LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Patea has so far raised £2389 for patriotic purposes. ■' Tiie average rents paid in the four chief cities are:—'Wellington 25s "o-y,d, Auckland :2t(s T-y t t 1, Christchureh 18s Dunetlin 18s O'/sd. '•The foul-mouthed blackguard on the street corner is better than the drawingroom scandalmonger," said the vicar of St. .Mary's at Now Plymouth ou Sunday. While cycling in Bridge Street, Eltham, yestcrcH", a telegraph messenger collided- wii... another cyclist, and was thrown heavily on the bade of liis head, receiving a slight concussion. A Stratford man now in hospital in Cairo says in a letter to his father, Mr. John Pctrie, that on the memorable Sunday -of the landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula, out of thirteen men in his sec' tion all from Stratford district, only six escaped wounds. At the New Plymouth High School Board meeting last evening the question of securing a piano was discussed, when Mr. Ewing said he would) not agree to having a German one. Mr. YVobstcr: No Germans need apply. The other members present agreed.

In a reference to the war a London journalist writes:—"Each anny of every nation lias had to send to the rear thousands of young men suffering from neurasthenia 'brought on by too vividly visualising the. horrors of war. Here in England we, have some hundreds of these broken soldiers." A man who deserted from 11.M.A.5. ■Melbourne sit Brisbane two years ago lias surrendered 'himself to the Christelmrcih police. Tie stated that lie had always regretted his act, anil seeing that the newspapers had announced a pardon for deserters presenting themselves, he had decided to give himself up, .with the hope that lie might return to his old ship. Says a London correspondent:—Our moralists have 'been bemoaning the ungodliness of football matches whilst is being stained with English blood. The great Ilarwood Congregational (Football Clnlb won the final for the 'BliK'Mwrn Sunday School League on a recent Saturday, then marched to a recniitng depot and enlisted to a man in the Royal Field Artillery.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Joseph Sharrock was held yesterday at Stratford. Bankrupt's statement allowed a total liability of £35. lie attributed his failure to loss of full working hours and the high price of living. His total earnings for the last two years were £215 15s fid. Eventually tho meeting was adjourned to allow the bankrupt to go into his position fully and to make an offer.

'One of the men engaged in the last general attack .of the Dardanelles by the Allied fleet says that by flic death of Commander Verner, of 11.M.5. Inflexible, who was mortally wounded, the service lost a truly gallant onicer. Commander Verner was hit twice. He was struck in the head, and his left hand wis shattered. It was at once seen that, the wounds were mortal. Nevertheless the commander, remained cord, and continued to smoke\.his cigarette.

■Mr. H. G. Hill, chairman of the Wellington Patriotic Committee, mentioned a case of Herman duplicity that came under iris notice. An educated and talented Oernian musician was the. conductor of a choral society in a country town in New Zealand; in faet he became the leading light in the district. He visited Wellington twice a week, ostensibly to teach music. A few months prior to the war he left the district 'for a holiday,' and just after the outbreak of the war the residents of tho district received an English paper stating that Ilerr (the name of the musician), of the Secret Intelligence Department of Germany, returned to Berlin, after a sojourn in New Zealand."

The Hon. R. Ileaton Rhodes, Minister of Public Health and Hospitals, lias received the following additional offers of accommodation for invalid soldiers: Mr. 8. Adams, Auckland, bis residence, Waterside at Cambridge; Mr. Alex. Boyle, Cliristchurch, accommodation for two, or four if necessary; Mr. Henry R. Bunny, his house, Daleton, at Carterton; Mr. R. B. Grange, Wellington, Mouterj House, Otaki; Dr. Ilorton, Dargaville, one bed at a private hospital, and outdoor relief to others who can attend; Mrs. Hallyburton Johnstone, Elkholm, Howiek, accommodation foi two; ill's. Percy Knight, Kapuni, Taranaki, accommodation for one; Mr. I\V. .Mills Portage, Pelorus Sound, accommodation for two; directors of the Oriental Bay Kiosk and Hall, per Messrs J. J. Mctlrath and M. J. Donnelly, their kiosk and hall. «

