LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1706, 1 May 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A special statutory meeting of the Foxton Borough Council will ho held in the Borough Council Chambers to-morrow, at 12 noon. Business: Installation of Mayor and attestation of Councillors. The local Methodists have arranged a social to be held in the church on Thursday evening, at 8 o’clock, to welcome the l?ev and Mrs Harding. An attractive musical programme will be submitted. Admission is free, and all are invited.

A monster mushroom found on Mr Chivers’ farm, near Tuapeka (Otago),pleasured 37 inches in circumference, and the stalk, which was about six inches in length, was quite a couple of inches through. It was in perfect condition.

Following the entrance of the Lnited States into the war, the restriction against the posting of newspapers and book packets to America, except through newsagents and publishing oliices, has been withdrawn, and private persons may now post freely. The restrictions in respect fo neutral countries, however, are still in force.

The late W. S. Stewart was one of the foundation members of the local Masonic Lodge, and a P.M. The Lodge will accord their departed brother a Masonic funeral tomorrow. The brethren are requested to attend a lodge of sorrow in the lodge room at 1.30 p.m. after which they will proceed to All Saints’ Church and follow the body to the grave, where the Masonic rites will be carried out.

lu a case which came before the Auckland Police Court, the accused, an indigent one, was asked by Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., if he would like a f(iiiet sojourn on the “Island.” “What is it like?” queried the old man, in a confidential manner, “I have only been there as a visitor, not as a guest,” replied Mr Fraser, “but I am of opinion you will find the conditions to your liking.” “Well,” remarked the old man, “it it is good enough for you, it will suit me.”

A blight which has proved its effectiveness as an eradicalor to the blackberry is said to have been discovered by a resident of Port Underwood. About 12 months ago an affected branch from that district was placed as an experiment in a particularly thick cluster of the weed at Mahakipawa. The incident eras almost forgotten until recently if was discovered that the blight had spread right through the vine and was attacking the roots and young shoots. The growth was completely checked.

As a mark of respect to the memory of the late W. S. Stewart, the local State school will bo closed all day to-morrow. When Mr Hornblow, Chairman of Committee, notified the old schoolmaster’s passing to the upper standards this morning it made a great impression upon the elder scholars, who remembered the late Mr Stewart’s kindness to them. The deceased never passed a group of children without scattering some sweets among them as he passed. He loved the children. The school cutlets will assemble and follow the remains to their last resting place to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m..

An amusing' story was told by Col. Hughes, D. 5.0., a I the Anzac dinner at Wellington on Saturday night. “I was going aboard a transport at Suez,” he said, “with little else on than my shorts and a brown shirt. I was ollieer commanding tlu> ship, and 1 wanted to tind my cabin. I asked a tall, stout man where it was. He said, ‘What’s your name, sonny?’ (Laughter). ‘Hughes —Colonel Hughes (with the emphasis on the colonel), and I am officer commanding this ship.’ He didn’t seem a bit impressed. He just looked down at me and said, ‘Good God! Are you a colonel ?’ ”

A disgraceful scene occurred in Ridgway Street, Wanganui, the other night (says the Chronicle). It appears that a constable was in the act of arresting a man, and as the latter was resisting considerably, he called upon a civilian for assistance. This was given, and as soon as the cab moved away the mob set upon the man who had helped when requested to do so. A Maori hit him a nasty blow in the Lice, and as the crowd was in a dangerous mood he took to his heels, and rushed into an alley-way, followed by the mob. Several tramway men, who were off duty, went to his assistance, and succeeded in preventing any further assault being committed.

Colonel Hughes, speaking at the Anzac celebrations at Wellington on Wednesday, said they did not know they were making history when they landed at Gallipoli, but they were very proud that they were in it,and they did not forget the men who had not come away. Would there ever, he asked, he another soldier come out of Kew Zealand like Malone? Or like Colonel Bauchop, who, when he lay dying and Colonel Herbert came to him, instead of thinking only of himself and his own officers, as they could forgive a man doing at such a time, said, “Hullo, Herbert, old chap, I do congratulate you on the magnificent work of your Maoris to-night.” (Applause). That was typical of Bauchop. (Applause), Colonel Hughes paid a high tribute also to Major Luxford, and to the doctors and padres who had done such brave and self-sacrificing work at Gallipoli. •

Wanted Known: You can get better groceries for the same money at Walker and Fume’s,

The duck shooting' season opened to-dav.

The vital statistics for Foxton for the month of April were as followßirths 7, deaths 4, marriage certificates issued 1.

