LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An open season for imported game—cock pheasants and Californiau quaillias been declared for May, June, and July. The season for native gamegrey duck, teal, spoon-bill, pukeko, and black swan—will, this year be restricted to two months—May and June. The pigeon season is, to be absolutely closed throughout New Zealand.

It has been said that the. New Zealand police force is the most efficient in the world. This may or may not be true, but the fact remains that they are a very alert body, and a lawbreaker must surely feel uncomfortable under the ever-watchful eye of a man in blue. Some six years ago a man named Farrelly was charged for an offence at the Napier Police Court. He wa s remanded to the Supremo Court for sentence, bail being allowed, but in the meantime he absconded to another country. A few days ago, however, the man was arrested on the Palraerston Xorth railway station. A team consisting of Messrs Schwartz, Christiansen, Whittaker and Elliott visited the Leppertoit School yesterday afternoon when an exhibition of lifesaving methods were shown to the children and adults of the district. Messrs Schwartz and Christiansen also indulged in a programme of fancy and trick swimming. Afterwards a squad of schoolboys were instructed in lifesaving drill and land and water drill. The visitors were met nt the station by the chairman of the school committee and the head teacher, and motored to and from the. school. The members of the Life-Saving Club were entertained at tea by Mr. Brown, head teacher of the school.

So proud are Australians of the word ''Anzac, - ' s 0 simple yet so full of meaning, that it is to be used for a variety of objects. The latest suggestion is the most original of nil. It is that the familiar indigenous bird known as the magpie shall be re-christened "Anzac." A movement is on foot to give fresh names to certain Australian birds that bear inappropriate or unwieldly titles. It is in connection with this good work that a birdinan in Queensland speaks up for the Australian feathered "Anzac." "The present name," he points out, "is far from satisfactory. The true magpie is a European bird, with feathers" of black and white, and there the similitude with our bird ceases. All Australians know the latter well for he is found all over our island continent. He has a magnificent earol, a fine appearance, is very sociable, and is a bold and brilliant fighter. The name of 'Anzac' is know all over the world, and it will be for ever associated with the name of Australia."

The Antarctic exploring vessel Aurora having been thrown open to the public at Dunedn on Sunday afternoon, quite a number of persons seized the opportunity of looking over her and chatting with her very courteous and obliging officers and men. Everybody, of course, wanted to see the famous jury rudder, by mans of which she headed out of the tremendous polar seas. . Its construction is a marvel of ingenuity and strength. One of the sailors, asked if any man on board Wad ever been shipmates with such a rudder before, replied that he did not think so, out he added, as though it explained everything, that Lieutenant Stenhouse has a head and a pair of hands, and could think out and make anything, from a, tipcat to a chronometer. The ordinary observer may wonder how this jury rudder was loaded so as to give it a hold in the water. To the eye it is simply a fabric, of spars and skids lashed together, all of floatable material. On inquiry, is was learned that the inside was stuffed with concrete.

A writer in tlie Sydney Morning Herald strongly deprecates any "rejoicings" on Anzac Day (April 25), and her ideas will meet with absolute approval from many, indeed most people. She says: And rejoicing on April 25 will jar and hurt the mourners who are among us in thousands. It is simply silly to say that rejoicing is not contemplated, for if illuminating public buildings does not imply rejoicing what does it imply? Why can we not frankly mourn on Anzac Day? We do not wish to indulge ir. weak outbursts of frantic grief, but our fallen heroes deserve that we should at least for once give outward expression to our deep and lasting sorrow that they are gone. We should not have to listen to fulsome praise of our boys as if it were surprising that they were so brave. We should not have collectingboxes thrust at us. In fact, it is easier to say what we should "not" do, than what we should do. We have never had an Anzac Day before! / A work of art so stupendous in its proportions that it will cause the fabled Colossus of Rhodes to seem like a pigmy and that will make the lorgest bas-re-lief ever carved appear in comparison like a cameo, will commemorate the great struggle which the South made for its "lost cause" (says the New York World). This piece of sculpture will bo two "rtiles long, carved out of a single piece of Georgia marble, without a break or a fissure in it. It will comprise more than 2(1(10 figure* ot men, each about 45 feet tall, and each one will be the portrait of a man who served in the Confederate Army. It will cost between £320,000 and ' £400,000, and will consume eight years. A New York sculptor, Gutzon Boglum, who, strangely enough, won the commission because of a statue lie made of Lincoln, will do the work. This enormous piece of sculpture whose title to the eighth wonder of the world no one can dispute, will be a few miles outside of Atlanta, Ga., and will be cawed on the face of Stone Mountain, a landmark which has been given to the cause by Samuel Venable.

