LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The report of the Defence Expenditure Commission will be released for publication this week.

The Pacific -lOablo Board notifies that cable traffic conditions arc now normal to Canada and United States.

The most'''impbrtant man in New Zealand to-day, from an agricultural point of view, is the ploughman, says Sir dames Wilson.

Lambing commenced in the Raetih* district last week, and in spite of the bitter cold weather experienced lately the mortality so far is only slight.

The New Zealand Farmers’ Union Conference at Wellington yesterday, debated a proposal to abolish race meetings during the war. An amendment in favour curtailment of racing was carried by a large majority.

Aucklanders announce that they have advanced their line to Taumaruuui, a distance of 20 miles in a week Wellington in the same time advanced only four miles, and now has reached Otaki —a total of 1G miles, compared with Auckland’s 175 miles.

A message from U.S.A. tells us that “every one of the 500 officers on office duty in the War Department Ordnance Bureau at Washington has applied to be sent on foreign service. 1- ’ We wonder whether such a record has been made by the Defence Depart, meat’s staff in New Zealand?

An old-age pensioner, who resides in one of the many huts along the banks of the Ashburton River, handed to a citizen a sum which he had saved for his funeral expenses. He asked that the money be invested until it was required, and the interest uses “for the good of the country.” The old-age pensioner had donated several sums to patriotic funds.

The late Chief Justice Madden, of Victoria, prided himilsclf, Kike [many other judges, on his ability to toll whether a witness Avas truthful. On one occasion he gave judgment as folloAvs: “Plaintiff is a facile and fairly resourceful liar—the defendant is a liar of less resources —verdict for the plaintiff.” Another time an undefended man came before him in criminal jurisdiction,and, testifying on ( his own behalf, started out on a rambling aud ridiculous story. Sir John Madden, stood it for ten minutes, then said, blandly, “Excuse me, but you’re lying so clumsily that I /should certainly ad\ 7 ice you to get a lawyer.”

A reward is advertised for the ic

turn of a gold-mounted amethyst carring lost at the Pierrot Entertainment last night.

The latest hospital progress reports states that Private J. Mackenzie, of Ohutu, has been removed from the seriously ill list.

In our list of prize-winners at the Hastings show we omitted to mention that Mr. Mathie, in the American whito leghorns, secured second prize in cocks and third prize in hens.

The presentation of a piece of plate was made to Mr B'ischop, S.M., by the Christchurch bar, on the occasion of his retirement from the position of senior magistrate.

A reminder is given of the committee meeting in connection with the Red Jersey Campaign, which will be held at S p.m. in the Patriotic Society’s rooms, in Messrs. Arrowsmith and Loughnan’s* legal chambers.

The picture “The Greatest Power,” to be shown at the King’s to-night, will be unique in so far as it is the first picture taken since America entered the great w T ar, showing all the military and naval operations of this mighty Republic which is doing its utmost to make the world safe for democracy. The picture is of absorbing interest and holds the spectator from, start to finish.

A ladies’ plain and fancy dress ball will be held at the Utiku Hall on Friday nest. The ladies of the district have for some time been organising for this function, and a very enjoyable evening is anticipated. The floor wijl be in first-class order, the music, the best procurable, and the supper will be provided in the style characteristic of the ladies of this locality. The prices of tickets are, gentlemen Is, ladies 2/6.

There was an indignant wail a little while since (says the Sydney "Sun”) when the press announced the arrival of a bunch of English brides who had captured good Australian soldiers. The Australian Miss isn”t letting it rest at that. She’s decided that it’s time she went over to keep an eye -on her "young man,” and marry him if the powers will permit. Quite a number of engaged girls arc getting away to England, and though it’s’ a long and troubled journey, still it’s Avorth it,! remembering who is at the other end.

It is reported in a Sydney papera that the Nestle and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company will embark next month upon the erection of a chocolate factory at Parramatta, near Sydney, that will entail a total outlay of about £300,000. The same company possesses at Bennington, Warrnambool, what is probably the biggest condensed milk factory in the world. A dining-hall for the accommodation of employees is being built at a cost of no less than £20,000. A similar refectory is to be established at Abbotsford. The scheme is to provide hot nourishing meals at midday. '

The adjourned inquiry at Hawera concerning the South Eoad motor fatality occupied all yesterday. The coroner’s verdict was as follows: —"That Tom. Henry Morgan met his death from injuries received from a motor par negligently driven by James O’Donnell.” Subsequently O’Donnell was charged, in the Magistrate’s Court, with unlawfully killing Morgan, and, after the depositions had been taken, the magistrate committed the accused for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. Bail was allowed, the accused’s own recognisance of £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each, or one surety of £2OO, being required.

Among the passengers on the Vancouver boat which berthed at Auckland on Monday morning was John C. Harrison (38), one time a wholesale merchant of this city, who was brought back from Canada on a charge of false pretences in connection with the sale of a preparation known as Ancona sheep .and cattle dip. The warrant for Harrison’s arrest was issued after he had left New Zealand, and he was stopped at Victoria, British Columbia, on cabled instructions. A search of the ship made at Suva, when the s.s. Niagara was on the way to Vancouver, failed to discover Harrison, but he was aboard when the ship reached Vancouver. Accused was brought before the Magistrate’s Court, and remanded.