LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Defence authorities have notified the Mayor of Patea that ten men will leave there for Trentham camp on November 10.

Only one recruit enlisted at New Plymouth yesterday—Stanley Erie Shaw, mercantile clerk, New Plymouth, who enlisted at Mr. A. B. Gibson's recruiting office. Mr. Gibson will' attend at his office until noon to-day, and again at 7.30 p.m. At the Eltham S.M. Court yesterday nineteen settlers were fined in amounts varying from 6s to £l, with costs, in respect of wandering cattle The county ranger must have been showing commendable activity. At the recent meeting of the Patea Borough Council strong protesto were raised against allowing Native tangis to be held in the town. The Mayor stated that, he had asked ..the borough solicitor to frame a by-law to meet the matter. «

In conversation yesterday with Lieut. Frank Hartnell, who returned to New Plymouth on Tuesday night, lie asked us to correct a slight error in our special report (from Duncdin), which appeared on Tuesday morning. Sergeant Reg. Sole was not hi 6 'orderly," he states, but was his platoon sergeant, "and," added Lieut. Hartnell, "a braver fellow and harder worker it would he impossible to find " The scarcity of labor was referred to by Mr, J. Marx at Mangatoki yesterday on the occasion of the visit of the Minister for Education. Mr Marx hud the greatest difficulty in front of New Zealand now was the scarcity of la ! l>or. He did not want to do anything that would prevent men from going to the war, but he thought something should be done in the direction of reserving skilled workers to carry on the industries of the country. It took time to train a man, and therefore he thought a certain number of skilled workers should be retained.

At last nights meeting of the Patriotic Committee, Mr. Bellringer complained strongly of the lack of information received respecting the wounded soldiers being forwarded to New Plymouth. The telegrams regarding the number of wounded and the nature of the wounds were most indistinct. Members spoke feelingly or the matter, and it was resolved to ask that in future full information be sent to the local Defence office, which could inform- the Hospital Board and Patriotic Committee of what was wanted.

The Minister for Finance (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), interviewed by a New Zealand Times reporter relative to the. public works loan, said it was not possible for him to speak fully regarding the loan at that stage, as applications would not close until the end of the week. But he could give an assurance that the loan was being well subscribed for throughout the Dominion. It was usual for applications to be particularly numerous during the last few days of, the term allowed, and he had no doubt at all that the issue would be a success.

A local milk vendor was charged at the Court on Monday (says the Wanganui Herald) with selling milk below the standard, being deficient in butter-fat. The analysis showed '2.10 of butter-fat, the standard being ' 3 2">. Defendant pleaded not guilty, and explained that the sample was taken from the tap at the bottom of the can, and that the cream had risen to the surface. Mr. Haselden, S.M., remarked that defendant would have to speak to a Magistrate who knew less about milk than he did to make an explanation like that. The sample was drawn from the same source as the public's supply came. A line of £lO was imposed, and co9ts 17a Od and solicitor's fee £3 3s were added. The man who wants a new suit for Christmas should anticipate his requirements by placing an order now with the Melbourne Clothing Company, whose special offer of made-to-ineasuro suits at 49s Od, Ms Gd, 89s fid and 75a show a saving of at least 20 per cent. off normal prices. Intending patrons of the patriotic concert which is being promoted by the local railway stall' on the lltli inst., will be pleased to learn that Bandmaster Buckley, of Wanganui (ex-champion cornet player of Australasia), will assist at the function, which promises to be quite as successful as the previous one. The box plan U now open at Hoffmann'*

Mails from United Kingdom and America, etc., ex Murama at Wellington, will arrive here this afternoon. The mails which left Auckland on September 20, and connected with the Ventura at Sydney, arrived in London on 31st ultimo (seven days late). In the Registration paper the words, "What amount o)f drilling have you done?" appears. A Uahotu farmer, «o. it is reported, filled in: One hundred acres!'' The ruling passion! Instructions have been forwarded by the Imperial authorities to the 'New Zealand Government to requisition large quantities of cheese for the use of British troops. The arrangement involves the expenditure of a million sterling.—Press Association.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr, A. Crooke, S.M., a first-offending inebriate was remanded for a week for medical treatment. Mark Barnitt was lined 10s and lis costs, for allowing cattle to wander on the railway.

