LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Russia has the longest canal in the world. Starting at Petrograd, it reaches the frontier of China, and has a total length of nearly 4500 miles.

As the 8.20 train Aas arriving at Wanganui from New Plymouth on Saturday evening, just as the train left the St. John's station, someone fired a shot from a pea-rifle. The missile went through one window of a carriage, and breaking the comer of the window on the opposite side. The bullet just grazed the head of a lady in the carriage, and startled the other occupants.

"Many .people have the 'dea that once u man lias been in gaol lie is for ever after 'hounded down by the police," remarked Mr, J. \V. Ellison, ex-Super-intendent of Police, at a recent function given in his honor at Wellington. ''That is one of t'he fallacies of a great many people; if a criminal has that notion ia is the trouble of his own brain that is haunting him." Ml. Ellison added thai wlien a man came out of gaol the police never worried any more about liim, unless, of course, lie attracted attention by his own misdeeds. They could not please everybody, and he doubted if the worst criminal had any real grudge against the police. "Of course," added Mr. Ellison, jocularly, "there are, no doubt, some who would like to see a few policemen drowned or otherwise got rid of!"

Brigadier-General Robin, when interviewed by the Herald in regard to re•crniting in Auckland, said it was not a soldier's duty to get recruits. Lord Kitchener had said, "Give me the men and munitions and we will win the \var." The War Secretary ,put the onus of getting recruits on the British Parliament, and people and commandants of forces in outlying States and dominions had adopted his policy. As far as recruiting in Auckland was concerned General Robin said he was satisfied v « the present position. "You are getting the recruits in the required numbers by the methods you have adopted," said General Robin, "but. jn spite of your present success, I am of the opinion that sooner or later you will have to adopt the Government scheme of personal canvass in order to maintain the monthly quotas. I do not care what means are adopted, but we must have a regular stream of reinforcements. At present we have 00,000 at the front or in training." General Robin concluded by saying that in his opinion the personal canvass, in accordance with tlie Government scheme, was the only successful means of getting at the real shirker.

At this season ot the vcar it >» not an unusual sight to see large "schools" of kahawai sporting about on the surface of the sea about, half a mile from Moturoa. At times the fish attract large numbers of sea birds, and these may be observed flying closely to the surface of the water and peeking at the fish. It is thought by many that the gulls are trying to capture or bite the kahawai, but such is not the ease. Fish are subject to vermin, and it is these vermin that, the gulls greedily seek and devour from the backs of the fish. The vermin attacking the kahawai are big lusty fellows up to an inch in length and half-an-inch wide. They are armed with hooked legs, and once they get on to a fish the latter is unable to get rid of them by its own efforts. The vermin lie in behind the. fins of the kahawai and eat away the flesh. It is to get rid of the pest that the kahawai gather in shoals and attract the gulls by swimming and disporting themselves" oil the surface of tho sea. The same species of vermin are frequently found in the gills of mackerel, trevalli and other sea fish.

During the past few' months large numbers of big seagulls and mollyhawks have been observed by anglers and others in various parts of the bed of the Waiwakaiho river, and a good deal of speculation indulged in as to the nature of the attraction for the birds. Owing to the water in the river being fairly low, it was considered by some anglers that the gulls were, trout-hunting. The cor-rectness-of this theory has now been proved. A few days ago a settler living on the banks of the Waiwakaiho was attracted by the calling of the gulls on the river. Proceeding to the spot, he observed five or six gulls in pursuit of a large trout. The gulls had evidently found the trout lying resting' in shallow water and decided on capture. The fish made every effort to escape, but the gulls, with their long hooked beaks, succeeded in capturing the trout, tearing it to pieces and devouring it. It <vas estimated that the trout weighed between three and four pounds. About three weeks ago two gulls were observed on another portion of the river in pursuit of trout, and on this occasion the birds succeeded in capturing and demolising a fish about l%lbs in weight. For Bronchial Coughs, take j Woods' Great Peppermint Cu®

The firm of E. DingM and Co., furnishers, of New Plymouth, have, it is understood, been absorbed by the Bed Post-Furnishing Co. The Kapongn Wounded Soldiers' Fund I art union will be drawn on 20th April. Tho prize is a 1916 model Studebaker motor-car.

The directors of the Farmers' Meat Freezing Co. leave this morning for Ohura by motor-car, via Whangamomona, and expect to return by Tuesday next.' No fewer than 1500 crates of cheese were sent forward to the Patea Refrigerating Works on Wednesday ¥6r tho South Taranaki district—probably a record for one Bingle day. "There Is only one woman in New Plymouth who is a prohibited person," remarked Sub-Inspectqr Fouhy at the Magistrate's Court yesterday during the hearing of a licensing case.

