LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 7 May 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Otaki stock sale will be held on Monday next, May 12tli, when good entries of stock will be submitted, as advertised. This morning one of our youthful local dairy farmers, mounted on a bicycle, had a mishap while driving n large herd of cows to their paddock. He got too close to the herd, with the result that one knocked him over, fortunately without injury to himself, but the front wheel of the bicycle was badly buckled.

The Mount Hector Track Committee (YYairarapa side) meet to-day to make arrangements to meet a deputation from Otaki relative to the track and hut on this side of the ranges. Mr Mux-ton, secretary of the Wairarapa Committee, has left the matter in the hands of the Mayor, he having to enter the hospital for the purpose of an operation.

In response to the Christchurch Hospital Board’s announcement that those desiring to be ianoeulatcd against influenza would be treated at' the hospital, 27 persons were operated on on Monday. Dr, Chesson states that supplies of vaccine, are now available for the local doctors, who may vaccinate patients not wishihg to attend the hospital. The Hospital Board is making arrangements to supply the public with an inhaler devised by a member of the staff,

It has I icon the practice of a certain few in Otaki to attend fires for the evident purpose of gain. At the recent fire, when M'r Hentvick's property was destroyed, a number of articles were erxrried to a reasonable distance, bur were appropriated by some mean, contemptible person. It would be well

if the Fire Brigade, at its nest meeting. appointed a small committee with a view of catching such dishonourable people. A youthful motor party were unfortunate enough on Monday evening to have a break-down o,u tVaerenga Bond, and despite frantic efforts it was only after much time that "the car was coaxed to go. The last the writer saw of the occurrence was at one o’clock in the morning, when young ladies were assisting to push the car, but his,slumber* were disturbed later by the honk-honk-ioot-loot of the car. Evidently there was a mechanic aboard. Mow the censor ha? ceased to tell the newspapers "Thou sh&lt not!" when they have a good bit of war new* in hand, we may hear something of the' good work done in the railway shops for the Defence Department, says the "Mew Zealand Railway Review." The .fact that a machine-gun was turned out successfully at Petone railway workshops became pablie, but nothing ha?

yet been disclose* about the gun mountings fixed up -for transport when it became necessary to arm them a* a defence against submarines. Perhaps we shall see something in this year’s Railway Statement, because the Department suffers from a lack of patriotic advertising. The Hon. J. A. Hasan, Minister for Education, informed a deputation from the Victoria. College Council that Cabinet had approved of a substantial grant for the erection of a new wing ; at the College, which h badly cramped for accommodation- The Minister regretted that more people of wealth did not realise their obligations 2nd use a ‘ portion for the advancement of the wel- j fare of the community. There had < bc-en liberality during the war. but the ' same must. he continued during the. period of reconstruction if the freedom ’ won were to be put to the highest use. [ The efficiency of the university mast be maintained if they were to have instructors, leather.-, and lecturer- who are so important for the future uplift-', tag of the race. j Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, j For Coughs and Colds, never fails. \ Boofmakiag.—,F. Barrett wishes to * notify the public of Otahi and district ' that he has resumed business as boot j and shoemaker. Old sad new customers j please take notice. Address; Dunsian 1 Street, Otaki.—Adrt.

