LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 February 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

“We cannot get men for love nor money,” remarked a builder to a Masterton Daily Times reporter. “The complaint seems to be general just now throughout the Wairarapa; Only by paying very high wages are we able to obtoin a bricklayer or two from Welington.’

Householders are notified by advertisement that the Borough water supply must not be used for watering or jfor any (other jpurpose than household requirements. It is necesary that this restriction should be enforced, as the present supply is barely sufficient to meet the ordinary house requirements.

What might have proved a serious hcident "was narrowly averted this morning, Wong Nam, the Chinese gardener was driving out of the hack entrance of Ern’s Hotel and struck a post at the side of the building, capsizing the cart and throwing the occupants on to the road. Beyond a few bruises the driver and Willie Nam escaped further injury.

Here is an idea of the cost of ad-

vertising in some of the big papers of the world; The London Daily Mail announces that owing to the increased supply 0 f paper all trades advertisements will be executed at reduced rates—viz., for specified positions 70s per inch and position at papers.’ option 60s per inch.

The rape crop in the Clutha district is a failure (says the Otago Daily Times), but turnips arc coming on satisfactorily. Oat and wheat crops, generally speaking, look exceptionally well, and there are some splendid fields to be seen in the Aawmangu district. Nearly all of the autumn sown oat crops are cut, and on one farm at Warepa last week a yield of newly-cut oats was thrashed out.

Speaking of the language that some returned soldiers indulge in Major Chaplain R. H. Catherwood, in the Course of some remarks at the .Presbyterian Assembly, raised a laugh by saying that he had heard as had language in the Asembly. "You don’t say it in their words,” continued the popular cleric, “but you mean the same thing. You must not be too rough on them if they use a few ‘blankey’ blanks.”

Business consuls,’ well trained arid adequately paid, are required in every part of the world. Their appointment is one of the principal provisions of the scheme for promoting overseas trade, which is being prepared under the direction of Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland. In an interview Sir Arthur told a London paper that, given adequate means, the arrangements that are contemplated include the provision of a regular scheme of general and commercial education whereby men will come to Us able to do the work thoroughly. Such men will have to be paid an edequate salary, otherwise they will he snapped up by private comercial Concerns. To begin with, what we want to ensure is that in all the important places of the world, really good and reliable commercial information should be readily available for our business men —for the men on the spot and for those at home in London. ,

A thrilling fight between a number of sharks and a fishing party waff Witnessed from the South Head, Sydney, a few days ago. The fishermen left Watson’s Bay early in the moriiing in a motor launch, and proceeded about two miles east before dropping lines. As soon as the fish came about a number of shaks darted under and around the boat and snapped them from the hooks. This went on for an hour, and finally the fisherman set a shark bait. It was soon taken, and the capturbd shark raced round the boat, and several tjmes tried to put its teeth into the sides. A number g£ other sjiarko? surounded the boat and commenced fighting viciously. After a battle which lasted over an hour, the captured shark was drowned and towed back to port. Mr Alfred Gibson, of the Signal Station, who saw the fight, warns fishing parties not to take any risks outside. •“Swarms of sharks are about near the Heads,” he said.

”1 hope this piano will be taken out into the playground and buried, and that it will kindle such a bjaze that will illuminate not only the ■ playground, but will throw ja. light all over New Zealand,” said Mr Pilkington, at the meeting of the Education Board lon Wednesday night last, during discussion opr the nkoposcid purchase lof a German-mjade piano for Foxton school. He went on to say that the people required a striking lesson of this kind. It was most astonishing how soon the people forgotthe offences of German people, and arc ready to purchase Germanmade goods for a paltry gain of a few pence. Every penny they spend in purchasing German goods was helping to build up German armaments and assisting in the preparations for another war. Like Esau, people who purchase %rman-'iado goods jwcre •selling their heritage for -a mess of pottage.