LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The late Mr. C. A. C. Cunningham, a resident of Christchurch for many years, bequeathed an estate value at £IO,OOO, subject to a legacy of £4OO and an annuity, to tiie Christchurch domains for the upkeep of public gardens.—'Press Association.

A wounded soldier at Martinborough has secured twenty-four recruits since his return from the front. The Wairarapa War Fund Executive has decided to pay undischarged wounded soldiers 3s per day in addition to their Government pay while they are acting as recruiting officers. A quantity of fruit and vegetables has been collected in Wellington, and is ready for immediate shipment for the officers and men of the Philomel, Psyche, and Pyramus. It comprises tinned fruit, asparagus, green peas, and other vegetables, the gifts of people in the Christchurch and Wellington districts. The total weight of the gifts is about five tons. The British and Foreign Sailors' Society has had the work of collecting it in hand, as it also has had other similar self-imposed duties since the war broke out.

The new issue of New Zealand stamps, which was designed by Mr. A. Linley Richardson, 1t.8.A., head of the art department at Wellington Technical College, and engraved by Messrs Perkins, Bacon and Co., London, has been very well received and very favorably commented on in London. Ewan's Weekly Stamp News, just to hand, in reproducing two different values of the stamps, says: "This new series, not only in design, but also in range of colors, is one of the most attractive ever issued"; and Marsh's Weekly Philatelist has the following: "The Georgian set makes a beautiful scries."

At .Friday's meeting of the Wellington College Governors (says the Dominion I. Mr. W. F. Ward took exception to the Ediu-atioii Department's apparent fondnens for the Americau style of phonetic spelling. lie objected, for example, to the Department's spelling of the word programme, which they spelt "program," an abbreviation of the English word which could very easily be misspelt '•pogram." Another word which appeared in the School Journal was the word "wagon," which in English was, as a rule, spelt "waggon." Mr. Ward made it very clear that lie resented this somewhat slavish following of the American forms of spelling. A farmer who enjoys a representative position in the Feilding district furnishes further evidence of the foolishness of the British race towards the enemy in its midst. This fanner has a neighbor who is a German enjoying the modern privilege of spoiling the Egyptians—he is in receipt of the old-age pension. Over the family altar is a large portrait of the Kaiser. The Englishman did not like to see that picture there, so he offered to buy it from the German; ss, 10s, 15s. 20s offered—all refused. Patriotism'/ Love of the Fatherland unseen for a lifetime'( No—"for," remarked the old man, "if the (iermnns come here and see that picture—l'll be all right!" How many Germans in New Zealand are still expecting the Kaiser-Messiah to come ?

A sum of £ls 17s was taken at the Red Cross Mart at New 'Plymouth on Saturday.

The School Committee's Association purpose nominating a candidate for the vacancy on the Education Board, caused by the retirement of Mr. A. M. Bradbury. One of the Eltham borough loans falls due next Fe'bruary, and it is possible (says the Argus), that local investors may be given an opportunity to participate in the renewal. The Victoria League wish lo acknowledge a cheque for £O2 17s fioni the North Taranaki Patriotic League, which is the amount collected at the Uruti Soldiers' Day for No. 1 Stationary Hospital.

The beaches at the East End and at the West End were freely patronised by bathers during the week-end. The beautiful weather yesterday attracted the largest nunSber of bathers seen out this summer. In connection witli the Central School Carnival the Women's Patriotic Committee will be pleased to receive donations of'tea, sugar, milk, butter, cakes, etc., which may be left at the Technical College on Wednesday, or brought to Pukckura Park on Thursday morning. At the Salvation Army Hall, New Plymouth, yesterday, special anniversary services were conducted by Adjutant and Mrs. Scotney. Large congregations assembled at each gathering and the visiting officers gave earnest bible addresses, and their singing was a special feature. To-night the anniversary tea and concert will bo held in the Good Templar Hall. Referring to cable matter i n connection with the war, the Eltham Argus remarks that to prosecute the Hawera Star for a slip in a correspondent's letter, and to allow Ashmead Bartlett's contributions to pass unnoticed, is sheer humbug. There are few people who will not agree with our contemporary. Cable messages may now be accepted at E.F.M. rates for soldiers at Gibraltar with instructions to reply at cost of sender. The conditions are the same as in the case of messages to Egypt. Soldiers in Gibraltar are also allow&l to send "collect" messages to New Zealand up to twelve words without receipt of request. The Defence Department says: With the growth of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force, there is an increasing volume of enquiries for information regarding men who have enlisted. The work of the records gtaff of the Defence Department would be great facilitated, and an early reply ensured, if all enquiriers were careful to state the full name and, if possible, the regimental number of the soldier concerned.

