Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1018. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1786, 7 February 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1018. LOCAL AND GENERAL

An early session, with a general, election before the end of the year, is predicted by Sir James Carroll, M.P.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Foxton Borough Council will be held on‘Monday, 11th February, at 7.30 p.m. Business, general. Ergot has made its appearance again in the Masterton district, and is causing mortality among both sheep and cattle. This fungoid growth is very prevalent in cocksfoot grass this season.

The Prime Minister states that the present supply of shipping is so satisfactory that meat is going out of store faster than it is coming in. Space for butter is, however, somewhat more difficult to secure at the moment.

' The rainfall at M'aihi in January established something of a record, the total fall being 8,41 filches, compared with Auckland’s 4.17 inches. Bain fell on 22 days, the heaviest being 3.20 inches on the 15th.

As the result of an action for slander brought by a young woman against an Oamaru jeweller, by whom she was formerly employed, the Magistrate gave judgment in favour of the young woman for £75 and costs. The defendant had charged her with dishonesty.

The latest casualty list contains among' the wounded the name of Private G. V. Fraser, son of Mr and Mrs A. Fraser, of Foxton. The Queen of the South, from Wellington with a cargo of general, is due on Saturday morning. She will sail again for Wellington on Saturday night, with hemp. Albert Ernest Armstrong, aged 47, broke his neck by falling when engaged in stacking cement in a shed used in connection with the faiway construction Avorks, at Waihi yesterday.

A collision between two motor cars, one driven by Mr Nimmo, and the other by Mr Newth, took place on the Moutoa road near the Marotiri creamery last night. ‘None of the occupants were hurt, but some damage was done to the cars.

A new avenue of employment for girls has been opened up by the latest decision of the Post and Telegraph authorities, who propose to employ them for service with the messenger branch of the Department in Wellington. A well-known citizen of Wanganui, Mr E. Kayney Jackson, has donated £1,500 to the Patriotic Society for the immediate purchase of an aeroplane, to be used by the New Zealand forces. He suggests that the machine be called “The Wanganui, New Zealand,” and, if possible, be manned by a New Zealand pilot. General Pershing, the United States Commander-in-Chief, recently visited the graves of the American soldiers killed in an enemy raid. The inscription on the graves contains the name of the dead, and a wreath bore the words; “Here lie the first soldiers of the great Republic of the United States who died on French soil for justice and liberty. November 3, 1917.” A.man, accused at the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, with having looked through ladies’ bedroom windows by night, waxed indignant at the suggestion. “Why,” he exclaimed, “I write poetry, drama and operas, and never think of women; they never enter my head.” In reply to another query, he said: “I am 34 years of age; I have never followed a woman in my life; I never think about them at all.” “How did you come to be called ‘Peeping Tom 1 ?’” asked counsel. “I don’t know,” he replied; “pure rumours, that’s all. The children all call it out to me, and the dogs were harking il all over Wadestown. Even when I go down to the tram terminus (ho tram men ‘chink’ me and say, ‘he got a crack last night.’ When 1 get into a tram they all nudge one another and whisper, ‘there he is; that’s him,’ especially if there are any women about.” “This man has paid an enormous amount in fines,” said Sergt. Henry, at the Palmerston North Police Court yesterday morning-, when a man named John Kinky pleaded guilty before Mr IV. G. K. Kenrick, S.M., to charges of drunkenness, and with obtaining liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. Sergt. Henry said that the man was harmless, except that he took too much drink, with the result that he had over GO convictions for drunkenness, while in 12 months he had paid £4O 15s in fines. The Magistrate said that the man seemed to be hopeless, and if he continued, he (the Magistrate) would have to consider sending him to “the island.” Accused pleaded for a chance, and the Magistrate decided to convict and discharge him on the charge of drunkenness, and to tine him £3 on the other charge.