A Cliristchurch reporter was told a piece of "inside information" that unless some more light is shed 011 the alleged proposals of the Commissioner of Police in regard to the detective force, it will bo found that a grave blunder has been perpetrated without warning- and the force will be quietly dissolved. Whether the nebulous proposals are going to take form or not remains to be seen. One member of the fol'co states that it is intended to put plain clothes men 011 detective work for three years, under tho direction of the Senior sergeants, who are uniformed officers fith no aptitude for detective work. The plain clothes men thus selected would simply mark time, waiting for the country appointments, which seem to he part of the scheme. If de: t/'ctives were retained ill reduced numbers for special cases there would be divided authority, and the two branches would clash. The representatives of the uniformed branch would be trying to get all the credit possible for themselves and the result would he bungling. More than one detective referred to the years, of training required to fit a nuui for their particular branch of work.

Axel K-dward William Lythbcrg, a young man residing at Stratford, who hail pleaded guiltv to the. theft, of a mail-bag, came up for sentence in 'Wellington on Saturday. Mr. X. Wilford produced evidence as to prisoner's previous good character, aiul contended that he had not. been in a position of trust, lie was a railway clerk, and when on duty at Halcomhe station saw the postal clerks take the mail-bag into the van. TTe stole it from there, and used the money to help furnish his house, ITe had sinre been married. ■Counsel asked for probation. Tlis Honor said this mi# a ease on the horder-line. lit all events. Tf prisoner had been a postal clerk he could not have obtained probation, and it was not. Yew much different his being a. railwav official. ITiiS previous character, however, had been good, and his Honor would admit, him to probation for twelve months, though it was a great risk. Tile money, stolen mu-t he repaid with in a v.vek. nncl afterwards costs mu*t he paid to, the prosecution.

The Gisbornc sessions of the Supremo Court opened yesterday. Mr. Justice Cooper was presented with white gloves, there being no criminal cases. In t'ae Magistrate'.} Court yesterday morning, before .Mr. A. Crooke, JS.AI-, two first offenders were convicted aim fined 5s each for drunkenness.

A Belgian flag was sold by auction in j Stratford, on (Saturday and realised £4()0 i towards the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. A hailstorm at the time failed to danrp uiiu patriotic ardor. Applications closed at noon yesterday lor the position of engineer to the New Plymouth borough, at a salary of i4OO per annum. There are seventeen applicants. Jt is reported that one of the Hawked, ■Hay freezing companies is dispensing with all single men and taking on, in preference, married men. An Auckland telegram states that news was brought 'by the Atua of unrest among tiie Chinese coolies employed by planters near Apia, which it was feared would result in fighting between rival factions.

The class for non-commissioned officers of A Company of the Defence Hifle Club will be iield this evening at the office of Mr. A. H. Johnstone, Brougham Street. Sergeant-Major Ilesp will be in charge, taking as his subject extended order and the control of a fire unit.

The gross proceeds from the New Plymouth fire brigade's recent ball in the' Coronation Hall amounted to £lO2 4s 3d. The expenses totalled £24 18s, Jcaving a net balance of £77 6s 3d. This is a record return for tlieste functions. Half the net proceeds will be given to rtiie Red Cross Fund.

The question of Captain Seddon not having gone to the front having been raised in a Wellington journal, Captain ,Seddon (who is at present in Gisborne) writes to the press to say that he applied for a position in the expeditionary force, but has heard nothing beyiond the fact that his name was registered.

The present pupils of the New Plymouth Girls' High School, assisted by some of the ex-girls, are busy getting up an entertainment to be given in the Theatre Royal 011 July 29. Half the proceeds are to go to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Dramatic scenes, fancy drill, tableaux, singing, etc., ought to provide a very attractive programme, and the girls hope that their efforts will be rewarded by the raising of a large sum of money.

