LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 79, 31 October 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There are indications of an early revival of the South African diamond industry, which has been closed down since the beginning of the war. The directors of the Premier mine, near Pretoria, recently decided to start work again on a small scale, limited t:> about 25 per cent, of the normal operations,

Shirkers were set a worthy example by one man wlio registered in Christchurch on Wednesday for active service (says the Press). He is a returned soldier, who has "done his bit," and has three children, but he could not rest content when he read daily of the heavy shortages at present existing in the 22nd Reinforce* ments, and knowing that his comrades at the front require the assistance of every man possible to assist them, he has again enlisted.

A novel freak egg was shown to a "Standard" reporter by Mrs Johan- 1 sen, of Alexandra Street, Palmerston North. It was an extremely large egg with two yolks and whites complete, while inside was a complete

egg of the average size—practically three eggs in one. This was laid by a White Leghorn hen and is the third of a similar nature Mrs Johansen has found in her fowlhouse, all probably laid by the same hen. The frame of the larger egg was easily three inches long, the broadest part being about two inches across.

There was a sensational incident towards the close of Mr Newton King's sale at Ohura on Thursday of.last week (states the Herald). Some considerable distance from the saleyards blasting operations were being carried out, and following one loud report a man walking along the rail of the cattle pens was seen to stagger, and he would have fallen had it not been for the man behind him steadying him. By the time he had been assisted to the ground blood was streaming down his face, and examination revealed a nasty scalp wound caused by a piece of flying papa.

Never before have snails been such a pest in Wellington as at the present time (says the Post). There has been a regular invasion of them this season, and an immense amount of harm has been done to vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees. In past years an application of lime has been found fairly effective, but this year it seems to be quite valueless in dealing with the nuisance. Some local gardeners have tried scattering soot liberally round plants and trees, and report having found the method greatly successful. Tn some gardens luin : dreds of snails have'died while attempting to crawl over the patches of soot.

A noteworthy instance of endurance on the part of a girl 15 years of age was recently brought under the notice of a Hawera Star reporter. The other morning the girl, who. resides at Kakaramea, was sent to catch a horse belonging to her parents. The animal had strayed out of paddock on to the public highway, and was making for Manaia, from where it had come originally. The girl followed the horse on foot to Manaia, a distance of 27 miles. She rode the animal back as far as Manutahi, where she v became exhausted, and some friends, who were searcbing for her, took her in for the night. The girl left home at seven in the morning, and did not reach Manutahi until 10 o'clock p.m.

Referring to the ' War Regulations of July 31, as to the arrosjt of soldiers, for debt or maintenance under the . Imprisonment lor JJebt Abolition Act or the Pesfitute Persons Act, it must be understood (states a district order) that the Defence Department cannot act as a medium for collecting debts; creditors will be expected to satisfy their claims out of the soldier's estate, and not from their pay or by the arrest of their persons. The consent of a military authority to tthe arrest of a soldier required by th* War Regulations will only be granted for very weighty reasons, and cases must bo submitted to District Headquarters. Military authority can discharge soldiers under arrest for debt or maintenance.

There were some peculiar scenes at a fire at the Congregational schoolroom at Napier on Monday afternoon (says the Telegraph). The children connected with the Gospel Hall had just been accommodated at the tables and the tea had been poured out when the fire was discovered. The youngsters had to abandon the feast which they had looked forward to with longing and sparkling eyes. A train of holiday-makers had just arrived at the station, and most of the menfolk raced across to assist. The furniture was soon removed, piano, bookcases, and all. The übiquitous dog was there in large numbers, and made short work of the sandwiches; crockery was broken, and everything ruined for the children. When the brigade arrived the volunteer helpers were promptly ordered out.

Dean Carrington, at Tuesday night's sitting of the Anglican Synod (.reports the Christchiirch Press), spoke in heartfelt toues of admiration for what ho termed the "marvellous nriustrations" of the poor. He instanced one case where a poor woman lay . sick, and two women—one a dressmaker, working 12 hours a day, and poor at that—joined together and nursed the nick woman day and night. The seamstress, after her day's work, watched and waited on her all night. The woman they tended was a stranger. They nursed her for a fortnight, and he 'spoke in the 'ugliest terms of the love that attendance showed. Then lie turned to the relations of the rich to the poor, and gave a case where a woman, living in a small cottage set right between two mansions, where dwelt women who had wealtli and time, was smitten with epilepsy. The rich neighbours ■never came near her. and she was leit to the poorer neighbours and the eh" v ity organisations of the city. It I was the poor, he said, who gave their "marvellous ministrations" to the poor.

