LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 18 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

A Brisbane cablle states that Mr Tolmie, the Opposition leader, lias enlisted.

The manufacture of shells will probably be commenced in Christchurch (Addington workshops) next week.

Included in the recruits who registered for service abroad at Masterton was a Syrian.

Tenders will be received up till Wednesday the 20th instant, for a bi-week-ly delivery of the Ngawaka rural mail service for a term of one or three years.

Two men escaped from Eotoroa Island by means of a dinghy on Wednesday last. So far they have not been re-captured.

Archdeacon O'Shea said that at least 200 "St. Pat's" boys had joined the ranks, but there were ffrobably more whose names had not yet come to hand.

A Masterton returned wounded soldier has just received from the Alexandria base a number of parcels which were posted to him when on active seir vice about twelve months ago.

From a private letter received in Wanganui from a member •of the Expeditionary Force in Egypt, it is understood that portion of the New Zealand force had been despatched to Salonika en route for Servia.

In consequence of the Manawatu Racing Club having offered to give the whole of their net profits to the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund without deduction, it has been decided not to issue complimentary tickets for either the summer or autumn meetings.

The keeness of t-he demand throughout New Zealand for Dr A. A. Martin's book, "A Surgeon in Khaki," has resulted in the first edition being overbooked, and orders are now being received by the publishers for the second edition.

In the House of Commois, Lord Robert Cecil said he understood that a Presidential mandate, issued on December 12th, gave notice of Yuan Shih Kai's acceptance of the Chinese Throne. Yuan Shin Kai, however, continued to act as President. There was no reason to suppose that Germany had anything to do with the change.

At Mr. McCormick 's Boot Store there are special bargains up to Christmas. Particulars and prices are given in the Wanted Column, on page one.

j The Defence Minister has received 1 a cablegram stating that the Maori ' reinforcements have not yet gone to

the front. They are stilJ in Egypt, probably in order that they may receive further training.

Luminous Dial Wrist Watches with patent Rover protectors—fine stock at Bond 's, Watchmaker, Taihnpe.

Arrivals in New Zealand oversea during November totaled 2,581, compared with 3,739 in November, 1914. Departures numbered 1,558 last month, as against l } lSi a year ago.

The accommodation house at the Otnihape Freezing Company's works, Winiata, is advertised to be let to ►. suitable applicant. Particulars are obtainable from Mr. H. D. Bennett, Managing Director.

All the men in Taihape who have volunteered and been accepted for service at the front, but who have been advised that they would go into Camp in January, have received a wire from Headquarters asking if they cannot possibly go into camp on the 24th of thlrmonth. , '- i ! ; & | l'-%i •'

Owing to the war, the Government naturally desire to make economies in administration of the affairs of the country, and in this direction the Education Department has informed the Wanganui Educati ui Board that for this year subsidies to school libraries would be discontiniwi.

A small farmer at Keri Keri, Bay of Islands, whose whole clip of woo: amounts to five bales, when sending it to Auckland asked that one bale be sold in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. This bale was sold over and over until £250 was raised for f he fund, much to the delight of the farmer. Large assortment of brooches, be....iiful designs. Bond, Jeweller, Taihape. The Education Department has been asked by the YV-i.ngatmi Education Board to grant subsidies on voluntary contributions made for the purchase of pianos, harmoniums, and sewing - machines. The Board has now received information from the Government that it could not see its way to make such grants at present.

A request was received from a committee in the southern portion of the Education district by the Education Board last night for £1 10s to clean out tanks and spouting-. "What a cheek!" remarked a member, "to ask for 30s to do the work. Why, if t-hey were to give a boy a leg up on the iroof, the work could be done for 6d.

A letter received in Palmerston from a New Zealand trooper says that he was at Lemnos in October, and great stocks of winter clothes were being served out. Extra blankets and warm underclothing were received in preparation for the. winter, the approach of which was already being felt.

Presents for the J Boys in Camp. Large selection at Bond's jewellery and watchmaking establishment, Taihape.

In their large space on page six Messrs Collinson and Gifford interestingly draw attention to some specials in the way of choice goods priced very low indeed. The price-iist is a comprehensive one and contains many articles that cannot be done without as well M those of a more luxurious character. Every lady should peruse Messrs Collinson and Gifford's new announcement.

The Wanganui Education Board has been informed by the Inspector of Technical Education that there was nothing to prevent the Board continuing * present system of control of Technical classes, instead of placing these classes under the control of Board of Managers. It was decided, therefore, to call meetings of householders in February for the election of Technical Committees in the various centres.

