LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 20 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Diptheria is reported to be prevalent in Hawke's Bay, particularly in Napier and Waipukurau.

Luminous Dial Wrist Watches witti patent cover protectors—fine stock at Bond's, Watchmaker, Taihape. The Eongotea Dairy and t-he Glen Oroua companies are paying 1/3 per lb for butter-fat supplied during November. Mr D. J. McLennan, of the Tui street Mart, asks those Avho have poultry <r produce to auction for Christmas to notify him at one so that it may be advertised for Thursday's sale A fourteen days 7 district refresher camp is to be held on the Palmerston North Show Grounds, from January 15th till January 29th. It will *oe attended by territorial officers and non corns.

Mr. W. E. Hazehlen, Avho has been a relieving Stipendiary Magistrate for a considerable time , is to be permanently stationed at Hawera, vice Mr. Kenrick, who -has been granted ox-

tended leave of absence 0 n account of the state of his health.

A Wellington telegram states that the associated sports bodies' Christmas shilling gift fund for soldiers realised £3,000, of which £2,600 has been sent to London, from Avhenee tobacco, chocolates, and barlley-sugar have been sent to t-he men at Gallipoli. Gifts were also forwarded to the Samoan garrison.

Gold watches, necklets, muff chains bangles, in new and beautiful designs H. D. Bond, Taihape.

"This is no place for platitudes," said Lord Liverpool at the prize-giv-ing ceremony at the Wellington Co* leee, "but I must say that I think New Zealand has done exceiilently in this big war. Great Britain's first expedition to the Crimean comprise* 31,000 men. Do you realise that already NeAv Zealand has sent a greater number than that aAvay?"

The Hundlee correspondent of the Kaikoura Star states that wells o». the lower lands that have held Avater for 20 years are now dry, and springs on the hills that have run since the oldest inhabitant can remember -have fatted during the past few day;-. Vegetation is stagnant, and potatocare turning yellow in the haulm.

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

The Minister for Hospitals (the Hon. G. W. Eussell) stated on FrJflay that arrangements were complete Tor the reception of the invalided soldiers returning on the vessels due during the next fortniht. The aA-ailable hospital accommodolion was ample, and convalescent camps at Rotorua ana Hanmer were nearing completion.

Under recent laws, soldiers returned from the front have the first preference at land ballots. On Thursday a fine pastoral block of land situated on the East Coast of this island, in the Hawke's Bay Province, near Pongaroa the Mangamalre block, containing 13 sections of an average size of 700 acres—was balloted for, and three soldiers who entered drew three fine sections.

Among those who applied to enlist at the aPlmerston No r th recruiting office during last week were three applicants whos ages were given as 67, 59, and 61 years. They were, or course,' ineligible, and when informed of the fact, one old fellow gave way to tears. One of these men had seen service in the Indian Army 45 years ago, and has grandsons at the front now, and his idea in enlisting was

appear there himself, and give them a surprise.

"Nobody knows when this Avar 1« going to end," said the Governor at Wellington College. "Behind ts« present fronts there are lines end lines of trenches, all carefully prepared for defensive measures, and It is going to be a war of attrition, just as Lord Kitchener predicted over a year ago. Many more men will be wanted, and I exhort you 'to trust your leaders. Have implicit trust m those who are directing the nation, and remember they are doing their bes t under difficult circumstances." Large assortment of brooches, be„uiiful designs. Bond, Jeweller, Taihape. 3lr. Cosmo Hamilton, the English dramatist, says that in London one day he wandered down on the wharves There were some Canadians in khaki seated there yarning. He addressed one or' them. "Canadian 1 ?" "Sure," was t-!iO reply, "from Chicago!" Tins he adds is far from being an isolated case. General Sir Hughes, of Canada, publiely .stated that ho had received over 50,000 applications from Ameriesns to enlist.

"I am told that the New Zea'Auui trenches at Gallipoii are splendidly kept," said t-he Defence Miiister yesterday. "My information is that they are models in respect to sanita-

tion and .everything else." [ Despite warnings l , people eontlni:- ! to post matches to soldiers at tv»r 1 front. A few days ago smoke was i seen coming from a parcel at the Wei- ' lington G.P.0.; a quick inspection shoAved that a box of matches (intended for a soldier far aAvayl had ignited. Eelatives and friends of the fighters have a notion that the men are usually short of matches. Gifts of that kind must be sent as freight, not as portion of the mails. TTierc is a penalty for such infraction of the rules.

The details of yefcrms in the Education Department planned by the Minister for Education (Hon. J. A. Hannan) Avill be announced early in the Noav Year. The Zslinister proposes to seperate and finance the business side of the department from the professional side. A highly qualified accountant will be employed in connection with the financial branch, in order that there may be closer supervrsioon of expenditure and a clearcmethod of stating accounts than has prevaild in t-he past.

A brief character sketch 0 f a personal friend, Lord Derby, of recruiting fame, Avas given by Lord Diverpool, at the breaking-up ceremony at Wellington College. "His character is such that, even if they disagrc-wit-h him, men will follow him. Re is not a clever man, and he Avas looked upon as rather a foolish boy. When urged to take up the recruiting scheme, which has made him famous throughout the Empire, he agreed to do so unconditionally, except that he stipulated that the campign shouuT be carried on in a gentlemanly way. He realised that abuse Avas no good."

In connection with the "permits" system as applied to postal matter after the Ist prox., it is announced that there will be no alteration in the regulations as set out on page fi«> of Post and Telegraph Guide (September, 1915) for the acceptance of packages of neAvspapers from news vendors and neAvspaper offices to be paid for periodically in cash. But it is requested that as soon as practicable the Avrappers of the papers, in case> Avhere at present they do not do so. must be superscribed to show not only the title of the newspaper, but also the legend "postage paid."

"I am a fi r m believer in the freeplace system," said Mr. W. A. Armour, headmaster' of the Napier Boys' High School (late of Wanganui), at the prize distribution ceremony, "but I do not believe in being too lax. If a boy does not show promise after three months I would open the door for him and tell him to go. Each boy or girl receiving free education is' costing the Government £l2 a year, a sufficient sum 0 f money ro equip and send a man to the front., and I don't think that money should b wasted on a boy who does not show any appreciation."

In a letter written to Captain F. M. Twißtteton, the following interestingpassage occurs: "Twice I had Maoris under me, and in rather ticklish places, and I have also seen a lot of them m action, and I must say they are good stuff. A man need not wish to lead better material into action, no matter how desperate the fighting might *e. I should say they are amongst the best bayonet, fighters in the world, and they are perfect sentries. As trench fighters you can't beat them. I iaven t seen them under shelling in the open, but with a leaader they trusted I am quite sure they would stand anything. As soldiers, officers, and men they are a credit to their race and their country, and I for one hope to see a strong unit kept at fighting strength till tie end of the job."

Commenting on the Dutch East Indies' lines' announcement about the Sue, route, the -Daily Telegraph says that Orient and Peninsula and t L well-known lines are not making any change from the Suez to the Cape route. There is no portage of coa not but it is apparent that the Canal Company might not be able shortly to gaurantee a coal, supply. A blow aimed at Egypt, might cause the C«na to be put into a state of defence, with Citable Convenience to merchant °» t Th OT Z m Z^^ in the event of xne> no risks. CHEAPEST. T*s*ea in tnousnntls off kitchens, SIIAELAND'S Baking Powder has neve? failed to rise. Costs less than otherc —-worth more.