LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, 25 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A double furrow plough (Reid and Gray) practically new, is advertised for sale by Mr. W. McCombie, Raukura.. "A wpnianiwith children is the big■gest asset wc can have, .and we ; must back her up whenever, we are seeking political aid," said Mr. Townsend (Wanganui). at the Second Division League's Conference in Wellington. Private Ivey Cleveland, of the United States army, takes size 15 boots. He has been granted an honourable discharge, as the authorities discovered that boots to fit him would cost £44 a pair, and that a special bootmaker would have to accompany him. to France. '

A proud London parent says that his 15-year-old son, who joined his first ship only a year ago, has already been torpedoed twice. The second time he was badly wounded in the leg but has now recovered, and is aboard his third ship. He says he is out for sinking this time, instead of being sunk.

Class B reservists drawn in the April ballot are now being set down when passed fit for mobilisatioo in September. The examination of the April recruits has not been completed and the examination of the May recruits, whose names are contained in the Gazette published this week, will not begin until next week.

"Unless we can get food from Australia, New Zealand is on the verge of famine," was the rather goomy prophecy of a South Island farmer, a delegate to the South Division League's conference in Wellington. He referred to the shortage of wheat-sowing in New Zealand, owing to shortage of labour

Yesterday was Empire Day, There were no particular celebrations of the event in Taihape. The flag was hoisted at the District High School, and saluted by the scholars. Owing to the lanyards of the flag-pole at the post office being broken an attempt to give the flag an airing was not perserved with, as bunting at half-mast would have hardly been befitting the occasion.

The youngest member of the Auck!and Boyturndd 'Soldiers' Association is a lad of about 16i years of age. He is a native of Australia, and enlisted in the Australian forces about two years ago. He got as far as Egypt and after being over 18 months on active service, he was discharged on account of his youth. The boy, who looks about two years older than his years, has como to New Zealand with the object of enlisting in the Dominion force, if possible.

Paris has once again become the Mecca of 'international crooks, and, ii. the opinion of M. William Debisschop, a well known French detective, an inter-Allied detective foree is badly wanted to look after the gang of thieves and confidence tricksters who are victimising British and American officers on leave. Scotland Yard is represented in Paris. So is the New York police, but there is a lack of coordination lietwefen them 'and. /their French colleagues.

The pupils attending the Taihape Public School have charge of the Women's Working Club Shop to-day, and, judging from the general excellence of their wares good prices will be realised. The cakes and pastry would do credit to a pastry-cook's window, and the great, variety of sweets is quite equal to displays in some confectioncry establishment. It is the dainty, appetising and artistic finish the young people have put upon their goods that instances the excellent training they get in the school cookery class. The pupils in the fifth, sixth and seventh standards are, doing creditable work, and it is hoped they will have a most successful day in aiding our soldiers at the front.

Says Melbourne Table Talk: Reported that the Australians who fought with the gallant and history-making Sixth Brigade back to back in one unbreakable squad at Bullecourt have the provilege of wearing the King's colours conferred upon them. Being, interpreted, this means that a purple over irhe battalion (colours is worn between the shoulder blades. Of course, this wouljd apply to all those men who have occupied similar dangerous stations in great battles and "with their backs to the wall," speaking figuratively, have won victory and glory for the Empire. It is a signal mark of distinction and any Aussie wearing this..-mark of the King's favour on his shoulders should get a big handclasp from patriotic Australians.