LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The half-ton of frozen eels forwarded to England has reached there in splendid condition The eels were taken from the Wairarapa Lake, The Manawatu Racing Club has paid £4546 16s lOd to the Government as totalisator tax in connection with the club's autumn meeting last month. Von Hindenburg telegraphed to the German Irish Society in Berlin: "I thank you for your kind birthday wishes. I hope that Germany's victory will also be of use to Ireland." Writes an Otago farmer from England: "I cannot get over the thousand of acres that appear to be idle —any quantity of rough grass and not a beast to be seen to eat it. I do not know why England should bo starving There is certainly no need for them taking on growing potatoes in back yards and on roadsides. There is plenty of room here. Colonials are surprised at the amount of unsettled country in England.''

In the Mataroa Hall, on next Friday night, a social and dance is to be held in aid of the Soldiers' Comforts Fund, that is to eclipse all social hitherto held. Very special preparations are being made and nothing that will *end to maximum enjoyment is being left undone, Mrs. O-'Connor, is devoting consider? h"" time to making the social a success; she hns two sons at tho war and no doubt she is actuated by something more than mere enjoyment. It is hoped that Mataroa's efforts will be Justly rewarded.

] The latest addition to the telephone [ list, are J. Phillips 204, W. Gregory | £OS, W. Boshcr IS6S. A lieutenant, giving evidence before the First Wellington Military Service Board stated that he whs able to send £5 more per, -month home to his wife as a sergeant-major than ho could do as an officer. Word was received in Taihape today that Mr. A. Carlson's sawmill at Owhango was burnt down this morning under very mysterious circumstances. r\o further particulars were available at time of going to press. The many friends of Mr. P. J. McCa'nn will be very pleased to learn that he has recovered sufficiently from the terrible injuries he received in being thrown from his horse some time ago, to be able to out and about again. Mr. McCann wil have the congratulations of the whole Taihape district on his rapid recovery.

There is an illuminating sentence in the "New Statesman" which is worth italicising in these days of 'margarine queues and empty butchers' windows "It is literally true that there were at all times more people hungry in England in the years of peace and pros : perity that preceded the war than there are now in the fourth year of unrestricted conflict and expenditure" Tho lessened death-rate points the same encouraging moral.

The 'management of the King's Theatre, after a lot of trouble has got the consent of the producers of the "Barrier" to show the picture at the usual prices viz., D.C. Is (plus, tax) stalls 6&, but there will be no half price for ehidren, Reserved, seats Is 6d For the convenience of patrons tickets will be issued at 2 p.m. until 5 on day of show. We may state that this is the first time this picture has been shown at the above price.

A returned New Zealand soldier relates a curious incident whihe occurred on the Western front a few months ago. Fritz was shelling spasmodically when an officer proposed to pass from one point to another along a known road. He had not proceeded far when a big shell lobbed right on the road just in front of win. A fragment of the shell carried 'away two 'of his front teeth and buried itself in his tongue. The injury was attended t'o as well as it could be, and afterwards' the tiny piece of metal was taken out, and at latest devices the officer was almost able to speak intelligibly again.

Letters from Switzerland state that iNnzacs celebrated Anzac Day at Interla ken, where comrades from Murrain joined, them at dinner arid a concert. Australian and New Zealand flags, made locally, were displayed for the first time in Switzerland. Representations made to, the Colonial authorities in London to supply flags for the various camps passed unheeded, ■. and the camps at Chateau- Doix and Leysin are still without flags. .The Australians and New Zealanders at various camps are in excellent health ■ generally. Among those recovering from disablements are Sergt. Poole and ' Private Fisher (New Zealand).