LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1688, 20 March 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Advertiser wants to buy a light spring eart and harness. Of fifty-one men who presented themselves for examination before the Military Medical Board in Mastertou last week, only eighteen were passed as lit for service.

Says the Palmerston Times: Our attitude on the Saturday halfholiday is precisely the same as that on prohibition; national or nothing, Saturday here, Thursday there, and Wednesday the next place is the curse of Cassidy. A really and truly business man never knows where he is when the paroehialist is hauling at the halyards.

Why bother making cakes when there is such a good assortment at Perreau’s ?*

Owners of property in ihe Ijorohgh whereon noxious weeds llourish have been given final notice by the inspector to grub same, otherwise legal proceedings will follow. Sir Thomas Ewing, who was Minister for Defence in the Deakin Federal Government, is at present on a visit to New Zealand, accompanied by Lady Ewing and their daughter.

Playing at Dunedin last week, Mr Siederberg, the amateur billiard champion of New Zealand, made a break of 414 on a standard table. This is an .Australasian amateur record.

Under the system in vogue up to a little while ago, the wife of a soldier could only obtain separation allowance for children to the number of five, Thai restriction Ims now been removed; however many children the wife of a soldier has she can obtain a separation allowance of 9d a day for each child until it reaches the age of sixteen years. In an essay on “The Church,'' a schoolboy thus classified divines; “There are three kinds of clurgymen —bishops, vickers, and curbs. The bishup tells the vickers to work, and the curbs do it. A curb is a thin married man, hut when he is a vicker he gets fuller, and becomes a good man.”

A person entered nu inn with a dog, and an Irishman asked what breed it was. The owner looked (he questioner insolently up and down, and then replied, with a drawl: —“It is a eross between an ape and an Irishman.” “Faith, (bin, we're both related to the beast,” was the ready retort.

On each occasion that Fir -losepli Ward has been to England rumours have been set afloat in the Dominion (hat he would not return to New Zealand. On this occasion of his absence the same old rumours are revived. Some people say that he is going to the House of Lords; others that he is to be a big man on the Imperial Council —when it is formed —and that New Zealand will see- him no more. Well, it is a case of “wait and see.”

After reviewing the labour problem so far as it concerns work on the land, (he Farmers’ Union Advocate comes to this conclusion; — “There is no denying that there is a very barge number of workers in our towns and citiey unsuited for military service who might in a short time become useful farm hands; but the difficulty is to make (hem understand that their duty lips that way, and whether they can be made available will depend very largely upon the success of the National Efficiency Hoard’s efforts to organise the industrial resources.”

It was race week in Wanganui (says the Herald), and the town was full of pleasure-seekers. Motor cars were rushing about the streets, and (here was a scene of animation at the Host Office corner. As a matter of fact, it was Cup day. Hundreds of young men were to be seen riding along in motor cars and tram cars. Two Staff Sergt.Ma.jors stood on the steps of the Post Ollice surveying the scene. A bent old man leaning heavily on a stick watched the young men and the motor cars for a lime. Then he turned slowly fo the Sergt.-Majors, and in a shaky voice said, “Tell me, sir, do all these cars go to the recruiting' office?”

A man who had been drawn in the military service ballot, and whom the military authorities had failed to locate, was arrested at Masterton races on Friday afternoon. He .maintained (Imt he was not trying to evade service, but (hat misunderstanding had occurred in reference to the extent of leave he had been granted by the authorities. The man was taken to the Featherston Camp. Another reservist, who was arrested at Daimevirke on Thursday for failing to proceed to camp when required to da so, and who was handed over to the military authorities at Masterton, was also taken to camp.

Important additional regulations under the War Regulations Act have been gazetted. They provide that without the previous consent in writing of the Attorney-General it shall not be lawful for any person to issue or lie concerned in the issue of any process of execution against the property of a soldier in pursuance of any civil judgment of the Court, or for any person to seize or sell the property of any soldier by way of distress for rent. The regulations further provide that without the previous • consent in writing of the Attorney-General it shall lie unlawful for any person to file a bankruptcy petition agairiM a soldier.

To an interviewer at Auckland on Wednesday Inst, tSir .James Carroll, who had just returned to the Dominion by a Home liner, said: One thing that had given him a thrill as a New Zealander was the power of the British Navy, and the way their tiag was flying- wherever he went. The way in which the Navy escorted vessels .through the danger zone and patrolled the seas was a very striking fact. Every now and again a fast cruiser would appear and circle around the ship, and then disappear again, thus showing how vigilant was the watch that was being kept. It made one feel proud to belong to such an Empire.