Adjutant Cook, of the Salvation Army, acknowledges the sum of two shillings from Mr W. Smith (per JMr T. Knowles, New Plymouth", for the fund for widows and orphans of fallen soldiers.

Members of the Stratford A. and P. Association are reminded of the working bee to be held on the Show Grounds on Thursday, November 2nd. at 10.30 a.m.. It is hoped there will be a largo muster. Luncheon will be provided.

On his wife's application at the Nelson Magistrate's Court, a prohibition order was made out against a local resident for the twenty'first year in succession. "This is something in the nature of a record," said Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in making the order.

Weather Forecast,—The indications are for decreasing soon southerly moderate to strong prevailing. The weather will probably prove cold and showery. The night will probably be very cold and indications for a temporary improvement. The barometer has a rising tendency, but falling after about 24 to 36 hours.—Bates, Wellington. j

The Waitara Mail reports: A lad named Mervyn Frost, son ,of Mi 1 Ed. Frost, aged about 13 years, met with a nasty accident on Saturday. He "was accustomed to take milk from his father's place to the Waitara Road Factory, and did so, ?r, usual, on Saturday. While at the factory he went into the butter-room, and when watching the churn he got his hand in the cogs. His fingers were tfrawn in, but fortunately the manager • of the factory happened to be near and stopped the machinery at once. The hand, however, was badly crushed, and at the hospital amputation at the wrist was found necessary. The lad is doing well.

All eligible men for the War should take note that there is"a shortage of 134 for the November draft in No. 8 Group, with headquarters at Hawera. Sergeant-majors are under orders to conduct a personal canvass of the eligibles. placing the position before i hem and pointing out that the shortage! has to be made up before Novem- ( ber 11, after which there will be recourse to the Ballot to make good the deficiency. From November 11th to the 20thither4will be a ballot for all shortages for -the December draft, for which, Sergeant-major Mahoney informs a Post representative to-day, he has now only 23 out of 103. The Sergeant-majors have to show a return to the Group Commander of all men interviewed between now and November 11.

In connection with the recent "anti-shouting" prosecutions, it is pointed out)* that when a bartender, ,_ male or female, is convicted of a breach of the regulations they are automatically compelled to cease working in any part of a licensed hotel anywhere in the Dominion for a period of six months. In addition, any party employing a .disqualified person in any part of a licensed hotelduring the period of such disqualification is also liable to prosecution. Another interesting point in connection with the regulations is that any person being cognisant of an offence, > who does not supply police officers with the information required, is liable to prosecution, and the magistrate has power to indemnify any witness against any future proceedings. Further, where a conviction entails disqualification and an appeal is made the disqualification comes into force immediately, and is not stayed until after the appeal is heard. With ordinary offences, when an appeal is made proceedings are staj T ed until after the appeal is settled.

The American Press delights in regaling its readers with anecdotes of British royalty, and many are the stories in circulation regarding the democratic demeanour of the Prince of Wales at the front. The following, cabled by a Yankee war scribe gathering material in Prance, is worthy of mention:—During a lull in the fighting on the western front the Prince of Wales strolled near the Press camp and came upon a correspondent busily writing. Pausing for a moment, the Prince asked for information concerning a bomb attack. At the conclusion of the conversation the Prince offered the correspondent a cigar, which the latter placed in tho inside breast pocket of his tunic. "Why don't you smoke it?" said the Prince. "Because I'm not likely to ever get another cigar from the Prince of Wales, so 1 mean to keep this one as a memento." The Prince laughed good naturedly, and, bringing out his case again, replied: "Well,' you had better have another 0T1(> —this time to smoke!" Another Am t rican correspondent, ' 'operating'' iri England, says in a Western newspaper John. King George's youngest son, is just eleven, and already many stories are told of his escapades. Recently Prince John happened to be at Buckingham Palace without his royal parents, and a desire to visit a theatre took possession of him. He went to the telephone and rang up a certain management, and' inquired whether 'His Royal Highness Prince John can have a box.' Needless to say the box was promised, but great was the amazement of the. manager and staff waiting in tbe vestibule to receive, as they thought, the youthful prince and his suite, when a taxieab drew up at the door and a small boy, entirelv alone, entered the theatre, and asked for Prince John's box. Meanwhile tlfere was consternation at the palace at the Prince's disappearance."