At Rugby Hew Zealand beatMFrance by IG to 11. It was the most spec- , taeular of matches yet seen. 1 It- is intended to hold the annual' meeting of tlie Horowhenua Horticultural and Industrial Society on ''Wednesday of next week, 14th inst. It is intended to revive the Otaki Literary and Debating Club at an early j date, and the annual meeting will pro- ' bably be held on Friday, IGth inst. It is expected that Mr Temple YY’hite will have a choir of 400 voices to assist at the YVellington Peace celebrations. The choir will-sing, on Monday night, ilio “Gloria,” the “Hallelujah Chorus,” etc. Hockey and football tournaments, sports events, ctcr. are being arranged for the occasion. You cannot do better than buy your footwear from me. Just opened: Gent ’s heavy boots, in chrome, kip and greeuliido leathers. Also showing: A nice range of ladies’ footwear in glace, box and chrome leather (for winter wear). —lrvine’s Shoe Store, Otaki.—Advt. Onco again a surprise awaits the womenfolk of this district at Stiles and Matheson’s. A second shipment of lvaiapoi sorgo costumes has arrived. Ladies have only to call to mind the line quality of the last lot opened up to give them an idea of these new arrivals. Read Stiles and M'athcson’s advertisement in this paper. YY’c would remind all who can sing that a choir practice will bo held at the Otaki .Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) at 7.50 p.m., when it is hoped there will bo a large attendance, in order that a good choir may be got«i.ogether in readiness to lead the singing at the combined thanksgiving service to be held on Pence Day. An item of £SOOO for purchase of three motor lorries and a tractor was cm the preliminary estimates submitted to the Rangitikci County Council at its meeting a fc.w days ago. Councillors were unanimous in agreeing to it, the chairman remarking that ho would like another road roller and crusher purchased. Sir James Allen states that on 18th April there were 2SI Hew Zealand soldiers in France, probably left to look, after equipment. Hew Zealanders in

Great Britain on the same date numj bered 19,155; patients in hospital 2012, j and nurs.cs and Red Cross workers 210. i Married men'with wives and families in Great Britain on 15th April num-

j bored about 1000. j A boy named Alexander Biisland was * crushed to death by timber falling on i him at /Quin’s mil), Hihitahi, Main Trunk line, on Saturday. The lad, who was eight, years of age, left home after I dinner, and was found dead forty min- ! utes afterwards. At the inquest a verdict was returned of accidental death.

The snea 1; thief is much in evidence m Otaki. During the past week or bo several bicycles hav6 been .stolen, while it is now reported that a motor car at Paekakariki has been taken for “joyride” purposes. At yesterday’s sitting of tli« Otaki Police Court Constable Saiherley made representation to the Bench to have the practice put down with a firm hand.

A sensational accident occurred or. the Makuri Gorge road lust week. A five-horse waggon was being driven through the gorge when a part of the road subsided, and without a moment's warning two of the leaders slipped from their harness and fell a distance of 40ft down a perpendicular cliff and were killed instantaneously. The vehicle and the other horses remained on the thoroughfare without taishap.

A London cablegram states that Sir Joseph Ward was to return to Paris eu Monday. Ho announced- that the Minister of Finance had cabled that New Zealand's balance of revenue over expenditure for the financial ye.ur just closed was £3,000,000. The total surpluses of revenue over expenditure during the life of the National Government were over £15,000,000. which places the Dominion in the finest financial position. The convalescent soldiers at Moatieello Red Cross Military Home, Dunedin, were visited recently by Sir Ja», Allen. The men made strong representation regarding being ordered into uniform suits of blue, which were illfitting, unmilitary, and the subject of /comment by people in the street*- The Minister said in effect that he c-onld not hold out a promise that the blue uniform would be done away with, but he would see that a decent uniform would be given as soon as possible. Objections to the uniform had already disappeared in Auckland, Rotorua, and other places. He asked the meif to believe that they weald disappear in. the south also, when the public understood it was a higher distinction even than khaki. „ . *i, -jj The Otaki Maori Rating Club has most generously agreed to grant the request of the Peace Celebrations Committee for the use of the racecourse, buildings, etc., for the local-peace celebration?, provided the celebrations are cot held between May 31st 2nd l June 6th. It would be almost impossible to