The class of warfare we have had provides little In the way of individual effort; it ia all at point blank range, if you understand, and the most bloodthirsty soon get all they want (writes Sergeant Allison, a Manaia boy). The man who gets a good flesh wou»d is a very happy fellow usually. Mr. Waite, commercial agent of the Railway Department, met members of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, when two or three little matters respecting the railways were brought to his notice. Chief among these was the necessity that exists for greater goods shed accommodation at New Plymouth, and for some better provision being made for the examination of goods under bond at the shed.,

The severity of the present struggle in the West is illustrated by the following story: A wounded soldier named William Clarke, a private in the East Lancashire Regiment, now in a military hospital at Ormskirk is one of nine brothers who at the outbreak of the war were all in the same regiment. Six of them were killed, another has lost his right arm, and the youngest is still in the trenches. Three of Clarke's brothers-in-law have also been killed.

The following additional firms have decided to be represented in the Central School Carnival great procession on Thursday next: Hygienic Bakery, J. K. Hawkins and Co., 8.K.. Motor Transport Co., B. F. Roebuck, and E. Woolridge. It is desired to make known the fact that there is no charge for entry in the procession, but in erder to assist the Marshal, Mr. F. T. Bellringcv, in arranging the procession, all who are taking part either with trade exhibits, displays, decorated, motor cars, cycles, etc., who have not yet handed in their names are requested to do so before to-morrow. Tlie statement made before the Minister of Education at Stratford, recently, that no attempt was being made by the Agricultural Department to educate the farmer, but that what was being done was the work of the Education Department, appears to be very far from the truth, but from inquiries made, it is learned from Mr. A. F. Wilson, Stratford representative of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, that this season there are fifty-seven experimental plots in the Stratford district in co-operation with the Agricultural Department, including one at the school. The experiments comprise: Lucerne 24', potatoes 3, carrots 3, mangolds 7, soft turnips 3, swedes 4, oats and vetches 4, green feeds 4, prairie grass 2, maize 1. —iPost. The Hawera Star says: During a conversation with the judge of Jersey stock I at Egmont Show Mr. R. Eagle, junr. (of Carterton), remarked that in his opinion the best type of a Jersey cow that lie had seen was Veronica, whose photograph appears in last month's New Zealand Farmer, and in arriving at his decision lie had endeavored as far as possible to adhere to this type of cow. As a whole he considered the Jersey classes were a distinct credit to the district, being of a very high, standard, Mr. Eagle remarked that he was surprised at the careless way the cattle were handled in the ring, owners lolling about and talking to one another, and making no attempt to show their exhibits to the best advantage. The Melbourne's great "Mill and Factory" sale enters into its second week to-day. Many new and wonderful bargains will be brought forward and patrons will find the •oll'erings quite as alluring and economical as those sold during the first week of sale. Tiie Waitara West Road Board are advertising for the supply of 500 yards of metal for the Te Arei Road.

A sensation has been caused in carnival cirolc3\itf■(Auckland by a summons undor. the /Gaftniipg Act being served on the secretary 'of the executive. Ft is stated that'it is in connection with the art union promoted by the Licensed Victuallers' Committee, which originally was based on the result of the Auckland Cup. The first prize was advertised as a work of art, a painting valued at £IOOO. Other paintings were oll'ered as prizes for the second and third horses and for all starters. The committee guraanteed the value of the paintings and guaranteed to purchase them from dissatisfied winners.—Press Assoriation.

A list of the late occupations of the non-commissioned officers for the 12th Reinforcements, who left Auckland for Trentliam a few days ago, makes Interesting reading (says the Herald). The list included a solicitor, law clerk, architect, schoolmaster, school-teacher, mechanical engineer, structural engineer, newspaper reporter, photographer, commercial traveller, engraver, land agent,, accountant, gentleman, Customs clerk, postal official, master grocer, foreman packing department, foreman dairying firm, and two university students. In almost every ease the recruits made considerable monetary sacrifices bv enlisting.

Quite an excitement was caused at the Anglican Church service on Sunday week at 'Waihi, A farmer's wife, on her way to devotions, saw one of her hens that had gone astray and had been missing for some time, Sh'e ran down and eventually succeeded in capturing it. But the lady was on her way to church, and did not know what to do with the hen. Presently she struck a good idea, and, carefully wrapping the bird in her rainproof coat, took it to church with her, and placed it under the seat. At the close of the service she pulled the coat from under the seat, forgetting for the moment that it was inhabited, when the after-peace and solemnity of the service was rudely disturbed by a most irreverent flapping and cackling, as the hen made its escape, and an exciting chaso ensued.

An assurance to those wlio liave not already enlisted .that they do not know what they are missing is contained in a letter received by Mr. A. fl. Lvmn, of Auckland, from Bugler R. Davies, who recently ivnt into camp at Trentham with the Auckland Battalion of the 10th Reinforcements. "Wo had a train journey of nearly twenty-four hours," he writes, "and When we arrived at camp we were very tired. The people at the various stations treated us as if we were returning heroes, which we expect to be if it is our luck. If not, we will try and do our little part in this war. The officers treat Us just as if we were brothers, and their motto is: 'Men first, officers second,' and J can tell you they stick to it' well. lam sure no one can growl at our treatment. Every ablebodied single young man ought to enlist, lie does not know what he is missinjr. This is the life for me and all the boys."

