LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1689, 22 March 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Military Service Appeal Board will sit in Palmerston on Wednesday and Thursday, March 28th and 29th.

The Committee of the Manawatu A. and P. Association resolved, in accordance with a sub-committee’s recommendation, that the 1917 Winter Show extend over three days, instead of four, as previously.

Inquiries at Wellington concerning the Dunedin telegram forecasting an increase in coal prices, show that local coal merchants have received no information. It is believed, however, that the increase will apply only to New Zealand coal, not to coal from Newcastle.

At a public meeting', under the auspices of the New Zealand National Association, held at Dunedin on Thursday night, Mr J. Craigie, JVI.P. for Timaru, advocated a heavy graduated levy upon wealth to provide for New Zealand’s future war requirements. He said there were rich men in New Zealand who had given large amounts already. Them were other rich men who had given nothing. Two men in his district, worth from £OO,OOO to £IOO,OOO, had given nothing to the patriotic or any other fund. Another man resident in the South Island who was worth £OO,OOO or £70,000, promised, after a deal of pressing, to give £5. (Laughter). When the collector called for the money the man said it was a mistake, as he meant- ss. (Laughter). The man who had given his hundreds or thousands generously would, under the scheme he (Mr Craigie) proposed, be given a set-off and allowed credit for what he had paid, while the niggardly man, who was too mean of soul to pay, would get the full measure of the conscription of his wealth. (Applause).

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

A committee meeting of the Foxton Defence 1 Rifle Club will he held in the Herald Office at 8 o'clock to-morrow (Friday) evening. The Palmerston Borough Council intend to experiment with a concrete road. The somewhat unnecessary addition of asphalting the concrete, as suggested hy the engineer, is to he canned out. The Palmerston (Council must have money to hum in the latter connection. Tlie Patriotic Shop will he open as usual on Saturday, and will he presided over hy Mesdames A. E. Green and Murdock, of Marotiri. A special feature will he a large number of “surprise packets" which will he on sale, and will contain good value. There will also be guessing and other competitions for good prizes, and a large quantity of farm produce will he on sale. A movement is on foot at Gore to acquire the Knapdale Estate, near Gore, as a Government experimental farm and memorial to the late Hon. Ur; McXah. Considerable experimental work and much tree-planting was done hy the late Minister, who also got together a line Shorthorn herd, of which there is a danger of dispersal.

When the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Association decided last week that an endeavour should tie made to close down Shows during the period of the war, it was generally believed that the fate of the proposal depended upon the next move. That move was made»on Tuesday hy the Committee of the Manawatu A. ami P. Association. The Spring Show Is to he held as usual.

The members of‘ liie Board of! Trade will visit Palmerston North 10-day and to-morrow, and confer with master butchers regarding tin* price of meat. As a result of the Board of: Trade's investigations m other centres, the price of meat Ims been reduced. The people of (his dominion eat far too much meat., and high prices may have a tendency to reduce meat consumption, with beneficial health results.

The British and New Zealand steamer Kaipara, on a voyage from Monte Video to London with frozen meat, was sunk on August Kith, 1914. A New York firm entered a protest against the destruction of the vessel, and claimed compensation for the loss of; their goods through sinking. The German Prize Court rejected the claim, and de-c-lured th e sinking of the vessel to be lawful.

From £l4 to £ls per month is taken by Levin corporation gasworks from users of slot gas meters. This was commented upon by the mayor of Levin at Tuesday night's meeting of the borough council as being a satisfactory record; (here could be no bad debts where slot meters were in use. The gas manager’s report shows that last month there were 37,000 ft. used through slot meters; 120,660 ft. used for house-lighting and 240,000 for cooking.—Chronicle. In an interview at Wellington, the Minister for Finance, the Hon. A. M. Myers, referring to the cost of the war to the Dominion, stall'd that the official estimate of £1,000,000 a month does not include such substantial items as war pensions, and interest and sinking fund on the war loans. “There are certain adjustments going on between the Imperial authorities and the New Zealand Government,” remarked the Minister, “and until they are finally settled it is impossible to give an authoritative statement. But meanwhile the approximate estimate of a million sterling per month may he accepted as being near the mark, exclusive of course, of the cost of pensions, and interest and sinking fund of the war loans.”

Says the Whangamomona correspondent of the Taranaki Herald: At If ohdock on Friday night the stationmaster (Mr Comrie) was attacked in the darkness by Cadet L. 11. Mareroft, who attempted to fell him with a pick-axe handle, Mr Comrie, though slightly stunned, wrestled with his adversary, and eventually overcame him. Mareroft was arrested by Constable Scanned and taken to Stratford this morning. Mr Comrie is coutined to his bed suffering from u wound in the head and having one of his finger nails torn off, hut is making a good recovery. Mareroft was a quiet, inoffensive young fellow, and was to leave on Saturday on his annual holiday. It is believed tltfit in a moment of mental aberration his idea was to obtain the keys of the safe, after the manner of pernicious literature heroes. He and his chief, Mr Comrie, were always on good terms.