Some time ago, Mi. H. Luke, of Inglewood, procured some blackberry blight, which he distributed to various farmers for experimental purposes in connection with the destruction of this poxious weed. He has received intimation from several of them that the blight is starting to spread in a .very satisfactory manner.

The Director of Base Records has received cable advice that a sailor named G. Mathieson on the hospital ship Marama had a leg smashed, and that the limb had to be amputated. The unfortunate victim is reported to be doing well. Any person knowing tho name and address of this man's next-of-kin is requested to notify same to the Base Records Office, Wellington. Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., has been in communication with the Minister if Defence in the hope that it would be possible for the Maheno to call at New Plymouth on her way from Auckland to Wellington, so that the Taranaki men on board might leave the vessel here, and also to give the people of the district an opportunity of looking over her. He has, however, received a reply from the Hon. Mr. Allen expressing regret that it is not possible for the Defence Department to comply with his wishes as it is urgently necessary that the Maheno should be dispatched back to the front as soon as possible.

The Red Cross Market has taken over £550 since the market was opened. On Saturday next there will be a guessing oompetition for a sucking-pig kindly donated by Messrs. Sole Bros., tickets to be Is each. The sucking pig will be stuffed and cooked ready for the table by one of the local bakers, so that the winner will have his Sunday dinner assured. There will be a second prize of one bushel of patriotic soldiers' wheat. Mr. Martin has also given a pair of horse-clippers, and these will be sold by auction. In addition, there will be the usual supply of vegetables and other produce, also any miscellaneous articles that may be sent in, and the liberal patronage of the general public is hoped for.

A telegram from ftotorua last night says that the wounded constables reached there by motor at 5 o'clock last evening from Ruatahuna, whither they wero able to ride from Mming» Pohatu. Tliey arc doing remarkably well, and walked from the cars to Nurse Castles' hospital. The main bbdy, with Rua and five other prisoners, marched afoot from Maunga Pohatu to Ruatahuna, and from thence coached to Muripara. They Urc expected to reach Rotorua this afternoon.

The snake captured near the mouth of tlic Mokau a few days ago, is now on view at the News' office. It is, according to Mr.'W. w. Smith, curator of the local park, a species of sea snake, not unknown to Australian waters, called "Hydrus platurus." The Mokau snake is identical with one caught near the Te Henui last week. The species is poisonous, but timid, swimming away as soon as there is any alarm. Out of the water it bites anything within reach. The snake, which cannot survive captivity, has been found before, north of Auckland, but as far as one can ascertain, it has never before been seen in Taranaki.

The New Plymouth Patriotic Committee is donating 20 sacks of "The Patriotic Soldiers' Wheat," to the Horth Taranaki League, for assistance given at the threshing, and also 20 sacks to the Inglewood League. This latter will be* auctioned by Mr. Walter Matthews, and it is most appropriate that he should, on the eve of his departure for the front, bo the first probably to auction wheat grown for patriotic purposes in the world. The committee is also donating 30 or 40 sacks of wheat and three-ton of baled straw to the Stratford Soldiers' Day Committee.

That "every mickle makes a muckie" was illustrated yesterday, when the bottle of threepenny pieces collected by Mr. B. T. Booker, late licensee or the Stony River flotel, and which has formed the subject of a guessing competition at Deare's Boot Arcade, was counted in the presence of Herald and Daily News representatives, realising the fine sum of £ll 8s 6d. This substantial amount, which represents threepenny pieces placed in the bottle by the proprietor, employees and customers of the hotel will be devoted to the Belgian fund, together with the proceeds of the guessing competition, the prizes of 'which, a pair of ladies' shoes, or a box of cigars valued at 17s 6d, were donated by Mr. Booker. Good progress is being made with the erection' of the new saleyards at Inglewood for the Farmers' Co-operative Organisation. The saleyards arc being erected on the Junction Road frontage on the property recently purchased by the Farmers' Co-operative Organisation adjacent to the borough. The yards are being built on modern lines, being practically a facsimile of the Organisation's yards recently opened at Opuliake. 'J'he posts are of re-inforced concrete, whilst the rails will be -of Jarrah. Tile floors of all the pens arc to be of concrete. The Borough ivater supply is laid on, and will be utilised for flushing purposes and also for drinking water foi the stock, several troughs being provided for the purpose. Foi the auctioning of dairy cows, there will be a commodious covered-in pen. Mr. Lockhart, who has erected several other yards for the same firm is in charge of building operations, and has installed several labor-saving appliances, including concrete mixer and circular saw.

