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Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 31 January 1917, Page 4

Reecnty a member of a family that .should be hit by Clause 35 volunteered the statement that they had made £-19 for a month’s shearing (says a southern exchange). The Manawatu Gorge presented a brilliant spectacle on Saturday night, when the hills on. both sides of the river appeared like a burning furnace owing to log fires. The damage done by the fire which broke out in-Messrs M. R. Cook and Sons’ sash and door factory in Main Street, Palmerston North, last week is estimated at £BOOO. The timber stacks were saved. A French marquis, who adopted the non of a canteen-keeper, recently obtained a staff appointment at the front, to find that his general, who promptly embraced him. was no other than his protege. A South African aviator on the West front, in describing his first flight, states that the air is full of “bumps.” the aeroplane being shot up from five to fifty feet or down fifty feet “like descending in a vciy lift.

La:;t week one case of infantile paralysis was reported in Auckland and Olio in Canterbury. Three cases of corebro—spinal meningitis were reported in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and Hawera districts respectively.

“We will have to face difficulties and hardships during the next twelvemonths, no matter what happens,” said the Hon W. D. B. MacDonald lust week. “No turn in the tide of war can alter that, and it is most important that we should all pull together,. Every member of the Government is keenly anxious to maintain harmony among all sections of the community.”

The death is announced oy cable of Henry St. George, the well-known musician. Fanny Durack made a new world’s record at Sydney yesterday by swimruing 300 yards in 4.2 2/5. Messrs Collinson and Gifford have an interesting announcement on pages one and three of this issue relative to the bargains they are offering during this great eud-of-season sale. We have to thank the manufacturers of the famous “Lotus” brand of sauces and pickles, of Wanganui, for a veryuseful and most artistically designed blotter. A special meeting of the Taihape Borough Council was held this morning to fix the statutory half-holiday. The ►necessary- resolution declaring Thursday- be observed as the weekly halfholiday was passed.

It is reported from Auckland that the Government retail butchers’ shops opened there recently arc now being so largely patronised that the customers line up in queues the same as theatre audiences when there is a special attraction.

Th Minister of Defence disputes the statement that New Zealanders are not being taught the right system of bayonet fighting. He mentioned on Monday that care is being taken to keep the methods of fighting right up to date, and now special Instructors have arrived to still further the system of instruction.

A man named Sheehan was charged at Eaetihi Court on Friday with stealing four head of cattle belonging to a settler named Harris. The case started in the afternoon and was continued until midnight, when it was adjourned till Saturday morning at Ohakune. Lengthy evidence was continued, and the accused, who reserved his defence, ■was committed for trial at the Supreme Court at Wanganui. Bail was allowed accused £IOO, and one other surety of £IOO. ‘ ‘ Try before you buy ’ ’ is the sensible advice tendered to prospective motorcar buyers by Mr D. J. McLennan, the district agent for the well-known Overland car. This car has been on the market for some years, and, to quote an Americanism, has “made good” every time. Particulars will be found on an advertisement in this issue, and all information may be obtained from Mr D. J. McLennan, the district agent. A sad fatality occurred at Dunedin on Saturday, when a fifteen-months-old child named Olive May Brown, whose parents reside at York Place,, was drowned The infant was with her mother in the front portion of the house, and while the parent was engaged in her work the little one toddled through to the washhouse. The mother became alarmed at the child’s absence, and found her, a few minutes after face downwards in a bath of water containing about four inches of water. Excellent entries have been received ■for that popular fixture, the Feilding A. and P. Show, and judging from the ring records of the noises engaged in the jumping competitions, these events alone should attract a good deal -of spectators. .Everything joints- to a most successful function —fine weatliei, keen competition, and plenty of side shows for young and old children should make Tuesday and Wednesday of next week enjoyable to those who attend the show. A lady swimmer who was some distance out in the surf at Napier cue other day was seixed with cramp in the legs, but had the presence of mind to tread-water. Three men stood by helpless, as they were unable to swim. A lifebelt with a rope attached had just been brought to the scene by a small boy, when a passing driver puhed his horse to a standstill, rushed down the beach without wailing to di-

vest -himself of bis boots or clouting, put on the lifebelt, and started 0.l lo the- rescue. On entering the waves, however, the water entered his boot, whereupon he ran back to the beach. He explained that he had forgotten that he was a victim to heart trouble, and had a wife and children to support! A somewhat sensational incident took place in Evan’s Bay, Wellington, on Sunday. A boy of six, Raymond Roberts, son of Mr Arthur Roberts, manager of the Victoria Laundry, accompanied by his mother and aunt (Mis Juriss) were spending the day in a little cove midway between the Patent Slip and Oriental Bay. The boy vent in for a swim among the rocks, and

was coming out of the water when he was observed by his aunt to stagger. Thinking he had slipped on a rock the ladies didn’t take any notice u. h,m until a shriek told them that something wa s amiss. The boy had been seized by a large octopus. Then began a thrilling fight for the boy’s life, the ladies pulling their utmost. Several men arrived on the scone, and one of them despatched the octopus with a sheath knife. Measured on the beach the octopus was found to be nearly eight feet from tip to tip. Had it been able to get a firm grip on the rocks it is doubtful if the boy could have been saved.