At a social gathering of the Stratford Band last week, Conductor 'Marshall stated that it was the intention of the committee to inaugurate a solo competition amongst members. It would be compulsory to take part, and after three months of practice the decision would be made. Three prizes would be given, anil the successful players would probably be asked to perform at a band function in the town hall. The competition gives every' promise of l>emg a success, as bandsmen are already very keen on it. At All Saints' Church, Eltham, 011 Sunday evening, a memorial service for those who have fallen in action was held, the Rev. 0. W. Dent preaching a very impressive Herman, in the course of which he made feeling reference to the loss of Trooper A. J. Roxburgh and Private G. V. Thomas. ",VVe should not mourn for the dead," said the preacher; "it is a time to feel proud, a time to think of honor, the glory that the noble dead have covered themselves with in laying down their lives for the:r country."

At a meeting of the directors of the Patea. Co-operative Freezing Works on Saturday it was decided to carry out extensive additions. These will involve the installation of a *>s-ton freezer, doubling the present capacity of 2UOi) a day. An additionffl cooling chamber is to be erected, cap/ible of holding 24,1)00 ishrep, giving space, with the preseni room, for <>o,ooo carcases altogether. A new concrete engine-room is also to be built. Mr. Amoore, of Eltham, w'lo built the present buildings, is to be entrusted with the work.

A sister of one of this district's victims at 'Gallipoli lias been very active all along in collecting funds and comforts for the wounded (says the Oamaru Mail), and, despite the shock of the 'bereavement, she has not abated her endeavors. In one instance she went to .a farmer in this district with five strong, .healthy'sons, all free of encumbrance, and pleaded for some small assistance for one of the various funds, but met '.with no response to her solicitations save boorish discourtesy. It is cases of this kind —fortunately few—that raise the demand for compulsion.

When nt Tutu recently one of the settlers showed Mr. AY. T. Jennings two Maori axes which lie had picked up on his section aft or a 'bum had taken place. They were found on a hill which was covered with dense 'bush 'before the settler tolled and burned it. They were perfect in shape and the stone was ■similar to that found about ICawhia. The settler says all he could father was that in the early days the Maoris crossed from Kawhia way through the Ohura on to the Tangarakau Gorge, down to the AVanganui river, and that one of them may have been out pig-hunting and got lost ill the bush on the section.

The footballers of Masterton arc a credit to their country. Practically the whole of last season's lied Star senior team (winners of the championship) are in tile expeditionary .forces, and this year's team is going to bo broken up shortly, as several of its members have enrolled. .More members from the Keo Star Club liave joined the Xew Zealand contingents than all the other clubs in AVairnrapn. 'put together. Two of last year's players (Captain Cameron aim Private "Ward) have already given their lives in the Dardanelles fighting.

A correspondent, writing from London (11 tin' Sydney Sim. says:—"Outside tlx; city there are just as many evidences of abnormal conditions attributable to the .war. On the hillside at Hushcy there is a- splendid paddock of 2000 acres of land belonging to I'ierpont Morgan. Year after year we have watched the progrc-s of ploughing. harrowing and seeding, witll ntnios!, indili'ereiu'e,■ because it lias nil been done upon conventional lines. This season there, has been an arresting change. Men are there to drive the horses and the machines. hut women are there also to per/farm the laths'that were formerly discharged by men. Think ot it. within .sixteen milis of l.ondon women are laboring as they did in the days of V.abylon. ef Tyre and Sidon. and of tllo Tharaohs. Their 'patient plodding fiebiiid !lie inacl'.ines is proof positive of the dearth of male labor. The 111 m hare gone into other occupations or into the army. Itei-ruiting may he slack in rent res wliere men are being begged to follow the ilnim. yet it must be, proceeding fruit fullv in many unexpected plates. Youths of fighting age just melt away."

