LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 256, 8 April 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A carnival at Patca on Saturday resulted in £(iOO being subscribed for the Belgian relief funds.

The total takings at the Kawaroa Pavk fete rn Easter Monday were upwards of ;C 150

The Waimate West County Council las received advice of the approval tiy he Advances Oliice of a loan of £31,!00 for roads and bridges.

Inglnwood is holding a monster carnival to-day in aid of the Belgian reTief fund, and patrons are assured of a strenuous afternoons fun.

The revenue on the toll gates in the Taranaki County showed an increase o] £l2 2s 7d on the previous year. Several members expressed surprise that the increase was not larger.

Kltlinni shopkeepers report a very busy time this Kaster. Thursday preceding Good Friday was a busy day, while Saturday was one of the busiest days experienced for many months past.—Argus.

An extraordinarily large specimen of the mushroom species, popularly known as "puff-balls" was discovered growing in the garden at the back of the local police station. It measured four feet in circumference and weighed exactly eight pounds.—Star.

Deer continue to swarm on to cultirated paddocks in the Lindis district (writes a correspondent of the Cromwell Argus). As many as 35 were seen in one paddock on a recent evening, and appeared quite indifferent to the prt-i----ence of numerous horsemen.

It may be estimated safely, says mi English paper, that 400,000 trade unionists are in the trenches in France and Flanders or training with the new army or the territorials at Home, and never a word has been said about "trade union rates of wages."

The Tarunaki County Council decided yesterday to inform its district forenvm that it is their duty to inform the inspector of any cattle, etc., straying on tlie roads. The council also deeioVl to warn the owners of such cattle that the numerous complaints received would lead to action being taken.

'The Hastings correspondent of the Napier Telegraph writes:—lt is rumored that there must be a new election for vTawkc's Bay, because it has been alleged that there are only two votes between the candidates, and that there are seven unauthorised declared voters, who cantot be traced.

Every bale of wool or cotton loading in America for shipment is lining subjected to an X-rays test for the prevention of exportation of arms or other contraband that might be concealed inside. Representatives of the British Consulate are present with the United States customs officers to make assurance doubly sure.

A Waikaka farmer in December sent in an estimate of the probable yield of his oat crop to the. Agricultural Department ns 3,") bushels per acre. The farmer completed his harvesting about ten days ago (says the Mataura Ensign) and his threshing on Friday. The area of 70 acres yielded within a few pounds of 70 bushels to the acre.

At the Taranaki County Council meeting yesterday the inspector declared that drovers were in the habit of placing stones, etc.) across culverts on the roads in order to provide drinking places for their cattle and slice]). It was decided to fence in one particular place at Okato which was frequently interfered with, as there was a drinking place only about half a mile away.

The Taranki Coimtv Council yesterday received a letter from the Riinanga Borough Council asking the council's support for a circular letter protesting against the way in" which the foodstuffs in this Dominion arc being advanced in price, and calling on the Government to exorcise its powers by regulating the price of common necessities within the hounds of reason. —The chairman moved that the letter lie on the tabic.—Cr. Andrews seconded, and this was carried.

At the, comity council meeting yesterday the chairman said there wis much work in the county that.urgently required attention, but that the work could not all be carried out on present revenue. If the ratepayers wanted work done they would have to consent to re rated more heavily. The cost of work had increased considerably during recent years.

The statement that the women of Germany are changing their golden wedding rings has a parallel in the country's history. During the Napoleonic wars, the women of Dresden all changed their golden wedding rings for iron ones, so that the gold might be used to drive out the invader. These iron rings wave cherished as heirlooms by tlie women of Dresden, and are religiously preserved to this day as a remembrance of patriotism. The iron rings were inscribed with the words, "Teh gad gold for eisen," ] gave gold for iron.