Wanted! Housewives can now purchase machine-cleaned Currants and Eaisins at Walker and Fame’s, “The Store for Cleanliness and Quality.”

The ordinary monthly meeting of the local State School Committee will be held next Tuesday evening, instead of this evening.

Mr J. A. Nash, Mayor of Palmerston, intends to offer his services to the ratepayers for another term. It is anticipated that he will bo re-elected unopposed.

Whilst negotiating the corner of Russell and Jenks Streets last evening, the wheels of a heavily laden motor lorry subsided in the roadway. It was finally got out without damage. The half-holiday question is being keenly discussed in Wanganui, where a strong committee is fighting for the retention of Thursday, and 181 (inns have signed a manifesto in favour of a change to Saturday. Several natives are being tried at the Auckland Supreme Court, for committing perjury during the trial of Kua, the Maori “prophet.” Great interest is being evinced in the trial. The death took place this morning of the infant son of Mr and Mrs J. F. Desmond, at their residence, Johnston Street, after a lingering illness. In common with their many friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the parents. The funeral will take place on Thursday, at 2.30 p.m. We are informed that two-up schools still llourish in Foxton. Our informant slates that every Sunday groups of men —some quite youngsters —congregate in different localities, and fair sums of money change hands.

The 25th and 2(>lh Reinl'oreenienls will be given their linal leave during' the Faster holidays, and the, 28th KeinLoreetnenls, the next draft !o go into (-amp, will mobilise a week laler, so that they might be able to enjoy the Cull benefit of: the holiday period beforehand.

The continued dry weather is causing anxiety to farmers throughout (his district, and pastures are drying up. The household supply of the borough is getting very low, and unless rain falls at an early date to replenish house tanks, washing day will have to be abandoned.

The proprietors of the three Wellington newspapers announce that on and after April 2nd the price of their journals will be increased to 2d per copy, owing to the greatly increased cost of production, paper alone having nearly trebled in price since the outbreak of the war.

Mrs F. Whaler, who died at Dannevirke last week, aged 62 years, had five sons on active service, and the sixth (the youngest boy) recently went into camp. A son-in-law, Sapper T. Paton, is with the wireless corps in Mesopotamia.. Three of the soldier sons are married. A collision took place on the ITimatangi road on Sunday night between a motor bicycle and side car, occupied by .Mr W. Hamer and a lady friend, and a trap. The occupants of (he bicycle and side > ear were thrown forcibly to the ground, and more or less bruised, but fortunately were not seriously injured. It is alleged (hat there * was no light on the (rap at the time of the accident. An official visit to Levin was paid on Wednesday by Mr Ayson, Government Fishery Expert. The visit was paid at the request of (he Horowhenua Lake Domain Board for the purpose of personally inspecting Lake Horowhenua and reporting as to the most suitable fish for its waters. Mr Ayson was favourably impressed with the lake and its surroundings, and he is of opinion that many classes of fish would thrive and multiply in it. His writ lon report to the Board will follow. A warship with New Zealanders on board arrived in Wellington, and officers and men were officially welcomed by the Mayor and the Act-ing-Premier on Saturday. Replying to the welcome, Captain HallThompson, who was received with loud applause, heartily thanked (he ladies—for some time past they had seen very few ladies, indeed. Those they did see wore trousers and masks, and were not very attractive. (Laughter). The men hud had an extremely trying time, especially as regards the climate, which was abominable, and to the absence of shore leave. As to their cheerfulness, a high authority had complimented them on their excellent work and cheerfulness in spite of discomfort. At a meeting of the dairy company representatives, held at Carterton on Saturday, the following resolution was unanimously passed: “That this meeting of delegates representing the dairy industry in the Wairarapa and Bush districts strongly protests against the continuance of the batter-fat tax of jbl per lb, seeing that the prices now being realised for butter on the British markets will return a price for butter-fat considerably in excess of the prices that will be returned to the cheese factories on the price being paid by the Government, and that all milk suppliers be strongly urged to bring pressure to bear on members of Parliament for their respective districts not only to have the tax discontinued, but to have the amounts already paid *1 by the dairy companies refunded.”’ Wanted Known! A reliable machine for cleaning Currants and Raisins has been installed at Walker and Fume’s. You can now purchase your fruit with every confidence of cleanliness. ,

Shannon observed a close holiday yesterday instead of Saturday in honour of St. Patrick’s Day.

