LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On two or three occasions' lately (states the Mail) the Waitara freezing works have put through over 200 head of cattle, per day. ' During the month of January 25 patients were admitted to the Pa'tea Hospital, 18 were discharged, and 16 remained on January 31,

At a recent meeting of the Patea Chamber of Commerce, it was decided that the members of the Harbor Board, County Council and B«roujh Council be asked to combine with the Chamber in inducing the Government to have the bush on both sides o! the river preserved.

The trout fishing season in the Haweia Acclimatisation district is proving very satisfactory, excellent results bcing obtained (says the Star). One of the best catches yet recorded is that made by Messrs Bell and Young, who between them recently caught 28 nice fish from the Kaupokonui. The fish averaged 21b in weight, a fine average for such a large haul. The season does not Close until the end of April, Discussing the Court procedure of witnesses taking the oath, Judge Parry told an anecdote of Judge Chalmers, perhaps the ablest Judge who ever adorned the County Court, who once said: "If the witness were made to bet Is with the Judge that he would tell the truth, and the Judge had to judge whether he had won the bet or not, it would not only satisfy the sporting instinct of the English, but would do away with a great deal of perjury." The register of the Stratford school contains the names of 750 children, and the building ie uncomfortably crowded (says the Post). In view of the conditions prevailing, the headmaster (Mr. P. Tyrer), in his report to the School Committee on Tuesday evening, stated that for the present, at least, no more children would be admitted unless their parents resided in Stratford itself. The committee resolved to forward the letter to the Minister of Education, drawing attention to the overcrowded state fii the school, and urging upon him tbe immediate necessity of deciding upon the erection of a separate high school. "In the year 1100 Henry I. removed the- absolute prohibition of lights after the hour of curfew—and that may have been the far-off beginning of London's practice of turning night into day. In 1915 London is going back, not from choice, but of necessity, towards a ten o'clock curfew," says the Glasgow Herald. "Possibly Count Zeppelin will figure, in the history books of 2015, as a German inventor who devised an airship which was quite useless for military purposes, but which was instrumental in abolishing the night life of London." Wonderfully varied is the method of street-lighting in New Plymouth. In broad daylight (noon) we have seen the lights going, nnd on the brighte '■ moonlight nights all the street lamps are lit, charged apparently to the utmost. Contrariwise, yesterday morning, about 4 o'clock, the baker or butcher who was just getting to his day's toil, and the ,weary "ink-slinger" who was homewardbound, had to plod through murky darkness. There was not a light (with the exception of that in the Post Office clock tower) to be seen, an embargo evidently having been put upon electricity. Erratic? Oh, dear, no! There is nothing erratic about our street lights. Perhaps one of the most curious monuments in existence has recently been built in Ontario by Canadians. The farmers have just erected a marble pillar to mark the site on which grew a famous apple tree. More than a century ago a settler in Canada named Mcintosh, when clearing a home in the wilderness, discovered among a number of wild apple trees one which bore fruit so well that ho cultivated it and named it "Mcintosh Red." The apple became famous; seeds and cuttings were distributed to all parts \>f Canada, so that now the Mcintosh red flourishes wherever apples grow in the great Dominion. In 18D6 the original tree from which this enormous family sprang was injured by fire; but it continued to bear fruit until five years ago. Then, after fifteen years, it died, and the grateful farmers have raised a marble pillar in honor of the tree which hae done so much for the fruit-growing industry of their land. The story of this apple tree illustrates the African proverb that though you can count the apples on one tree, you can never count the trees in one apple.—Popular Science Monthly.

During the past few days tlie Home Office have (writes a London correspondent) granted a certificate of naturalisation to Mrs. Joan Mowat Bredalbane Sutherland Baker, of the Bungalow, Peperharow road, Godalming, Surrey, declaring her to be a British subject. Behind this simple fact is hidden one of the most remarkable stories of the war, for Mrs. Baker, although born in Scothind, is the widow of a German who served 13 years in the British Army, rose to the rank of squadron sergeantmajor, and died the death of a hero at Mcssincs, France, whilst fighting against the country of his birth. He was Squadron Sergeant-major Harry William Baker, 11th Hussars, and was killed in action, just over a year ago. Perhaps more remarkable still is the fact that it was not until eight months after his death that Mrs. Baker, to whom he had been happily married since 1908, learned for the first time that her husband was a German, and that she, in consequence of her marriage, was an "alien enemy" 01 this country. This discovery caused Mrs .Baker to have to be registered under the Aliens' Restriction Order, and for a time she also lost her pension. This, with the arrears, and her nationality have been restored to her. The circumstances of Sergeant-major Baker's death were an indication of his bravery as a soldier. He was killed during a' heavy bombardment whilst gallantly endeavoring to take a message for his squadron to the regimental headquarters. The regimental magazine, in recording his death, stated that he was a fine type of a soldier, a capable n.e.0., a crack shot with rifle and revolver, and a splendid horseman and swordsman. He was very popular with officers and men of the regiment, and but for his untimely death would soon have received a commission, for which lie had been recommended.

The Melbourne Clothing Company announce the arrival of a new lino of men's mercerised cotton tussore neglige shirts, similar to the line of tennis shirts recently sold at 4s lid. These shirts are ij] great request on account of their utility and fme appearance. Do you require a new piece of furniture? Tf so, then be advised; place Unorder with A. E. Goodacre, maker 01 "lifetime furniture."' Fine examples 0! furniture are stocked by this firm; eaob is attractive because of the high quality and good workmanship. And if you require furniture made to any special design, let A. E. Goodacre make it. and you will know you are gettiug the best irualHy,

The value of the building permits issued by the Hawera borougli engineer during' the past month was £1505. T|ie Napier Hospital Board has written off uncollectablo fees amounting to £4200.

