LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taihape Daily Times, 5 December 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

'A steam waggon, of the latest improved type, is advertised for sale, cheap. This season’s ■ wool is starting to come into Taihape, one of the first lots hearing the well-known lettering “R.T.8., Moawhango.” Owing to the influenza epidemic Freeman R. Jackson’s Raetilii SflSck Sale is postponed from the 6th to the 20th December. The first vessel of the Canadian Government mercantile fleet was launched on December 3rd. Thirty-nine other freighters will follow. A peculiar happening was reported on the Napier beach one evening last week. From the baths to the breakwater the shingle was lined with many hundreds of thousands of whitebait, washed up from the sea. The Hon. T, M. Wilford mentioned in the House of Representatives on Tuesday the amusing case of an Old Country judge who held that a fowl was not an animal. Since there were only throe kingdoms of nature —animals, vegetables and minerals —if a fowl was not an animal, it followed that it must be either a vegetable or a mineral. ('Laughter.)

.The Ashburton County Council decided that a copy of a resolution be forwarded to the Prime- Minister, and to the Minister for Finance to the effect that the council was unanimously of opinion that Germany should be made to pay an indemnity and tribute for 50 years, sufficient to cover the cost of the war, and pensions, etc., which, would have to be provided for soldiers.

In the discussion of the Liquor Bill on Tuesday, Mr. Massey said all adults in the King Country would have *an opportunity of voting on the issues in the Bill; hut he pointed out that there was no proposal in the Bill to establish licenses in the King Country. He justified the postponement of the elections and the consequent delay of the referendum, owing to the war conditions, pointing out that there had not been an election in England for ten years. In New Zealand we would probably have an election next December, In his opinion, the Trade, in giving up the 4£ years’ respite, had parted with their sheet-anchor.

"Why is the publication of vital statistics refused by the authorities in Christchurch?” asked Mr G. Witty, M.P., for Eiecarton, of the Minister for Public Health in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The Hon. G. W. Russell stated that when the influenza epidemic became so serious it I was determined that the registrars should not continue to send out from week to week the figures as to the deaths which had taken place for fear of causing a panic amongst the people. He hoped that the House would not 'press the matter, because the less said about deaths until the epidemic was over the bettor.

Air. P. J. O’Keefe, our popular dentist, who has been down with the “Flu,” is about once more, and will resume practice on Alonday.

According to the telegram scut by the Hon. G. W. Russell to the Auckland District Health Officer, on Tuesday, the embargo on churches and public, meetings is to be lifted, also sales of stock and stock auctions. Auction rooms embargo to be lifted except in sales of secondhand bedding and clothes, Embargo to continue on examination of schools, race meetings, shows and exhibitions. The reopening of theatres and other places of entertainment is left to the discretion of each District Health Officer.

It is reported by the Dunedin Committee that 99 per cent of the women are unselfish workers. There is, of course, always the exception that proves the rule. ' One society lady, for instance, asked for a conveyance at a busy time that she might go to visit a sufferer. A motor bike and side car were available. The lady declined to trust herself in this. A car was called, but the lady declined This also, as it was “only a Ford.” Finally a handsome five-seater drove up opportunely, and the lady agreed to go on her errand of mercy In this.

The demobilisation of Reinforcement drafts in Trentham Samp has now been completed, the only remaining men being the home service staffs and patients in hospital not sufficiently recovered to be discharged. F'eatherston Camp is expected to arrive at the same stage to-morrow. Both camps have now commenced the demobilisation of their home service staffs, and should be practically clear by Christmas, only a small staff being left to clear up, etc. Since the armistice was signed, the total number of men demobilised at Trentham and Featherston has been over 7000. Tho principle of taxation of bachelors has been introduced by the various Government Departments in the matter of the war bonus granted to members of the various departments. In the Railway Department, for instance, some married men - receive £45 per annum in a war bonus, while the maximum a single can receive is £ls per annum. This applies to officers only. In the second division of the service married men receive 3s a day, and single men 2s per day war bonus. Needless to say, there is a good deal of dissatisfaction at what Iras been termed ‘'Departmental discrimination” and also in the different treatment of single men in the respective divisions. The Union Company’s steamer Navna. on route from San Francisco to Wellington with a full shipment of American merchandise, has been delayed at Papeete, owing to sickness amongst her crow. While at Papeete the second engineer of the Navua, Mr J. 0. Penman, died from influenza and was buried there. Deceased was formerly for some time on the Wairuna. He was about thirty years of age. His relations reside .at Auckland. No advice has been received as to whether the vessel has yet resumed her voyage. although a cable message stated she was to sail last Monday. The Navua is not bringing any passengers for New Zealand. She will probably reach Wellington about the 15th inst.

When the Liquor fslll was aeing debated in the House on Tuesday, Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) said total prohibition was not going to lead to paradise on earth, and he warned the House that, -when people went to extremes reaction always followed. The member also desired to know whether it was intended that residents of the King Country should be given a vote on the occasion, or whether the proclamation of 18‘S3 was to stand. Mr. Massey assured Mr. Jennings that the people of the King Country would have a vote on the present proposals, but there was no possibility of licensed houses being established in that district if continuance was carried. Mr. Jennings retorted that Mr. Massey would not always be where he was.

The value of alcohol as a medicine has received peculiar proof this week. A lady at Dcvonport had a parrot, which seemed to suddenly bo affected with paralysis. B'eing a pet, the owner was anxious to know what to do for her bird, and came across to Auckland to get advice from an expert in that line. She mentioned the matter on the ferry steamer, and a lady who was by said that the bird was merely suffering from a chill. The advice given was that about an cggcu'pful of whisky and wine mixed should be given to the parrot. The prescription was duly administered, whereupon cocky quickly recovered his normal condition, flappd his wings joyously, and from his general appearance did not seem as if he would vote for prohibition if he had the privilege.

White Pique in. fine and heavy cord 30 inch 1/3, 1/6, l/H, 2/6, 2/11 yd--44 inch 2/6, 2/11, 3/3, 3/11 yd. The Big Value House Collinson and Gifford Ltd,

Children like WADE >S WORM FIGS —sure and certain. Price 1/6. 2