LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 145, 14 November 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

■ The Defence Office intimate that they want more men. Registrations can be I made at tho Defence headquarters Now Plymouth; Lieiit-;nant W. H. Humhhrie".. Jnpdewood; Sergt.-Major Gregor, Stratford. ! Dp Wet. who has rebelled in South ' Africa against a Government which | treated him kindly, has made a mock- ' ery of words with which he concluded I V" hool-. "Three Years' War." A correspondent supplies this passage:—"To . mv nnt'on I ex-press one last word. Be Inval to the new Government! Loyaltv i pavs best in the end. Loyalty alone is | wort.ln- of a nation whicli has shed its "blood for freedom."

An original idea has been put forward in Auckland and is being widely taken up in connection with the Belgian "clothing week'' movement. It is a plan to sew penny pieces in the pockets of those articles intended for children's wear. The idea has caught on, and will no doubt provide pleasant surprises for the unfortunate youngsters for whom they are intended.

.-.The cost of a kiss was assessed by Mr. 8. E. McCarthy, S.M., at tho Napier Court on Tuesday at £lO 17s (3d. Tho decision was the outcome of a charge of assault laid against Charles 'Wells by Margaret Heron. Counsel for the defendant pleaded guilty, and said the defendant had been hard pressed financially and much worried, and had taken to drink, the assault being tie outcome. Defendant 'had since apologised to the woman. Counsel for Mrs. iHV-ron saul the case was move serious, the kissing occurring several times. Default was fixed nt two months' imprisonment, and defendant was allowed to pay the fine at the rate of £2 per month. An enterprise of great importance to the farmers of New Zealand), and which may be developed when peace is restored. was mentioned by Mr. A. Harris, M.P., when speaking at Greeiihithe. lie stated that the Government is in communication with the Imperial Govern-

ment with a view to obtaining the lease of one or more of the phosphate islands in the Pacific wfhieh were recently German possessions. In several of the islands in the Pacific now occupied b'v British forces, phosphate, rock manures are plentiful, and it is hoped that after the final settlement at tho termination of the war the leasing to Now Zealand of some of these islands will make it possible for the Government to smmly unlimited quantities of phosphate fertilisers to the fanners at prices von- much less than those at which they are obtainable at present. The Daily Chronicle's special correspondent, E. Rowan, writes from Amsterdam under date September Hi:—l am told by people who were in Germany recently that the splendid fighting qualities of the hitherto despised British Army are causing great astonishment there, and even arousing admiration. The appearance of British prisoners marching through German streets is generally received by respectful silence, instead of jeers, which greet other soldiers, and German papers tell how the popularity of British Tommies at Doebcritz Prison Camp is gravely embarrassing the authorities. As the men march into barracks for dinner, women evade the guards and press on the prisoners tobacco, chocolate, fruit and even money. Women often wait for hours to sec the British soldiers pass.

A general meeting of the West End I l''ore9hore Improvement Society iwas I hold last night, the president, Mr Geo. Tabor, presiding. It was reported that arrangements had bee* made for the bungalow tea rooms to be opened every afternoon and evening, and that the innovation was becoming popular. Further arrangement} were made in connection with the sale of work for which the ladies are hard at work, and a committee was set up to meet the East End representatives with a view of arranging that picnics at the respective, seaside parks should not clash.

Residents of niccarton, states' a contemporary, have lately had their patience and t'heir patriotism tried by tie exhibitions of loyalty of an enthusiastic son of the Fatherland. Not only did this patriotic German fly nis country's flag from his own roof, but on the occasion of a Prussian victory he "has run up as many as four flags. Naturally (Ricearton people were incensed, and they conspired among themselves to check the exuberance of the Prussian spirit in their neighborhood. Two nights ago about half a. dozen young fellows, taking advantage of" the cover afforded by the darkness, scnled the garden wall, climbed on the German's roof, hauled down the flags, and burned ttoem on the front lawn before the gaze of the exasperated and bewildered occupant of the house.

