LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, 29 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

To see the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald at the present time, with his 16st 71bs,, no one -would imagine that he was a tone time the champion rider of Australia.

A message from Copenhagen says that the Russian newspaper. "Vjia" states that the Red Guards broke into the residence of the ex-Czar at Ekaterinburg and -murdered him.

The weight of the sheep at the Show —-56lhs—was correctly estimated by R. W. Smith, Taihape, % V. Holden, Ohutu," and A. 'Stewart, Mokai. Seven others estimated within a quarter of a pound of the weight.

The Victorian Prime Minister, in a policy speech at Melbourne recently, said that the Government would not impose new .taxation, and that the six o'clock closing of hotels would be made permanent.

The Minister of Defence has been advised of the safe arrival at its destination of the transport on which were embarked the 36th Artillery, the 36th Engineers,, certain infantry details, and a party'of aviation cadets.

In alluding to the oft-repeated statement that Britain 'before the war was asleep, the Hon. Mr. MacDonald stateed that it was about 800 years since an invader had put his foot in England. That being so, there had certainly been time for slumber. If Germany wins the war this country will be merely serfs for the conqueror.

In responding to the toast of "The Judges" at the complimentary dinner on Thursday night, Mr Lonsdale, manager of the Moumohaki Experimental Farm, stated it was always a pleasure to come to Taihape. He had visited Taihape in the capacity of judge for six years, and it was like doming home. The people of Taihape were imbued with the feelings of the people of the North Country of England. The fact of being asked to come back so often was a proof that his decisions had given satisfaction. It had been inculcated in him since his boyhood the desirability of making two blades of grass grow where one had previously grown, and he thought he had to some extent demonstrated this. It was a pleasure to him to sec the same faces year after year; this proves the stability of the district, and shows that Taihape had the class of men that was wanted throughout New Zealand. He was firmly of opinion that the Dominion as an agricultural country was second to none in the world.

In speaking on Thursday night of the difficulties of obtaining shipping

the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald stated that it took 1500 ships alone to supply coal and necessaries to Britain's Grand Fleet,

Tenders are being invited by Mr A. H. Kitto, Architect, for the erection of a residence at Raetihi. The tender is for labour only, and plans and specifications, may bo seen at tho "Taihape Daily Times" Office.

"Some people believe every country is a good one but their own," said the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald on Thursday night. "Thank God there are not many of that kind in New Zealand."

A meeting under the auspices of the Women's Temperance Union will -be held in the supper-room of the Town Hall on Monday evening. Miss Powell will deliver an address. All interested in the t emperance movement are cordially invited.

Attention is directed ito the services to be held in the Methodist Church tomorrow. The preacher for both services is Rev. W. H. Hocking. At the evening service the solo "The Star of Bethlehem" be rendered by Mr. Arthur J. Dawson.

There are likely to be less facilities for the transport of Australian and New Zealand produce during the ensuing season than in 1917. The rapidly increasing American forces in France require the aiversion of a large amount of tonnage to meet American requirements.

A brilliant and impressive scene was witnessed this morning at 10 o'clock a huge column of steam rising to a height of 1000 ftt from Mount Ruapehu. Though 40 miles distant the occurrence was plainly visible from Taihape. The blow-out took place on the north-eastern side of the mountain.

Among the passengers on the W'mmera who arrived safely in a !boat at Mangonui yesterday was Mr. F. C. Bond, son of Mr. J. S. Bond, of Hamilton,' and a brother'of Mr. H. D. Bond, of Taihape. Mr. F. C. Bond, who is a returned soldier, was on his return j to Australia after a visit to his relaI'tives in Ned Zealand.

In the Supreme Court in Chambers Mr Justice Stringer heard motions, on behalf of Winifred Olsen, who -was sentenced to 12 months' reformative treatment in connection with the Kelburn raid case, that the rule nisi be dismissed and the conviction quashed, and for a writ of habeas corpus. His Honour dismissde both, motions, and the convictions are to stand.

The Admiralty announces that the merchant tonnage losses for the month of May due to enemy action and marine risk totalled: British, 224,735 tons; Allied and neutral, 130,939 tons; compared with the adjusted aggregate for April of 311,456 tons, and compared with 630.336 tons for May last year. The losses from marine risk stand unduly heavy last month. •■ ':•

The mysterious.letters "W.W.0.0." worn by the Civil servants on the lapel of the coat in a certain Government department in Wellignton recently (says the "New Zealand Times") had no bearing on matters outside their employment, nor were the wearers connected with any society, which by reason of its secrecy would be condemned hy the State As a matter of fact, each of the wearers was silently protesting against the unsatisfactory treatment from the Government. The leters translated mean: "We want our overtime."

The Colonel was addressing a band of nurses who were about to start for the Front. He said: "Some of you are very young and pretty—most of you are young and pretty—and I advise you to work hard over there and to do no flirting. Serious courtship is a different thing. Many of you, I'm sure, will be courted seriously, and will make good marriages with our soldier boys in France. But flirting,l know you will avoid. A flirt—what is a flirt? A flirt is a rose from which everyone plucks a petal, leaving the thorns for the future husband."