LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Taranaki Daily News will not be published to-morrow (Christmas Day), but the paper will be issued as usual on Monday (Boxing Day). The following statement ie attributed to General Birdwood, and speaks for itself:—"l have never seen men more keen for mails from home than the New Zealand troops. Place a tog of mail in the rear of an enemy trench one hundred yards away, and I will guarantee to have that trench in twenty minutes!" The following advertisement, with a heart pant that discloses another phase of the horrors of the conflict, appears in a Berlin newspaper:—"Young soldier, after returning from the front with one leg amputated, is deserted by his fiancee because of his physical disablement. He ivould now like to get in touch with some woman, similarly afflicted, whose love for a nian who served his country would remain true." There may be considerable unemploythe Public Works Minister thinks, during next winter—although there is at present no lack of work for men able and willing to take it in the country districts. , Work on roads is still being continued, but certain railway works have had to be stopped. In the camps still working, the number of men were reduced, but no men had been discharged at his orders; vacancies were not filled when .men left. A remarkable record for attendance came to light at the break-up of the Mornington public school (says the Otago Daily Times). Included among three pupils who received medals for eight years of unbroken attendance were two brothers, Leonard and Maurice Stanaway. The headmaster of the school explained that the only other child in the family, a sister, had also left the school with a similar record . The children had not been free from childish ailments and epidemics such as measles, but somehow they had "always made arrangements to have them in the "holidays." "I am a firm believer in the free-place system," said Mr. W. A. Armor, headmaster of tlie Napier Boys' Higli School, nt the prize distribution ceremony recently; "but I do not believe In being too lax. If a boy does not show promise after three months I would open thi; door for him, and tell him to go. Each boy or girl reoeiving free education is costing the Government £l2 a year, a sufficient sum of money to equip and ccriil a man to the front, and I don't think that money should be wasted on a boy who does not show any appreciation."

Work of an interesting nature is at present being carried out at the Commonwealth flying school at Werrlliee, Victoria. A number of newly-fledged airmen, products of the school, and also officers of the Australian military forces, are engaged on an advanced course of instruction preparatory to qualifying fol the Royal Aero Club's flight certificate, a diploma which stamps the possessor with the hall-mark of aerial efficiency. The school at Werribee starts work each day at 4 a.m., the flying students being up with the lark and soaring skywards almost before dawn. As the course progresses night flights will be undertaken, and in these trials the pilots will need to display the utmost accuracy and skill In steering by lights placed at various points on the ground. Work of this description, however, will only be undertaken when the students have proved their efficiency in the ordinary control of j a flying machine.

I Captain Chudleigh, marine superintendent of the Shaw, Savil] and Albion Company ) recently visited Wanganui and inspected the harbor works, in company with the Board's engineer (Mr Howorth). Captain Chudleigh's visit was in connection with ascertaining the suitability of Wanganui as a port to which to extend the operations of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, and, as a result of his Inspection, he is fully satisfied (says the Wanganui Herald) with the port's prospects. He expressed approval of the Board's scheme, and considers the approach from the sea and the width 'between the moles satisfactory for handling big vessels, and the turning basin and wharf would meet requirements for some time to eomo. Captain Chudleigh said that, given sufficient water, his company's boats would certainly include "®£anul is their Itinerary,

The Citizens' Band will render a number of selections on the Criterion balcony this evening from 7 to 8 o'clock,Tho East End Bathing Reserve Committee wish to acknowledge a donation of £1 Is from Mr. M. Fraser.

The Mokoia and Mararoa last night were full ships from Wellington for Lyttelton, taking 893 passengers.—Press Association.

Word was received privately in Hawera on Tuesday of the safe arrival in Egypt of the Eighth Reinforcements;— Star.

The Committee of the Eltham Axemen's Carnival have decided that all soldiers in uniform will he admitted free to the Carnival on Monday at Taurnata Park.

