LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 January 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Shearing operations are not yet completed in the Wairarapa and Mastorton districts. For selling milk from which fat had been extracted, Elizabeth Rountree wai fined £2O at Christchurch. A poll was taken in the Manawatu County on Wednesday on the proposal to rate on unimproved mines. The result was 679 votes in favour and 193 against l%e proposal. A considerable number of -returned men passed through by the mail train last night, the majority of whoivT were from the forces taking part in the Palestine campaign with General Allenby. An Australian soldier, who managed to reach a very popular general, and pleaded his case, in rough, earnest fashion, securing a remission of crime penalties which amazed the general’s staff’. "I couldn’t help it,” said the general delightedly. "When I asked him how he got into trouble, he said, ‘Well, it’s this way, digger!’ I had to let him off —he called me digger!”

Wellington lias just published tine balance sheet of the very profitable share of the challenge Copper Trail. The sum required to lay the trail was £97,700 but Wellington area has raised £98,423, .all acquired since the date of commencement of the contest on June 4. Of ‘this latter sum, £66/400 was remitted to the Copper Trail Trustees, £30,858 to the Wellington Centre of the British Bed Cross, and £1122 to the Internal Affairs Department. The expenses were paid out of special donations for this purpose, and amount only to £54 12 Id, or a shade over Is per Cent.

All returned soldiers, territorials, cadets, veterans and volunteers* are requested to assemble at the Defence Office at 1.45 p.m. on Saturday for the purpose of attending the military'funeral to be accorded to the late J. J. Bagley. Uniform is to be worn wherever possible. It is to be hoped there will be a good attendance to render the last sad rites to a departed comrade. It is a duty they owe to one who was wounded on the field on action, and we hope this duty will be realised by all who can possibly attend. A meeting of returned soldiers will be held at the Defence Office this evening at 8 o’clock to arrange for the firing party.