• secure* a more suitable : place --for the i function. The fine* stretch of the ! “straight" it an ideal spot for the f foot sports,, the spacious grandstand ! will-be invaluable for those who wish to rest, or for shelter in case of un- \ favourable weather, while the dinieg- , rooms, kitchen, etc,, will -prove an irs- • dense boon to. those in charge of the . refreshments.. The racecourse Is ad-' ’ mirably and centrally gituatc-d, an a f ; residents of the entire district will be ! delighted to hear that the Easing Club have so kindly granted the use of the I grounds and appointment? for the eele-! brat Sons, ; j ) The woman wore & worried iook. : 1 t Her brow was creased with eyre, « [ The ehemi»t’e store .by storm 'she took j J hailed a salesman there. 1 I 1"0. Sir," -he- -aid. "I’m. ill with' I dread, J Tly child will die. I Ta snrej ; I T*ith croup he’s sick, please serve.me j • quick: ... . 17i:h Woods ’ Great Peppermint Care,"

The Palmerston Horth Hospital and Charitable Aid Board meets to-morrow moruing.

It is reported that Mr G. P. Cutley has sold his farm at To Horo to Mrs Corby, of Pallia tutt, anti that Mr Evans has purchased Mr Eli Allen’s property.

All willing to assist with the singing at the thanksgiving service at the local peace celebrations are invited to attend a singing practice at the Otaki Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) at 7.30 p.m.

A reminder is given of the Methodist social, to welcome Rev. and Mrs Slade, to be held at Brights' Theatre supperroom to-night. A good muster is hoped for.-

Cosy coats of quality are advertised by Matliewsoiys. Ltd. Where the smart liat-s are”). There are scores in the newest styles, of designs exclusive and smart, and above all, at lowest prices. Sec advertisement elsewhere.

Messrs Letford and Smith advertise elsewhere that they are prepared to do horse-clipping to suit all, at reasonable charges. Messrs Letford and Smith aro both practical men with a wide experience of this work, and having a firstclass outfit can guarantee i o do good work. Their address is care Otaki Railway post office. *

Charles Jenkins, at one time a leading jockey in Hew Zealand, was yesterday committed to the inebriates’ homo at Roto Roa lor eighteen months, but in tko meantime is to undergo necessary treatment in hospital. Jenkins was convicted of breaking, entering and theft at Bulls.

Are soldiers during their privilege leave prior to discharge entitled to wear mufti, and to take a private position for wages)? These questions are still being put by returned men. though there is no doubt about the soldier’s right, during his 28 days’ leave prior to discharge to go straight to work and discard uniform if he wishes. Paragraphs 25a and 2S of the Returned •Soldiers’ Handbook can be quoted as giving direct authority. The only exception to the right to wear mufti during this period is that if the soldier is using his four weeks’ railway privilege, ho has to travel iu uniform.

A raid on an alleged “two-up” • school at the freezing works across ilio YVlmkatunc River was made by Detective J. Cooney, Constables T. J. Cummings, R. 11. Grccnsladc, and Keepa on •Sunday last. Operations began on the eastern side of the men’s quarters or barracks. Two of the raiding party debouched at each end of the barracks, 1 nit a stampede had already eommcnc- ' cd. Three men ran headlong into Cummings, and the others scattered across the barbwire fencing through the standing maize into the swamp and elsewhere, where they are hiding. The 'gathering was estimated at about l persons, and included Maoris.. It is understood that, the police took several names and also secured the money abandoned. In no instance since the beginning of 1910 has the Base Records Casualty Staff left the office until all work on any casualty list received up till S p.m. has been completed, and flic telegrams notifying next of kin lodged in the post; office. This is one of the features of the war work performed by Base Records, the lirit director of which, Major Horton Francis, is about to retire. lie explains in a report to the office that the casualty section has had to deal with as many as 2000 names in a single day, and when the cables were received in the late afternoon or evening, ).he work had to continue until long after midnight. Iu abnormal times volunteers were ‘drawn from the whole of Base Records staff for overtime assistance, and thus the next of kin of our soldiers were relieved of anxiety at the earliest possible moment. Ho casualty report was sent out until the cabled information had been carefully cheeked with the information on the Base Records’ history sheets regarding the soldier’s initials, unit and number.