LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, 21 September 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Hon. G. Fowlds has been appointed by the Governor a member of the Auckland) University College Council, in succession of the late Sir Maurice O'Rorke.

The regulation, prohibiting the exportation of sheepskins (without wool) and pigskins and pelts to destinations other than the United Kingdom! have been amended, and their export is now permitted under certain conditions.

In order to prevent "bearing" the market in rennet and obtaining a- fabulous ipirice for the remainder in stock, the Government has prohibited the export of) this necessary coagulator. The use of pepsiini as a substitute has been tried with some success in and there is likely to be a strong demand for it where stocks of rennet held by factories are in short supply.

Mr T. A. H. Field., M.P., telegraphed to the Minister of Lands a day or two ago on *Ke subject of the provision of fruit lands in this district for returned soldiers. He pointed out that at least 300 young orchardists -had gone to the front from Nelson, who should be provided for in -their own district. Sir Francis Bell replied ais follows:—"Replying to your telegram re orchards for returned soldiers, you may rest assured that the Nelson; district'is not- being ignored in this respect."

Nurse Isla Stewart.' of Masterton, writing from "London, ou July 30, says: 1 "Recently in. the country we met a drag .load of New Zealand wounded who were 'picnicking under the trees and being entertained' by the New Zealand War •Committee. *A boy I knew, who had just : got his artificial ' leg, was getting along | with two sticks. He hit his artificial t leg with, a stick, and said: 'Now, what ido you think of me. Miss Stewart?' He seemed so proud of himself. . At RoekI hampton, where the limb hospital is • situated, there are thousands of boys awaiting their turn to be fitted. A Maori 'boy, who had lost both bis legs, and another New Zealand lad, who had also i lost a limb, were there learning the busi- | ness for the New Zealand Government. I They are to go to New 7 Zealand to repair land refit limbs for the lads in New ! Zealand. It is a very wise move of the Government."

In a letter to Mr J. FitzGerald, written from France on August 11th, Gunner E. P. Knight (who at the time of enlistment was on the staff of the Magistrate's Court at Nelson) states that he is in the best of health and having a. fine time. At time of writing Gunner Knight had not done much fighting, 'being on a quiet -part of the front, but be had -had: an occasional "go" at Fritz. He remarks that there were lovely swimming baths at the place at which lie was stationed', these having been taken over for the use of the troops. On August 12th there were to be swimming sports, for which over 1000 entries had been received. The previous week a military horse show had been held, lasting two days, Gunner Knight's battery gaining a second prize for the gun team. In the evenings there are picture entertainments and occasionally concerts at the Y.M.CA. Hall.

The secretary of the Wellington branch of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society has received from the English headquarters of the organisation an inquiry inspecting the widows and orphans of men employed on naval colliers (says the Dominion). The letter states : "Lady Jellicoe ha« written to us, asking if Ave are in touch with the widows and orphans of men from any of the collier ships, as she has a sum of money to distribute especially among these folk. Will you make an investigation in your locality, with a view to finding out any such, as we have promised her to furnish as much information as possible on this subject?" Mr Nimmo is making inquiries, and hopes to be aible to forward particulars to England at an early date.

A sfirost the other rfglit played havoc in Whangared market .gardens, and! the loss in some cases is very heavy, says the New Zealand Herald. Tomato and eucuimiber plants were hadly effected, and several growers who had incurred great exjpense in utilising large areas with a view to securing high prices at the «axly sales are deprived! of their hopes. Frost so late in: the year is not altogether unique in this locality. Two years ago •there was a devastating drop in tamperatuife as late as the end l of October, -but usually spring conditions are continuously miflld enough to allow early planting to ibe done wi'.th success. The cold on Friday night and saturdiay morning was unusually intense for any time of the year, and there are record® of frost occurring at places whea-e is has never been experienced.. In the early hotirs of yesterday morning another frost was visible, anid though dm a much milder form .than that of Friday night it contributed towards the more complete disappointment of market gardeners.

