LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A boy named James Turner, aged 15 years, bad bis leg broken while watch, ing sports at Paeroa on Saturday. He was standing talking when the greasy pig, which was being chased, knocked him over.

Neither in Germany nor in Austria are leather boots obtainable. The shortage of leather is so great that leather boots can no longer be supplied to the army. It is estimated that 40 per cent, of the soldiers have bdots with wooden soles.

The total takings on Wednesday last Moawhango Red Cross Shop Day, was £37 and those in charge of the day proceedings desire to express their appreciation of the kindly help that they received on all hands both in giving laud in buying.

The annual meeting of the Red Cross Society has been fixed for Wednesday next and it is hoped at least ten people in this city and district will be able to spare the time and the thought to be present. It requires ten to form a ,j quorum.

A writing from England last March to her sister in the Dominion says: Housekeeping is a problem on the waxrations now issued to every householder weekly, consisting of the following ■per head for adults: Tea loz., cheese, loz; sugar lib., butter 20z., margarine 20z., jam 20z., bacon 20z., meat 50z., Yet we in New Zealand growl!

The Minister for Defence stated on Wednesday that the surplus territorial officers, about whose cases there has been some public comment for several months, have gone to camp as sergeants in the Expeditionary Force, retaining their commissions in the territorial forces. He added that he was advised that the men were “playing the game."

The publication of the latest Gazette shows the total number of reservists called up under the Military Service Act as being 113,7G7. The - first ballot was taken in November, 1916, and the first call upon the Second Division was made a year later. Of the men already called, 81.593 have been members of the Fix-st Division and 32,174 members of the Second Division.

A Sydney paper says there is quite a fleet of American owned schooners chartered for voyages to Australia. The latest list shows that six arc fixed to Sydney, one to Adelaide, one to Melbourne, and one to New Zealand The Rose Mahoney, :a four-masted sailer of 1900 tons, leaves San Francisco for Auckland and Wellington, with general cargo, and goes on to Australia.

Speaking before the women’s hygiene class at Auckland on Wednesday, Dr. Florence Keller complained of the manner in which history is taught in our public schools. She said that if one went into a schoolroom and asked the children what were the names of the great men of the world they would tell her of generals and warriors, men whose business it was to destroy life and know nothing of the men to whom the world owed its present immunity from great plagues and disastrous sickness. That was a matter that needed alteration in our scheme of living. . ! .

Mr. W. H. Macey, has been appointed secretary to the Taihapc and District Returned Soldiers’ Association, in place of Mr. Candy, who has been transferred from this district.

A cow on Mr. Eoscoo Smith’s farm at Patunga recently twin calves, each of which bore natural earmarks, resembling those of the mother’s, viz., a fork cut out of the top of each car.

On Monday Sir James Allen received a message from Mr. Massey, announcing ‘‘ all safe,” regarding himself and Sir Joseph Ward. This welcome intelligence will 'relieve the great anxiety felt in the Dominion as to the safety of our leaders in their hazardous enterprise.

It is intended by the Returned Soldiers’ Association to hold monthly socials and dances, commencing on May sth in the Town Hall. The idea is to raise funds for the working expenses of the Association, which has now been registered and affiliated with the New Zealand Association.

“Some the worst land,” was the remark of a returned soldier at a meeting of the Wellington Returned Sol. diers’ Association, referring to an estate on - hich discharged soldiers had been settled. He said that the conditions, which suited the sellers but not the settlers, made life a hard struggle for the men. “They are only hanging on till some other silly comes along.” he added. “I am sorry for swearing,” he apologised, “but I feel sorry for the men who are losing their savings—and some of them have girls waiting.”

Candles on the altar are regarded by many Anglicans with very strong aversion, but a word in their favour was said by a returned chaplain, the Rev, C. 11. Houchen, M.C., in Auckland. Ho remarked that he knew that churchpeoplc were much divided on the question, but he had found at the front that when two lighted candles were placed upon the altar at celebrations of the Holy Communion they seemed to convey to the mind ian idea of the light and warmth of the presence of God. He had found them a help, and when he became Bishop of Auckland (laughter) he wuld enjoin the clergy to use them

Arrangements have been made for Increased accommodation at the euchre party to be held to-night in the Three Stars theatre in aid of St. Margaret’s Church funds. These parties have now become quite an institution in our social life, and are the means of spending a very pleasant and social evening. The admission is one shilling for gentlemen, ancf a basket from the ladies. With regard to the latter, it is to be hoped they will be well represented as from the number of tickets sold there will be a large attendance of the male portion of The community.

The Vicar of St. Margaret’s (Rev. W. T. Stent), has received the following letter from the Bishop of Wellington:—“ln view of the great battle which may begin at any moment on the Western Front, and which may prove decisive of the fate of our Empire, and of the world. I think it well that Sunday next (Trinity Sunday) should be observed by our people as a day of special and earnest prayer to Almighty God that if it be His holy will, He will grant victory to the righteous cause for which the Allied Forces are fighting. It is probable that the Most Reverend the Primate may call the whole Province to prayer. But, at all events, I desire that in our Diocese the day be observed, and I trust that you wall be able to make the necessary arrangements in your parish. I regret that it has not been possible to give longer notice.”

The. anniversary in connection with the local Methodist Sunday School was held last night, there being" an attendance of quite fifty children in addition to parents and adherents of the church. A sumptuous supper was provided, and to this the children did full justice. After the tables were cleared, a social evening was spent, the children contributing some very pleasing songs, duets and recitations, and it was a very happy throng that greeted our view at 8 o’clock. The children entered into the gathering with an abandon and spirit thoroughly characteristic of childhood’s happy days. During the evening Rev. Mr. Hocking presented prizes to the various scholars, accompanying each presentation with a few happy remarks. The success of the anniversary must be a matter for great satisfaction to all who are interested in the work of the church, and particularly so to Mr. Darvill, the superintendent, and to Mr Spicer, who had chage of the musical portion of the children’s contributions. The superintendent’s report on s the year’s work was encouraging and showed a increase in scholars for the period_