LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Brigadier-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., D. 5.0., has been wounded for the eighth time. Potatoes are now all up, and there is sure to be a shortage before the new ones come in (writes "Agricola" South Island correspondent to the Farmers' Union Advocate). it has again been found that the early sowings have done the best. They have been less affected by the blight than the late sowings.

At a meeting of the Old Girls' Hockey Club held last evening, it was decided to hold the Annual Social and Dance on August 15th, in the Three Stars Theatre

Owen Moore, the husband of Mary Pickford, is reported to be about to sue Douglas Fairbanks for £50,000, for alienating the affections of the celebrated movie star. Suit for this enormous sum was to have been filed at Los Angelos about April 15th. Mrs. Fairbanks has announced that she and her husband have agreed to separate without formal divorce action —to permit it to be determined whether his alleged love for a screen star is "the one big love."

The Eeturned Soldiers intend holding a Grand Plain and Fancy Dress Ball in the Town Hall, on Wednesday Juy 3rd when substantial prizes will be awarded for the most original dress worn by ladies and gentlemen. A committee, was appointed at the meeting last night to make all the necessary arrangements, and have already got to work. The prices for admission have been fixed at double tickets 7/6, gentlemen's single tickets 5/- and ladies' tickets 2/6.

A meeting of the Huia Hockey Club was held last night, when it was decided to accept the challenge from the Old Girls' team for a match on Thursday, 27th inst. Final arrangements wore made for the social and dance to be held to-morrow night, and spectators in the dress circle can be assured of hearing a good programme of recitations, monologue songs and fancy dancing taking place between the dancers. After the meeting the girls put in some good practice.

The record, milk and butter-fat production for a New Zealand cow has been established by a member of the Friesian herd of Mr. J. Donald, of Wanganui. This cow, Westmere Princess Pietertje, gave up to the end of May, under semi-official testing conditions, 23,8991 b of milk and 9231 b of butterfat, and she then had twelve days to go to complete'her year's work. This cow's milk tests 4.3 per cent, of fat, and the English champion 3.27 to 3.50, so that for butter fat production the ,Ncw Zealand champion should easily lead, •*-

Miss Gladys Moore, of Mangaweka, had a marvellous escape from death, or at the least from very serious injury, on Saturday morning last. By some mistake she got on the troop train at Taihape, instead of the usual 10.20 train south. The troop train did not stop at Mangaweka, and when it was passing through the local station the girl jumped from the carriage to the. asphalt platform. SHe was picked up in an unconscious condition by the station officials, who were unfortunately unable to secure the immediate attention of Dr. Parker owing to his absence in Ohingaiti. However, first aid was applied to the sufferer, who was later conveyed home, and is reported to be doing well, with nothing more serious than a severe shock, and numerous bruises and abrasions. —Advocate.

Amongst those soldiers invalided home and who arrived in Taihape last Friday, was Sergeant A. Holder, son of Mr. J. W. Holder, of Taihape. Sergeant Holder had the misfortune to be shot while laying a cable. He passed through the battle without injury, but was relaying wires when he sighted a party of Germans. He seized his rifle and was about to take a lying-down shot when the Germans got theirs in first,, the bullet penetrating the shoulder in front and making its exit under the shoulder blade at the back. After enlistment Sergeant Holder left with the 17th Reinforcements, landing in France. He has taken part in several great battles and was present when the Germans were surprised with that great upheaval that sent a whole mountain fastness into the air. The shoulder ' wound was the second Sergeant Holder had been in hospital with, but the first did not permanently disable him.

Our advertising columns call attention to the visit to Taihape of Miss 35* S. Powell, Dominion organiser of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, who is organising a branch of the Union in Taihape. This movement was commenced in America over forty years ago, being planted in this country in 1885, where it now numbers over five thousand members. It Is a total abstinence society, and its motto "For God and home and humanity," covers a wide scope of social activities, and includes homes for girls, sailors' rests, etc. Much legislative work has also been accomplished. Patriotic work has not been forgotten, £2600 having been laised by the Union for Y.M.C.A. work among our boys at the front, and a scheme being now on foot for the erection of a "white ribbon" hutment, while the magnificent effort accomplished last year on behalf of the mine sweepers is to be repeated. National Prohibition and the Bands of Hope are occupying the special attention of the workers just now, and as this organisation is undenominational, the meeting on Friday should be well attended.