There is no doubt that the army of occupation lives in fear of the Brussels Inhabitants, but the Bavarians show this less than the other regiments, and five also kinder to the, people. On entering a hairdresser's shop a Japanese witnessed an amusing and amazing scene. One officer having his hair cut, while the other sat a little way off looking on keenly with a drawn revolver in Lis hand. Then came the turn of the officer who had been the spectator, whereupon his freshly kempt comrade mounted guard in his turn, revolver in hand.

Some commotion was created in the town yesterday morning, at about 9 o'elock, when the fire Ml rang out and it was learned there was an outbreak of fire at the hospital. It appears that a member of the staff was heating some, beeswax over a gas stove, in the course of preparing some floor polish, when it came in contact with the flames and immediately ignited. The linoleum quickly caught fire, but before the arrival of tV brigade the prompt action of the staff had succeeded in quelling the outbreak. Practically the only damage done was that sustained bv the linoleum and the paint on the walls.

Writes a correspondent:—Yesterday I met a veteran named George Tuiiiu, wliii once lived on the Frankley road and worked at Patterson's sawmill close by. He now resides at Wanganui, arid came up (o join the veterans, at Kawaro:i Park on Easter Monday. Mr Tnffin served in tiie Maori wars and was present at Turuturii Mokai when that redoubt was attacked by Maoris ill (he early morning. Of the twenty-four thereat the time ten were killed before relief arrived. Tuflm received six bul'et wounds, one of which left a dent in which you can lay your finger. Mr Tnffin looks well and hearty, and after a narrow squeak and recovery it has been proved that he is a Tuff-un.

Tho London Spectator says:—A linye sum, now reaching nearly £4,500,000, has been contributed to the Prince of Wales' Fund. Tho money was asked for in the belief that there would be a vj.st amount of distress caused by the vc.iv. That belief lias not been justified by events. Broadly speaking, there is no serious distress in the country at tin: present time, except among a limited section of the professional classes. In s.ioh circumstances it would be worse than folly to dissipate the I'rince of Wah-.' Fund by extra doles. The money is not wanted now, but it will certainly V vanted when the war conies to an end.

Writes a correspondent: In this morning's paper I noticed a paragraph: "If Christ came to earth, what would He s>iv to those who are responsible for the present cost of living?" This reminded me of a good American citizen who started a grocery shop and advertised that he would run it as Christ would condu.t it. He sold goods without making profit, and if customers could not afford 1.0 pay for them he let them have goods without payment. This grocer did a roaring trade; in fact, was doing all the trade of the town in groceries. The other grocers were at a standstill and put tl.e police on the urocer who was acting as Christ and had him placed in a lunatic asylum out of harm's way.

Fiji colonists to the number of fiftyeight, who have volunteered for active service recently, arrived at Liverpool by the Allan liner Scandinavian. They are all men of means and position—Government servants and .farmers receiving from £IOOO to £2500 a year. _ They have relinquished homes and positions to do their "little bit" for the Old Country, and have equipped themselves with khaki uniforms and accoutrements. One man endeavored to pay his own fare from Fiji in order to work band in hand with the Allies. The detachment was met by Captain Finch, chief recruiting officer at Liverpool, who provided the men with lodgings for the night preparatory to their leaving for London. Their officers are Captain C. A. Swineburne and Lieutenant Miers. The general bearing of these volunteers is that of thoroughly good soldiers.

With tlio demolition of the Central Hotel disappears an old Taranaki landmark, Kays the Argus.. This hotel, originally the Branch Hotel, was erected on the present site over thirty years ago, and has been added to several times since then. The old building formerly stood at Mangawhero, near the old mill, and ■was then kept by Mr. Tish, who afterwards became Mayor of New Plymouth. In 1884 the license was shifted from Mangawhero to Etham (the first license in this town), and the hotel was taken over by Mr. Inston, who at present resides at Ngaere. A shed, still standing at the back of the building now being demolished, and bearing the sign "Branch Hotel," was a portion of the main building when the license was first removed here. The present licensee, Mr. ft. W. Tayler, first took over the hotel in 1887. The building is in a splendid state of preservation, the timber being almost as good to-day as when the structure was erected.