New Zealand exports of produce during the past week were valued at \£1,040,155, including butter £285,800, cheese £09,301, frozen meat £102,400, and wool £402,582. —Press Association,

The Chief Postmaster notifies that Christmas and New Year greeting telegrams to or from members of the Expeditionary Force, Samoa,, are to be accepted up to and including Ist January next at 6d per word. The secretary of the Fire Brigade desires to acknowledge receipt of donations and on. Tuesday evening, from the proprietors of the Grosvenor, Criterion, Royal, and Imperial Hotels. 1

Interesting and important cable from London: The Christmas tables will largely be supplied with geese, brought in cold storage from China. It is estimated that a. quarter of a million turkeys have been offered for sale. , Considerable shop-lifting has been going on in Stratford in the last few days, says the Post. The mean sneak thief deserves the severe attention of the police. One tradesman was relieved of an article to the value of one pound on yWednesday.

Several Stratford tradesmen, and also several other people, have been victim,ised lately by means of silvered pennies which are in circulation in that district. Tradesmen in New Plymouth should be on the qui vive during the holiday rush to detect* this fraud.

At the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday, y?. S. Clark, county clerk at Thames, who pleaded guilty to defalcations totalling '£lo7, was ordered to come up for sentence when called on, conditional upon his enlistment. Justice Cooper stated that Sir Robert Stout concurred in this decision.

A Wellington telegram says that tbe Government has bought twenty-two sections at Maranui and Kilbirnie, whereon fifteen workers' dwellings will be built immediately for applicants who- have been waiting some time. All the hundred dwellings authorised by Cabinet ■for the Dominion for the current financial year are now arranged for. A big school picfll'c will be held at the East End on February 11th. Nine schools from the East Road (Stratford) district, will combine for the occasion, and-it is expected there will be about 800 children and adults present. The visitors will arrive by special train at 11 a.m. and return at 4.15 p.m.

At the recent examination the following pupils of the Ngaere School gained proficiency: Wilfred Bloomfield, Cecil Fougere, Clarence Gibbons, Oliver Orr, Ivor Saunders, Roy Walker, Vera Gibbons, May Fenniall, Elsa Sims. The following gained competency: Bae-Jones, Ivy Kenyon. Some of the most important features of ii' Christmas dinner table come from Messrs Sole Bros* shop, and this year they have kept up their policy of providing the public with a tempting array of good things. The shop presented an attractive appearance last night, prettily decorated with ferns. To-day, the shop will be well stocked with everything by which the butcher adds pleasure to Christmas.

Eltham is (says the Argus), noted for being a clean and tidy town, but on Wednesday tlie footpaths and part of the roadway in Bridge Street, were littered with confetti and rice. The reason is not hard to discover, for confetti and rice tell their own story, a story that young men and maidens, old men and children can read like an open book. But there was an unusually lavish distribution yesterday because there were no less than three weddings.

The Bank of New Zealand, with a total of 280 men from its entire staff enrolled for active service, was the first in Auckland to break away from ancient tradition, when, in July last, eight girls were installed. "Their work has been most satisfactory," Mr. H. Bucldeton, local manager, stated recently, "and we will (shortly have added four more to the number. There is ample opportunity for a girl to rise to a high position in this work. There is at present no intention of bringing women into direct contact with customers, hut there ia plenty of other work for which the female clerk is very well fitted, and which offers far more scope for her individual talents than ordinary stenography." That the girl in the hank has come to stay was also the opinion of Mr. W. H. Galway, manager of the Auckland branch of the Bank of New South Wales. "We lmve had three girls here lor several months now, and more will bo added shortly. Out of a staff of twenty-five, nine have enlisted. We are holding their positions open for them, and our staff is now practically composed of girls, married men and cadets." The girls are employed on routine work, such as scheduling remittances, on exchanges, adding machines, and typing. All the other Auckland banks are coming into line with the two mentioned, and the inclusion of women on their staffs is only a matter of a few weeks' time.