A certain business man is a bit of a wag in his way. He believes in the commercial value of the telephone, and both his business and residence are connected up. On Tuesday, telephone subscribers were conceded an extension of lime from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The joker in question waited until two minutes of closing 1 time, when he connected up with a friend’s house. His friend was enjoying his first sleep, and was aroused by a furious telephone alarm. A message was conveyed to the bedside that an urgent mess,age was waiting to be delivered. The drowsy one had visions of a great British victory. The message that greeted him was: “How do you like the 10 o’clock .service?” The conversation that ensued is not for publication. In this instance the extension was considered a mixed blessing. Why bother making cakes when there is such a good assortment at Perreau’s f*

Among the names drawn in the last military ballot was that of the man who was murdered at Mount Eden over 12 months ago. The Government have a perfect statistical system! The British War Office has placed orders in Sydney for 23,000 cases of canned pears, peaches, and plums, while an additional 950,000 lbs. of Australian jam has been purchased. “It is far more essential to win this war than to build a new house," said Mr W. H. S. Moorhouse, chairman of the Third Military Service Board, in Wellington, when evidence was given to show that, owing to the amount of work in hand, plumbers could ill ho spared.

A woman named Myrtle Harvey was arrested at Otaki on Friday last on a charge of burglariously entering the Family Hotel and stealing therefrom twelve botles of beer, two bottles of whisky, two bottles of claret, and one bottle of port wine. She was remanded.

“The bluejackets and marines who man the British Fleet do not look much like fairies, hut they are doing much the same kind of work as fairies used to be credited with doing. They are slowly squeezing the life out of a very big and fierce giant.” —Sir John Jellicoc in the “Xavy Book of Fairy Tales."

Some idea of the strides that the motor car is making in Taranaki, and the manner in which it is ousting the horse from the road, could he gained at the Opunake racecourse hy a comparison of the motor car stand with the horse paddock, says the News. In the former were marshalled line upon line of motor cars of every make, it is estimated that over 500 motor cars were assembled there, and at (he low estimate of £3OO as (he value of each car, represented the huge sitiu of £150,000.

The good work done at the Palmerston High .School is apparent by the public- examination results, which are as follows: — University National scholarship .1, University scholarship examination 1, higher leaving certificate 5, matriculation examination 19, do, partial pass 2. Senior Public Service 2, Public- Service entrance 9, Senior National scholarship 1, .Junior National scholarship 7, senior free place 42. These arc results the Board and School may well be proud of.

Returning from shopping the other day, Mrs Simpson, of Bockdale (Sydney), had an exciting encounter, with a burglar. Upon entering the yard she noticed a window open and a man's pair of boots inside the room. Without procuring assistance, Mrs Simpson entered the house. As soon as the door was opened, a young man. rushed up the hall, caught her by the throat, and threw her to the ground. Although nearly throttled, she managed to keep hold of her assailant, and screamed. This attracted a number of men working near by.-<flj They secured the man. He was ▼ taken to the Rockdale police station, where a considerable quantity s of jewellery was found on him. The X intruder had prepared a pot of tea and other food, but his meal was disturbed by the arrival of Mrs Simpson.

A _remarkable coincidence came under the notice of the Military Service Board on Saturday morning'. An appellant, who was appealing on the ground of undue hardship, had just informed the Board that he had lour brothers at the front, and that two other boys brought up in (he family had also gone, when the chairman interrupted and staled that he was sure that this case had already been heard by the board. His associates appeared to be of the same opinion. The military representative was emphatic to the contrary, however. Appellant continued his statement, and at its conclusion the chairman remarked that it was rather a remarkable coincidence, as the board had recently heard the ease of another appellant, who also had at the front four brothers and two boys brought up in the family. The chairman was sure now, however, that the appellants were not the same person.

The Otaki Mail says the reason why Otaki moves ahead but slowly is because the town is burdened with a number of conservative people who are lacking in public spirit, and whose influence is such as to prove a serious handicap to any progressive, forward movement. Any step to improve the town lias been met with strenuous opposition by this retrogressive, conservative party, and whatever progress the town has made has only been in spite of determined opposition. A scheme for installing electric light and power was brought forward by the hoard, and this, despite the determined efforts of the ‘ wet blanket’ party, was carried by a narrow margin. Now, however, the latter is not satisfied, and has petitioned for an enquiry into (he poll. We feel convinced that the great majority of residents are resolved to no longer submit to the dictates of the few, but will per- g, severe in a reasonable scheme of progress for the town. Should the electric light poll he upset by petitioners, doubtless another poll will he taken, and we are satisfied a second poll would be carried by a ‘ . - mueh greater mapority than the 1 first.” ' f \ Just received, a shipment of assorted cnamolwarc, slightly damaged, which is selling at greatly reduced prices. Inspection invited. —» Walker and Furrie.*

Michael Downing, a farmer at Meaneo, aged sixty-seven, was riding a horse when he collided with the Taradale motor-’hus, and was thrown, the wheel of the 'bus passing over the body. Death occurred sh ortl y 'afterwards.

