LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 138, 13 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

E. Foeke, who -has been on Some* Island for some weeks, has returned to his'home in Wellington. The lamb which was awarded ;first prize in the pet lamb class at the Feilding Show turned the scale at LiSlbs live weight. An unusual circumstance was chronicled in Wellington the other day—llio birth of a child whose parents are both doctors. A splendid crop of wheat at tho Experimental Farm at Levin is now being harvested. During the last few days the heads have filled out finely, and the crop confirms the previous estimate of GO bushels to the acre.

There is a curious defect in the Destitute Person Act in that while Clti.ritable Aid Boards can claim upon relatives for the maintenance of a person, they cannot claim for past maintenniu e should that person die.

Some surprise is being expressed among the youths who have been trans ferred from the cadets to the territorial force, at Taihape, that "no uniforms have yet been supplied to them. They say that they will be expected to go into camp in two or three weeks' time, and unless uniforms are fovtheonung they will present a somewhat iocongr.r oub appearance.

Tlic Taihape Hibernian Sports Club v.ill hold its grand annual sports on the Taihape Oval on St. Patrick's Day, 17th or! March next. The prize-list is lengthly and interesting, and as no less than £.llO is to be distributed among successful competitors, there should be no lack of entries. Perhaps the most important feature of this year's gathering is the decision of the committee to give over to the Belgian Relief Fund one-half of the proceeds.

A Wairarapa, farmer, Mr. Hugh Morrison, of Awatoitoi, has pro ved. the practicability of an American implement for- cutting trenches for drain pipes, and thereby considerably relucing the cost of draining wet land. Judging ly the experience of Mr. Morrison, the machine will dig a ditch 10in wide by 28in deep at the rate of about a mile and a-half a day, and at a cost of from 4d to fid a chain. Of course," says the Journal of Agriculture, it is .not possible to cut drains by moehinicul means where the soil is of a very ir.tractable nature, but in i!ie great majority of our soils the method should. present no difficulty,

Pro-Germans, who are continually assorting that there is no truth in the reports of German atrocities, should peruse the following and then confess that they know absolutely nothing about the subject:—"Writing to friends i-A O'aki, Nurse Lewis (late of Otaki), who lias been helping in militaiy hospitals, ambulance ships, etc., in the Old Coun* try, speaks most feelingly of the hoi 1 ' rors of war. 'Only last week,' she writes, 'I held in my arms a Belgian baby only ten months old. with both ears and hands off. Another wee girl, of four years, had both hands off, and kept saying, 'When will my hands grow?' Such sights as these bring home forcibly the brutality of the enemv.''

A mysterious foreinger known as Ludmit Gromica lias so far baffled (he Wellington police as to his real identity and nationality. He has been several times before the Magistrate's Court charged with being idle and disorderly, with insufficient means of support, and has each time been remanded. Inspector Henclrey explained that since Gromica had been before the Court different foreigners had unsuccessfully endeavourd to converse with him In Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German and "Russian. "I am perfectly sure he understands English," said the Inspector, "yet he won't converse with anyone. A man who saw him states that he remembers Gromica as working in Wellington some years ago." To all this Gromica remained in a state of placid unconcern, and said nothing at all. He is to appear before the Court on. Monday next, when the medical report as to his mental condition will probably be .forthcoming,

Entries for Eangitikei A. and P. Association's Show close at 9 o'clock this evening.

, Germany and New Zealand prim- to the war had developed business aggregating a million sterling in value annuallv .

The establishment of small flow-mills, each to supply the requirements of a narrow district, is being seriously considered by brandies of the Auckland farmers Union.

The Levin Dairy Company is granting its suppliers an advance of Lid a lb. for .January butter-fat, and an additional payment of 2d, a pound on the November supply.

On Sunday evening, at tho Presbyterian Church, the Rev. R. IT. Gatherwood will preach on the Fourth. Commandment, "Remember the Sabbath Dav."

Mr. N. Dcnness. of the Excel Bakery, will open a small-goods shop this evening. The premises are very conveniently situated in Main Street, next to Messrs. Cuff and Beattie.

The shortage of steamers to convey New Zealand produce to the Old Country is reported to be having its effect on the Gisborne distict. There are about <)000 bales of wool awaiting shipment, whilst the limited refrigerated space that is available has caused a curtailment in hilling operations.

Members of the Taihape Volunteer Fire Brigade and numerous other friends met in the Brigade Hall last night for the express purpose of farewelling their gallant comrade ami friend, Mr. F. Cody, who has in sue'i splendid spirit offered his services for King and Empire. The chairman. Captain Cribb, on behalf of those present, presented the hero of the evening with a beautiful smoker's outfit, speaking feelingly of the patriotism of the recipient, his splendid character and the regret with which one and all would part with him. Mr. Cody responded most suitably and with much feeling thanked the donors for their generous presentation and in the manner in which they were farewelling him. He wo.uld feel many pangs at parting with such friends, but his duty at the present time lay with the nation's heroes at the front. (Applause). During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs. Shute, Sehank, Dunbar, Green, Melnteer, McDonell, Draper, and M. Mathle. A much-appreciated recitation was rendered by Mr. Haybittle, and an anecdote by Mr. T. Ransom. The following toasts were honoured: "The King" (chairman), "Early Settlers of Taiiiape" (proposed by Mr. C. McDonnell, responded to by Mr, Shute), "Borough Council" (Mr. 8. Eeid—Mr. S. Beban), "Our Guest" (chairman—Mr. F. Cody), "Fire Brigade" (Mr. Marine— Mr. C. Cribb), "Visitors" (Mr. F Cody—Mr. B. Williams), "The Press" (Mr. T. Shute—Mr. H. Barton). The evening was concluded with the singine of "Auld Lang Syne," led bv Mr. T Shute.