LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

""Wie Opunake Dairy Company paid out 14(1 per lb for butter-fat last cheque day. Ngaere proved a popular holiday report yesterday, the charming gardens attracting a large crowd of holiday-mak-ers. * ■

An additional attraction at the gala to be held at the East End Bathing Reserve on New Year's Day will be an exhibition of reel work and life saving, which is to be given by the champion life saving team in Taranaki, the holders 0 f the Tabor Memorial Shield.

A Wellington Press message states that a motor waggon owned by Len Clock, of Lower Hutt, while carrying a party of picnickers to Day's Bay yesterday, caught fire, and was considerably damaged, having to be run into the sea to prevent destruction. It, is understood no one was injured.

At the Rahotu Dairy Faotory milk is now being graded, and any classed sec-ond-grade will be paid a penny per lb butterfat less than first-grade milk. -This action has been taken owing to some of the milk arriving at the factory during the recent spell of hot weather in an over-ripe condition. A Napier message says that the .third annual Madi Gras was successfully held yesterday, despite the rain. Seventy-four exhibits in the procession were viewed by 20,000 people. Late in the afternoon sunny weather prevailed, and McLean Park was visited by 15,000 people. There was a programme of sports, a band concert ,and the usual carnival attractions. The proceeds go to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

The hospital ship Maheno, which is expected to arrivo at Auckland on Friday, will, after disembarking the invalided soldiers destined for tho Auckland district proceed to Wellington with the remainder of those on board. The Ruahine, which is expected at Auckland four days later, will disembark all the returned soldiers who are on board at the northern port, and those for other distracts will be brought south by special hospital train. An incident which is reported to have occurred at one of the military camps shows the spirit of camaraderie which exists between officers and their men. One man had obtained leave, but found himself in straitened finance*. Nothing discomposed, he is alleged to have strolled up to the "skipper," perfunctorily saluted ! and said: "I say, old sport, I want to go and see the girl in town. I'm broke. How about a quid?" The request of the indigent one was promptly and graciously granted, and he proceeded to town with its numerous festival attractions as joyously as a schoolboy. Most of the returned soldiers are said to be firm believers in conscription. The opinion of one man, who seemed to be in a position to know the views of his mates, is that recruiting by moral fuasion under the voluntary, system will no longer be effective, as those who have not as yet enlisted will not now be reached by any personal appeal. "A larger number of our citizens," he said, "do not as jet realise the vastness of the struggle at present raging, and the absolute necessity of keeping all our regiments up to their full strength. To do this, more recruits than ever are required, and now, when the enlistments are diminishing, is the time to bring conscription along. The Government should now be prepared to say that it must have recruits, whether the latter are prepared to come or not." Wostown Hall was crowded last night on the occasion of the farewell social which was tendered to several young men from the Westown and Frankley Read districts, who are leaving for tile front. An excellent musical programme was contributed, the following giving items:—Pianofote sol 6, Mr. E. Golding; banjo solo", Mr. Gadd; monologues, Mr. Golds worthy; song, Miss Ivy Scott; comic songs, Mr. Lovell. During the interval Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., who presided, presented each of the guests wttl a wristlet watch. In doing so he referred to the need for enlisting, and made an appeal to all young men to volunteer. Each of the recipients responded. Refreshments provided by the ladies were then dispensed, after which an hour or two was devoted to dancing.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house under date 23rd inat.:—Wool sales dosed; market strong. As compared with December 15, prices are in favor of sellers,

The \gamotu seaside picnic, which takes place on tho Moturoa beach, near the Breakwater, on New Year's Day, will be entirely new and different from other seaside picnics. As a matter of fact, it has boon termed the "goey picnic," from the go and enthusiasm of the enterprising committee controlling the Ngamotu foreshore. The Marathon school squad race is exciting the supporters of the various schools, as well as the contestants, and Waihi school will have to make special, exertions to retain the cup.