LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Assuming that a bale is worth £2O, tiie Papnroa took away from Waitara on Monday £43/240 worth of wool.— Mail.

"This firm does not employ single men eligible, for service who have not registered" is the wording on a placard now appearing in some of the Wellington business establishments.

The following men have enlisted at New Plymouth, and submitted themselves to the usual medical examination:—Thomas Cummings, W. W. Smith, Charles l.arsen, "Robert Smith, A. J. L. Slav, W C. Hoffmann.

At a meeting of the executive of the Auckland Patriotic Association it was decided that the Association would not be represented at next week's conference called by the 'Minister for Internal Affairs, and'that the association was in accord with the suggestion that a conference should be held of all societies in the Dominion. Until next week's conference is held, however, and the result known, it was not considered advisable to take any action.—Press Association.

The Red Cross Mart, which has met with such conspicuous success during the past few weeks, will again he open tomorrow morning. The objects of the, mart are so well-known >that it should be quite unnecessary to again. remind the public of the support that should be accorded. The ladies who are in charge make a further appeal to the public for gifts of produce (in fact, anything saleable) and also for patronage. The fact that the mart was closed during the recent holiday weeks appears to have misled hitherto generous donors into the belief that the ladies had ■■ concluded their good mission, but such is far from being the case, and the Red Cross workers are prepared to carry on indefinitely Therefore it is earnestly hoped that the rooms to-morrow will be overloaded with gifts and crowded with generous customers.

Affairs municipal must he in a dreadful state of muddlesomencss in Pntea. Says the local paper:—"Anyone who has watched the trend of events with regard to municipal matters in this town of recent years cannot fail to have been struck with the fact that there must he a screw loose somewhere to allow such blunders to have occurred as the Burgin lease episode, the taking of two polls in connection with the water and drainage loans, the cemetery reserve muddle, the sale of sections to ratepayers as bnihliiijr sites when at the time of sale the sections were not in the possession of the Council, but actually leased for a term of years, the wholesome muddle with regard to the valuations, ami lastly, but by no means least, the complications that have arisen in connection with the Town Hall lease." This is a catalogue of sins oi omission and commission which, if supported by facts, should justify the suffering ratepayers in casting all concerned into eternal municipal darkness. A local fisherman had a peculiar experience one day this week. He was iishing from a boat near the "Saddleback" Sugarloaf, and had hooked a good specimen of "Cloudy Bay" eod. He was about to land his capture when a large-sized hurracouta tame along like la torpedo and with it* powerful jaws, snapped oil' the body of the eod, leaving only the head. It may not he generally known that' the barracouta in New Zealand waters grows (according to the late 11 r. Frank iSullen) to live and sometimes six feet in length. It is armed with a set of tcetli often an inch long, and is indeed the "tiger of the South Seas." The "couta" seldom if ever eats anything that is dead, but takes its food from living specimens of the finny tribe. Its slender build and strong propelling power enables it to

swim at a velocity that no other fish can outpace, so that its victims have little chance nf escape, unless by getting under a shelving rock or in dense seaweed.

Anld's are ottering this week one-piece frocks at very big reductions; prices from 4s lid to 255. Housewives will find it to their advantage to purchase the following lines at the Melbourne, Ltd.'s sale of Japanese and "job" goods:—Large white towels, measuring 25 by 50 incites, la 9d pair; white towelling, 10 inches wide, 4'/ 2 d yard; 32in white flannelette, 5s lid dozen; extra stout 30-inch calico (absolutely pure), as led dozen yards. THOUSANDS CURED BY RHEUMO. Isn't it a groat consolation to know that YOU can be cured of Rheumatism, Gout, Lumbago! RHEUMO will cure you as it has cured thousands of those who once were sufferers, Start the cure to-day-get SgEUMO, 2a 6d and 4s ed.

The Falkland Islands is somewhat of an Evelcss Eden. An American paper declares there are five men for every woman there.

Tn the British Navy no man is forced to serve on a submarine. The crew consists of volunteers, of whom ample numbers are always forthcoming. Tommy is a cheerful soul. Writing to a friend in Manchester, a British "Tommy" in the trenches says: "I don't envy you poor devils having to put on cold shirts these mornings!" Tawo, which was one cut down and left to rot, not being; considered of any value, lias been found to be an excellent wood for cabinet-malting, while tutu, a noxious plant, gives out no less than, four different kinds of dye.

''lt is my firm opinion that there is a very great future before the apple export trade of this Dominion," eaid Mr. T. Horton (president of the Nurserymen's Conference) in Wellington on Wednesday (reports the Post). "Thousands of acres have been planted, thousans more, are going to be planted; and it will not be very long before that country will be able to export several millions of bushels every year to other markets.''

Eefering to the failure of the operations in Gallipoli, "Trooper Bluegum" wrote to the 'Sydney Morning Herald:— "I am convinced that the whole enterprise would have succeeded if the Australians had been given the Suvla Bay job instead of Kitchener's men. Some of the Australian battalions were actually split up and put in the British brigades to stiffen them. Yet our boys had less training than Kitchener's army." "The question of the cost of living daily becomes a matter of more serious concern," remarked Dr. Thacker, of Christchurch, to an Auckland Star reporter recently. "New Zealand butter can be obtained more cheaply in London than locally, the prices of meat are out of all proportion, and there i 3 opportunity for dealers to 'corner' the wheat supply, and so create another so-called famine," said the speaker.