A migration on a huge scale is being prepared by country residents. On the coast from Urenui in the north to Opumike in the south and inland from all directions, the move will simultaneously take place. Motor cars, 'buses, converted freight lorries, trains and horse vehicles will be all requisitioned. The day is fixed for Easter Monday and the "Mecca" of the journey will be Kawaroa Park, New Plymouth. The anticipation of enjoymant to be gained all day at the Seaside Fete and Picnic, which will be held in the Park, will 1 be more than realised, , A full day's entertainment of spectacular events will be given in the grounds. Watch for the publishing of the programme* Free accommodation will be provided for all yahicles.

Suva news states that Alfred Krearle, a German in Levuka,. was fined £76 for having firearms in his possession.

Results of the two Art Unions *r< ranged by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Patriotic Society are ao> nounced in our advertising columns. The British Red Cross have received the donation of £6 Is from the New Plymouth Croquet Club, to be sent t<j headquarters.

Advice has been received by the High School Board that the quarantine regulations that were placed on the New Plymouth High School, in consequence of a case of infantile paralysis, will be removed as from noon to-day. An Auckland Star report says that the wounded constables arrived at Murij>ara by motor. Rua and his son, who wero handcuffed together, had to walk through the bush. Constable Neil had 48 pellets and Constable Ebbert 38 peK lets to be removed.—Press Association.

Ralph Stanley Lewis, arrested on tie Makura on its arrival In Sydney, and who was charged with allegedly stealing £4lO, belongs to Eltham, where he had been p, partner in the Princess Pie* tures. Recently the picture business was floated into a limited liability; company, the South Taranaki Amusement Company, of which he was at first appointed general manager. It is in connection with the affairs of the Princess Pictures and the ne\t company that he is required back in Eltham. At Eltham Magistrate's Court yester* day, a first offender . for drunkenness was convicted and fined 5s and Its costs. For riding a motor cai on the footpath, a man was fined 7s and costs 10s; for driving a vehicle without lights, another was fined 7s, costs 10s; for the same offence, an offender was fined a similar amount. Judgment by default was given i« "the following case: Allen Bros v. Arthur Hockey, £3l fls 4d, costs £2 10s. Judgment summons; South Taranaki Bacon Co. v. F. Hickey, £4 8s 3d. Ordered to pay withip 14 days, in default four days' imprisonment, j Dr. Robert Simpson, who, used to be a very prominent figure in political and social circles in Winnipeg (Canada), was I arrested in London recently, and will be extradited to Winnipeg to stand his trial in connection with the tfonS piracy charges against the Roblin Administration and the contractor (Ja«. Kelly) for alleged fraud, involving several millions of dollars, in connection with the, erection of the Government 'buildings at Winnipeg. For some years Dr. Simpson was chief of the Conservative party in Manitoba, and tho dispenser of political patronage. Last spring Dr. SimpBon gave up his practice and went to the front. After he nad amved in France the trouble over the Parliament j Buildings started, and he was wanted badly as a witness; He was cabled to, and advised to return to Winnipeg, but | excused himself, saying duty prevented him doing so. Ho also cabled vehement denials of any wrongdoing. During the Mathers Commission his name fr.equeiftly came up. He was alleged to be the' prime mover in the conspiracy to defraud the Government out of more than a million dollars, according to statements by witnesses. He was said , to, have handled the money' in the rariojus ''deals.'' A warrant was issued for his arrest at the time the fom exMinisters were arrested, but it fcould not be served till he returned to London on furlough at the end of the voar.

There never lias been a year in the history of the dairying industry when Taranaki has had such an abundant pa?, turage as during the prwont season. It is true that at the present tiine H good warm rain would do much to give the grass'a start lor winter feed. Considering the long spell of dry weather, however, .pastures have kept wonderfully green. Quite a number of reasons have been given for the abundance of grass, such as heavy dews at iiieht, -and so forth. The true reason for oui pasture* holding out so well is th.o abscnco of wind. In most seasons a westerly,.wind prevails, and coming from the sea it is salt-laden. "The saline atmosphere settles on the grass, and the nctiotr of the »un on the salt-covered gva« quickly burns up the pastures, ft is a common beleief amongst our dairymen that Taranaki land cannot stand a lronght for a prolonged period without disastrous result? to the pasturage. Were this theory correct the past foul months of almost entire dry weather- would have left the country as brown as a berry. In* stead of which there has been no lack of gveen, pasturage except in places where there has been ovei-stocking. .Provided Taranaki country gets an' occasional fall of warm rain and is not subjected *9 long spells or togli wind, our pasture lands will keep verdant as long as, if not longer than, any part of the dominion or elsewhere. The present season is 4 proof of 1 this statement.

Some stunning bargains In and household lines are offered at the Melbourne. For example: Ijarge iTWt» towels CIO inches long by 27 inches wide, 2s pair; Horrocks' famont 30 ilich calico, lis lid da?.; 72-ii'ch -herringbone and twill sheetings, 1« 2d yard; 64-inch, lid yard.