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Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 30 March 1917, Page 4

The Maori, perjury charges are still in progress at Hamilton, and will possibly last all this week. It is officially announced from Buenos Aires that an embargo on wheat exportation becomes effective on March 29. W. Kenny, a jockey, has been disqualified for life for havng a concealed electric battery while riding a horse in the Encourage Stakes at the Ascot meeting at Sydney. The 25th Reinforcements began their extended leave on Tuesday. Special trains are now carrying the men from Featherston camp to their various destinations. "Let us," says President Wilson, "stand by the little nations that need to be stood by." To which London's Bystander adds: "Yes, let's! But do it now. It's no use standing by and by."

According to Mr. Kato, the editor of a leading Japanese journal, Japan is ready to strike the enemy if needed, tie writes that Japan does not deem it necessary to send troops to th e fighting front in Europe. She is assured of the victory of the Allies in any case. But if it should be found advisable and desirable that Japan should give such help, she would not hesitate to do so.

With the advent of colder weather the necessity for warmer coats and clothing becomes imperative. Messrs W. J. White and Sons have a seasonable notice on page 7 of this issue.

A fire on Wednesday night completely destroyed the grain store on the Heatherlea estate (McDonald's) containing oaten chaff from. 90 acres, farm implements, lorries, and harness. The damage amounted to hundreds of pounds Details of the insurance are unavailable.

Our readers are reminded of the sale of Mr. A. D. Knight's stock of high class jewellery, plate, etc., tomorrow, commencing at 11 a.m. Mr. R. L. Christie is the auctioneer, and he is instructed to sell everything on the premises. There ought to be some bargains.

"My client wants a divorce as quickly as she can possibly get it," stated

counsel at a Chamber sitting on Friday. "She wants to marry a soldier, and she is afraid he will be sent away before the proceedings are completed.' ' A smile went round the court, and in view of the fact that the case cannot be heard before the May sessions, the client's chance of success was not regarded very favourably.

Mr. D. McLaren,' a member of the Appeal Board, stated at Wednesday's Palmerston sitting that the present was not a time for independent farmers to go into retirement and hand over their farms to their sons. Their knowledge was an asset to the country, and if they continued to carry on farm work t-hey would be able to release young and fit men.

It has been notified for general information that in consequence of the excessive number of lance-corporals and acting-bombardiers in various units, in future n.c.o.'s who arrive with Reinforcement drafts holding appointments as lance-corporals or acting-bombardiers will relinquish their appointments on arrival in the United Kingdom or Egypt.

Th e organiser of the Church of England Diocesan Schools movement, who was recently in this parish for a few days, reports that he not only received the largest individual donation from this parish but also the largest total of any parish in the diocese up to the present. The grand total received this year is so far between four and five thousand pounds. It is hoped that this amount will be doubled by July next.

"How many hours did you say appellant worked?" asked Mr. Poynton of a farm manager at Masterton who was appealing for the exemption of a farm labourer in his employ. "Sixteen hours sometimes," was the reply. "And what wages do you pay him," asked Mr. Poynton. "Thirty shillings a week." "Thirty shillings a week," echoed Mr. Poynton. "No wonder you do not. wish him to go to the war. Thirty shillings'a week! I quite agree with you that he is an invaluable man to you in the circumstances."

As illustrating the slump that has taken place in the store sheep market during the last few weeks, a farmer at Addington on Wednesday, who had just sold a line of 600 ewes stated to> a Sun reporter that he had bought the sheep about a fortnight ago privately for 31s per head, and considered that he had bought them at a fair market value. On Wednesday he disposed of them at auction for 2(5s 6d per head, representing a loss on the line of £135,, besides incidental expenses in travelling, etc. He was forced to sell, as his feed was drying up to such an extent that the sheep were going back.

A story which, throws light on the psychology of the men at the front is told by a Londoner in the Evening Standard. A British sergeant was conducting a considerable batch of German prisoners to the .rear. He was walking in front of them, showing the way. An officer met him and remonstrated. "What the devil you walking in front like that for?' ? he said,, "They'll do you in." The sergeant looked round and cast a scornful eye over the downcast Kamerad Brigade. "Them! " he replied disdainfully; and he walked on in front of them as before, and led them safely to the cage.

The sight of a procession of men moving down the gangway of a vessel that arrived in Wellington on Monday night might -have aroused the curiosity of any onlookers (says the Times) Each man carried a small iron-bound box, and it was evident from the slow, heavy steps of the carriers, that the boxes were exceedingly weighty. The procession continued until 50 boxes were placed on a waiting lorry. When fully loaded the lorry was worth a small fortune, for every ironbound box contained £SOOO. The labourers paused at the completion of their task and surveyed the £250,000 worth with glistening eyes. There was one labourer less than when the procession started, not that the missing man had decamped with on e of the £SOOO boxes. He had suddenly dumped down his load and tleclared that the boxewere too heavy.

A small key on a steel chain, lost in Taihape is advertised for. The finder will receive two shillings rewarG on returning it to this office.

The TauniaTunui Press says:—The friends of Mr B. A. Beatfie were pleased on Thursday to see him walking about town, well on the way to recovery from, his recent serious accident. In conversation with our reporter Mr Beattie said he had a remarkable escape from death.

Tenders for the erection of isolation wards and excavations of site at the' Taihape Hospital are invited, to close at noon on Saturday, 7th April. Plans lor prospective tenderers may be teen at the Health Inspector's Office, Taihape, where any information required may be obtained.

A farewell social will be tendered to Messrs C. Cribbs and W. Draper by

the local Fire Brigade on Tuesday evening. It is expected that representation from various districts will be present. Messrs Cribbs and Draper, who have been prominently connected with Fire Brigade matters for some years, are on final leave, and will be leaving for the front at an early date.

The Royal Commission set up to investigate the allegations regarding the defective conditions of rolling stock used on the New Zcland railways reports that in every case the allegations were disproved, and sums up as follows: "Basing its opinion largely on the P er " sonal inspection and investigation, the commission considers the rolling stock on the New Zealand Railways as being maintained in an efficient and thoroughly safe condition.

~ The difficulties of getting supplies owing to the war has not prevented Mr A. Spenee, the well-known draper, of Taihape, getting together a splendid selection of autumn and winter goods, including all the newest and most fashionable styles in Millinery. These goods have now been opened and displayed, and a cordial invitation is extended to come and view them. All prices are marked down to bed-rock, in addition to which a special discount of Is in the £ will be given. The Garden Party held yesterday in Mr A. L. Arrowsmith ? s grounds proved most enjoyable to all those who.were present. It is regrettable that a 'much larger number did not assist in such a noble object of providing for the destitute children of soldiers and sailors. No pains had been spared to make provision for a large attendance,, and the splendid efforts of the Plunket Society certainly deserved very much larger, patronage. Scoutmaster, Miss Wilson, reviewed the Boy Scouts who went through a number of evolutions in a way that was most creditable to Scoutmaster Swindells, their painstaking instructor. Some members of the Taihape orchestra were present and played during the afternoon. The proceeds tataled upwards of £3O.