A correspondent writing to a northern exchange says:—-"Ever since the war Ijegan I have "collected the German wireless reports. Out of curiosity I have jotted down from day to day the advances in yards and miles they invariably achieve. It is purely a matter of addition, for there is never anything to deduct. The most the reports ever admit is that one of the trenches had to he evacuated, but it is always retaken later on. The other day I totted up the entire distance the German army had advanced according to their wireless record. I found the Germans had left the coast of France and crossed tho Channel long ago. and had in fact crossed the south of England, and were Well on their way to America. At the present rate of progress they, should be in New-York by the first of April. In the East I found that Warsaw had been left beh ; i.d some weeks ago. If any German take's the trouble to merely add up the alleged advances of his army from day to day, he must be. wondering what on earth it is still pottering about for in Belgium." A man' 'with a purple face entered one of those puhlichouses where tea, coffee or cocoa can be obtained as easily as beer, and after a casual glance r.t the stranger at the window seat, ordered a pint of tea. "But bring it in a ber-.r jug, Sam," he said confidentially to the landlord. "I daren't risk bein' Been drinking tea." This was too much fir the stranger's curiosity. "Pardon me," he could not resist saying, "but why do you try to delude people in that way? There's no disgrace in preferring tea to beer—quite the reverse, in fact.'" '1 know that, guv'nor," was the placid answer. '(But the truth is, I'm the only old toper in the district, and if I let it he known that I'd reformed, the village temperance society would have nothing left to do." "And a very good thing, too, I should say," tho stranger remarked. "Not for me, guv'nor; not for me," said the reputed toper, shaking his head. "My wife does the charing at the Temperance Hall, and if she loses her job through the place being shut up, wherc's my bit o' bacca money to come from?"

A well-known resident near Makaraka had an unpleasant surprise on Sunday last (states the Gisborne Times.) On returning to his residence after a ride on horseback he was surprised to find thaihis motor car, which he had left carefully covered up with a tarpaulin, had been uncovered, the bonnet thrown back and left open, the throttle turned full on and the gear at full speed. Wondering what wa» 'he matter, ho stepped into the car to iv.-estigate further, and there discovered a lienp of water-melon seeds and skin, the produce of a zealously guarded patch saved for the Easter bardays. Still sorely puzzled, he sauntered in to his dwelling, where he found that his self-invited guests bad made thenselves a cup of coffee. The table was laid for two, and the visitors had helped themselves to biscuits, even going so far as to unearth an unopened tin. A near-by neighbor partly cleared up the mystery, when he reported that he had seen two young lads trying their beat to start the car, even going so far as to jump on the starting handle to try and get the ignition gear going. What might have happened had these yoing vandals been successful in starting the car can easily bo imagined. The victim of the depredations is making further inquiries in the matter.

The new British army has produced a crop of strange situations. The husband of a princess is serving in the ranks ,i:id his game-keeper's son holds a commission in the regiment iii which he is aprivate. What are. their relations? Civilly the gamekeeper's son is an employee, an inferior, whom the princess's !nisband would not invite to his table. When the uniform is donned the gamekeeper's son, by the iron rules of military etiquette, dare not invite his employer to partake of his hospitality. A voirng fellow in the ranks has been spending the week-end with a lady well-known in society. They have both been perturbed as to whether it would be correct for the lady's nephew, who is a captain, to be invited to stay in the same house at the same time, or even to dine. Th.is same lady has two sons, one a private, the other newly-commissioned. She docs not know if she can walk out with both together. Another lady, beset by the same difficulty, writes: "A young gentleman ranker who has been staying with me is ignorant as to what he may or may not do. Can he make use of his London club. Can he go to the theatre in the stalls? Can he travel first-class when on leave?" These are questions which set Belgravia and Mayfair and 'some of our peers furiously thinking.