LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 February 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

From February 18 to the end of the first week in March no fewer than 15,000 soldiers from overseas- will have landed ill the Dominion.

Mr J. H. Johnson is advertising for 2000 pint bottles, for which he will pay one shilling per dozen at his Cordial Factory in Tui Street.

By Order-in-Couucil gazetted this week the maximum retail price of bacon is fixed at Is Cd per lb, subject to the addition of not more than Id’ to that price when the bacon is cut into rashers.

Orders are pouring into England from the Dominion Governments for railway stock and plant, electrical plant, and building materials. Meanwhile some factories in the Midlands where machine guns were turned out •are rapidly readjusting their machinery for the manufacture ®f sewing machines and typewriters.

When the armistice was signed British airmen alone were knocking out in a single day a greater number of Hun machines than the British Flying Corps possessed in 1914. So great were the German areial casualties from one cause and another that had the war continued until the early summer of next year, the Allied 'arimen would have been able to cross the German lines practically unmolested when and where they liked.

Mr George Blanche, the deep well borer of Palmerston, has just completed the finest artesian well there is in the district. It is for the Longburn Freezing Works. Tbe piping used is 4in in diameter, and is sunk to a depth of 318 feet. The -water rises to a height of 46 feet above tbe surface, and is flowing at the rate of 300 gallons a minute. This is the best result yet obtained in the Palmerston district.

A man to drive a delivery cart is wanted by Mr. J. H. Johnson, coal and wood merchant, Tui Street.

Now* the war is over many interesting stories about the round-up of spies in England, are being told. One concerns a man w r ho attempted to poison the water supply of a garrison town. He was caught red-handed and suffer ed the fate he deserved.

An English paper of recent date states that most of the requisitioned shipping wall have to go into dry dock far repair before being sent to sea again. Costs have increased by nearly 200 per cent compared with those of 1914. Very successful efforts have been made in raising torpedoed ships, quite half the number sunk in British waters during the past two years having been already raised.

A position w r hich is occasioning some strong feeling on the part of the Maoris has been revealed in connection with the forthcoming licensing poll. The Chief Electoral Officer, in reply to a telegram sent by Mr H’ Parata, has advised that there is no provision for Maoris voting at the special licensing poll. Half-castes may register as electors on a European roll under the Legislature Act, and in such case wall be entitled to vote. There is provision for Maoris who are members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and who have not received their discharge, having a vote.

At the fortnightly meeting of the Women’s International League strong exception was taken to the cable published in the Taihape Daily Times of February 18 in regard to the nationalisation of women In Russia. The grounds upon wdiich the exception was taken to the publication are thus stated by the International League: The cable is contrary to fact. The decree states that no marriage can take place (except in the Transcaueasus, where the ago is slightly low*er) under the age of 18 for males and 16 for females, and the contracting parties are free agents. The laws regarding marriage and birth in Russia are in many respects superior te those in other parts of the world.

Mr R. A Wright, member for Wellington Suburbs, has been informed by the Hon. W. H. Herrie s that the Workers’ Dwellings Board has already recommended the extension of the Mount that can be advanced for the erection of workers’ dwellings, and it wall be referred to Mr Massey for his consideration ifi time for next session. The question of dealing with the matter in the meantime by war regulation has also been looked into, but there is no power to act in this manner. The Workers Dwellings Board, the Minister states, has 'made it, a practice to disregard any sums earned by applicant workers by way of bonuses or allowances, following the ruling of the pudge of the Arbitration Court, that war bonuses arc not deemed to be wages. The board has dealt wdth a number of applicants in this way.

An extraordinary burglary incident has been reported to the Palmerston North police. The story goes that a turf enthusiast had had the odds laid to him by a local bookmaker, and had got the worst of the deal in a way that made him sad. He decided to get his own back in quite an original manner. He invaded what he thought was the bookies house in th ewce sma’ hours, and came away with a substantial haul of jewellery and a small amount of money. Later he made the discovery that he had entered the strong house. Nothing danuted, jhe returned to the domicile on tFe following night, replaced the jewellery, and expressed his regret in a polite letter, in which he expressed his -intention to use the money to redeem his fortunes on the turf. Thcpolicb are now trying to link uf» the- threads of this moving incident.

At a meeting of citizens held in Christchurch to take precautions in case of another visitation of the influenza epidemic (says the Press) Mr R. C. Bishop said; In future you will have to manage without my help. I am sorryz. hut I am taking this ocurse because of the dirty* nfeam, Contemptible action of the Government* While I was busy attending to epidemic affairs at St. Luke’s, in Manchester St, my own business had to he neglected. I did not attend at my office. In consequence I omitted to pay my land tax until after the date fixed for the imposition of 10 per cent, extra. When my services were no longer needed at St. Luke’s I sent my cheque for the sum originally demanded to the Commissioner of Taxes in Wellington, explained the whole position, and asked that, under the circumstances, the imposition should be remitted, and I received a reply that ray request could not be granted. The 10 per cent, extra is a small rating—nothing, i n fact—but the Government ’s action towards one who was doing work for the public that should have been done by the Goveenment itself is abominable. In future, as far as I am concerned, the Government can employ returned soldiers to do the work, and pay them.

Will the ladv who lost a small black

bag please call at this office.

Half draught, three-quarter draught and hack horses are advertised for sale.

The Taihape Hibernian Society has been given permission to charge for admission to the Recreation Reserve on St. Patrick’s Hay, 17th March next.

Mrs Captain Batt ,of “The Spring” Weka Street, (advertises first-class, frseh picked plums at six pounds for one shilling; a cheaper plum for sauce making.

To-morrow, Messrs Ward and Co. will sell tanks, corrugated iron, iron boiler, pinch and fencing bars, handsome settee, a quantity of fruit and an assortment of sundries.

Mr T. W. Williams, of Motukawa, notifies by advertisement that if all stray horses running on his property arc not claimed and removed by 12th. March next, they will all be » impounded.

Mr. A. Nathan has received telegraphic advice that his grandson, Mr J. N. Wickens, who was reported wounded some time ago, arrived hy transport in Wellington to-day, and that he should reach his home, Taihapo, not later than Saturday. Private Wickens’ many friends hereabout will extend him a hearty welcome home.

The public of Taihape, ladies and gentlemen, are particularly requested to attend a public meeting in the Town Hall on next Monday afternoon, at 4 o’clock, to meet Mr Lethbridge, Chairman of the Wanganui Hospital Board, and to discuss proposals for, combating any recrudescence of ( the influenza epidemic which may. occur It is a sacred duty ordinary humanity imposes on everyone to assist in warring against such a calamity and it is to be hoped there will be a good attendance on Monday to meet the Hospital Chairman.