LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, 27 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Upwards of 1000, motor-ears from the south crossed the Ashburton traffic bridge last week bound for the Grand National Meeting in Christchurch. Lambing has commenced in the Taihapo district, land the average for the first crop of lambs is remarkably good. A week or two of mild weather would be a great boon to sheep-breeders. It is reported that more* Cabinet changes are imminent in Germany, and that Dr. Solf, Minister for the Colonies (which do not exist) is likely to be Chancellor. It is notified by advertisement that nominations for the. Directorate of Taihapo Motors Limited, will be received from shareholders up to Saturday, September 7, 1918. The retiring directors being, eligible for re-election again offer themselves. A despatch from Fort Dodge, lowa, U.S.A., says that a 50-year ban has' been placed by the lowa State Medical Society on the purchase of medical implements or appliances or other things made in Germany: "At the Society's convention here to-day pledge was .given that such purchase by any member during the next 50 years shall considered. evidence of proGer.manism.''.

The "Copper Trail" is booming along, Auckland having reached Taihape, well into Wellington territory.

The first green peas of the season made their appearance at the markets in Wellington at the end of last week, and were sold at 5s 4d per peck, probably the highest price ever paid for peas in Wellington.

'A meeting of the Taihape and District Returned Soldiers' Association will be held in the supper room of the Town Hall on Friday evening next, at 8 o'clock. A full attendance is requested.

. Among those present at the unveiling of a memorial to the late Chief Kereru, at Euatoki, near Whakatanc on Sunday, were Rua, the Maori "prophet," and 62 native recruits whom he-has enlisted for active service.

Mr. W. H. Hemes, Native Minister, states that the Government has purchased approximately 258,423 acres of Urewcra land in operating on blocks totalling 437,719 acres. The natives interests purchased number 5124.

It is notified in another column that all claims against the estate of the late Marmaduke John Dixon, made up to 30th July, 1918, should be rendered at once to Messrs Rhodes, Ross and Godby, solicitors, Christchurch.

Advice has been received by the Minster for Defence that the 3Sth Mounted Rifles and the 3rd Rarotongan draft reached their destination on August 3. "all well." Owing to an oversight the Department did not annouce their arrival sooner.

Solid evidence indicates that the Imperial Government will agree to an extension of the meat contracts for a period of 12 months following 30th June after the close of the war. Thus meat would be on the same basis as wool.

The Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, referring at Christclmrcli yesterday to the appointment of totalisator inspectors, made an announcement regarding odd , money over dividends, which. during the four days of, racing' at, the Grand National Week amounted to £B4l. The (Minister said that this money did not' belong to clubs, and. should be returned to the public, /tic would not object if it were handed to patriotic organisations during the war, but later he would endeavour to secure it for the benefit of hospitals, and to assist the country's poor.

Keference to the question of land iaggregation was made by the Minister for Lands at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Opening of the Cheltenham Dairy Factory. "We put legislation on the Statute Book in 1913, thinking we were going to prohibit ' .^gregation." said Mr. Guthrie, "but it has not had that effect. I have discussed the matter with my officers and the matter of preparing suitable legislation is in hand at the present time. I do not know whether during the term of the National Government it will be deemed to be contentious legislation or not, but I do not think so. There is another question in connection with land administration that is receiving any attention, and that . is the preparation of legislation to deal with enemy aliens acquiring land in this country. This will come before Parliament next session."