LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 240, 19 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A proposal is on foot to erect a Shakespearian Theatre in Wellington. The Maketawa sports and picnic, to have been held yesterday, were, on account of the wet weather, postponed till noon to-day (Friday). At the S.M. Court yesterday Thomas West, who failed to appear, was fined 5a and costs 7s for missing a senior cadet parade. It is understood that a proposal is on foot in Wanganui for the formation of a company to condtirf a bacon curing factory in Wanganui.

The Awatuna factory has received word that its cheese by the Somerset realised 935. A meeting of farmers interested in the formation of a company for the purpose of erecting a co-operative freezing works in North Taranaki is to be held at Stratford on Tuesday afternoon. At the S.M. Court yesterday, William Gush, who failed to appear, was charged with riding a motor-bicycle without a light in Devon Street at 7 p.m. on March 11, and was convicted and fined 7s (id and costs 7s.

Tho New South Wales Ministry has decided that the public should bo allowed to obtain soft drinks and fruit on Sunday during church hours. However, the doors of shops must be kept only slightly ajar so as not to offend the susceptibilities of churchgoers. The Hastings Tribune reports that owing to the dry weather and the extreme shortage of water, numbers of sheep arc dying in the paddocks in the Wanstoad district. ' In one instance a farmer in that district counted as many as twenty sheep dead in the vicinity of a fenco.

Many farmers consider (says the Otautau Standard, that scarcely a crop of oats in the district will thrash out at 45 bushels to the acre. Grass seed is turning out much better than anticipated, and returns of 50 bushels per acre are common—a very payable proposition at 5s per bushel. The milk supply at the Riverdale dairy factory has undergone a big drop lately as the result of the dry weather. The daily supply at present is 20,000 lbs below what it was at the same time last season. This represents a loss of something like £IOO a day to the suppliers.—Witness.

The cash at the counter system has worker a revolution #n the' habits of Masterton residents. The highly respected citizen may now be seen (says the Age) conveying to hl« home a kit containing a loaf of bread and a pound of chops. And he seems rather proud of the opportunity of doing something to "harness the resources."

Wh ilo excavating the cellar of the Coronation Hotel, Elthaui, states the Argus, tho workmen came across some stones specked with gold. It is presumed that the stones were blown oil' the mountain at some time or other. A in ore gruesome find in the shape of a collection or bones was also discovered, but whether they are human remains, and how f h got there, still remain to be found out.' As comparing the prices of meat 17 .years ago with the present. prices, the following extracts from an old account hill "I Vessrs Manners Bros, old Klthain } interesting: —"'lslb ■ s '"I- ' l ib mutton 2s I|,| 4f|, ages Is lid. liind-quarl or la,„l, l!s (id [J""!' steak Is. 1 ' H will he noticed (Wvs v'u■ if"V'' a i Mn ' e (he above prices, while wa-es r* 1 "- 1 ' !" n » »••• Kit ham resid'ent" hare not rise,, anything like proportion j

' o ? : ' i ' '■eports-.-Mr. L'nTh T'' I' I '' ''"hnig olf (lie Mnknu ""J «•«•»«* Iron, (he launch cnui/lit :i. vcrv ,-i-,h » • , .... , im-asnr-NJJ (>if li'tlllj j; s > 1)( - * wl r > m wiiii-. Mr rllIr( ; ]'■„!! f\\-n srliiun.prr liorhvl {}.<. j ■ r ;', h | s hps ai triced'

"'ben war ' •!•''' mi hard-.hiji in <■,■[< in" • ■"! I ,! 1 IM> !'()!<• u} -j ■> r I I "' 1 -' V,., r 1 'I •"■ • 1 1 ,■ , - lv lor lii i I « icli, ,e slated, was shor !:• '"ft and 1,,. |: ' 'I- '-. i» hug (!,e • (ram of v ■ '"C'l :-i, eiaiiy t !n11-!s of fiel , ':" i •'>' -■(■nidoig !,i:sh had h-"',' u "' .a vn!H:i"- a: the IPvlih How being u.e,! for fonnii,.,- tl„ ••»d <his work will -horiu ! ■ '"'pedired by the concentra--1'" ''- ''en teams on il,o iob. If ""Oflier three inoni lis "ill see (he cutting through and tin Vj"l foruiefiui, f iiii.slied. 'l'lie ?danga- ! ilUl ' niv \vll w?ri!c iviiMitviny ""'" l 'ed from the junction. On appcai'ance, the tinishing touches to the undertaking will be witnessed well before (h» year closes.

