LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 11 December 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In the football match in England on Saturday, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 14 to nil.

The purchase of Australian cheese has been completed on the basis of 9d a lb for 90 grade and Id extra for each additional point to 94, For second grade the price will be 9,|d.

In the Bay of Plenty district Indians are being employed in various industries in ever-increasing proportions. One flaxmill is almost entirely run by these men, who got the award wages and conditions.

Tenders are invited for tlie right to cut grass seed on all the Eangitikei Council roads. A schedule of the roads and of conditions may be had of the County Foreman, Taihape, or at the Engineer’s office, at Hunterville

For the first time a ladies’ car was attached to the express that passed through Taihape for Wellington yesterday morning. About half the accommodation was occupied, but no doubt when it is more widely known that ladies have a car reserved for them it will be more largely taken advantage of.

The Crown Prince of Germany has not been heard of for some time, and there has been some speculation concerning his whereabouts. The mystery was cleared up a.few days a o° by the following cable message: “A burglar entered the Kaiser’s Palace at Wilhelmshafen and stole numerous urns, vases, and ancient weapons of great artistic and historical value.”

Since the opening of its employment bureau, the Palmerston Patriotic Society has found positions for SO returned soldiers

A' white horse has been straying in Mr C. E. Kelly’s paddock, Taihape, and if the owner does not claim it and pay expenses at once, it will bo disposed of as the law directs.

Mr J. P. Aldridge, at the Taihape Courthouse, this morning, fined a man £5 for using obscene language" oh the train while travelling between Marton and Taihape

The Rangitikei County Engineer invites tenders for trimming and gravelling about 150 chains of Putofino Roads, Rata. Tenders must be in by 5 p.m. on 21st December next.

A chain and locket, bearing the initials A. McL., was lost in Taihape about a week ago. As the locket is a souvenir sent by a boy now at the front, it has more than an intrinsic value to the owner. The finder is asked to leave it at this office.

Kow that the season for Christmas and New Year presents is almost upon us, the advantage of leather goods as Useful and ornamental gifts should not be overlooked. Mr D. Neagle has just opened up a selection which, in spite of war-time conditions, is both comprehensive and admirable.

• All those interested in swimming are reminded of th© official opening of the Taihape Amateur Swimming Club’s season, which takes place in the Municipal Baths next Thufsutry afternoon, December 13, A good programme of events has been arranged, and those attending are assured of witnessing a good afternoon’s sport.

A farmer tells the Eltham Argus that the birds this season have played havoc with his long mangels, the feathered pests pulling them up as soon as they appeared above ground, and devouring the soft, swollen seed. He says that although the long red mangels have been fiercely attacked, his yellow mangels have not been touched by the birds.

The racehorse Bon, according to the Christchurch Press, is getting very sour, and, if given a chance, sticks his toes in promptly when asked to go on the track. He was tried in the jumping a few days ago, and to date is the only horse that has absolutely refused to jump. In fact, he laid down and tried to get out from the enclosure underneath the bottom rail

Musicians will be interested to hear that Percy Grainger, the well-known Australian pianist, ■who visited New Zealand some years ago, has joined a band in the United States Army. He is registered —laughably, it will seem to all who know his powers—as a “third-class musician” in the United States Coast Artillery, and is playing the oboe for £1 10s a week! He is now a naturalised American citizen, and volunteered for war service.

An officer of the New Zealand Medical Corps, writing from France, says: “Divisions are classified, according to past record and efficiency, into A. 8.C.D., etc. There are three only in class A —the Guards, New Zealanders and some Munster division. That should make you proud. They have always taken their objective, and always hung on to what they have taken,” , .

On Saturday afternoon Miss Elsie Boyne celebrated the end of the term and breaking-up for Christmas holidays by entertaining her dancing and music pupils, and their parents and friends, when a most enjoyable afternoon was spent. Dancing and musical items were contributed. Just before the breaking-up Miss Boyne was the recipient of a handsome gold bangle from her pupils as a mark of their esteem and appreciation.

One of the typical domesitc tragedies which throw a light on wartime conditions is again the talk of B'erlin —the suicide of an actor named Schultz, of the Thalia Theatre, with his wife and three children. Letters left behind confess that the family poisoned themselves for fear of starving to death. To the surviving child, a girl of 13 years, who was away from home, a letter had been written urging her also to take poison, a dose of which awaited her on the bare kitchen table

The destruction among t/he vast quantities of wheat that have accumulated in Australia owing to the shortage of shipping was described on Monday by an Auckland merchant, who has returned after spending several weeks in the Commonwealth. He stated that mice and weevils are causing groat damage, and it is estimated that it will cost £1,000,000 to rebag the affected grain. In some of the wheat areas, the mice are being destroyed at the rate of tons daily, but the plague sceoms as great as ever, and roads in the vicinity of wheat-stacks are covered with living mice.