LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Wellington telegram says that a number of men employed in two of the local wool stores ceased work yesterday, demanding an' increase in wages. "It is expected," said the Prime Minister yesterday, "That there will be a rush, not only of frozen meat, but of dairy produce for shipment during January and February, and with that possibility before tis we have been successful in securing as an extra ship the Indrabarah, while we are also endeavoring to secure some further tonnage as well."—Press Association. From the Feilding Star we acknowledge Christmas and New Year greetings, conveyed per medium of a taste-fully-printed booklet, in which is included a photograph of the staff. Incidentally, we notice that four ei'-mem-faers of our contemporary's staff have laid down their lives for the Empire in the present struggle. To illustrate the comic characteristics of the kea, Mr. Edgar F. Stead told a good story at the Christcliurch Poultry Club's rooms (says the Press). He was camped on one occasion at the head of the Wilberforce River, and decided to snare some kcas. He made a snare out of some native creepers and went to get a sapling to tie it to. The keas accompanied him and watched the operations intently. When the square was prepared, the keas promptly bit it in half! "There has been much more sickness than usual among the boys," stated the headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School at the annual prize distribution. "A severe epidemic of measles caused much more aEsence during the winter, and there has been much irregularity owing to minor ailments, most of which are, in my opinion, traceable to want of proper food at midday. I hope that from the date of its opening we shall be ready to provide at the new school something in the way of a simple lunch, which will materially raise the vitality of afternoon school." The Stratford Post states that Mrs. Barker, 01 Cardiff, has received the following letter from Lieutenant Murray Urquhart regarding the circumstances of the recommendation of her son, Corporal C. R. Barker, for recognition of his services at Chunuk Bair: "I have just heard with very much pleasure that your son, 10-1731 Private C. R. Barker, has been awarded the D.C.M. decoration. He showed much gallantry during the heavy fighting in the early part of August. He fought very gallantly on Chunuk Bair on the Bth of August; and during the two following nights, in spite of his weariness, did very good work by ministering to the wants of the wounded men, who could not be attended to in daylight, owing to the exposed nature of the ground where they lay. In doing this he ran much risk. He also rendered service in guiding some reinforcements up to Chunuk Bair. As his platoon commander I had much pleasure in recommending him for recognition, with the above result."

Some thoughtful observations on the subject of homework were made by the headmistress of the Auckland Girls' Grammar School (Miss Butler) at the annual prize distribution. After speaking of the value of the inculcation of i diligence ill girls, Miss Butler added, Preparation, in many cases, however, is undertaken when the girl is in no fit state to prepare. She is tired and exhausted after a day's work in school and by travelling to and from school. In such cases the girl should be encouraged to prepare her work before breakfast, and where such course is adopted, may I advocate the necessity of breaking one's fact before work is begun in order to avoid all unnecessary fatigue. So many who rise early work fasting, and then are exhausted and useless for the rest of the day, and I would have parents realise that undue time spent 'n prepaiation is a great evil, just as the expenditure of too little time and care are bad." To celebrate the opening of their fine premises—the finest in New Plymouth— Messrs Morey and Son are holding a monster Christmas carnival. Every section in this bright new store is aglow with the spirit of Christmas. Christmas shoppers and Christmas gift givers will find much to interest them in this elaborate and brilliant showing. Their advertisement appears elsewhere in these columns—turn to it,

Napier reported a violent earthquake shock at 3.25 yesterday morning and a milder one on Saturday night. We have received from the Railway Department a handy little brochure containing the Christmas and New Year holiday train arrangements. A Timaru telegram says that some crops of oats in that district are being harvested already, hut they are very light and short. The weather continues destructively Ijot and dry. The Chief Postmaster advises: Weekend soldiers' telegrams (E.F.M.) Christmas greetings should lie lodged as early as possible. The messages will he transmitted any day, and arrangements made as an exceptional measure for delivery on Saturday or Sunday. The Governor states that the expenditure from the Hospital Ship Fund on the Marama amounted to £18,271. After payment of a few outstanding accounts the balance in hand for re-con-ditioning the Maheno and the Marama will amount to £l7,oo2.—Press Association, Messrs Collett and Co., Ltd., New Plymouth, have received cabled advice from their Home principals that the cheese consigned to their care per Rimutaka is nearly cleared, the average price realised for well-knoWu (brands being 925. This will net consignors over Sd per lb f.o.i). at New Plymouth. The usual weekly meeting of the Egmont Lodge, No. 112, was opened at 7.30 last night by the Chief Templar. It was decided that there should not be a meeting next Monday night. The following members contributed towards the programme:—Pianoforte solo, Sis. D. Blanchard; recitation, Sis. Mrs. Hall; song, Miss E. Martin; address, Rev. A. B. Chappell; song, Sis. M. Thompstone; recitation, Miss E. 'Murphy. At the conclusion of the programme a light supper was partaken of, and the session was closed at 9.45 by Chief Templar Bro. F. R, Pepperell. During the few exciting minutes on the beach last evening, when a young woman was in danger of drowning the apathy of some male folk was most manifest. Two men, who were "dead weary" from half-an-hourt surf-bathing swam out to her rescue, and a crowd assembled. It was palpable to all that the three : in the water were in difficulties, and a lady present begged of some of the men bystanders to go and help them. The only replies she received were: "They're all right," and "1 can't swim." Sad ito say, several of those who thus responded were wearing the King's uniform, and these bystanders stood on the beach, afr/id to wet their boots, and witnessed a woman going, fully dressed, into the water, much above her knees, to help the exhausted trio ashore.

Commander Hooper, of the Government training steamer Amokura, reports that on visiting Milford Sound recently the residents there described an unusual happening which was experienced in July. There had been a heavy westerly gale for several days, and the wind attained its maximum at midnight. When daylight broke the wind had abated, and to their surprise the residents found everything out of doors covered with fine red gritty substance. It would appear that the matter was dust, which had been carried aloft by whirlwinds peculiar to some parts of Australia, and had found its way down to southern latitudes. Rain containing red dust fell in Melbourne about twenty years ago, and similar occurrences have been reported in other parts of the world at various times. A recruiting meeting, on a small scale, was held on the Lyttelton fairy wharf on Friday night by an officer who was proceeding north in the steamer (reports a Christehurch paper). The officer, who, judging by appearances, was an old campaigner, spoke from the rail of the Mararoa, to a fairly large crowd of spectators. "Yes," he said, "all tho single men standing around should offer their services and get away to the front. I have already been there, and I am just about to go there again. You are all wanted, and, if we are going to win this war, we must have more men. As I have already been there, and am going again, you are all being told by one who knows. Many girls are trying to prevent their young men from going. Well, these young ladies are not worthy of the name." As the Mararoa sheered off, the officer was loudly cheered. Here are ideal gifts for men, at the Melbourne Ltd. White silk handkerchiefs, Is; all silk collars, new shape, Is 3d; white silk shirts, 10s fid; tussore silk shirts, with detachable collars, 9s 6d; cashmere Canadian bathing costumes, 6s 6d; linen handkerchiefs, Is each; white silk initial handkerchiefs, 2s lid; braces in holiday boxes 3s 6d.