LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A boy in a Welsh, school refused to sew, evidently considering it beneath the dignity of a ten year old man. “Lloyd George sewed,” said the teacher, hoping secretly ..that she was not telling'a fib. “And do you consider yourself better than Lloyd George?” “I don’t know—time will tell,” said the child, seriously.

The proposal of the Taumarunui Borough Council to rename the streets of the Borough, has caused considerable opposition. 'The most important objection to date is that the alteration of title deeds and other transactions would result in an expenditure by the general public which would not be justifiable, at the present time at least.

A painful accident happened to Father Bergen at Mangaweka on Sunday. It appears the padre was motorcycling near Mangaweka when his cycle suddenly became unmanage, able, and he was thrown violently, sustaining a very nasty cut on the forehead, which later necessitated stitching. Father Bergen stayed in Mangaweka on Monday evening, and was well enough to return to Taihape on Tuesday.

The statement is made by the Ashburton Guardian that an Ashburton farmer who has sown a considerable area of winter wheat this year, not having sufficient fertiliser on hand to sow the last few acres, decided to use lime with the wheat, and to his surprise the latter crop is now more advanced and healthy-looking than the remainder which was treated with manure. The lime was much cheaper than the other mixture. He states that he will watch the comparative yields with great interest

Madame Melba, the world-famed singer, arrived in Auckland on Tuesday. The songstress’s present intention is to go to her home in Melbourne, and enjoy what she describes as a “lovely rest.” “I do wish,” she said yesterday, “to see once more the girls of my conservatorium, and meet the friends of my youth.” At present she does not feel inclined to visit America again until the war is over, it is probable that she will pay a visit to New Zealand shortly, in order to give concerts in aid of the Red Cross institution, but her plans for the immediate future are somewhat indefinite.

The system of State purchase of private estates for settlement has been in operation in New Zealand since 1914. According to the last Official Year Book, some 319 estates have been acquired at a cost, in round fig. ures, of £9,000,000, including the cost of road-making and survey, and about 1 3500 settlers have been placed at a cost of £1650 per head. The Year Book does not tell us the extent to which land aggregation has been permitted during the same period, nor the loss the Dominion has suffered therefrom. The A r alue of cutting up large estates for close settlement has been nullified by the facilities given for land aggregation.

The last hospital report from England states that Sergt-Major R. S. S. Tuckey is dangerously ill.

The estimated population of New Zealand on March 31 was 1,167,356, including 49,776 Maoris and 12,797 residents of Cook and other island dependencies. The census taken in October, 1916, showed the total population of the Dominion and the island dependencies to be 1,162,022.

Refcrrig to the arrival of parcels from New Zealand, a soldier in France said he was surprised that tins of condensed milk were sent, as it could bo easily obtained from about Is 3d to Is Bd. He states, however, that tinned fruit is very dear, but does not appear to bo often sent, although it would not weigh much more than condensed milk.

By tlie last mail the Church of England Military Affairs Committee received a letter from Prebendary Garble, D.D., founder of the Church Army, in which he states that during the recent German offensive over fifty Church Army Huts were destroyed. There is no doubt that some of, those erected by New Zealand funds were amongst the ones that suffered. Money is urgently needed to replace them.

A paragraph in the Christchurch Sun contains a piece of sound advice offered by Mr. J. C. N. Grigg, of Longbeach, in proposing the toast of “The Dairying Industry,” at the association’s dinner. This was a day of high prices he said. Some farmers well making as much as £2O or £3O a cow per annum. Then let them put aside all they could. Let every man pay off his mortgage now in the years of prosperity, that he might be able to stand firm in the lean years which might easily follow.

A reminder is given of the social and dance to be held in the Throe Stars Theatre tonight, under the auspices of the Women’s Working Club. All arrangements necessary to the enjoyment of those who attend have been completed and the only requisite now is the support of the public to make the evening an enjoyable and profitable one. The function is to assist in the provision of comforts for our men on active service, and it is the duty as well as the privilege of everyone to help along this good work.

“Shrapnel,” the war commentator of the “Otago Daily Times” writes: One of the principles of ju-jitsu when one wants to throw a powerful opponent is to use the latter’s strength and not one’s own. In drawing an enemy far away from its main base pf supply—that is in lengthening his communications —a principle is applied analogous that of ju-jitsu. When the enemy’s organisation is thrown out of balance in regard to his strength he may be pulled over by his own momentum, and then he can be defeated completely, or so punished that he must see ksafety in flight. This is the opportunity for which General Foch is watching.

The Fire Brigade euchre tournament held last night was quite the most successful and enjoyable of any yet held, being remarkably well attended. The games were close and exciting, resulting in five ladies playing off for first place. The final results were: Ladies, first prize, Mrs. Galgey; gentlemen, Mr. Woods. The booby prizes were annexed by Miss Phillips and Mr. Bagley. The committee desire to thank the donors for the tournament prizes given. In future the tournaments will b e held bn Wednesdays in order not to clash with so many functions that are usually held on Thursdays. The money derived from these tournaments is devoted to a special fund to farewell members of the Brigade who go to the front, and to welcome those who return. Our local fir e brigade holds third place in New Zealand on the U.F.B.A_ books for the number of its members who have gone to the firing line, which Is a record to be proud of. The arrangements last night were very complete, and reflect credit on the organisers. The next tournament eventuates on June 26th.