A new recruit for New Zealand 'Expeditionary Forces was secured in an unusual manner the. other day during a train journey fro» Wellingtsn to Trentham. A native of France, who was apparently penniless, got on the train at Wellington. He had intended to get out at Potone, but at that station he was fast asleep, and not until the guard came to lignt did he realise the fact. The guard, however, having heard the case, gave him a free ride—only to the next station. A member of the Engineer Corps, who was on the train, thus writes: "We, noticing he had something clever below Ills fine dark locks, sympathised with him, and he started to sing some songs. None of us were linguists, and we doubted his nationality, wondering whether he hailed from the North of Scotland or Germany, until I remembered by school days and used some French, he answering in that language. On finding that he was a single man, we asked him to join the boys, which he did with pleasure, and he is now numbered with the Engineers. A better specimen would be hard to find." Very strong; comment was made in the Napier Magistrate's Court last week, concerning a case in which a man was charged with stealing a aheep. The oll'cnce was supposed to have been committed in the presence of the little son of accused, who was called as the principal witness of the Crown. The little chap in the box appeared to be somewhat afraid, and frequently contradicted himself. After hearing his ovidence, his Worship remarked that the case was one of those painful cases in which the principal witness for the Crown was the son of the accused. Quite obviously the boy had been tanvpeerd with, and he did not know whether it was true or not, but the boy said it was his parents that had tampered with him. The boys evidence was quite valueless, as he did not think any jury would convict on it. It was quite evident that the boy had been instructed to come into court and tell lies. The parents then must not be' surprised to gee the boy made the subject, sooner or later—he would rather say sooner than later—of a very gravo criminal charge. And if the boy's story was to be Believed, the parents of the lad must recollect that they gave him hi.s first kick down on his downward career. Tlic information against the father was dismissed.

A telephone mystery that, for two months, had baffled the telegraph engineer's staff has been solved in Auckland, 6.iys the Herald. Some time ago a merchant, in the city complained of the peculiar behaviour of hsitelephone. It worked quite satisfactorily while he was in his office, be said, but as soon as ho went out all communication with the exchange generally ceased. He said that when ho left his ojee lie usually switched .the wire across to the clerk's room, and the switch was carefully examined —but it was found that almost always, in the owner's absence, neither of the two telephones would work. During two months telephone linesmen and engineers paid between 20 and 30 visits to this oiricor and overhauled the instruments and wires, but still the extraordinary behaviour of the telephone continued. Then, one day recently, Mr. R. M. Baird, chief telegraph engineer, was passing, and be called and asked the merchant if there was any improvement. "None whatever," was the reply. "What do you do when you leave the. office?" asked Mr. Baird. ''Just push the switch over and go away," said the merchant," Mr. Baird asked him to leave the office in the ordinary way. and the merchant got up, pushed over the switch—and laid his metal pen across the brass terminals, or screw knobs on the top of the telephone! The mystery was solved. The merchant,-a careful, methodical man, always kid his pen down in the same place, and Mr. Baird explained that it had always short-eircuiated the installation, and cut off communication with the exchange. "Hut," the merchant protested, "I have been putting my pen in the s ame place for years." Inquiry, however, showed that for years he bad used a porcupine quill, which will not conduct electricity, but that two months before he had adopted a metal penholder, with the intAmtintr result described

A London cable, received on Saturday, stated that the King is able to move about, and it is expected that he will be able to perform his usual duties with* in three weeks. At the Central School Carnival on Thursday, a squad of High School gitla will give a demonstration of first aid to the injured in the field. Their work will include the bandaging of injuries, and also various methods of carrying the injured to shelter. The large (,'huroh of England Instl tute building at Trentliam Camp hat been formerly opened by Mr. Allen, whe said these institutions were doing wonderful work in the camp. Contributions for the erection of the building have been received from all parts of New Zea-land.—-(Press Association.

The Minister of Defence expresses, thf hope that, no one will be misled by an Auckland telegram regarding locai camps. He says: "I made it perfectly plain to Mr. (Vinson that the question of local camps had been thoroughly eon sidered and the Minister of Defence anc his advisers had come to the conclusion after due deliberation, that local campj could not be instituted, and that tin present policy was not to be departed from.' I —Press Association.

East End was thronged with sur. 1 bathers of both sexes yesterday wh( took full advantage of the tine after noon and the splendid convenience* pro vided for bathing at this popular resort it is proposed to hold an official opening of tile new pavilion In the near future. Visitors are able to get hot water fre< all through the summer, and they also can obtain bathing costumes, towels. nnc : afternon tea, for which a small charge k made. The committee are now busy get. ting ready for their annual Xew Ycar't Day picnic.