LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1757, 27 November 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Only about 30 per oent. of the first batch of the Mastcrton Second Division reservists have passed as fit by the Medical Board. During the Russo-Japanese war the Aparima, which was torpedoed last week, was fired on by a warship belonging to one of the belligerents. The vagaries of war. One Wellington soldier (an officer) has,a son three years old whom he has not seen.

The Minister of Defence has received cable advice that the ,29th to the 34th New Zealand Rifles reinforcements are all well at a port of call.

The“ East Coast railway extension to Motuhora, two miles from Motu Valley, was formally opened by Hon, W. D. MacDonald yesterday. The next sitting of the First Wellington Military Service Board in Palmerston will be held about the middle of January, when Second Division appellants will be dealt with.

At the recent proficiency examination, candidates from the following schools were presented: Fox lon State school, eight; Convent, five; Moutoa, two, Oroua Dgwns, two. Last year Foxton State school presented 20 candidates, and the Convent six.

In addition to the prizes mentioned in last issue, Mr A. W. Pearson also secured the following awards in the sweet peas section at the Horowhenua Horticultural Show hold at Otaki last week: —Second for white, first for Ja vender, second for any other variety, and first for six varieties.

With the fine weather, the local seaside is attracting numbers of week-end visitors. On Sunday last the sea was as calm as a mill pond, and several amateur fishermen ventured over the bar in open boats. Good sport was obtained, the catches consisting of schuapper and kawhai.

A meeting of the Wellington Labour .Representation Committee will be held this week, when consideration will be given to the question of contesting the Wellington North election. Several possible Labour candidates have been suggested, and it is considered certain that the party will have its nominee in the field.

At the Presbyterian Assembly at Dunedin, Professor Hewitson reported that Knox College had opened this year with 90 men. Five had joined during the winter, 18 had enlisted, and when the winter session closed the roll number was 77. A large number were medical students. The debt on the building had been wiped out, and £3,541 stood to the credit of the endowment fund.

A Wanganui lady who had been for seventy-five years in New Zealand, Mrs E. Holman, died on Tuesday last, at her residence, at the great age of 91. Airs Holman, nee Miss Elizabeth Morris, was a relative of William Morris, the poet. Her wedding to Mr H. (J. Holman took place at the little Anglican Church which still stands at Russell. A wedding being an unusual occurrence in New Zealand in those days, the occasion was honoured by the ships in the harbour hoisting their Hags, while a salute was fired from two brass cannon mounted on the yacht Dolphin. Mr Holman died twenty-four years ago, at the age of 81 years. Mrs Holman is survived by two sons and two daughters —Air H. R. Holman, of Whangarei, Air W. R. Holman, of Auckland, Mrs J. AI. Johnson, and Miss Holman; also seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The taking of the twelfth ballot under the Alilitary Service Act for the pui'pose of completing Reinforcement drafts was completed at Wellington yesterday. In all, 5,000 names were drawn. These were taken from Glass A of the Second Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve (married men without children), leaving 5,000 still in the same category. The result will be published by Gazette Extraordinary, which will be issued on Tuesday of next week. In addition, between 700 and 800 men, accretions to the First Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve (men come of age, etc) will be called up by Gazette at the same time. The balance of Class A, Second Division, will be called up en bloc without ballot four weeks later. The next ballot, the thirteenth, will thus take place towards’ the end of January, when the first of Class B (married men with one child) will he drawn.

In regard to the appeal of Private J, Gardiner, the Military Service Board on Saturday decided that it had no recommendations to make. The effect is that Gardiner will at once return to his camp duties. In reference to, this ease, it is explained that on the 6th November the No. 1 Wellington Military Service Board .siting in Palmerston N. gave this soldier, for whom Air Cooper appeared, leave until January 9th, 1918, but no notice of the cancellation was given either to Private J. Gardiner, his employer (Mr Baldwin), or to My Cooper, who appeared for him; and none of them knew of the cancellation until the sitting of the Board on Friday last. On the strength of the original grant of leave, the camp authorities at Featherston gave Private Gardiner a leave pass under instructions from Headquarters. These facts are stated in fairness to the parties concerned. —Palmerston Times. Why bother making cakes when there is such a good assortment at Perreau’s* , , . .. ......