More than 150,000 packages, of a total weight of about 300 tons, are being sent daily from England to our men at the front.

Mr Wm. Ross has disposed of his Awahou and Ora llaxmills to Mr H. Berry, who has had the management of same for the past nine years. The meteorological particulars for Foxton for the month of April are as follow: —Rain fell on 8 days, the maximum fall, 1.70 inch, occurring on 11th; the total rainfall amounted to 4.55 indies.

Three boys who escaped from the Weraroa training farm, commandeered two horses and saddles at the Oroua Downs school yesterday and rode away towards Bulls. Up to the present they have not been captured.

There is a very strong demand for dairying land at present (says the Eltham Argus). A local land agent declares that it is a very long time since so many enquiries were received for all descriptions of dairy land.

Two boys belonging to Matomato, Auckland, who were riding home from school “double-banked,” collided with a telegraph pole, and one of them, Thomas AVilliam Fitzgerald, sustained serious injuries to his head, which proved fatal. He died the following morning.

A working farm manager told a Palmerston Times representative that the alleged desire, of farmers who are (‘ailed up to get the services of men to take their places is all fudge. He has been advertising locally during the past: fortnight, and has not had any reply, although he is prepared to take off his coat and get right into it.

A writer in a Southern paper says in regard to stock in the South island generally that it is felt that if the winter is a hard one things will not go too well with sheep and cattle. In some districts there are absolutely no roots at all, while in other parts (he turnips are not,anything like the usual size, and will not give a great deal of feed.

The Government Statistician, Mr Malcolm Fraser, points out how unavoidable certain mistakes are in connection with the military ballots. He had, for instance, on his reserve roll no less than 75 “John McDonalds,’’ (18 “John Smiths,” 70 “ William Smiths,” (14 “James Smiths,” 53 “James Wilsons,” 54 “William Wilsons,” 47 “William Browns,” 40 “John Campbells,” 45 “John McKenzies,” etc.,

Tims a member of the Cabinet to a deputation: They could be assured that every possible source of luxation would be tapped during the next session of Parliament. The Government had to get money, but whatever money had to be obtained for war purposes he hoped the adjustment would be made in a fair and equitable manner, so as not to unduly affect any section of the public.

Speaking at the Manawatu Philosophical Society last week, Mr C. T. Salmon explained that the jmoposed alteration of the time-line in New Zealand from 11.30 to 12hrs east of Greenwich had several distinct advantages. In the first place, it conformed to the international agreement on the subject fixing time-lines at exact hours east or west of Greenwich: secondly, noon in New Zealand would occur when the sun was still to the east of both Islands.

Two prominent young Now Plymouth business men got into a heat*ed argument the other night regarding the stocking and sale of German goods, and as the outcome it is understood that an agreement was entered into between (he two, and duly signed and sealed, to the effect that any goods of German origin found in their respective shops are to be placed in a public place on Thursday next, together with an effigy of the Kaiser, and duly burnt Both are convinced that their shops comprise nothing of enemy origin. The Auckland Herald says:— Some comment has been made upon the fact that while the classes of goods that can be carried on the railway during the present period of coal-shortage are considerably restricted, space is found for the carriage of alcoholic liquors. In the list issued by the central department, showing the kinds of traffic that would be carried’ “foodstuffs for local consumption” are included. Liquor has been regarded by the railway officials as coming within such a definition, hence its carriage.

One of the difficulties of newspaper censor ship in the United States will he in the number of journals in foreign languages published in the Republic. These total close upon 500 —03 being daily newspapers—and the majority have a circulation of over 5,000 copies per issue. Italian journals are the most numerous, totalling 05; then there are 55 Polish papers, 54 Swedish, and 27 Hebrew, besides Norwegian, Danish, and, of course, a considerable number of German prints. French journals, including Swiss and Belgian periodicals, number only 15. Two Japanese and five Chinese papers represent the Oriental communities in the States.

Suits made to measure, 72/-. Special offer for one month. 25 allwool Tweed Suitings to choose from, and we guarantee you a good fit. Don’t miss this opportunity at J. M. Barr’s Big Bargain Stores.*

There will be no shipping at the local port this week. The Queen of the South is not yet off the slip, and owing to the neap tides the Awahou is unable to work the port on account of drawing too much water.

Although Mr Nash, the Mayor of Palmerston, has to fulfil an important civic engagement at noon tomorrow; he has signified his intention of being present at the funeral of the late Mr Stewart to-morrow. Mr Nash is an ex-pupil of the late Mr Stewart. Why bother making cakes when there is such a good assortment at Perreau’s*