Messrs Dalgety and Company, Limited advise having received the following cablegram from their London House, under date of the 16t-h instant:— "Active demand for wool continues. Good Length Merinos greasy, scoured are

to 15 per cent; greasy, crossbreds, especially fine, 10 per cent to 15 per cent, and slipes 5 per cent to 10 per cent. dearer than last sales. The quotation for average ,64s is about 42d.

The case in which Keir and Munro of Wellington proceeded against Aitken and Wilson, alfeo of that city, for £6OOO damages for alleged misrepresentation!, which led plaintiffs to purchas* defendants' business, which had occupied several days, was concluded in the Palmerston Supreme Court yesterday before Mr Justice Edwards and a jury of 12. After a .retirement of three hours, the Foreman announced that the jury could not bring in a unanimous verdict. Counsel - agreed to a three-fourths verdict in favour of defendants. A stay of proceedings was applied for.

The Palmerston Group Area office lias been notified to make overs- effort to obtain as many infantry as possible to go into Trentham between now and the 23rd inst., to make up shortages.

The War Pensions Board at its last meeting this week reviewed the cases of 17 soldiers' wives to whom pensions had previously been granted. Their pensions were increased, in the aggregate, by £347 per annum.

"I can assure von, sir. that w-'icn I get into cam]), not an atom of drink, or cold feet, will prevent me from helping to settle accounts witli the Huns," remarked a defendant in the Wellington Magistrate's Court, when asking for a chance to serve the Empire.

A sensatioD was caused in ffn Children's Court, Sydney, by Charles Lnndl,ue, a Swede, who, when ordered to find sureties, produced a revelver and shot Dorothy Davidson, who was seated at the solicitors' table. He then turned the weapon upon himself. He subsequently succumbeci. The woman is expected to recover.

Just the kind of useful things that men like as Christmas presents are advertised in a new advertisement from Mr. G. E. Little, who lias just received, at his establishment, a large and choh'' assortment. The list is a long one, and customers and friends are asked to look in and see the goods before deciCir..upon what articles they will buy.

Xraas hymns and anthems are always appreciated at this season of the year. At the conclusion of the ordinary service at the Methodist Church to-mor-row evening, the Church choir will reader a programme of special Xmas music. An invitation is extended to all to attend this after church service of music. "Business is proving very good indeed," was the reply given by the supervisor of a large Wellington or porium when asked how the Christmas trade was going.. "It is r better than we expected," he added, "and certainly an ud.ance on last year, when we improved our figures of the year before. People still seem to have plenty of money t spend."

The Busy Bee, social and sale of work held under t-he auspices of the Presbyterian Church, last night, may from the numbers present be regarded as a success. The outstanding feature of t-he sale was the highly creditable work of the children, who it .is understood, made every article offered. It is scarcely believable that Taihape children are capable of performing such beautiful and artistic work. e

Great bargains in dainty goods for the holiday season can be seen at W. J. White and Sons' drapery and millinery establishment, Main street. Ladies' ready-to-wear hats and children's shady holiday hats are priced much be how the usual, and the prices asked for ladies' and maids' summer dresses in the very latest style and material, should bring them within reach of all. This show is a delightful) one and no lady should miss seeing it.

A splendid record has been put by by a little girl named Nellie Farmer, a pupil of the Oroua Downs school, who in the past nine years—average public school life of a pupil—has not missed a single roll call. The record was brought under the notice of the Education Board at Wanganui on Wednesday night. One of the members npogo-ted "a shilli':i£ in." with the result that the members subscribed a sufficient amount to purchase n. silver medal for the pupil.

Eeferring to the proposal to give special railway concessions to returned soldiers, the Prime Minister (Bt. Hon. W. F. Massey) stated that the details of the scheme had been receiving attention, and woukl be laid before the public in a few days. The Government was proposing to confer benefits upon the soldiers in several ways, and the necessary regulations would be gazetted shortly. The railway concessions would be available in time for the Christmas holidays.

It was mentioned at the last meeting of the Education Board that Miss Nellie Farmer, a pupil of the Glen Oroua School, had attended school for nine years without missing a day. This was practically all her school-life. The members of the Board spoke appreciatively of the record, which is a great one, and decided to present the industrious pupil with a silver medal, the members subscribing the money out of their own pockets.