Owing to the prolonged spell of dry weather", the roads throughout the district are being badly cut up.

Air Vernon Head has been returned unopposed for the Bay of Islands seat.

The death occurred on Sunday of the infant son of Air and Airs L. McCarthy, Union Street, Poxton, after a lingering illness.

Owing to the heavy condition of the roads in the Balkan Peninsula, rendering motoring practically impossible, General Sarrail, Commander -in-Chicf of the Allied forces at Salonika, has his staff motor cars shod with metal Hanged Wheels which enables them to travel on the railways instead of trying to plough through the road mud.

Gunner Brian Doherty, of Alanly, Sydney, wrote to his folks: “We had Christmas dinner in two big lints. Snow was falling, and the gales were blowing a treat. We had turkey, ham, roast beef, plum pudding, cocoa, and tea. Everything went off well until some silly ass hurst out with ‘Home, Sweet Home.’ Some nearly broke up. But it passed off after we had dealt with him.”

In the course of his lecture at Fcilding, Air Parr, M.P., said he was one of those who firmly believed that this year would see the end of the war in victory for the Allies. After a visit to the great munition works of Britain, his opinion Avas that Ihe Germans Avouhl he absolutely smashed in by Aveight of metal this coining spring. The British munition supply is twice that of the enemy, and the Allies’ man-power is of the same preponderance.

The ballot presses heavily on some patriotic families. George Brown, of Dunedin, whose name appears in the latest ballot, only came of military age a few weeks ago. His father and eldest brother

have been on active service since last May, his young brother is ‘‘doing his bit” in a transport, and another brother enlisted but was medically rejected. His brother-in-law was killed at Gallipoli. The young man now called up had hoped to have been a volunteer, but the ballot, was right on the heels of his twentieth birthday.”

The death occurred at Xorth Balclutha last week of one of Clutha’s oldest identities, Mrs Maria Moir, in her 83rd year. Mrs Moir, who was born at Birr, King's County. Ireland, came to Australia along with-some relatives at an early age. After a short stay there she came to Dunedin, in the early '(ill's, where she was married to the late Mr Ralph Moir, by the Rev. Dr. Burns in 18(54. Afterwards she and her husband proceeded to Balelutha, where Mr Moir’s run was situated, and where she has lived ever since, except, during a short visit to her friends in Melbourne some ID years ago. Says a sporting writer; The number ID saddlecloth is likely to become a popular one with hackers judging by the results of some races recently. At Xapier Park Trials and Shiela were both number ID in the racebooks, and each paid a nice dividend when (hey won. At Masterton on Friday Botanist, who was also number ID, galloped home ahead of the Held, and his supporters received a dividend exceeding the third multiple of ten, and in the Electric Hack Handicap, the .last race of the meeting, Tuticorn, another Xo. ID, got home first and rewarded his backers with a dividend of over a score.

“The Allies to-day,” slates Patrick P. Alexander in a recent issue of Flying, “have complete superiority of the air, hut it Ims been achieved at a tremendous expenditure of effort and money. We have not less than 500,000 persons in the British air service alone, including thousands of aviators, the mechanics, and the manufacturers of aeroplanes and aeronautic supplies. Aeroplanes can he seen in Hocks anywhere. Every ship that leaves British ports is escorted by aeroplanes until it is quite away beyond the Irish coast. We also have large airships which we expect will he superior to the very best Zeppelins. We have in use at present hundreds of small-dirigi-bles, less than 30014. long, equipped wilh aeroplane bodies instead of the usual nadelle. They are capable of slaying in the air 50 hours, and go at a speed of about 35 miles an hour. They are very useful in submarine warfare and coast defence.”

“Still no ruin” is (he cry from the South Island. The Farmers’ Union Advocate contains a pessimistic article by “Agricola” on the present position, and the writer concludes: “At times when one views the situation one gets downhearted, but that is not the way to face difficulties. "Most farmers are meeting the situation in a philosophical way, though regretting lluil the period of the war should be coincident with one of the most persistent droughts, and one of the longest that we have had for at least 25 years. It is difficult to see how Canterbury, for instance, cun increase its production, seeing that its iloeks must still further be reduced owing to the drought, and cultivation is hung up on account of the difficulty of working the ground, anti of securing men. Young farmers in the First Division are grassing down their farms as soon as they can, because they know they will he culled up before next harvest.”