A lucid study of the British Empire lias been published by Macmillans. Sir Charles Lucas, in this work, insists that the war has caused England to cease to be an island, exchanging her position for that of a unique European power with a population far below that of Russia or Germany. In order to hold her own with other first-class Powers Britain must identify herself absolutely with her people overseas. Whether it is better to endure the pangs of hunger than eat lunch in twenty minutes—that is tho question that arose in the mind of most of those present at the Napier Supreme Court on Wednesday, when the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, said that about 1876 or 1877—lie was not sure which—Judge Johnston used to say that twenty minutes was ample time in which to adjourn for lunch. The times have changed, and though things are supposed to be rushed more now than they used to be in the seventies, Sir Robert Stout decided that an hour was necessary, and adjourned the court accordingly. Some evidence of the prosperity cf laranaki may be gathered by the number ot motor vehicles that assembled in the "horse" paddock at the Opunake races on Wednesday. An official of the club counted 21!) motor cars, five motor busses and 45 motor cycles, and this did not include quite a number that were (lodging about from place to place during the afternoon. A spectator with a t< nt for figures estimated that £70,000 would be a low valuation to place on the motor vehicles that made the trip to Pihama on Wednesday from various parts And yet one hears that monev is tight!

A sorry picture of the disastrous effect tlic drought has had in the Ilawkc's Bay province was painted by a farmer of the Manawatu district who visited the province a little uver a week ago. He staled that the country commencing ten miles above Damievirke and reaching up towards Hastings had been burned dry. Willow trees had been stripped bare of leaves and bark to feed stock, and it was pitiful to sec emaciated stock trying to run at the approach of a train. Although it was reported that the drought had broken, he stated that it had not done, so w!ien he was there not a fortnight ago. The Wellington correspondent of the Dunedin Star writes: "It is whispered in political circles that the examination of the ballot papers used in the Taumarunui election has disclosed an almost unparalleled condition of things. The examination of the counterfoils, etc., has uneartihed an extraordinary state of affairs, of which much will 'be heard on the floor of the House. Hundreds of ballot papers are said to be missing from certain booths; nearly 200 counterfoils cannot be found; and it is alleged that nearly 70 cases of double voting have been established. A fresh election appears to bo tlic only remedy for the mess-up that has occurred." A New Plymouth resident who motored through from Wellington on Sunday states that on his way he passed through a big mob of cattle being slowly driven through to Taranaki from the W airarapa. The cattle were in an emaciated condition, some of them being but bags of bones, showing how they had suffered by the drought on the other coast. Feed along the roadside was fairly good, especially as Mt. Egmont was approached, and'by the time they reached their destination they should improve considerably. Our informant states that one has to go away to appreciate how well off Taranaki is in respect to feed.

Soinc_ idea of tho slump in English money in Germany on the outbreak r,f the war is given by the experience, of an English lady who was with her daughter in Loipsig at tho time, as related in a letter to a member of the Fiji Times start. Three golden sovereigns were offered a man for two £5 Bank of England notes; notes were, in fact, practically valueless there, and cheques were as cheap as treaties, mere "scraps of paper." This lady, who was for five days in the unpleasant predicament of being without a penny, and had to borrow a sum suflicierit to cable to her relatives in England, asked the manager of a German bank if, v/'ien the war was over, she would get Tier money again. The manager looked at her. 'lf your people win." he said, "ther will take everything. If we win " and he threw out his hands.

Some idea of tho slump in English money in Germany on the outbreak of war is given by the experience of an English lady who was with lier daughter in Leipzig at the time, as related in a letter to a member of the "Fiji Times" staff. Three golden sovereigns were offered a man for two £5 Bank of England notes; notes were, in fact, practically valueless there, and cheques were as cheap as treaties, mere "scraps of paper." Thi 9 lady, who was for five days in the unpleasant predicament of being without a penny, and had to borrow s sum sufficient to cable to her relatives in England, asked the manager of a German bank if, when the war was ov.'r, she would get her money again. The manager looked at her. "If your people win," he said, "they will take everything. If we win—" and he threw out his hands.

