LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 28, 3 February 1916, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Owing to a special telegram being received from the Defence Authorities that Recruits for the 13th Reinforcements are to proceed to camp by first train on Monday morning it will, of course, be impossible to give a public farewell on Monday night as advert tised. The new instructions have come so late as to render it very difficult indeed as there are only Friday ' and Saturday nights available for holding a farewell gathering. The Patriotic Committee met to-day to discuss the situation and decide upon the best course to follow. It is not unlikely that the men, who are being ad- : vised of the change of date for departure by telegraph from Sergt.-Ma-jor Tuckey, will find the time at their disposal too short to allow them to devote one of the two evenings for that purpose. On the other hand they are merely to report themselves on Saturday night and may be free thereafter. As the men have final ar- , rangements to complete—in all probability—changing the date of departure at such very short notice must be very inconvenient, and ifmay prevent some from leaving on the day fixed.

It is understood that the old-time sawmills at Bennett’s Siding, owned by Mr. Alexander, have been closed down.

Recruits for the 13th Reinforcements will leave for camp, Palmerston North, on Monday next —not Tuesday, as originally intended. The Otaki Dairj- Company pleaded guilty at Wellington on Monday to having sent to the grading store butter containing more than 16 per cent, of moisture. A fine of 20/, with 7/ costs, was imposed.

When a "two-up” school was raided in Sydney a few days ago, the 34 men who were ‘caught in it stated that they wc)re holding a recruiting meeting. Y<t the unpatriotic "Bench” fined then £2 10/ each. Gisborne papers report that lads from 10 to 12 years of age are receiving wages at the rate 1 of £2 5/ per week in harvesting operations in that district. Grass-seed is. fetching Od per lb. and cutters are earning £1 a day.

Captain W. J Hardham, V.C., who was returning invalided io New Zealand by the Rotorua, disembarked at Hobart in oi'der to undergo a slight operation. Captain Hardham V parent's received a telegram from him stating: "All's well. Don't worry.” Poaches are being offered at McLennan’s Tui Street Mart ;at 3/ per

The annual conference of the Fire Brigades of New Zealand is to be held on February 21st, at Greymouth.

Anyone wishing to buy plums in any quantity are advised by advertisement to ring up Telephone No. 65M.

It is stated that Mr. E Hall, of Huntil'ville, has bought Mr. W. K. Mor ton’s farm of 2,000 acres at Otiwhiti

Mr. W, H. Hartgill, the well-known judge of horse-racing, says that people who go to racc-S arc mor e liberal-heart-ed than those who visit shows. ,

Mr. B. H. Just, of the Botanical Nurseries, Palmerston North, offers flowering bulbs, which should be planted now, at as low as sixpence per dozen. Price lists are mailed free to all inquirers.

The Prime Minister reports that applications for the salaried positions on the Board of Trade had not yet been dealt with finally. The appointments are likely to be made in the near future.

Wellington’s citizens are wondering what is to be come of the £70,000 raised there from the public by the Patriotic Society for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers, and transferred to the War Relief Association for administration.

At Palmerston North, Jessie Stewart, a young woman, was charged: (1) That having been delivered of a child she did disose of its dead body with intent to conceal the fact that she was delivered of it, a.nd (2, that she did by an omission, without legal excuse, to observe a legal duty, kill her infant child. Accued pleaded not guilty, reserved her defence, and was committed to the Suprem e Court for trial.

The many friends of Mr. Art. Carmody wall be glad to learn that he has sufficient!}- recovered from his late accident to be able to leave the hospital, although his medical advice is to the effect that it will be some three months before a thorough recovery is effected. It will be remembered that Mr. Carmody, while bushfalling at Ngawaka, cut his foot the whole length fjrom toe to heel with the axe he was using.

Mr. Jack Laurenson, a well-known Taihape soldier, returned to Taihape from the front by last evening’s train. He looks a veil, and he declares that ho was never more fit in his life. He certainly looks equal to any emergency and it seems surprising that his slight foot trouble should debar him from being accorded his heart’s desire —a term in the trenches.

Public notice is given by advertisement that a poll will be taken of the ratepayers in the Taihape Water Supply and Electric-Lighting Special Rating District on the Borough Council’s proposal to borrow £3,500 by way of special loan, for supplementing the present water and electric-lighting plant. Notice is also given that such poll will be taken at the Town Hall, on Monday, 21st February, 1916.

“They call that chap over there bullet proof,” remarked one of the soldiers, pointing to Private El N. Tasker, of Ashburton, a member of ‘the Third Reinforcements. During [his six months’ service upon the Gallipoli Peninsula, right from the day of the landing until he “cracked up” ’with enteric on October 8, Private Tasker led a charmed life. , His clothes were absolutely peppered with bullets, but he sustained no injury.

The idea of a “Patriotic Dance” for the benefit of the “Wounded Soldiers” fund was conceived by Mr. Fred WalTis of Ngarukehu, who convened a meeting at the Mataroa store last night at which Mr, L. Brooky presided. It was decided to hold a dance in the Mataroa Hall on Friday the 11th instant at 8 p.m. Messrs Roy Donald and R. Wilson will act as M.’sC. The Mataroa dances have always been well attended and appreciated, and there is every reason to suppose this will be no exception. The public always respond to the cause. Gentlemen will purchase tickets at 2/- and ladies are free.

During t-ie big strike in Auckland a young man from Te Awamutu enlistt' in the "specials.” Towards the end of the, strike he was taken si>i

ill, and was sent to hospital. Beforhis recovery the strike ended, and when he left the hospital and returned to camp he found that the horse he left in camp bad been stolen. He tried to trace the' hoirse for a long time, but was unsuccessful, -and finally gave up the search. He received no compensation whatever. When the war broke out he enlisted, and, after training for some time in New Zealand, went to Egypt. Sfirangc as it may seem, it is perfectly true that one day, while strolling along the linos, he discovered the horse ho lost in Now Zealand. He recognised the animal immediately, and be is positive , the horse recognised him. This, writes a coii’espoiident to the Auckland • Star, is aIA soluteiy true, ami can •be verified.