One extraordinai'y feature of the recent operations on the Somme is due to the weather. In the earlier days of the advance the .heat was extreme, water was very hard to get up to the men in front, and they suffered in places from heat and thirst. Then came the tremendous rains and' t'he hardships from cold and l wet were even worse than they had been in the heat. The condition of the trenches became indescribable. Bombers state that it was impossible to throw bombs with any effect, because no man can throw his best when fixed! immovably up to his knees in liquid glue. So extraordinary is the mud—so sticky and pluiinous—that there are many who 'believe that it is not natural, but has been doctored" in some way by the enemy before ha went, a. suspicion which is de&pensd, if it is not created, by the iu'et that it seems to produce a great many sore feet. A verv successful dance was held at. St. Mary's Ball last night, a'bout 60 couples being present. Items were given by the Convent pupils. Excellent music was supplied by Mr F. Duffy also extras by Miss Wat kins and Mr A. Manks. Supper was provided and altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent.

Otago's quota for the 21st Reinforcements left Dunedin to-day, about sixty short, states a- Press Association wire. An Army doctor in London in August 'was telling; of the wonderful cures of "shell-shock" which are now being effected' at the front r..cans of hypnotism. Some seeming' -miracles have ueen performed, he said-, in making apparently insane men respond to hypnotic suggestion, and something like the cases are either uonipletely cured or benefited by this magical "thought-surgery." .Speaking as a witness in the Blenheim Magistrate's Court one morning recently, Mr ill. J. Sisson, rabbit inspector, said that the practice of trapping for the markets was very unsatisfactory (reports the Marlborough Express), lie was in Wellington the other day, and noticed placards on retail shops announcing that prime J?ienheini-fed rabbits were for sale. Other inspectors, seeing these notices, wanted to know who was in charge in Marlborough. The advertisement was not at all a good one for the district. Men coming from Australia to look for land would, if they had had any experience of the rabbit pest, not be attracted to Maryborough ; by such advertisements. A trapper, giving evidence in a prosecution in Blenheim some time ago, admitted that he would not continue to work over country which failed to return him at least 10s a day. That went to show that it was not the custom of trappers, and not their interest, to redtice the rabbits below a certain number.

Private Frank Nathan Sowman, of Blenheim, wrote from the -Fulham Hospital, England, at the end- of July stating that he was making a good recovery from injuries received earlier in that month in the trenches in Northern France. He relates (says the Marlborough Express) that on the night of July iO the British opened a bombardment which continued for two hours. The earthworks on both sides were flying, and he helped to unearth four of his companions, one of whom was killed. He had just returned to his dlug-out when the Germans commenced a "full-dress" bombardment. A high explosive blew away the parapet on the top of his trench, and he was buried under the debris, a beam failing across ms hip. Five of his mates, of whose courage he speaks in terms of admiration, dlug him out while a machine gun was playing on them, and he was sent to the Fulham Hospital, where he was being right royally treated. At the time of writing he was at the convalescent stage.

As a consequence of recent disclosures made about the evasion of 6 o'clock closing of liquor bars in New South Wales, the Premier instructed! the In-spector-General of Police to make investigations and preipare a report. In the course of the report the InspectorGeneral says he hast received reports from the officers in ■ charge of the fourteen mietropolitan police divisions. With the exception of one—MarTickviiUe—all these officers admit that sly-grog selling is indulged in to a greater or less extent, and express the view that 'in all );;|robalbiMty the earlier closing of'hotels will tend to increase the evil. From several divisions —notably Darlinghurst —came reports that 6 o'clock closing has markedly reduced the evil of drunkenness, assaults, and street brawls, which) the officers reporting .hold to more than compensate for amy slight increase in sly grog-selling. From.' the George-street division the report is that there has 'been an increase in the quantity of liquor consumed in the Streets and lanes, and a, considerable increase in home drinking'. .The Newtown officer says there is a tendency for young men to group together and stock one or mora gallons of beer at private places for consumption during 'prohibited hours. He, however, reports a ipronoumced decrease in the nuimiber of arrests of females.

The annual sale of work in connection with the Church of Christ Sewing Class will be held.on Wednesday afternoon, September 27th.

The annual entire horse parade under the auspices of the* N.elson Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held at Richmond Park on Wednesday, the 27th inst.