LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 December 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thei Minister of Munitions and Supplies has decided to allow petrol to be sold in any quantities until further notice. • A private cable received by Mr. J. "Westbrook, of Auckland, states ■that his brother and all his mother's relations are dead. It is estimated •that there have been seven thousand deaths in Upolu alone. The Union Company bas been advised that the passengers land the Makura herself have been placed in quarantine. Indications point to passengers and vessel being released from quarantine by the end of the week. Captain Hall Thompson reports that 4S New Zcalandcrs, who origin ally formed part of the crew of the Pyramus and were transferrd to H.M.S. Doris in March, 1917. will shortly be paid off at Bombay and will return to New Zealand.

Very little interest is being taken in the Wellington South by-election. The field is a weak one and it is anticipated that the Labour candidate, Mr R. Semple, will have an easy victory c\er til" other two candidates Messrs J. Frost and J. Castle.

The Industrial Board of the United States has decided, and notified •manufacturers of cream separators, that in the year 1919 not more than 75 per cent, of the number made during 1918 will be turned out. Sweden has also absolutely prohibited the export of separators from that country.

A daring theft of general groceries of total value of about £4O was made from the premises of Thede Brothers, general storekeepers, New North Road, Ar'mdalc, during the week-end. The shop was entered through the back door, and there is evidence that a cart was employed in the removal of the goods.

" An advertiser wants to buy ■ £i motor cycle; it must be in good order, and cheap.

Sergeant R. Sinclair, of Taihape, has been awarded a bar to his military medal. We extend our congratulations to one of the most popular y.'iing ioliows who ever donned the King's uniform

To make up for the loss they will suffer through the reduced hours provided by the Public Health Amendment Act, the proprietors of continuous picture theatres in Wellington have decided to increase the charge for admission to 9d downstairs and Is upstairs during the afternoon, and Is downstairs and Is 6d upstairs during the evening. The new scale of charges came into operation on Saturday.

A largely attended meeting of the Whangarei branch of the Post and Telegraph Department yesterday resolved: "This meeting strongly protests against the reported decision of Cabinet to postpone the payment of the war bonus. They therefore demand payment of the same before Christmas, and, as their loyalty has been .strained to the utmost, will support any action taken by the Association. '' The resolution is being forwarded to the Postmaster-General.

Mr Mercer, the local stationmaster, who is a literary enthusiast and bas rather a close knowledge of the appearance of most modern authors, met with a pleasant surprise on" the arrival of the express from Auckland this morning, which was but shortlived. He quite thought he had run into Mr G. K. Chesterton, but his first surprise was quickly transformed' into surprise at the wonderful likeness in size, feature, and gait of a railwayman to t\? famous writer of books. This is mentioned because the Chesterton double has no wish to share any honoured attentions due to the other.

A paper laid on the table of the House of Representatives during the recent session of Parliament, contained details of the various patriotic funds in New Zealand from the outbreak of the war to the 31st March last. The record is certainly creditable. Excluding money and goods contributed,' by private individuals or institutions and forwarded direct, particulars of which arc not ascertainable, this interesting official record shows that to the date mentioned the patriotic contributions of the people of the Dominion totalled the substantial sum of £4,774,801. Of this amount £3,80(5,221 was 'collected by the various patriotic societies. To this amount the Taihape and District Patriotic Society contributed £16,509 and the Taihape Women's Working Guild £2805.