Mrs F, W. Frankland and her son arrived in New Zealand from America last week. Mrs Frankland has now taken up her residence in Foxton.

A collision took place between two motor cars in the Avenue on Sunday morning, which resulted in both ears being more or less damaged. Fortunately none of the occupants in either car were injured. “When I was your age I was up every morning studying at 10 minutes to five,” said Mr S. E. M’Carthy, S.M., at Petone, to a youth who professed his inability to rise in time to get to work at 7.45.

A black rat, known as kiorc by the Natives, was captured at Otaki last week, and was placed on exhibition. Natives of long standing state it is the first rodent of the kind caught in the district for many years. One leading Native states they were once so plentiful that they were often served up at dinner.

Everything you waste is a blow struck for the enemy. Everything you save is a blow struck for your country. Every time you waste something you cause people to work longer to produce a thing for your benefit, whereas if you had been economical they could hare been working to defeat the enemy.—W. M. Hughes.

The Chairman of the local School Committee desires to acknowledge two handsome prizes (boys’ and girls’ own annuals) from Mr and Mrs Alf. Fraser, for presentation at the break-up of the local State school. As the Committee’s funds are at a low, ebb, further donations to the annual prize fund, either in cash or books, wilhbe much appreciated.

“My visit to the coast, north ot Gisborne, has confirmed my impression that there arc no shirkers in hiding in that locality,” was the remark made by Sub-Inspector Dew to a, Herald reporter. “The only young men I met up there were' returned soldiers, and if they heard of any shirker getting into the backblocks to avoid rendering the personal services required of them by the Act, they would soon notify the police.”

Owing to the unfavourable weather conditions on Wednesday last, the demonstration on handling bees and advice generally, to have been given by Mr F. A. Jacobsen, Government Apiary Inspector, had to be postponed. The lecture has now been fixed for to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon, .and will be held at Mr G. A. Hobbs’ residence, Union Street, commencing at 2.30 o’clock. All interested are cordially invited to attend.

What is the position as far as Iho amusement tax is concerned in regard to euchre parties? asks the Wanganui Herald. This question is exercising the minds of certain people in Wanganui. It was recently announced that euchre parties would be taxed. One resident who is interested in the running of a fortnightly euchre party stales that although he has applied to. the police, the Post Office, and other official quarters, he has been unable to ascertain if this particular form of amusement is expected to contribute towards the war taxation.

A New Zealand-born officer at present in Wellington who was with '.he British Forces at the recapture of Kiit and the taking of Bagdad, met the late General Sir Stanley Maude during the operations. He speaks of him as one of the finest types, of Englishmen, and a military leader whom everyone absolutely trusted. As a fighting general he was revered by officers and men alikc, and his control was absolute at all times. “He knew his job,” was the best commentary one could make on General Maude as a soldier.

Mr Lloyd George paid a high tribute to his old schoolmasters recently, but there is one story which he did not tell at Birkenhead, though he has told it before. The schoolmaster waft fond of telling his class about a German dominie who always greeted his class when it assembled with a most punctilious bow. He explained that he did so because one of the boys in front of him might be destined for greatness, “One of that old man’s boys,” Mr Lloyd George’s old master used to say, “was named Bismarck, who became Chancellor of Germany.” Then he would add: “Perhaps one of you will be Prime Minister of Great Britain when I am an old man.”

