LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 97, 24 December 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Rata Butter Factory had a record pay out this month —over £4OOO, One shilling per lb was paid.

It is reported in Southland that an officer has just arrived from England with a commission to purchase 10,000 army remounts in the Dominion.

Among the list of unclaimed electoral notices for tire V/airarapa electorate was one for “J. Twaddle.” The inference to be drawn is that there is no further use in the Wairarapa for “Twaddle.”

Visitors to Auckland during the holiday season are warned to be on their guard against pickpockets. On Friday last Dm sum of £BSO is stated to have been “hooked” from two people in the city.

It is stated that Dr Buck, who is spoken ■of as a likely candidate for the Northern Maori seat in the event, of a fresh election being necessary,has been offered by the Government the position of chief medical officer of the Maori contingent.

Yesterday was one of the stormiest we have had in this district. At Ranrimu the wind was so powerful that it blew down trees and branches of trees in all directions. Mr McLennan, carrying the Kaitiske mail was forced to turn back and proceed on his route after a few hours.

The dairy companies of Stratford distributed about £30,000 on Saturday for butter fat supplied during November. It would appear as if the great war has so far had a less distributing effect on the business of "cowspanking” than the little war of the Wellington .‘wharves, this time last year. New Zealand is lucky.

“The fear that civilisation is new reeking in its fall is without justification. The war will progress from horror to horror, and with it the protest, disgust and anger of the people will deepen. More and more will the folly and foolishness cf war permeate the world. As men suffer more they will see more clearly; and when this war ends it will he the end of war. We are not witnessing the success of the War Lord —we are beholding his suicide.”—Elbert Hubbard, in The Era.

Capt. Makepeace, who had charge of the steamer Kaipara at the time when she was captured and sunk by the German armed merchantman Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, has now received the command of the steamer Middlesex, which is leaving Liverpool for Australian ports on December 9th. Practically all the members of the crew cf the Kaipara will be on the Middlesex, which was previously known as the Knight Bachelor, but which has been bought and re-named by the Federal Steam Navigation Co.

The choice of amusements for Taihape people this festaj season seems to he somewhat limited. Of course there are the usual evening excelienr picture productions, but the only amusement for the day is the Moawbanga Athletic Club Sports at Moawhanga. The Boxing day fixture promises to be more than crdinaily interesting, • and as entries for the various events are already above the average some good competitive work may be expected. Fifty pounds have been allocated in prize money. All these who enjoy sports will find no lack of interest and enjoyment if the weather is favourable.

To lose £2OO in bank notes in the course of a walk from a city restaurant to the railway station was the unfortunate experience on-Friday of an Auckland blacksmith. The man had just sold his business, and the notes —one fcr £IOO, and several others for largo amounts —were carelessly placed in i. A hip-pocket. The police state (hat there are undoubtedly pickpockets opxting in the city, but consider that i this instance the blacksmith must ave dropped the notes on the pavement. The fact remains, however, that he £IOO note was changed at a bank 20 minutes after the man discovered his lossi-.

For making a khaki Jacket 2/9 is paid, and 3/3 for making an overcoat, states the Stepney Public Health Committee. “These prices do not. provide a living wage,” they add. —A London firm has received from the Russian Government an order for one million khaki overcoats.

The carrying home from taverns or restaurants of beer except in closed and carefully wrapped bottles or jugs has been forbidden in Berlin. The authorities declare that the sight of beer in the streets is calculated to arouse public anger and envy during time of war.

/n important railway deviation is being .made between KakarilA and Huh ombe and when completed it will net city shorten the distance, but wih lake off several of the severe grades ant. bends. The work is expected to take about two years, but it will, when finished, make an appreciable difference to the work on hand Main Trunk.

With the continued dry weather, th? Gisborne freezing works are both working at top speed with full boards (says the “Poverty Bay Herald”). Farmers who arc short of feed or water are sending their stock forward, especially lambs. Messrs Nelson Bros, had a busy time recently, when about 13,000 sheep, besides a large number of cattle, were put through, whilst last month at the Gisborne works was a heavier November than in any previous year. Both works are hooked up for the next two or three months.

The King has in contemplation t’ae erection of a new residence. This is likely to be erected somewhere near the centre of Salisbury Plain, with Stonehenge to be seen from the windows. His Majesty i s about to do this in order that ho may pay frequent visits to the great military camps established there. The designs for this residence will fellow very closely upon hose of the Royal Pavilion at Aidershot, while being somewhat larger. It is hoped to have this pavilion ready for -he occupation cf the King and Queen not later than next spring.

“He lias succeeded in taking away my modest little trade,” said an aggrieved fruiterer in the vicinity of Cuba Street and 1 nges.tre Street in a letter read at the Wellington City Council’s last meeting, complaining that a Hindu fruit hawker had taken up a stand outside his shop. The writer pointed out that he had to pay rents and lighting expenses, and sold his fruit at the lowest possbile prices, uid he asked the Council to take steps ;,c have the offender removed. The town clerk (Mr J. R. Palmer) reported that the inspector had promised io lock into the matter and have the peripatetic trader shifted.

A startling incident occurred during the removal cf the Union Bank’s property from the premises at Greymouth, states the “Grey River Argus.” A revolver had by some means or other been carelessly left among the bank’s furniture, and as this was being paced in an express the weapon exploded. The bullet passed through the bar window, and, striking the gauze prctectios behind, the window, fell harmlessly to the : floor. As showing the force of the impact, the bullet was almost cut in two and knocked completely out of shape. As a number '■£ people were in Albert Street at the occurrence it wqs extremely fortunate that no one was injured.

It is not -the intention of the Government 'to impose a war tax during the currency of the war to meet the extra expenditure entailed by our assistance to the . Empire,” replied the Prime Minister to an inquiry by a “Post” representative on Saturday. “It is not deemed desirable to do this while the war is on, as trade and commerce and industry must be given every'opportunity to operate free from hindrance,, and extra burden. When the war is over,; additional taxation will ha necessary to meat the interest on the money borrowed for war purposes—leans which have been obtained, as I have stated publicly, at a very reasonable rate.”

In view of recent happenings in Australia, an incident recorded in connection with an attempt to make trouble at a biscuit factory in England which was working night and day on an

irmy contract is worthy of mention. Labour agitators apparently objected to the men in the factory working overtime, and demanded that it should cease. Ean Kitchener, it is reported, sent for these worthies, when the following dialogue occurred: —Kitchener; “Yen know this country is at war?” The Agitators; “Yes.” Kitchener: “Very well. If any one of you interferes again I will have you shot.” Exit the Labour agitators. “Clearly,” writes 1 correspondent, "wo have one ‘strong man in a blatant land.” .

Joe Cody wishes the compliments of the the festive season to his numerous customers and hopes they will enjoy their “Tiki’’ Ale and Stout along with their Christmas dinner. Ho will be pleased to accept their orders for the New Year holidays. To Taihape residents: “It’s a short way to Cody’s Brewery. ’ •*

Peyton’s for the best, in made-to-measure suits. A special line left on the maker’s hands for disposal at a Special discount. M . ; ■ ■ ■