At the Pahiatua ram fair 40 oneshear Lincoln rams, bred and sold by Mr. R. Bremar, Waverlcy, fetched fromo£ to 5 guineas with an average of £6 5s lOd. The monthly cheque to be paid out by the Lowgarth Dairy Factory to-morrow amounts, to £4BllO, while that of the Stratford Dairy Company totals £11,510. A sitting of the Native Laud Court was opened at Opunake on Wednesday, Judge J. B. Jack, presiding. The Court will afterwards sit at l'ungarehu.

An Order-in-Counofl has been issued prohibiting the export of leather of all kinds, dressed ani. undressed, aud also leather belting.

The number of infantile paralysis cases in Auckland province now totals 197. Wednesday's notifications numbered seven, one of which was from the city urea and six from the country districts.

A proposal to run the Auckland city trams during church hours on Sunday 6veuing3 was carried at a poll of city municipal electors on Wednesday by 0581 votes to 3595. The new service will Commence next Sunday. Cr. L. A. Bone has been appointed Deputy-Mayor of Hawera, as the Mayor, Mr. E. Dixon, will be absent for three or four weeks. Cr. Morrissey was nominated for the appointment, but was, Bays the Star, unable at present to take the position. Owing to an alleged disloyal ntterance by one of the firemen of the collier Kaitangata, the crew of that vessel downed tools yesterday (says a Wellington telegram). The difficulty was overcome by the man being paid off. The man is reported to be a New Zealander, born of German parentage.

How the war influences the cost of living! An old lady down the coast who lias in previous years sold plum* at Id per lb to anyone taking delivery from the tree lias, tliis year, raised the price 'to 2d. The increased price, she says, is owing to the war! Nearly a thousand schoolchildren and adults from Eltham, Ngaere and Midhirst arrived in New Plymouth by special train at ten o'clock yesterday morning. The visitors left the train at the East End, and spent an enjoyable day in the summer weather at the seaside. The picnickers returned home by special train at four o'clock.

It lias been definitely decided by the promoters of the sclieme to hold the Fete of Nations and the Venetian Carnival in aid of the wounded soldiers, and not the Sports Ground. It is understood that a concession has been made by Mr. Lints in the salary due to him under the original agreement. Everyone who is prepared to help in the collection in New Plymouth tomorrow week for the French Red Crops is invited to attend the meeting in the Town Hall at 7.30 o'clock tonight. The irrangements are now well in hand and great interest is being manifested by all concerned in the movement. The Prime Minister has agreed to send an official message to the Frencn Government on that day. The East End Reserve Committee acknowledge receipt of a donation of 10s from Mr. "Jack" Harvey and family, as a slight appreciation of the manner in which members of the family throughout the season have been treated by the committee, in the way of nrocuring hot water, etc. This practical proof of the ivork done at the East End beach could j ivell be copied. A donation of 5a from Mr. J. Allan, to the reserve fund, is also acknowledged. The annual camp for the members of the 11th (Taranaki) Regiment will commence at Rangiotu on Monday. The "out-distance men"—those who have not attended regular parades—numbering about two hundred, will leave New Plymouth and the various stations by the mail train on Monday morning, while the other members of the regiment will leave for camp on the following Monday, 28th inst. Major Leech, of Inglewood, will be the commanding officer. The annual picnic in connection with the Rahotu School was held in the Rahotu Recreation Grounds on Wednesday. " There was a good attendance of parents and children, and an enjoyable day resulted, The teachers (Mr. Manning and Miss Arthur), and the members of the School Committee were indefatigable in their efforts towards the entertainment of the children for whose delectation games, races and plenty of refreshments were provided. At the Hawera Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, on the motion of the Mayor, it was resolved: "That the Council is in hearty sympathy with the Government in their recruiting campaign, and will do all in its power to assist in securing recruits, and that the Mayor will arrange a meeting of local bodies and patriotic committees in the Hawera area to decide upon a plan of action." The Council is deserving of commendation for this exhibition of public spirit. Petty thieves are generally hard to find, for their ways are like Bret Harte's "heathen Chinee" —very peculiar. For several days )a9t week the collection box at the East End Reesrve pavilion contained the magnificent sum of twopence, which was left there in the hope that it would accumulate. The secretary's surprise yesterday cau be imagined when, on going to the box, he found that it had been broken open and the two coppers abstracted. This is not by any means the first time 6Uch an occurrence has happened at the Pavilion, and the dirty sneak-thieves, if caugfiT, should feel the' full weight of the law for such despicable action. Everything possible is being done by the Patriotic Committee to add to the comfort of the wounded soldiers in the S T ew Plymouth Hospital. Yesterday, a number of men were taken for a motor drive, others will be taken out on Sunday, and arrangements have been made for further drives next week. Many extra comforts have also been provided for the men. ilie suggestion that the committee is exceeding its powers in taring for the wounded soldiers is to be ileprecated, for the offer has been welcomed by the medical superintendent of the hospital, who has been fully coriuultcd on the matter, and the men greatly appreciate the kindness extended to them. The picture film of "The Man on the Box," which recently went astray in transit to New Plymouth, has at last been located, It will be shown at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next. After the smiles of summer come the drab days of autumn. Though they are not as merry and bright as those of summer, autiuun days afford the best chances of the whole year for a woman i« ive»r her clothes well. She can wear "i-i' ".irly winter frocks and coats in the """shine'of a chilly autumn day: •v.'iriiig iieavy clothes. Morey '" ,VB opened their autumn disI'".- ' •"'"'''« attire, and it contains •■••■■ '■' inles of the approaching siy,: v " Vair advertisement U> this