Writes a correspondent from the Bar-1 danelles: "The Turks arc brave enough, but they possess very small liaarts; they | can t stand tlie sight of islcol. 'We 'lave I been fighting with fixed bayonets ail the time, never had them oft* urn- rlflvs since we landed. The Turks are mostly led by Hermans, who possess a good deal of elieek, and try all sorts of mean tricks to cross our lines. In fact, they crawl up close to our trenches and In to give us orders in broken English, b.it usually there is somebody at hand w.io gives til ni something that makes (hem I'orgvl nil t ; ie English tliey ever kne-.v. 't 11 i uestlay, k 2iih, two (ionium; advanced carrying a stretcher covered with a blanket. They hud on the Xew Zealand uniform and call'd \>ut "Don't shoot—wounded man!" We let them have it, and tliey both fell riddled with bullets. When we removed the blanket there was a machine-gun and ammunition. Tliey are barbarous devils. If theyi manage to get hold of any of our boys they cut their tongues out, out their throats, and torture them. They shell the lied Cross hospitals and shoot stretcher-bearers on sight. They even turn the bullets in the cartridges, so that if you are struck it i» worse than a dum-dum."

At Ohakune on Thursday night last Mr. 'W. T. Jennings gave a patriotic address, the object 'being to raise funds for dependeica of New Zealanders killed and wounded at the Dardanelles and other fighting points. The Carnival Queen was nominated by the '"Sawdust Brigade" (timber-men), and won easily. More than £839 wa.s taken over this carnival—in a place whioh- ten years ago ■was standing bush. One of the features of t':io evening was the auction of a British ensign, which realised £SO. A very amusing interlude was provided during tihe evening in the way of a mimic court, before which the local constable was brought, with handcuffs on, and charged with being an associate of criminals and loitering about the streets, for which he paid £1 fine. Another resident noted for prohibition views was fined £2 for being repeatedly drunk and disorderly and advocating ipure water. The (M.P. for Taumarunui was charged with being illegally on a roll, winning the seat twice in six months, beating his opponent 'unmercifully, and being one of the twelve apostle* who should hav« known better, and was fined fid. Over £GO was raised for the fund by this means.

The Jain of Niiwanagar, hotter known in New Zealand as I'anjitsinhji—or as "Eanji"—the famous cricketer, who has been fighting with t'he British army and was invalided home from the front, has been addressing fcjnglish recruiting meetings. lie was one of the speakers at a, patriotic meeting at 'Eastbourne, and was greeted with much applause. '"lt pleases me to think," he remarked, '•'that Sussex people do not forget old friends. It is as a sick man," he added, "that I have come here and attended yjour meeting at the request of the promoters to-night. I am going to a/sk you to do no more than what I have dono myself, not only a» a feudatory of India, but as an old Cambridge man, and further, as an old Sussex man. I had the privilege on the 10th March to be about two miles from Neuve Chapelle, and I can tell vou that for forty minutes we gave the Germans the 'long handle.' (Cheers and laughter. 1 But it is not for forty minutes that we want to give them the long handle. We want to give them that handle every day, every week, every month until we reach Berlin. In order to do that more quickly and more successfully we want a greater number of men at the front. I mean successfully not merely in the sense of stopping the war, but in the way of carrying out the pledge that has been given to the whole world by the Prime Minister."

The Egmont Coach and Carriage Co., of Stratford, is famed throughout the province for the, excellence of the "Kgmont' 1 gig. Perfect in construction, the "Egmont" is quite the essence of travelling comfort, and its durability is more than ordinary. i

A pretty bedroom can he made still prettier by the addition of of t'he lovely white satin toilet-quilts which Morey's are showing in many si7.es. Turn to the advertisement and note the prices. We are sure a visit of inspection of these quilts is worth while. *

Every man who has the welfare of his purse in mind should take advantage of the savings that may be effected by purchasing his suit, overcoat and general apparel supplies at the Melbourne, Ltd. This firm, which has become famous because of its unique "spot" cash system, guarantees to supply absolutely dependable goods at lower prices than others.

If there is one thing more necessary than another in Taranaki it is a thoroughly reliable and absolutely waterproof overcoat'. There is only one garment as 'far as we know that can honestly be depended upon to keep out the rain and wet for any length of time, and that is the "'Swandri." a navy blue, khaki or grey material scientifically treated to withstand the heaviest rain, and sold with a written guarantee at 30s '6d to 's7s Gd. Motor suits are als« supplied in the same material, and the whole of your purchase money is refunded should any "Swandri" garment sold by us fail to keep you bone dry ill the heaviest rain. tAsk the man who has used one, or call at The ICash for any further information.