Everybody is beginning to observe, and realise that the Ngamotu Bench adjoining the Breakwater is the only safe spot where one can indulge in surf bathing with any degree of security. This foreshore will be an impressive, sight on New Year's Day, the occasion of the Breakwater picnic. There will be no dearth of amusement and recreative pastime that day when all will drop their worry in great- haste and join in the great tumult of fun. A cyclone of merriment will blow from 11 a.m. to a p.m.

The Melbourne Ltd. offers a splendid range of men's ready to wear suits beautifully cut and finished, equal in mo9t instances to high class custom work. These suits are really excellent value and are priced at 21)3 Gd, OAs Od, and (iO3, Look them over. TO BE DREADED.

Diarrhoea is more to be dreaded than many ailments regarding which people make such a fuss. It attacks all ages and is quickly fatal to young and old. The great mortality resulting from diarrhoea is due to lack of proper treatment at the first stage of the disease. Chamberlain's Colic and Diarrhoea Remedy is a reliable and effective medicine and if given in time will prevent serious consequences. It never fails and is pleasant to take. Every household should have * bottla on hand, Sold «verywhtre.

A Gazette notifies that the export of hides and skins to the United States Is only, permissible with tha sanction of the Controller of Customs.

Miss M. Blackburn, of Kaimati, was ■the winner of the quilt (donated by Mrs W. G .Wadsworth), which formed a Red Cross art union. Over £7 was netted for the fund.

Frankleigh Park residents planted a substantial area of ground with potatoet with the object of selling the crop On behalf of tlje Belgian Fund. This week they have commenced digging, with th« most satisfactory results. They have an excellent crop of beautiful potatoes, which should meet with a ready sale. •

At Whiteley Memorial Church on Sunday evening there will be special music in celebration of the Christmas festival. The most popular of the choruses from Handel's "Messiah," including the majestic "Hallelujah," will be rendered by an augmented choir, and Mrs Gray will sing a vocal adaptation of Handel's celebrated "Largo" called "Heavenly Rest." The Rev. A. B. Chappell will be the preacher. The morning service will be taken by Mr. Geo. W. Jackson, student supply. A farewell concert and dance, organised by the Westown and Fr&nklcy Road residents, will be tendered to the local lads leaving for the front on Monday night, December 27, in the Weetown Hall. A presentation to each member, in the form of a wristlet watch, will ba made by Mr. H. Okey, M.P. The musical part of the programme is in the hands of a well-known Pierrot Company, comjjosed of flrst-class artists. A cordial invitation, is given to all returned troopers, soldiers now on leave, recruits about to leave, and their parents. The Wcstown committee in charge o» the Lake Rotokare Reserve (Barrett's Lagoon) are now making rapid progress in opening up the reserve. Over a mil* of beautiful walks have been opened up through the bush, and at a future date boating on the lake is anticipated. Visitors will be able to visit this reserve, via Westown and Cowling Road, during the holidays. Conveyances may be left at the end of the road, near Mr. J, Lovell's residence, which is only fife minutes' walk from the reserve and IS minutes' from the lake.

On Monday, the 20th, the Royal Oik Cheese Co. paid out to suppliers the sum Of £ISOO being an advance at the rate of Is 2d per lb on butter-fat supplied during the month of November. At this time of high cable quotations there seems to be a tendency to increase the monthly payments accordingly, This matter was discussed at the last meeting of directors of the above company, and although advices were received from Messrs Collett, Whitfield and Co., who are again handling the Royal Oak's output, that the first consignment of this season's cheese realised the high price of 925, it was -thought prudent to limit the pay out to Is 2d as at this time it U impossible to know how prices will, be maintained throughout the season. Large 'number of country people have intimated their intention of visiting tbe East End beach on New Year's Day, where the energetic committee have made arrangements for the gathering to surpass all those of other years. The weather, which i» the prime factor towards the day's success promises well. Abig attraction will be ithe swim from the Breakwater to the beach by 'Mr. flhmfcmwen who is leaving shortly for the front. Half tbe proceeds for the day will be given to the Wo.uJMed SaHfeM' Fund. Other attrf.<M» (donkeys, hoopla, etc.), will be vlookefcifier.