LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 23, 28 January 1916, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Two first-offenders wore •-.ouvicted arid discharged for drunkenness at a sitting of the Taihape Police Court yesterday The largest hoard ox gold in the warid is that Lei-d in the vaults of the Russian State Bank, amounting .about £170,000,000,

The growth of Taihapo was rcfmied to last evening at the Town Hail by Mr. J. P. Aldridge, who sLaJe 1 that the fact that there had not been jsrefactions, but that the townspeople had worked together, had a great deal to do with the rapid growth of the town.

A Nelson soldier, writing from Lemnos, records a curious coincidence. He states that while Private William Rowlands was unpacking stores there, he came across a case of apples he had packed white in the employ of Messrs. E. Buxton and Co., Nelson. Th e Gorman Government has established a central office to control ail batter imports from foreign countries, and to fix prices Any lot of butter imported has to be reported to the said office, giving quantity and price paid for it. Summed up in a few words, the harvest will be about the worst recorded in th e grain-growing history of North Otago, states the Oamaru Mail. Though the areas sown with wheat and oats were both in advance of those of those of the previous year, the yields will be much smaller. “Some men are earning money out of the war and not going to the front. It’s damnabfe to think that sonic are laying back on their oars and making money out of our bo vs, " said on e of the speakers at the complimentary social tendered ro Mr. Frank McLaughlan last evening. Strong comments (says the New Plymouth News) are made regarding the number of able-bodied Swiss in this locality who are' mopping up the land, white our native-born lads -ire going to the front and giving up their lives for the country. If compulsion comes along these Swiss, w-hether naturalised or not, ought to be' made to shoulder a, gun and do their bit, also.

The South African National Union is taking steps to -enlarge a fund which is at present being administered by a Johannesburg newspaper so as to include the sending of children to farms as well as to the seaside By this means it is hoped to bring home to the rising generation the attraction of country life, and so helfp to fill up some of the "aching voids" in South Africa

Tlie first mob of bullocks to enter tlie Tailiape freezing -works arrived last Monday from Mr. .1. F. Studholme’s, Ruanui tation. It was not a large lot, there being but twenty, but expert stock appraisers were unanimous in saying they were a much finer lot of animals, and in better condition, than is ordinarily met with On being killed and dressed these opinions were fully upheld. It is gratifying to be able to state that the first bullocks ■handled by the workmen were put through as perfectly as though nothing but cattle killing had been the chief thing dealt with from the outset.

In proposing the toast of the ladies at the complimentary social tendered to Mr. Frank McLaughlan last evening, Mr. G. Wrightson referred to glowing terms to the manner in/Which the women of New Zeaalnd had worked for the comfort of the troops. The value of such work, he said, could not be over-estimated, and they deserved the highest praise. In replying to the toast, Mr. Mercer also added his tribute to the work done by the women, and pointed out that they had risen o the Empire’s call nobly, and were giving their men freely for the cause of Britain, They had the hardest part to bear, but were facing it with unflinching courage and heroism.

The Taumarunui Borough Council is concerned at the threatened stoppage of the protective works in the upper reaches of the Wanaganui River, which may lead to the stoppage of the steamer service, and Ibss to the settlers. For this reason it has asked the Wanganui Borough Council to urge the importance of the work on the River Trust and the Government. Speaking at the Wanganui Council table the other evening, the Mayor pointed out that the River Trust had to rely entirely on the Government for funds, and as it had none left it was in the position of being forced to close down the works . The Council ought, however, to represent the matter to the Government, and urge a grant to the Trust, and he moved that this be done, the Council carrying the motion.

Private James Patrick McLaughland. of Taihape, who left Now Zealand with the 3rd Reinforcements, and at the Dardanelles acted as despatch carrier to Colonel Malone, was reported “Missing and believed to be dead” after the big fighting on the 7th and Bth August. Last evening his father received a telegram front the Hon. .). Alien that, after inquiry had been made, the Court of Inquiry had every reason to boldcve that Private lieLaughlvn was dead. This news will be received with sorrow Throughout the whole district, and the sympathy of all- will be extended to his family. Private “Paddy” -McLaaglinm, who was highly respected, nac omj -•-> years oi : -go.