•Mr Henry Ford, the American motor magnate who led the Peace Crusade to Europe two years ago, now makes it quite clear that whatever were his views in the past he is now convinced that the war must go on until militarism is crushed. He thinks no great harm was done by America’s delay in beginning her preparations, as Avar material quickly passes out of date. “We are making,” he said to a New York Times interviewer, “200,000 aeroplane cylinders of steel for the Government, to be,delivered at the rate of 1,000 per day. We have just developed a way of making a cylinder of solid steel cheaply. We would produce 5,000 op *IO,OOO a day if called upon, A great many of the men who work on these cylinders are of German birth, and they are just as keen for stamping out militarism as any of us. We all want the Avar stopped, and the way to stop it is to let the Avorld kuoAv that this country is in it for all it is AA’orth.” Wanted Known: You can get better groceries for the same money fl-t Walker agd Fume's, j

Michael Ryan, aged 36, single, died at Blenheim Hospital on Sunday as the result of injuries received while bush felling in the Opouri Valley on Saturday. The tree fell, breaking both his legs and one ami.

A large English mail containing letters from the front arrived in Foxton on Saturday evening, and was so expeditiously dealt with by the post office staff that a counter delivery was made before 8 o’clock, Mr J. (A Jones, a well-known resident of Christchurch, died on Thursday morning, in his 83rd year. The late Mr Jones arrived in New Zealand, via Australia, in 1886, and took up his residence in Christchurch, He belonged to one of the oldest families in Wales, his only surviving brother being Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones, who was knighted at the late Queen’s Jubilee, A recent English paper tells of a parcel sent to a soldier which, as many of the soldiers would say, has travelled “some.” It was originally sent from Surbiton some months before it was returned lately. It reached France after the man had left for the East,, and, from the stamps, showed that it had been to Egypt, India, Salonika, and Mesopotamia. Despite all its' travels, the contents were said to bo fairly well

preserved. One effect of the enactment of six o’clock closing has been to direct increased attention to the question of State Control, says a Wellington press correspondent. The State Controlists in the country are a much more numerous body than is generally supposed, but they have neither platform nor organisation. The members of the Cabinet are divided on the question, and that being the case it is bound to remain in abeyance till after the wax’.

A labour problem ot importance and magnitude will come up for discussion at the monthly meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board tomorrow, when Mr- J. W. McEwan will move: “That the Shipowners’ Federation and Waterside Workers’ Union be each invited to appoint live representatives to meet live representatives of the board to consider the following proposals: (1) That the Harbour Board control all labour employed on the waterfront;, (2) that all such labour shall be on a permanent basis.” The Silver Grid, where the fatal lire in Manchester Street, Christchurch, occurred last week, was the scene of a very cold-blooded murder in October, 1909. A young man named Arthur John Williams shot a young woman, who was servant at the boarding-house, the crime taking place in a passage near the spot where Mr Hatch’s body was found. Roberts was convicted of murder on November 18 th, .1909, and sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life.

The Auckland Star .stales that the details given in the appeal of L. C. Codlin, farmer, of Waiuku, on the ground of undue hardship, to the First Auckland Military Service Board, disclosed a highly praiseworthy family record of war service. Appellant (20) was tho only remaining son on his father’s farm. Three brothers were at the war, one was on the way there, and another was going into camp. Of five sisters, the husband of the only one married was on service. The appeal was adjourned sine die.

Before he left for the front, Lt. A. Iv. Douglas, son of Mrs Douglas, of Mount Royal Elation, expressed a wish to his mother that if he should get knocked out in the war she should give £IOO to Waitaki High School, where he was educated, the interest to form a prize for agriculture and wool classing. Since his death Mrs Douglas has given £lO5 to the school as a memorial for her son, and the board intends with the money to institute annual prizes for wool classing and agriculture.