"Unless a man can speak Dutch it is I no use for him to go to Java to compete against the. Dutchmen in general trading or professional work." said a returned Southland traveller just after a visit to the East Indies. "The lowest wage a clerk starts with is £2OO per annum, and the average Dutch clerk receives t.olM) per annum. The managers of financial and trading institution's make very high money, considerably higher than the average in Australasia. A peculiar thing is that after men make 'an independence there they leave Java to reside in Kurope. Nearly-all the clerical positions are filled by Chinamen. Kxcluding the general managers end departmental heads of trading compani 's, o! banks, the whole of the staffs are Chinamen. They are most industrious, I holiest and shrewd. The half-caste Mutch and Javanese is the class [Yoni wnicli all positions in the police force, I'o-t ««'l trlc"ra|>U, lailways, and Customs are filled. Tn the early history of iho Dutch there they intermarried a gnat deal with the native population, and the ol'icisl classes ultimately beCMine largely luill'-casfes. Most of -he minor ellicial )»..;(i.ms to-day are (ill-d "y (ll .e:-'i. but higher positions, such as Uii' < ••wnvni'iit representatives, .-■ccroiaie's, etc., lire, id course, pure Dutch."

1 l "' r,> is « v:! •' «iil)V:vnc,. Mwrii (!„> I in (1,,. I.nn.luu I '' '' n M 'i ]| r-r in ill,' (iiTiimn ; lxiwmbyx. In t1,.. London jo>ininU the jiil-.vrl-Miij: inliiiiiis |u'iif!;!im |he.t a war is W <ni, luil. a v.'ur which is neither lnii'liny nor depressing the Hrit,s" nation. In Crrmnnv flic' advertisements tell aiiollnT Klorr. Tin- nhifuarv ""I '' •»!<•«)(• the 'advertisim; (..,,1. ■ ; rmf amount of s|Btr,. iAakrii ' ■ iiidiees of \oluntary and V' . aN'iry ihipUoih. Si«di noi ire . a"A liny In 1)0 sold jrhen aveiy. on account [),,. l, '»K wliimn- J,,,,,.-.,. "! )Vr ™mw "t "war prices." ivj.im.-iiU art- ae'nnllv ad\i'"(isui- IV volunteers. "War loans." savs Il:r St.fi!,||.;(. \ cnvarK ''am a!'for. ami many a poor devii who r-,,nir,.< a. « ot iva.lv money saen(i n . s i, js ]., s ; poor savings to those hyenas who still coin pel'.l out ol the mi-fortunes and sorrows oi liu-ir fellow men. Anvone wanlire; to buy a business can do so {'f H'i!7)ly 'J•. ti■ incss f 0 f rale immediately. husband at tin. front, so runs [.lie advertisement.' '' Tli-,-c is a terrible su'liilien;n-e in the that extensive :iil\ei't i sni<4' IS done by photographers who oiler to make life-size reproductions of the photographs of the fallen, and by female fortune-tellers who offer to n-ive the iioor Gorman news of their men. i

Mr. Alfred Deakin, the Commonwealth Commissioner to the San Francisco Exposition, was accorded a hearty welcome on his arrival by a large body of Australasians now living in Sftn Francisco. In the course of an interview with a press representative he said: "My political life is over, for after 30 years of strenuous, though enjoyable campaigning, the strain is too great for me. I am satisfied with having led the Liberal Party to victory for three different terms. Of course, I am taking an immense interest in the European war, and I am convinced Australia will continue to support the Mother Country (o the very end. We have sent 40,000 men to England, and are now sending another 10,€00, and when those have left, again 10,000. On this question, as <m that of participation in the PanamaPacific Internatioii", Exposition all parties in Australia stand united." A direct reply to tlie statements made with regard to the profits accruing to tlie Union Company as a result of the war was given by Mr \V. Pryor, on behalf of the company, <n the Arbitration Court on Wednesday. The war results had been anything but satisfactory to the company, ho said, and it would have been far better for the company if the war had never come about. The transport service was nothing like the huge thing it was supposed to be for the company, and, while it had at one time six vessels engaged in the service, only two were to be retained; The company had stood loyally to New Zealand in maintaining services, and had suffered considerable diminution of its business, quite apart from the transport service. Mr. Pryor handed up a statement, signed by a reliable officer, to show the Court that the company's business as a whole had suffered seriously by the war. Writing to his brother in Wellington, an Englishman who has been resident in South Africa for fifteen years, and who occupies a prominent position in business circles in Durban, says:—"l think the Germans will be more or less knocked out by the middle of the year. South Africa, I should say, is past its worst, but the pasition in the towns will not be too good for some time There should be a good season for the farmers next year, though this year has been spoilt by the rebellion I expect fine niealic (maize) crops this July. A great improvement has taken place in stock in the Free State lately, though the last drought played havoc. Poverty in the towns is acute. People prefer to hang about than battle away on their own for a few years on the veldt or veldt towns It is most depressing to open replies to advertisements for clerks at

<£lß to £2O a month I had forty-four replies the other day—many of them married men."

