LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On the first day of the recent races in Palmerston, 2007 motor cars travelled through the Manawatu Gorge, and IS7, on the second day.

The Minister of Defence has received advice that the 35th'' Reinforcements have arrived safely at their destination.

The statement that 200 men who returned by the last transport brought wives with them is contradicted by a Press Association message. None of the men have brought back wives.

At the Tui Street mart to-morrow there will be submitted for sale a first-clas gig, geese, strawberry plants fruit, kerosene, fowlwheat, produce, etc. About 40 cases of fruit and quantity of sundries will also be offered.

Messrs W. J, White and Sons are at present holding a special bargain sale, in which ladies’ and girls’ millinery, ladies’ and girls’ tweed and rainproof coats arc to be offered at prices ■which should effect a speedy clearance. Full particulars will bo found in the firm’s announcement on page 7.

The prolonged and somewhat tedious sittings of the Defence Expenditure Commission has just been practically brought to a close. Unless something unforeseen happens calling for the further examination of witnesses, nothing more will be heard of the Commission until it presents its report to the Governor-General.

Keep 'competition and high prices were features of a sale of jewels at Christie’s salerooms in London, recently. A single rope necklace of forty nine graduated fine Orient pearls realised £17,2000. A necklace of brilliants sold for £2060, a tiara of brilliants realised £ISBO, while a smaller pearl necklace and a. brilliant Collet necklace sold for £I4OO and £IOOO respectively.

The mildness of the season in the Auckland district is demonstrated by

some freaks of nature at Devonpoit, In one garden apple trees arc in bloom while some of the previous crop is stiV on the trees, and in another Christmas plum trees arc in full flower_

The busy haunts of men are seldom sought as sanctuary by game birds on the wing, but the unique occurrence or a hen pheasant invading a city office was reported on Wednesday afternoon The bird, which came from the east, flew into the Royal Insurance Company’s buildings in Queen Street, Auckland, and swerved into the office of Mr. G. B. Osmond, by whom it was secured.

Recently a party of New Zealand nurses cn route to England were invited to a concert at Newport News (U.S.A.), while their vessel was coalthere. There were a large number of American soldiers and sailors present, and one loquacious soldier got into conversation with the sisters ' T have spoken to a lot of your New Zealand soldiers,” he announced, “and find that they arc really educated!”

A return of the estimated popu.ation of New Zealand as at March 31 last, published in the currrent Gazette gives a total of 1,167,356, made up of 574,581, males and 592,775 females. The gain in population by excess of births over deaths since the end of 1917 is estimated at 2006 males and 2236 females, while the gain by excess of immigration over emigration (including members of the Expeditionary Forces) is estimated at 2710 males and 140 females.

Passengers by the Wairarapa express Avhich left Wellington at 2.55 p.m. on Monday had an unpleasant experienoce. 'A wagon left the rails when the train was in the second tunnel after leaving the summit of the Rimutakas. The front engine was detached and dispatched to Cross Creek, to bring workmen and jacks, and the passengers spent an uncomfortable two hours in the tunnel. The truck was righted in due "course, raid the train reached Featherston two hours late.

A prisoner who appeared in the Wellington Supreme Court for sentence made a pathetic picture. She was a mere girl, and looked in an awesome way at the judge with large, frightened eyes. Her offence was one of theft. Her excuse was that she was a young widow with two children, and had stolen the money simply to “keep the wolf from the door.” Her husband had been killed in an .accident, and she was left to struggle on with a wage that rarely exceeded £2 a week* and was more often £1 a week. She received a pension of 5s a week. In Court she looked pretty; yet pitiable in her distress. The judge eyed her kindly, and while pointing out to her that she must not steal for her support, admitted her to probation for a year.

The social and dance given by the Girls’ Hockey Club last night was a most enjoyable and successful affair. With a good floor, good music, and a determination on the part of everyone to have a real good time, this result was a foregone conclusion. There must have been at one time at least 150 on the floor of the hall, and about 70'spectators in the dress circle. The arrangements were very complete and everything went smoothly from start to finish. A recherche supper was served out by the members of the club, and was much enjoyed by all. Messrs M. McLaughlan and Dunbar acted as Ms. C., and were indefatigable in their efforts to see that everyone enjoyed themselves. The music was provided by Mrs. Webb, Miss E. Bray, and Mr. Upchurch. The social broke up at about 1.30, with hopes expressed by many that another would come round soon.

Mr. R. McLaren, of the Tui Street Dreadnought Billiard Saloon, has hoisted the S.O.S. signal. Billiards have no devotees in Taihape now, they have all gone to France to wield a rifle, for which, they have forsaken the cue. There is no need for billiard-saloons and Robbie McLaren, his occupation gone in his old days finds it necessary to call in the auctioneer to sell to the highest bidder, his two magnificent tables and his up-to.date billiard room furniture. Mr. F. Ward has been instructed to sell by auction, on Saturday, May 25th, at 2 p.ra. the whole outfit. This sale presents a rare opportunity to secure a really first-class billiard table at a very moderate cost. It is a fact that owing to war conditions billiard table makers have to charge prohibition prieds for pew tables All Taihape residents will sympathise with Mr. McLaren -as being the first to have to close down as a result of the war.