(Mr. Massey, speaking at Pukekohe, said that there was a good deal of uneasiness in regard to the presence of Germans jn New Zealand, and also upon the subject of wireless installations. In regard to the latter, he pointed out that no private wireless plant could send out any message without their being picked up by the Government stations. They might receive messages,, but these could not be made use of unless they were posted beyond the Dominion, and this was guarded against by the strict censorship that had been established. As to the Germans in Now Zealand, some of them were satisfied to live and die under the Union Jack, but a large proportion were sympathisers with their countrymen. These people required watching, and they were being watched. There were probably 10,000 German subjects in New 2fealand. If any of these •or a member of any other nationality was discovered giving information to the enemy Which might be used to our detriment, he would be handed over to the military court. If he were found guilty, the (punishment would be in accordance with the ofTenc,. and he did not need to tell them what that meant. (Applause.) Writes our Tariki correspondent:— The danger of stray bulls running on the road was frocibly illustrated here last Sunday morning. Mr A. F,. Cowley, who was travelling along the Boss road on his way to the factory, was met by an apparently quiet-looking bull, which, passing in front of his horse, suddenly turned and rushed the horse. The impact nearly upset the cart, but Mr Cowley managed to turn his horse round, and drive off the bull up the Ngaro road. Proceeding, he met Mr Harkness, on horseback, and told him of the danger. On looking back, Mr Bowling was seen coming down the Ngaro road. Mr Harkness galloped forward, but beforo he could make him realise the danger, the bull mad« a violent attack on the horse Mr Bowling was driving, repeatedly charging in a savage manner. Finally, Mr Harkness 'succeeded in driving him off, but not before ho had inflicted seriouß damage on Mr Bowling's horse. The bull was then driven further up the Ngaro road, and, after a brief court-martial, two rounds of .303 were administered by Mr H. Bridgeman. Exit taurusf!

Tiie Citizens' Ball held at the Coronation Hall last night in aid of the Poor in Britain and. Belgium Fund, was perhaps the most successful function of its kind ever held in the town. There was an attendanso estimated at between six and seven hundred. The energetie ladies' committee had gone to much tremble to ensure the comfort and pleasure of patrons, the spacious building being very tastefully arranged. The annexes ware used as a supper room and another portion of the building as a euchre card room, whilst the balcony ■was utilised for bridge. Prior to the opening, the Citizen's Band rendered a .fiue programme of music oi'tsiue ihe building and was greatly appreciated. The feature of ihe evening ii'cis, the .splendid music that was provided ly Mr Van Heck's special orchestra, whose playing was a treat to hear. The M.C.'s were Messr3 H. Brookes, A. Boon and W. Way. The bridge iprfzes were won by llrs S. B. Baker, Mrs Bolors, Mrs I 1 Heard and Mrs Drew and Mr Plumtree, whilst the euchre prizes went to ! Mrs F, H. Bellringer, Mrs Beatley, Miss j Devonian and Mr 31. Paul. The.* ladies' I committee aTe to be heartily congratulated on the success of their efforts. 1 The committee consisted of the Mayoress), Mrs. J. W. Wilson), Mesidames F. T. Bellringer, G. Brady. Oour(tenay, B. Dockrill, Fletcher, * 'Heard, iHutchen, P.. Jury, T. C. List, G. Neal, JW. J. Benn and L. B. Webster; Misses (V,. Smith, Bennett (2), Baily, Footc, "r.oldwatcr, 0. Mackay, Brewster, and | Sal way.

I Few men in Sydney are so well-known as the Rev. R. B. S. Hammond), who comes to New Plymouth to-day for a I'luief visit. His work, as rector of St. Simon's Church, has brought him into friendly touch with all classes of the community, and won him a reputation . for broad charity and unselfish service. . His vigorous advocacy of the No-License solution of the temperance problem fas been appreciated all over Australasia, for the rsiciiiess and pungency of his addresses have made ihis handling of this knotty question both illuminating and entertaining. He speaks in the open-air to-night at Ambury's corner at 8 p.m., and in the Good Templar Hall tomorrow afternoon and after the fchurch services at n : ght. Tile afternoon 1 will be a men's meeting. At a meeting of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth last night 1 the following were successful at the ballot for appropriations:—First Group, two appropriations of £l5O, Mx Win. Hooker; Second Group, two similar appropriations, Mr W. IH. Nosworthy. Messrs E. Chattcrton and W. Nixon acted as scrutineers, and Mr D. Hooker drew the marbles. Three tenders were received for two appropriations open to tender, the highest offer (£35) being accepted.

J At Whitelcy Church to-moiTow morning the Rev. A. B. ChappcU will .preach on "Judas: A Study in 'Degeneration" and in the evening on "A Banquet that Went Begging." There will be a sacred >.-n>o at each service, together with choir selections.

A reminder is given of the orchestral concert to be given on Sunday afternoon at "lAotea" by Mrs. George's orchestra and the Citizens' Band. 'Buses will leave Ambmy's Corner at 2 o'clock. A collection is to be taken up in aid of the East and West End Improvement Committees.

Being a combination of roots, barks and herbs, condensed into drop doses, KUBAPEPTIC cures most obstinate cases of Indigestion. If not yet obtainable in your, town, ask your store keeper to pet it from Burgess, Fraaar