The Christchurch tramwaymen who were, accused of disloyalty, to Dr. Britten explain that their remarks were not seriously meant, but were prompted by a desire to express contrary views to the doctor, who had had a previous encounter with them on another matter, and bad reported them. They both assert that they were only joking when they approved of German methods, and are perfectly loyal. ' The danger of running a motor-car in a closed, garage or shed is insufficiently realised by many motorists. In England recently two drivers started up a car in a garage, the doors and windows being closed owing to the bad weather. Both were later on found dead from,, the effects of carbon-monox-ide' poisoning. A peculiar thing about' this gas is that the victim hardly notices its effects, the first symptom being a tired feeling, followed' by insensibility.

A jelly-fish measuring about .Ift in diameter was washed up on the beach at Taliuna, and was the subject of some curiosity (says the Nelson Colonist). Several young men, in endeavoring to turn the medusa over, partially disintegrated it, and were .bespattered with its juices, which set up a violent irritation and caused them much discomfort. One young man who was splashed in the fact had a particularly bad time. The. sufferers learnt by painful experience that, being beset with myriads of stinging cells, these "blubbers" may make bathers who come into contact with them more than uncomfortable.

A well-known Masterton man, now in. camp at Rangiotu, is pausing the officers of liis platoon a good deal of thought (says the Daily Times). The soldier in question has an exceptionally well-de-eloped figure, his girth measurement being a pronounced feature. When the sergeant shouts "Right dress!" if the Masterton man brings his eyes into line with the others, then his "presence" is distinctly out of line. If the officer passes along and taps him with his stick so as to bring the front of the rank even, the Mastcrtonian then strikes trouble when the line is viewed from the rear, as he is "out on his own" from the others in that direction. Anyhow, the soldier's physique is a good advertisement for open-air life in the Wairarapa.

There is a feeling of kindly democracy actuating the Hawke's Bay County Council (says the Napier Daily Telegraph). The permanent roadmen they employ live in little w.hares, and, with a view to improving their lot, the Council have decided, as funds are available, to erect better class houses for their men. A good many of the whares at present in use are quite unsuitable for married men, and so to provide better accommodation for them houses are being erected in various parts of the county, something after the style of the Government's workers' homes." By this means also it is anticipated that ii better class of men will be obtained—and retained.

The extensive kauri areas of the Northern Wairoa (says an exchange) have in years past produced many millions of feet of timber and are still producing large quantities. This constant drain cannot be maintained for ever, and the fact that the last log in the Mangakahia is expected to be delivered into the main stream in another year's time, is tangible evidence of the complete decimation of the forests. The area of Kirikopuni as a timber producing territory will follow suit, and then all logging activity will be centred in the Kaihu Valley, where some 50,000,000 feet of mixed timber is available. Further yet is the Waipoua State forest, which is estimated to contain 100,000,000 fee of kauri and the same quantity of other timbers.

Addressing a public meeting at Rangiora recently, Corporal Livingstone showed the need there was for a continuous supply of reinforcements. He slated that the Ist Canterbury Company of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion went into action with a total strength of 227, and at the end of a week they had only 120 in the firing line. They were reinforced from the Second Reinforcements to 150, and after the Cape Helles engagement in two days they were down again to S3, there being about sixty-five casualties in one afternoon. Reinforced again to IGO, they once more, suffered losses that reduced their ranks to sixtyfive. Man from the. Fourth Reinforcements brought their number again to 100, but from sickness and casualties their ranks were again quickly depicted. This was their experience right through to the Suvla Bay operations, when the •company had but 130 men in place of its full strength of 227. He gave this information to show how badly men were wanted in the trenches.

The public generally is requestc." to note that H. G. Kingsland, Nelson, is offering first-grade '.it 2d per lb„ freight paid to any <K»L.on in the North Tslaiid. Prices'of o'h'.-i seasouatyle fruit ate also advertised.

The past week's exports of New Zealand produce were valued at £1,420,707, including- i'7M!,OOO worth of wool and £371,0011 worth of dairy produce.—Press Association.

Tin; Wellington Land Board yesterday received thirteen applications by returned soldiers for laud. One was granted, this being' the first in New Zealand, and the others were held over for inquiry.—Press Association.

The Prime Minister stated yesterday that Mr. Grey, of the Hansard staff, had been appointed temporary secretary to the Recruiting Board.—Press Association.

The first alphabetical lists showing men of military age in the various districts has been issued from the Government Printing Office, and the others are being completed as quickly as possible. The Board have a new system to come into operation in time for the March draft of recruits.—Press Association.

A Wellington telegram says that the Woolbrokers' Association is advised that yie difficulty of getting slTipping space for wool is becoming easier ,and the Duncdin sales will be held in February. The third Wellington sales will follow a week later, when the January catalogue of 37.500 bales will be submitted. No new arrivals will be admitted, but it is hoped that thereafter there will be more frequent sales, with smaller catalogues, which will enable the wool to be cleared.

At a special meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board yesterday (reports the Star), it was 1 decided to apply to the Government hospital authorities for consent to erect a nurses' home and an operating theatre, as well as for certain minor alterations and additions involving an expenditure of about £2OOO. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Minister and Dr. Valintinc, and obtain the assistance of the members of Parliament for the district.