The work of adding the Govett and Bolland memorial transept and lady chapel to St. Mary's Chnrc'i. is almost completed, and will be opened and consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese (Dr. Avcri'll), on the 28th inst. (Artvent Sunday), which happens to be the 7'2th Anniversary of the opening of St. Mary's Church, which is one of the oldest churches in the Dominion.

The pupils of the West End School will have a holiday this afternoon to enable them to participate in the games and merriment at the garden party and sale of work at Kawarba Park. The stalls on the lawns will contain numerous and useful articles made by the ladies of the Park Committee. The ladies in charge of the afternoon tea will maintain the good name the bungalow has in this respect. Music and games of skill wilbbc in abundance, and admission to the park is free. Yesterday morning, Lieutenant C. W. Crutch, of the Defence Staff, examined the different sections of No. 24 Company, New Plymouth Boys' High School Cadets, in the annual section competition. A very smart display was given. Lieutenant Crutch stated that it was doubtful if better drill has been seen in a company competition. The section commanders were very good, and both they and the cadets reflected great credit upon Captain Ryder, has charge of the company. The competition was won by No. 3 Section, under Sergeant Kidd, with Sergeant Eyre's section second.

A New Plymouth man who was "turned down" by the inspecting medical offier because of a slight defect to his foot, which never has interfered with his walking or running is proceeding to Wanganui to offer himself to the recruiting office. If unsuccessful there he will go nn to Wellington, and if he fails there to pass the test is determined to go to Australia, where he knows he will be passed. It is ridiculous that at a time like this when the authorities are calling vociferously for men that they should insist on an exacting physical standard that is demanded by no other country in the world.

The Native Land Purchase Board lias finally completed the purchase of three large blocks between Napier and (<isborne, on the route of the proposed railway line. These blocks arc Te Kuta, Awatotara, and Purotangihia, consisting of about 44,710 acres altogether. This area will be gazetted Crown land this week, and will be then in the hands of the Crown Lands Board of the district These blocks are part of a group known as the Waikare Mohaka landß, which have been the subject of much litigation and legislation and have been inquired into by more than one commission. The vexed question of the titles to the blocks now purchased was finally settled by legislation passed in 1914. At meetings of the assembled owners which were held, an agreement to sell was arrived at, and the land is now available for settlement.

The guardians of the peace Were sadly eft fault in Taumarunui on Labor Day laat. When the train arrived there from Auckland that morning, the police noticed two men lift into a cart a wooden case very similar to the one that protects "Johnny Walker" bottles from being smashed, and drive away quickly. Visions of promotion, part of the fine, and pride in doing their duty and adding to the consolidated revenue of the Dominion flashed through their minds ae through rain and mud they dashed after the vehicle, which was traced to the Taumarunui Press Office. In went the police, who demanded that the case should be instantly opened. This was done, and it was fount to contain bolts, rivets, and some chains intended for a folding machine. Profuse apologies were tendered, and the suspicious-look-ing case resulted in "no case' 'after all, to the ''inextinguishable laughter' 1 of the staff, who are all cold-water men. A rather striking example of the ineptitude or muddling (call it what one will) of the information department in connection with our soldiers at Gallipoli was brought under our notice last night. The parents of Corporal Win. Harvey, of Fitzroy, whoße- death is announced, received word on September 12 that he was wounded in the Suvla battle on August 8, and though they made every inquiry they could obtain no in. formation as to his whereabouts nor as to his condition. "No news is said to be good news," said Mr. Harvey last night, "and we were hoping all was well with him. You eun imagine the shock we received when a message came thin evening announcing that my son died at Mudros on August 14, nearly three months ago." Ambury's report good business in spring goods during last months. They specialise in the latest and best in every department, their motto being "Greatest variety, highest quality, lowest price." Only address: Devon'street, New Plymouth."