“There may come a time —we hope there won’t —when wc shall he very, very hard pressed for men, and every industry will have to he combed out to its absolute bedrock,” said Captain Baldwin, at a sitting of the Third Wellington Military Service Board.

That dairying is a very profitable business is fully demonstrated by the returns from dairy companies. Mr A. Burgess is a well-known dairy farmer at Rongotea, and on a small holding of 82 acres —a lii’stelass bit of farm land —he runs 45 Holstein cows, which have yielded splendid.results this season, as the following figures will show: September's cheque from factory, £19(1 19,-.; October, £l4l 10s lid; November, £l4O (is lid; December, £ll9 11s. Mr Burgess will receive about £9OO from milk alone, and there are also the returns tu come from calves and pigs.

An extraordinary story was told by Chaplain-Captain Shaw, of the Maheno, in the course of a lecture in Wellington. It related to a soldier who really believed that Christ had come to him. He lay on the battle-field fully expecting that hm end had come, when the vision of Christ came to his side, and said: “Be calm; the bearers will be here in the morning.” The following morning the bearers arrived and rescued the soldier from his predicament. 1( seemed, said Capt. Shaw, that the spiritual world had broken through into this world of material fact.

Mr ami Mrs Frank Cook, (wo of our oldest ami most highly esteemed residents, iet’l to-day to lake up their residence in Auckland. The (look .family have been associated with Foxton for over halt-a-cen-tnry. In fact, Mr Cook’s father (the late Mr T. U. Cook) was one of, it not the, iirst traders in the Mamuvatu, and was closely associated witli the town and district, liis arrival here dates back to the forties. Mr Frank Cook was born in Foxton, and his family were closely associated right up to the present with its social and musical life. It is not. pleasant to part with the links that bind us with the past, but (he good wishes of the Foxton public go with Mr and Airs Cook in their new home, where it is hoped they will enjoy good health and prosperity.

•‘I was very disappointed at the result of the referendum in Anslralie on (he conscription question,”

writes a lance-corporal in the Australian Fxpedilionary Forces to a relative in Wellington, “evidently il docs not trouble some people whether Australia is under German rule or not. They say the Army either makes or mars a man. Per-

Imps if some of these anti-conscrip-lionisls were to join the colours it might make men of them. How young chaps in Australia or Mew Zealand can stay at home while their .fellow men arc being slaughtered and putting up with untold hardships is beyond my comprehension. They are not men. You can call them what you like, but I cannot Jind a word hard enough for them. It makes one ashamed of Ins sex to think there are such cowards in the world."

An appeal signed by T’. J. Ityder, M. B. Ryder, K. Hamea, Kate Bennett, <l. Death, 0. J. D’Ath, if. M. D'Ath, Charles Bevan, M. Bevau, \V. M. tSimcox, and George M'Beath has been lodged in an endeavour to upset the recent poll for electric, light in Otaki. The appeal will be beard next Tuesday, the 27th insl., by Mr \V. G. K. Kenrick, S.AI. The grounds of the petition are:—l. That persons voted on such proposal who were not qualified to vote; 2. That the document purporting to be the roll for the said ballot, and used for the purposes of the said poll, did not comply with the requirements of the law, and was not in fact a valid roll as required by the Acts under which the said poll was taken; 3. That the said document did not correctly set forth the names, addresses, and occupations of every person possessing the necessary qualilieatious to vote on the said proposal, and of no others.

The Bunk of New Zealand is abont to issue £lO notes of a new and much more elaborate design than those of the present issue. The new note is very artistic, and is printed in u number of delicate shades, dark blue predominating in such a manner as to defy photographic reproduction. The note bears the Bank's name in Old English lettering in a straight line across the top, and has a tinted semicircular scroll in the centre, with the familiar vignettes of New Zealand scenery, with Maoris and kiwis in the foreground on either side, and a beautifully tinted mosaic border in green, blue, purple, brown and orange shades. The back of the note also has a much jnure elaborate design and colour scheme than those at present in circulation. The new notes will be issued lo the public in the course of a few days, and all notes of the old issue will then be gradually withdrawn from circulation.

xlousewives 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 Cataloff.

It is estimated that grass fires in the Kikiorangi (Manawatn line) district have swept an area of nearly 2,000 acres, including a great deal of fencing and grass. Mr Frank Davis met with a painful accident whilst feeding at Mr Hose’s mill on Tuesday, with the result that he lost four fingers of the left hand through getting the hand in the stripper. The Hon. \V. C. F. Carncross, of Eltham, has been re-appointed to the Legislative Council. Mr Caincross, who is Chairman of Committees of the Council, was originally appointed on 18th March, 1903.