LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 31, 7 February 1916, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

A cable to-day states that in the ,billiard match Stevenson 18,000 beat "Inm'an 17,590.

The Kaiser has made the Sultan of Turkey a Field-Marshal of the German Army.

Lloyd’s announce that the Panama Canal l will be closed for another two months.

Iron in stoves and doors is replacing brass in Germany. Every door handle in Germany has been inventoried.

The Napier wool sales have been postponed indefinitely owing to : lack of shipping.

The boom which recently characterised recruiting is easing considerably in Sydney.

Stationholders in the Masterton district state that there have been - very few sundowners on the roads this summer. In this issue Messrs. Collinson and Cunninghame, of Palmerston North, advertise that Bargain Week is in progress. Reductions are evident all ov( r the store.

Mr. G. L. Petersen, touring manager for Worth’s Circus is in Taih'ape at present making arrangements for a one night’s season opening on Friday March 3rd.

Th e views shown by Captain Simson at the Town Hall on Saturday evening were* very good. They included views of Egypt and the Dardanelles, the various points of interest being pointed out by the' Captain. | The late Mr. G. S. Stenhouse, of Blenheim, was an ardent advocate of the use of (asphyxiating gas, and invented a machine for projecting it—:not into trenches —hut into rabbit jburrows. This i s 33 years ago. ,

The Tages Zeitung forecasts a heavy taxation on German bachelors, pointing out that bachelors can afford twice th taxation of, married men and four times that borne by the 1 fathers of families.

The barquentine Volador, bound from Oakwood to Melbourne, timber-laden, drifted ashore and was wrecked during a gale at Musselroe Bay. The crew, excepting a seaman named Landerson, were saved. They lost everything. .

According to the London Gazette of November 3, 1915, officers of Australian and New Zealand permanent forces serving in overseas. contingents will rank with officers of the regular army, according fo dates of their commissions in those forces.

Britain is taking no chances'- with Egypt, says a Canadian exchange. The press is not permitted to specify the extraordinary defences erected in the Suez Canal zone since the abortive attempts of the Turks against Egypt early in the war, but British military experts agree that these defences are now practically impregnable.

Captain J. Rawson, R.A.M.C., a son of Dentist Rawson, of Wellington, writing from Salonika, states that he was Chief Medical Officer on the transport Knight Templar taking troops from Aleandria to Salonika. There was, he wßea. lifeboat drill twice a day, when everyone had to wear a lifebelr Ai all other times, on deck or down below, everybody, had to carry a lifebelt, either bn his body or in his hand. When in bunk the lifebelt had either to be worn or kept close by.

RUA RESISTS ARREST.

A SUBSTANTIAL FOLLOWING

MAY RESORT TO VIOLENCE

SETTLERS EXPRESS CONCERN;.

WHAKATANE, Saturday

Grave anxiety is felt by settlers on the outskirts of the Urewara Country on account of the “Prophet” Rua, who has now taken upon himself the title of “Kaiser,” and prophesied that the other Kaiser will meet him shortly in Whakatane. Some credulous followers believe this, and Rua is using it to secure help in avoiding arrest. It is learned on the best authority that meetings of natives have been held throughout Urewc-ra, at which it was agreed to resist by any means the arrest, of Rua, who was sentenced to nine months ’ imprisonment. No doubt the situation is grave, since it is known that a fair number cf rifles is in the possession, of the natives, being used for pig-hunting, while half fanatical natives have been obtaining a considerable quantity of liquor. At the meetings referred to, over 300 handed in their names as Rua’s bodyguard, and it is certain that an attempt to arrest him will be met by force.

Two native constables left here yesterday to try and persuade Rua to accept arrest quietly, but they had to travel a distance of 65 miles • over rough tracks. Nothing can be known till Monday. It is generally believed .here' that trouble —possibly very serious trouble is brewing.

LATER,

THE CONSTABLES’ RETURN.

RUA REFUSES TO GO QUIETLY,

TANEATUA, Saturday

The two native constables have just returned from their attempt to bring Rua in. They were told politely, but firmly, that Rua absolutely refused to come, and were asked to leave without delay. Acting under instructions, they took no risks. Though the language was heated during the discussion, no blows were struck.

The next step in the drama is awaited with anxious interest, as the followers of the ‘'Kaiser of Urewera Country,” Rua’s new role 1 , number over 300 pledged to resist his arrest.