LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 102, 2 January 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

One of the oldest settlers in Walrara pa states that for 50 years lie bad no experienced such a dry season as thi present. The scarcity of water is be ing felt even more severely than the shortage cf grass.

W. Peek, the world's champion axeman, endeavoured to lower his record for an 18-inch block, underhand chop, at yesterday's gala. He gave a splendid exhibition of chopping, much to the interest of the spectators, but his time w-.i's Imin. 191 secs, as compared with his record, lin in. Ssecs,

Mr Crow, of Aorangi, has (says the Feilding "Star")' receiveJ tha new-; ol the loss of his two brother, naval raei of long standing. One tne- Ins' death on the 'ill-fated Bulwark, mysteriously blown up in Sheernesy harbour, anc 1 the other was killed in a naval acfjon on board the wrecked Good Hope. * third brother, an infantry officer, isa: present at the trout.

When the canvass was being made for vegetables fcr the camp a; Tre'n them some querulous doners were afraid that the contractor at the camp would benefit by the gifts. A communication which the Mayor has received

from the Commandant at.the ramp will reassure many timid cn3R. The men, not the contractor, derive the sole benefit from donations of this sort. Gifts of vegetables such as were sent down recently benefit only the men, who greatly appreciated the kindness and ask for more.

A correspondent points out tliafthere is a remarkable similarity between the flags of the Allies. France, Russia and Servia all employ the same three colours, only the arrangement differing. In regard to Ihe flags of Russia and Servia, it may be pointed out that, as the colours are the same, a Servian flag upside down would be the Russian, anrj v i ce versa. Belgium flies a tri-colour with the colours vertically as in the case of the French flag. The Belgian colours, blaGk, gold, and red, are said to symbolise the emergencies of the country from darkness into light through blood ; a'nd fire—a most appropriate device,