That successful pill-maker and millionaire, Sir Joseph Beecham, of St. Helens, England, gives newspapers full credit for their share in building up his hig fortune. At Edmonton, Canada, he spoke thus: “We have expended more than £l,000,000 in newspaper advertising during the last 10 years, and it is likely this will be increased largely in the next 10 years. We also use magazines and other media. My father, who organised this business, told ine when a youth that there was only one advertising medium—the newspaper. During his lifetime he used no other; in fact, he never saw any reason why he should. For that reason 06 per cent, of our total appropriation goes to the newspapers; the other 3 per cent, is for supplementary work and detail.”

The office wit informs us that the following is a good test of sobriety: “Sailing southward, September seventh, Sir Samuel Simpkins, scientist, sociologist, statesman, saw some strange sights. Seated semisomnolently, scorning sea-sick-ness, smoking some scented shag, Sir Samuel seemed sublimely selfsatisfied, Suddenly starting, staring southward, Sir Samuel saw submarine sinking small sailing ship.” As six o’clock closing is now universal, hubby will dine at 0.15, when he might continue the story by asking his better half to repeat quickly: “‘Shame,’ shouted Sir Samuel, slyly seizing shot-gun. Spotting Sir Samuel seizing shot-gun, submarine skipper screamed shrilly' Schafskapf!’ Sir Samuel, smiling scornfully, shouted ‘Surrender!’ ‘Shan’t,’ shouted submarine skipper, smiling sardonically. Sir Samuel saw sea surge strangely. Shrapnel shells surrounded Sir Samuel. Suddenly Samuel Simpkins’ snores stopped.” Some story ! THIS MEANS YOU. There is one medicine that every family should be provided with at all times —Chamberlain’s Colic and Diarrhoea Remedy. It is most certain to be needed sooner or latex*, and then it will be needed quickly. F.or sale everywhere.—Advt,

The Gisborne Times reports a Police Court case which shows that it it a serious matter to wrongfully wear the badge of the Returned Soldiers’ Asso'eiation. A Native named John Reni was charged with wearing a badge which did not belong to him, and admitted the correctness of the charge. He said he found the badge at the Te Arai bridge, and had put -it on when he came to town about three weeks later. The Magistrate, Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., warned defendant that he was liable to a tine of £IOO, but said he would in this case impose a tine of £5, to which he added costs amounting to 19s. An absentee from Trentham camp was arrested by the police late on Saturday night in a house in Hobson Street, Auckland. Their first search in the rooms failed to reveal any trace of the man, but the constables were convinced -that he was in the building, and so made a more careful investigation. Finally they pulled away a screen which was covering a fireplace, and by so doing disclosed a pair of feet. The soldier had secreted himself in the chimney, but evidently had been unable to pull his feet up out of sight. He was handed over to the military authorities, who sent him under escort to one of the forts. On Sunday he made a sensational escape from his cell by bending the stout iron bars outside his window. This feat of strength is considered remarkable. So far no trace has been found of the missing man.

There are occasionally paragraphs in the newspapers showing that there are people ready and anxious to take advantage o£ those who, through being called up for active service, have to close or sell up their businesses at short notice. AYc have not seen any mention of transactions showing a brighter side of such position, but we have a great deal of pleasure in giving publicity to Messrs Fink and Hairs account of the sale of their business (says the Carterton Hews). Both parties were called up for military service. One was rejected, but the other passed lit and was ordered into camp, and it was necessary to dispose of the business they had industriously built up. Amongst others approached was the AVairarapa Farmers’s Co-operative Association, and the Messrs Caselberg, directors of the Association, negotiated for the purchase. They agreed to take the whole stock at invoice prices and the plant at valuation. They asked the owners to put their valuation on the various items of the plant, and when all were enumerated one of the buyers made a little speech. Said he; “How, look here; in Ibis time, when war iullicts hardship, it's up to men to stand by each other, and not to take advantage. You have put a great deal too low a value on several of the items because you urgently want to realise on them. AAM are not out to take advantage of that. AYe will give you the full market price for the whole lot.” And they did, leaving two astonished and extremely gratified partners to congratulate themselves upon on having struck a genuine vein of patriotism when least expected on a business deal.