Private P. O'Connor, who stands 7£t. Gin. high, and \veighs 20st 101 b., is said to be the tallest man in the British Army (remarks the Sydney Daily Telegraph). He returned to Sydney from active service for the second time u few days ago, A special hammock had to be constructed for him, and his walking stick would serve as a tent-pole. His hand can stretch two octaves on the piano. He has a twin brother the same height as himself, who is a blacksmith in Canada. Though he was placed as a guardsman at the Ifigh Commissioner’s office in London for 18 weeks to advertise Australia, he is in reality an Irishman from Limerick. “With pride he shows the marks of wounds received in Afghanistan, but is reticent of the part he has played in this. war, though he bigs twice seen service,

Any “doubting Thomas” Avho may be sceptical about the reliability of the Biblical account as to hoAV the mother of mankind appeared in the Garden of Eden when fully dressed would probably have his doubts somewhat shaken, if not entirely removed, by reading the report Avhich appeared in a contemporary of a Avedding of recent date, which was celebrated in a wcll-knoAvn town of Marlborough, in Avhich it is plainly set forth; “The bride was attired iu a very pretty dress of white roses and birch leaves.” While the modem oqstume appears to be a distinct ad-, vance on the more ancient one, from an artistic point of vieAV, the wisdom of Aveariug it iu public, even in the height of summer, from a health point of view, may be questioned; whilst the possibilities of what might happen later on, when the autumn leaves Avcrc falling and summer roses fading, are too dreadful to contemplate.—Marlborough Ex-. . ..

A most enjoyable social evening, organised by Mrs Kellow (local fund secretary) in aid of the Diocesan Schools Fund, was held in All Saints’ schoolroom on Friday night. Progressive euchre, followed by a novel and mirth-provoking treasure hunt competition and vocal items by Mrs Tevibtdale and Miss Bryant and instrumental selections by Mr C. Simmons. A collection in aid of the fund resulted in £4 being subscribed. Mrs Ingle and Miss Hawke tied for the euchre prize (ladies’) with Mrs Haynes “booby”; Mrs C. H. Symons won the gents’ prize, Mr W. E. Barber “booby.” The late Lieut. Stewart, only son of Mr and Mrs J. Stewart, whose death from wounds received while engaged on the advance to Palestine, and briefly referred to in a recent issue, was only 23 years of age. After leaving High School, he joined the Government Insurance Department. He was keenly interested in military matters, and .subsequently |oined the Defence Department, receiving an appointment as quartermaster-sergeant under the Territorial system. Upon the outbreak of war he volunteered for the front, but was appointed to assist in the training of the Maori Contingent at Narrow Neck. He embarked with the Maoris, and was with them in their famous engagement at Gallipoli, where he was ■wounded. He was sent to Malta, and on furlough to England. He was then transferred to the Auckland regiment in Egypt, and was subsecjuently promoted second lieutenant in the Imperial Camel Corps. He was further promoted to a first lieutenancy and transferred to the Auckland Rifles. He took part in several actions in Egypt, finally being fatally wounded in the advance on Palestine. General sympathy is extended to the father, Mr Jas. Stewart, local hemp grader. A new brand of religious objector appeared before the First Auckland Miltary Service Board last week (states the Auckland Star). The appellant was William Duncan, labourer, Arch Hill, who said he was a member of the church known as the Scottish Covenanters, who did not exercise the franchise or sign or take any part in the government of the country. His church was not in communion with the Presbyterian Church. The Chairman: “You arc only strangers on the earth, then?” Appellant: “I suppose that applies to us all.” The Chairman: “Why lias your church objection to faking part in the government?” Appellant : “We would only do so under a proper constitution, one by which Christ was the acknowledged head. ’ Appellant assorted that if all the people in the country thought as he did there would be a different constitution to that existing now. He sometimes went to local churches, but there was no branch of his church in Australasia, except at Geelong. The church was known since the Reformation. The Board found that the appellant had not proved his case, and regarding his religious objections it had no wish to take advantage of him, as there was possibly some justification for the appeal. The appeal would therefore be adjourned until 7th December, to allow appellant to produce some evidence regarding his church and its specific doctrine as to the bearing of arms.