LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 September 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Fire Brigade Euchre Tournament will be held-in the Brigade’s Social Hall this evening and arangements have been made for a record attendance.

The Austrian Wm Minister stated a few weeks ago that more than half a million war prisoners have returned from European Russia, but it is impossible to transport home the prisoners who are- in Siberia.

Contractors and others ..arc notified that tram formation, clearing, stumping, draining and 2000 yards of cutting are to let by contract by Perham, Larsen and Co. Ltd., Rangataua who. will .furnish specifications and particulars to all enquirers.

The practice of marching reinforcements over, the Rimiitakas, which has been suspended during the winter, is to be resumed.. The forty-fourth infantry reinforcements, which are at present at Featherston, will move to Trentham by road on September 26.

An Eketahuna baker who appealed before the Military Service Board at Pahiatua was recommened leave til January. The chairman said that the whole question of hakers would have to be dealt ''with in a comprehensive way.

An interesting case was heard in the Auckland Police Court yesterday, when a licensed taxi-driver was proceeded against for refusing to accept a hiring. It was alleged the driver refused the faro on the ground of a prior engagement. which upon investigation proved to be incorrect, and It was alleged the real reason fpr refusal was that the proposed hiring constituted a minimum fare. ..The magistrate imposed a fine of IDs and costs remarking that taxi-drivers must remember they are licensed,, for the convenience of the public. . i 3 ~ .

At Karori, ’Wellington, Mr. E. A. Wright, M.P./'told how a man called up in the military service ballot had been rejected because his feet were too small, while another hall been rejected because his feet were too hig. The first man’s feet were size 4, while the other’s were size 11; and they were both turned down because of the difficulty-—-far very different reasons—of fitting them with hoots. The Government could not very, well send a case of special size 4 or size 11 boots away with a man. He had heard the two men telling one another their experiences in a tearoom.

A further statement concerning the leave to New Zealand for Main Body men has been made by Sir James 'Allen. The Minister said that the number granted leave would be limited to 50 men each month, the quota fixed by the authorities in England. The limitation was necessary, owing to shipping difficulties. The men returning would be granted 28 days’ leave in New Zealand on full pay, and would be granted a three weeks’ railway pass for use during that period. They would then he re-embarked for active service, unless a military service board ordered otherwise in cases submitted for their consideration.

Ordinary sewing cotton, once procurable for 2d a reel, is now being retailed throughout the Dominion at 5Jd. A retail merchant in Wellington who keeps in touch with the English market declares that the px-ofits the cotton manufacturers are making are staggering. ■ A few months ago it was announced that one big firm’s profits for the financial year amounted to over The latest “Draper’s Record’ ’to hand gives a resume of the balance sheet of one of the smaller concerns. This company mfede £438,458 net profit, paid shareholders a dividend of 20 per cent., carried forward £191,416, and £50,000 to the insurance fundi-

It is expected that the Westmere estate, to the east of Masterton, will be taken over by the Government for settlement by returned soldiers.

So far as docking operations have proceeded in the Masterton district, it has found that the percentage of lambs is much lower than last year. The lambs are, howmver, better developed than in former years.

There will be no electric current available in the Borough of Taihape on Sunday morning from 7 o’clock till 12 noon. The current will be completely disconnected from that period to allow of certain necessary repairs being made at the power house. Consumers are particularly requested to note the time and day in order to ■avoid iuconvience to themselves.

The extent of the work done by the Church of - England Military Affairs Committee in connection with The Church Army is not generally known. A recent report presented to the Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Church shows that since the commencement of the war. no less a sum than £32,883 has been received. Of this amount £9,076 has been spent in erecting and furnishing Institutes in New Zealand. The supply of stationery, books, magazines, etc. has absorbed another £1.336 while on the general upkeep of the Institutes £1,873 has been expended. For the supply of comforts, stationery, literature and games for troop and hospital ships £1,150 was allocated while £14,721 has been cabled Home for the benefit of the men there and at the front. Of this amount £12,944 has been used for the erection and equipment of Church Army Huts in the battle areas for the use and benefit of all soldiers -without distinction of rank or creed.