LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 127, 1 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Ohakune Borough Council have been informed that there is no possible chance of securing a Government grant for water and drainage purposes. No reply has yet boon given to a request for an additional ten per cent, on the electric light and streets loan.

There was a rapid and sudden fall in bread early this morning. Unfortunately it. involved the overturning of a bakers’ cart belonging to Mr. Donnes. The horse attached got his foot on to Iho reins through backing, which caused him to hack the cart against the bank near the Anglican Church. The cart wa gently thrown on to its side: the horse also went over, but he remained quite quiet till released. The damage was only slight.

An amendment of the Destitute Ver?'ons Act is said to be necessary to give the hospitals power to claim on tinrelatives of persons who die in hospital owing fees. Recently the North Canterbury Board had a claim of £lB against three sons, who were well able to pay it. but the solicitors advised that no claim could lie. Advice was read to the effect that the Act only imposed a liability on a son for future maintenance, and not past maintenance. It was agreed to keep the matter in view with the idea of securing an amendment of the law,

The list of onr ships to be fitted with the new 35-inch guns —the Queen Elizabeth —bears a name which has long figured in the Navy List. There was an Elizabeth in the fleet which defeated the Armada, and shortly after that victory another .vessel was christened by the curious name of Elizabeth donas. It is recorded that the ship called the Elizabeth Jonas was so named by her Grace "in remembrance of her own deliverance from the furye of her enemyes, ftom which in one respect she was lesse myracidoiisly proed then! was the prophet Joins from Mm body of the whale.’’ The war is having its effect on the price of liquor in Auckland. Mr. J. H. Pagni, secretary of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, states that, despite* increased wages and the increased cost of commodities dining- the last seven or eight years, the trade has never put up prices, but the (effect of the war-risk charges caused the association to set up a committee to go into the question with a view of slight!v increasing the cost of spirits taken away from the hotels. Liquor of all descriptions consumed-on the premises will be sold as formerly English beer has increased in cost, but no extra, charge will be made.

Some romiinniscenccs of the hit rod nction of rabbits into south New Zealand were given to the Bluff Press a few clays ago by Mr. William Woods, an o'lol seller and hotelkeeper, of Southland. Asked what he had to do with bringing the first rabbits to New Zealand. Mr, Woods said that he landed al Bind' in the s.s, Alhambra in about !Bfin

as seyant. to Oaptnin Brown, op Belmont Station, and they brought the first rabbits into Southland, liberating them at Belmont. Captain Brown wanted to make Belmont like a Home estate, and remarked to Mr. Woods: "'Well, Billy, you see wo will have a beautiful turn-out in two .or three year."’ "But it was a 'turn-out' of a noth or kind,” remarked Mr. Woods, "because the rabbits soon ate him nut of the place, and he had to return to England n poor man.”

The quantity of wool sent from Tailiape ii! January would probably be upwards of £22,000 in value. *)<.me 1,219 bales of wool wore sent out from Taihape in January, compar- ( ed with 941 in December. \ I j A largo number of sheep have been i sent out of the district lately. Only I last week a train of 40 trucks was despatched from Matnroa containing some 2,500 sheep. Goods traffic on the Main Trunk line has increased considerably of late, to such an extent, indeed, that there are hardly engines enough to cope with it satisfactorily. The >v ;;: 1 1 authorities advise that if. . Riveriua, which sailed from Sydney on Thursday for Auckland, is bringing Australian mails only. The Wellington portion is duo per Main Trunk express on Tuesday morning.

The poll taken on Friday upon the proposal of the Rangitikei County Council to raise a lean of £SOO for metalling with burnt papa -portions of tile Mangaweka—To Kappa Road renulled in twelve voting for the proposal and two against.

The Government lias niade a grant of two acres for a cemetery in Mataroa, quite handy to the town. A Cemetery Board has been formed consisting of Musi's. F. J. Kaaram (chairman), 8. .Sheath (secretary); J. Cameron, B. Kamati, P. Gallagher, W. Cleaver, and S. Barak!a. The feature film to be screened at the Station Street Theatre this evening is the big Vitagraph drama, “An Officer and a Gentlemlan,” a fine pho-tc.-play dealing interestingly with army and navy matters. The war budget, “With the Warriors at Ypres,” will also be presented.

Although the Main Trunk express ieft Auckland last night with its fnb complement of vehicles (14) it was absolutely crowded, due, evidently, to the Auckland racing meeting. The express from youth was also packed to the limit, standing room only being available. The dramatic masterpiece “The Trap,” features in a splendid programme to be -presented at the 1 uree Stars Theatre this evening. It is a powerful story cf a grasping banker’s villaincus intermiingled with a vein of delightful sentiment. The Topical Budget deals entirely with war matters and features the burning cf Term end.e.

The Native Laud Court had to close on Saturday owing to the absence oi applicants. The Natives do not seem to display much energy in their land affairs, being evidently strong upholders o f the "Taihoa” policy, with the result that numbers of eases are avion rued time after time. The Judge,are at present considering the advisability of allowing one adjournment only in partition applications and throwingout straight away any other business if other applicants do not put in an appearance.

The well-known Salvationist. Major Colvin, of ‘Wellington, will pay Taihape a visit this week. The Major, who was for some considerable time editor of The War Cry, is an officer of long standing and a very able platform speaker, so that addresses should be particularly interesting. He will lecture to-morrow and AVednesday. both afternoons and evenings, the subject of address being the Army Rocial OperaMens. He deals specially with the Army's Rod Cross- Nursing Brigade and Ambulance Corps in Europe, and general rescue work throughout the world.

One of the most important clearing sales yet conducted by Mr. W. McLennan will eventuate on Thursday next commencing at 1 p.m., when the whole of the dairy herd, farm accessories, furfare and effects of Mr. C. McDonnell will, be sold without reserve. Mr. !I. Phillips’ furniture and effects will also be submitted to auction and the combined sale, which will be held at Mr. McDonnell's residence, Mufaroa Load, presents a splendid opportunity to refurnish or add to one’s pre-amt effect.at reasonable «ost. Mr. Mt Donnell has sold his property and is leaving the district, so everything will be submitted without reserve. A few lines are detailed in the -advertiscmenr..

At no previous time in the history of the New Zealand dairy industry have prices ruled so high as they are now ruling (says the Man a warn Standard), it is a fact that butter touched a level of one hundred and fifty odd shillings some years ago, but the big figures only lasted for a week or two, and then fell rapidly. Moreover, cheese was then much below its present value. As fur us can be ascertained, the Quality of both butter and cheese produced this year is in advance of the previous year’s production; and it is believed that complaints under the head will be fewer during the present season than ever before.—This does not mean that all our produce is faultless, but it si ows that some progress is being made in the efforts to raise the already high standard of quality.

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