LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 March 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

One Obau la«l has collected so far this season no less than 4000, small

birds’ eggs

A new position under the Department of Labour, that of inspector of accommodation for shearers, has been

created

It is the intention of the Government, as soon as the cost of building settles down somewhat to proceed with the erection of workers’ dwellings in considerable numbers.

Mr. H. D. Bond, jeweller, of Taihapc has a notice of particular interest to those who contemplate making presents, as he has just opened up a Very choice and comprehensive selection of silver and electro-ware suitable for the purpose.

The troopship Hororata berthed at the Wellington wharf at 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and disembarkation proceeded without delay. The returning soldiers were greeted by a large crowd, who accorded them a most enthusiastic reception. There was a plentiful display of hunting on the ship and in the city. Seven hands took part in the general rejoicing. The Hororata sailed for Auckland the same evening.

A farmer of Leicester (England) counted 294 grains on .one stem of oats this season. The following vessels will bo within wireless range to-night: —• Maori, Mararoa, Patcena, Monowai, and Riverina. A troop train with the nortehrn A troop train wit lithe northern troops will pass through Taihape tonight at 8.30.

A piece of steel chain, about two feet long, belonging to a motor car self-starter, lost between Taihape and

Taoroa, on Thursday night, is adver-

tised for,

A panama hat and a gold ring lost from, ar railway carriage on Saturday afternoon, between the station and the south tunnel, is advertised for and a reward is offered.

A padre writes from Codford (N.Z.) camp, under date December 23; The American soldiers arc marrying the French women wives—the Canadians turn their eyes towards the Scotch lassies, 600 marriages taking place every month, vrhile the Australians, South Africans, and New Zealanders are all interested in English girls, and an average of 1000

marriages take place every month

Interviewed by a Napier Telegraph representative the Minister for Lands, the Hou. D. H. Guthrie, stated that at present he could make no statement with regard to the policy or anything else in connection with the pumice lands which he has been visiting during the past few days. The policy of the Government was shortly to be settled, and he bad to report, in Wellington on the matter before anything could bo made public. ,

The Public Trust has been authorised to lend £50,000 to the Southland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Authority has also been given by the Government for the raising of the following loans by local Bodies: Johusonville Town Board, £3000; Kairanga County Council, £3000; New Plymouth Borough Council, £10,000; Palmerston North Borough Council, £300; Patangata County Council, £25,000.

‘■So far as I am aware, there Is no possible reason for the further suspension of the retiring age in the Public Service as fixed by law at 65,” stated the Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon. G/. W. Russell, when the matter was mentioned to Mm last week. “The suspension of the law arose from the emergency created by the war, and now that the men are returning to the service I know of no reason why the law should not operate as previously.”

A groat fuss was being made iu Christchurch just now about the Gov-

ernment not doing enough for the men employed on the Otira tunnel works, remarked the Minister for Public Works in Wellington last week. They say that wo are only paying the men 11s a day, said the Minister, but as a matter of fact, for many months past all the men employed on public works have been receiving 12s per day; and the men at the Otira tunnel, in consc-

queuce of the continuous wet, receiv 13s a day for six hours’ work only which is equal to 2s 2d an hour.

The price of glass has been exceedingly high for a long time past. Wellington merchants state that since the signing of the armistice tfiey have found it easier to place orders with a promise of early delivery, but the improvement in the supply has not been acompanicd by any material decino in prices, orders have 'been placed at pre-war prices, and this may be taken to mean that during the rest of the year the buyers of glass will be required to pay the present high prices, or something near them. Some familiar lines of glass are out of stock, manufacturers have been unable to meet fully the demand for standard lines, aud have not been prepared to listen to orders for special tints and patterns.

The Acting Prime Minister (Sir Jainss Allen) states that he knows of no movement to suspend the se’Ssibn of Parliament this year and proceed straight to a general election on the return of the leaders. No proposal of the kind has been put forward by responsible men. It existed only in the imagination of a few people. Sir James Allen’s reputation for veracity has not been improved by his tenure of the office of Defence Minister, but we might accept his denial only, for the fact that last year’s Appropriation Act, passed after the armistice had been signed, contains a provision legalising any expenditure up to the end of 1919—a provision which has no precendcnt, and which would have unnecesary if there had been any Intention to hold a session before the general election.

The finest FLUID MAGNESIA, is SHARLAND’S.- More freshly made than imported kinds. Guaranteed highest strength and purest quality. Larger bottle—lower price. 1

Tho liner Ruapehu left 'Wellington J on Saturday for London, via Panama, I taking 135 passengers.

| The usual practice of the Huia Or- ' chestra has been postponed until next j Thursday on acount of the holiday toi day.

Dr Johnson, who is one of the leading lecturers of the United States, and wlio is in New Zealand as a Chau-

tauqua lecturer, has consented to give one more lecture in Taihapc before he sails for the United States in the Nia-

gara on her next trip

It does not appear to be generally recognised that tickets for the Trentham Scholarships Art Union are on sale all over New Zealand in shops which display the Art Union windowbills. Many people who are willing to purchase tickets have been wondering where to get the tickets without the trouble of writing to the secretary. Readers anxious to buy will note that they have only to inquire at any shop or house where the Art Union bills are displayed. Tbe prizes total £6BOO, and tickets are 1/- each, so that the scheme ofors a splendid investment, while the cause is god.

The Now Zealanders in depot at Bournemouth appear to have been popular. So much so that on the announcement of the early breaking up of the Engineer Reserve depot at Christchurch, tho Mayor entertained tho € Aiders to dinner at the Grand Sotcl. In proposing the toast of 1 ‘ The Guests, ’ ’ he said hq had desired before the officers left Bournemouth and neighbourhood to entertain them in that way, because of the happy relations which had existed between since their friends from the Dominions had oeen located in their midst. On behalf of the town, ho wished to express their great appreciation of the excellent behaviour and fine bearing of the, men. Of their stay in Bourcmouth the townspeople would always have pleasant recollections, and he hoped that that would be reciprocated. Liout.-Colonel G. Barclay, in replying. assured the Mayor that the guests would carry away with them the most pleasant recollections of Bournemouth.