LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 11 September 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The “gate” at Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday, for the big hockey and Rugby matches totalled about £B2O. ,

The Boy Scout movement in New Zealand has grown to very large proportions. About 22,000 boys, J under some 2500 officers were at present enrolled.

Dr. M. R. .Ngligan, ex-Anglican Bishop of Adckland, now rector of Ford Northumberland, has £afcen a chaplain’s commission for episcopal duties with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in France.

Discussing war loan matters, the Hon. Arthur M. Myers, Acting-Minis-ter of Finance, said that the first instalment of the next war loan was not likely to be formally opened for subscription before the end of the year, and possibly not before the beginning of next year.

Large numbers of soiled bank notes aro burnt almost daily at the Commonwealth Treasury in special furnaces, states the Melbourne “Age.” Since the outbreak of the war no fewer than 33,217,937 separate notes have been thus destroyed, representing a face value of £47,678,090.

The postal authorities state that Christmas parcels for inc Expeditionary Force should bo posted as early as possible and certainly in time to reach London during the first week in December, to enable the men in the trenches and in hospitals to receive their parcels by Christmas. At that season of the year there is groat congestion in the British postal service.

Tim Murphy, a well-known wrestler was arersted by the police at Aranioho On a charge of deserting from the New Zealand Forces at the 'beginning of the year while on final leave from camp. To show that Murphy has been living well during the time he has been '‘missing, ’ ’ it may be remarked that he has put on 21 stone and now tips the scale at 19i stone.

i The fate of Ehcims was exciting the keenest interest among the big champagne dealers in England (says a London paper). It is estimated by the trade during July that at the present time there iare close on 60,000,000 botles of champagne in the cellars beneath the city. The value of this wine is almost incalculable. Since the development of the Gorman offensive on March 21 very little wine has been shipped from the ancient city, and the shortage is now strongly pronounced all -over the world. Since Ehcims has been menaced by the Germans, various suggestions as to saving the enormously valuable stocks of champagne have been under consideration.

An experienced seamstress is wanted at the Taihape Public Hospital.

The Grey election petition against the return of Mr Holland, w'ill come on for hearing at Greymouth to-d/iy. It is likely to last some days, as the petitioners will call over 100 witnesses

A baby boy, Daniel Guthrie Menzies, aged 15 months, died at PalmerstOin North. South on from burns received through ia< lighted candle setting fire to his flannelette nightdress.

A peculiar accident aeeurred to a Patea resident, Mrs. Hunter, who slippied and fell, striking her windpipe on the edge of a bucket, dislocating it and almost severing it. She was at once removed to the hospital, where an operation was performed.

The Montreal Herald says that Sir Douglas Haig’s brother John, a mining engineer employed at a talc mine at Eldarado, Ontario, enlisted at the ago of 60, obtained a lieutenancy without influence and was promoted to captain. Not until he had been in the trenches for months did he meet his brother, who did not know ho was at the front.

Good progress was made by Auckland during the week in the Red Cross Copper Trail contest against Wellington another 53 miles being added to the south-bound trail, w T hich is now at Otaki, 380 miles from Auckland and 46 miles from Wellington. The week’s contributions total £12,000. The Wellington trail advanced a further five miles last week and has now reached Silverhope, 128 miles north.

A social and dance will be held by the Huia Ladies’ Hockey Club in the Throe Stars on Thursday next. As this will probably be the last this season, the management are determined to also make it the most successful, and to that end they arc concentrating their energies. The floor will have special attention, the music will be up to the usual high standard, and the supper will bo equal, if not excel all previous efforts. The prices for admission are as heretofore, gentlemen 2/6, ladie§ 1/6.

The following communication from a French business man to an Auckland firm is of interest, as it shows the spirit of the people of France towards the British; —:“If you have at the front in Franco a relation or friend to whom a French home "will be a shadow of his home in a far country please give him my address. He will receive a ■warm welcome from me. I find it difficult to -write English, but we all speak it, though badly; still well enough to understand and love each other.”

New Zealand is shortly to be visited by General Pau, head of the French Mission to Australia, advice to that effect having been received by M. Leon Hippeau, Consul for France, The mission, it will be remembered, was headed by M. Metin, formerly Minister of Labour in France who was well known in Australia. The latter, however, died at Vancouver, and General Pau became the head of the mission. General Pau las seen a great deal of service not only in the present war, but in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870.

A complainant in a maintenance case at the Wellington Magistrate’s Court apparently has little faith, in legal proceedings. She had, she said, not received a penny for months, and had had to slave at the washtub to earn a livelihood for herself and children. An order was made for the imprisonment of the defendant failing his compliance with the order in future and the paying off of the arrears and Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., went to considerable trouble to explain what were the aims of the order. “I have no time for this business,” replied the complainant. “Can you suggest any better plan?” asked the Magistrate. “Yes,” came the answer, “I would like to have him in my clutches for just about five minutes.”