leather IV Thomas writes tn an English contemporary:—"All flower lovers, will, I think, agree that our best white rose is tS? Fran Karl Druschldi, and to retain that awful name in face of -what German kullur lias compassed during the war is at oneo an offence against our sense of the 'eternal fitness of things,' and a besmirehment to the intrinsic good qualities of this glorious rose. We all love the rose, but abhor the name. That beautiful production, which, by its purity of bloom, appeals to the aesthetic in our nature, and by it; destiny of poise and strength of growth, commands our respect, sTiould possess a name that would at once suggest something of its own character. My humble proposition is that the name of 'Edith Cavcll' should be substituted for the present truly ugly name. Hospitals and institutions of various character will no doubt perpetuate the name of this heroic nurse, but I venture that if the above suggestion be effectuated she will more truly live in the hearts and affections of those who love the beautiful in 'flowerland*—and how few do not? Slightly varying the words of Holy Writ, I believe that if the change be made, that wheresoever in the whole world this rose be grown, 'there shall also this" that this woman hath done be told for ft memorial for her.'*

New products entered for export last week were valued at £242,303, including flax £84,843, wool £72,12u\ and meat £3l,B3B—Press Association!

Auckland dispatched 80 recruits to Trentliam yesterday to make good the shortage of 77 in the 15th Reinforcements last week.

It was expected that the Taranaki soldiers who returned by the Maheno would come home last night, but none of the New Plymouth men arrived back.

The Empire Theatre, New Plymouth, is to be rc-seated with up-to-date seats next week. Uter on the building is to be renovated and improved. In connection with the closing of the Fitzroy Post Office, a "petition signed by 181 residents of that locality has been forwarded to the ■ Postmaster-General urging that, until the matter is pernamently fixed up, the Department will make such temporary arrangements as. will enable the re-opening of the office without delay. In reply to an Inquiry, the Minister of Defence hfo received a letter from Brigadier-General O'Leary,■ from the General Headquarters of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, stating that he has instructed the New Zealand Records Office there to furnish Mr. Allen as early as possible with all particulars available regarding burials at Lemnos.

A particularly fine sample of the Cox's Orangi Pippin apple was sold at Webster Bros.' fruit sale on Tuesday last, and the most gratifying feature of the sale was that tiie fruit was grown in our own district. The apples were raised in the Okoke Valley, and tho grower, profiting by advice given, had his fruit nicely marketed in new boxes, and had the satisfaction of securing 9s a case for his fruit.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., tlie borough inspector (Mr. B. Tippins) prosecuted E. Griffiths for driving a motor car at night without a tail light, and he was fined 5s rr.d 7s costs. Mr. R. Day (sani-. tary inspector) proceeded against Andrew Petersen (Mr. H. R, Billing), for using a milk car to carry refuse. He was convicted and ordered to pay 7s costs, John Hale and Leslie Hale (Mr. H. R. Billing), were charged on two separate informations of exposing milk for sale without a proper covering. The facts were admitted, but the defence was that the cases did not come ■within the by-laws. After hearing argument as to the interpretation of the by-law, tiie Magistrate adjourned the hearing for legal argument.

"New York is crowded with people, the hotels are filled to overflowing, and the city is, together with all the large manufacturing centres of the east, enjoying one of the most prosperous periods during its history," said Mr. E. Clifton, vho arrived in Auckland from America in the Niagara on Sunday evening. He went on to say that the output of all produce was limited solely by the amount of labor available. The cause of the Allies was popular with the majority of people in America. "They will tell you they are neutral," said Mr. Clifton, "and at the same time say that they don't care which one of the Allies beats the Kaiser so-long as one does it. Apart from the German population the great heart of America ig strongly proBritish." Commercial travellers who make New Plymouth a centre from which to "work" Taranaki tell of the absorbing interest n'anifosted throughout the districts visited in the coming gigantic seaside fete at Kawaroa Park, on Easter .Monday. -Jlic placing on the programme of the poi dance in costume by the Ngatiawa troupe is indeed a "star" turn. None the less interesting will be the color grouping and dancing by pupils of the Central School. This item is in charge of Miss Dempsey, and the neatness and pretty effect of this display will be long remembered. A glance at our advertising columns will show other items which will be staged. This is the first time that a set programme of spectacular events will bo shown on a New ?lymouth seaside. The numerous competitions, the use of the aores of trees for pienio parties, the provision of free hot water and milk, will together make for a day's genuine enjoyment free from dust and turmoil. The admission tc the park for adults is .one shilling, a modest sum when the programme is compared, Country patrons by rail are asked to rote that Kawaroa Park is one minute J'rrm the New Plymouth railway station. You can walk the short distance or take a penny ride in the trains, which will pass the park.

A fine line of 100 fat cows will he offered in lots at Newton King's Kaponga sale to-day. Men in need of good, serviceable, allwool suits, strong and warm, will welcome the news 'that the Melbourne, Ltd., has a few Kaiapoi, Roalyn and Petone suits left in stock at the following prices:—Kaiapoi .V>s, Roslyn 335, and L'etono 39s (id. Nothing "shoddy'' about tiiese goods.