I Extenuating circumstances were pleaded by William Horanell in the S.M. Court yesterday, when lie appeared to answer a charge of motor-cycling at night without a light. He explained to the Bench that the stay of his lamp broko between Hawera and New Plymouth, but, as it was a Thursday afternoon, ho could not get it mended. A delivery wagon was attached to his ricyele, whilst a companion, who was carrying a friend in a side-car, also had no light, because the rain had flooded the accumulators of his lamp (electric). His Worship asked why he did not explain the position to the inspector, to which defendant replied that he had tried to do so, but the inspector refused to listen. Mr. Tippins denied this. His Worship said it seemea that the defendant had done all ho could, and, as there was no reason to disbelieve him, he thought it would be sufficient to enter a conviction, with costs only, 7s. Frank Taunton, the companion referred to in the previous ease, was similarly charged. His Worship said thai in view of the fact that the defendant did not choose to appear, he would have to convict him and impose a fine of 7s fid and costs 7s. The clever ruse which has been uo successfully employed by the. Gurkhas at the front—that of apparently evacuating a trench while under the fire of the enemy—was well illustrated at the annual camp of the Auckland Coastal Defence Infantry Detachment, at 'Brown's Bay recently. A sikirmishing party, comprising about ISO men, were divided into opposing forces, one of which occupied a natural trench at the foot of a hill, closely overgrown with tall ti-treo. On a signal being given by the officer in command, the men crawled from the trench into the brush behind with as little noise as possible and without exposing themselves. When the attacking party rushed the trench, to their surprise, no resistance was offered. They were not long in possession, however, before they were surprised bv the enemy en masse! who made their appearance. from the flank. This method has been* often exercised by our Indian fighters at the front .*lth great success, and with disaster to the enemy. They often employ machine-guns, and, taking up a position at the end of a trench, practically blow their oncmv out at the other end.

"In this irar we nearly failed as an t empire," declared Dr A. W. Avcrill, , Anglican Bishop of Auckland, when , preaching on Sunday evening. "We . might well have gone under simply bej cause during the time of peace we did not build up our reserves," lie continued. '•Wli.it success Germany has had so far v has been due to the fact that ever since | the war of IS7O she has been steadily j building up her reserve powers for—- , the Day!" Later on in his sermon Bis- ' hop Avcrill drew attention to the fact that seven months ago, just at the out- ; break of the war, ho had preached nt ■ St. Alban's. At that time the people's i prayer had been, he felt safe in saying. , "Father, save us from this hour.'' Gradually it had been felt by the people that there was a purpose in the coming of the terrible strife, and that God was usinsr the Empire to bring to an end the ter rible curse that had been growing u>> on the Continent and threatening liberty and brotherhood. God, he thought, was lining the Empire as ITe used "tli,-. Assyrians in olden times. The bishop emphasised the need for men and avonien to build up their reserves in time' »f t spiritual peace, for that was the oniy way of assuring victorv when thev were plunged into spiritual stress and thrown oir their ordinary balance. A number of business people in Auckland who have been interviewed by tiie Slar. state that as a result of the war * here lias been a il.ware in Ivade , )r . ders. as far as meat, »>read, and uroc.".-- !<"< e.re concerned. Drapers »<ai" that lieir exp"rience m a satisfactory one. hut ,!n<t. Ilieir customers ai'e buviti" clieanei- articles than hitherto. and new nt t Imm IK Tin! el-l.'eeper-; slate (hat a decided jailing off has occurred in the :>m«iTOi of lii|«iir consinned. Dm. „f n,,, reason*, Ihev think, is (hat so „ l!lllv wage-eanievs have left for the front.

i" another i* tlint numbers of 0 "unlit (lie spirit of economy "Tt means,' p:iii] one. "Hie? tl ;i . iM J were beiore. r do not think U,»(, it ii.p.vrr of {]„, v is iiooe-sarilv 'p|„, m .(- <" ,lvils ;f i- It li!M" CT:,.f<.v, !«,(' Vs fl'-'-v-:—<l. TJi,. i.„ M . t'.<. fi.mi.-oir ffiwitml wifii r<wr ,j S i ;lr '•>«» vllM, is w sive. Aeeordm.' to a v/liel, - : ,1 , f. ?*"* linvp also felt a fallr: ...I!,-.-.. I-I'spirf of fj»»n*v lines. v l "' ,nii bread 11 nil In;l<it linos, biHinoss is eonsiderabl\- lu>v . wal.

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