GENERAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1915, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS.

Well-informed London correspondents of some newspapers discovered that the idea, of including overseas representatives in the new Government was considered, but not carried out owing to practical dillk'iiltics. In the latter conclusion they were incorrect; the matter lias not been dropped, but may come up in a very interesting form in this country soon after (Parliament meets.

Twentysfive farmers, with their teams, aggregating 92 horses (says the Napier Herald) assembled on June'l at the home at Tongala of the late/Lieut. R. .Miller, w'ho died of wounds a( the Dardanelles, and ploughed, cultivated and drilled 70 acres of crops for the widow. The whole district generally helped, providing seed ami manure gratis. -The ladies provided refreshments for the workers. Lieut. Miller was held in very high esteem. A great scheme is now in process of application throughout Russia for substituting for vodka shops 'peoples' palaces and similar buildings, where people can meet and be entertained. The vastness of the undertaking can best be shown 'by the fact that in the Government of Poltava alone no fewer than 300 such have been opened or are 'projected. They include reading rooms and halls, where lectures and such lighter entertainments as concerts and kinematograph exhibitions can be given. A Stratford motorist who was passing through New iPlymouth yesterday would doubtless have something to say about Now Plymouth's streets wdien he arrived home. While still in sight of the Post Office he became badly bogged in Devon street near Morley street. A few brawny arms, however, helped liim on his way again. Local motorists know the locality and now go via rowdorham street and iMorley street to Devon street west. Morley street is at present passable, hut the wet weather, combined with the extra traffic, is not improving it. Four years ago Vito Marenda caused to be sent to yison a young man wdio .represented a "Black Hand" band that had been trying to extort 2080dol. from him. Ever since lie has been suffering the vengeance of the band (says a New York paper). At first iMarcn'da sat in the window of Ids apartment opposite his drug store with a rifle across ids knees, readv to shoot any man attempting to leave a bomb at his shop. He fell asleep on the night of March C, lfll-l, and the store was wrecked with a bomb. Ma rend a fell asleep again last month, and at 2 o'clock in the morning a powerful bomb was exploded and the store again was wrecked. The window at which Marcnda sat asleep was shattered. The man who went to prison died there. Othei'-i of the band have continued sending threatening letters to Miirenda.