevirko yesterday, aged (id, after a short illness following a paralytie stroke. The news of his demise will he received with great sorrow by many people in the Manawatn district.

Wanted] Housewives can now purchase machine-cleaned Currants and Raisins at' Walker and Furrie's, “The Store for Cleanliness and Quality.”

See cheap rates, front pages Laidlavv Leeds’ Wholesale Catalog.