LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The shortage of labor is responsible for the output of the Westport coal mines being decreased by not less than 600 tons per day.

"I want to say to every young woman in this country who is- engaged or who may be engaged to a young fellow,'' said Sir Joseph Ward in a speech at Gisborne, "tell him straight out that if he shirks his duty you will "have n#thing to do with him." (Applause). A New Zealand trooper, writing to friends in Masterton from "sewtewherc" in Egypt, says:—"We have unearthed an old Egyptian temple, only a few chains from our tents. It is supposed to be of great antiquity. So far the archaeologists have discovered some granite blocks and a stone tablet, with old Egyptian figures and writing on them. The Romans are supposed to have invaded all tCie country we are camped upon." An Australian soldier, who is at present in Gisborne on final leave, mentioned a few days ago that in the Australian camps preference in promotions to non-commissioned rank is given to returned soldiers again preparing for the front. He stated that all non-commis-' sioned officers who had not seen active service wore deprived of their rank some weeks ago. and replaced by the veterans of Gallipoli.

British shipowners made a profit of £20000,000 in the year 1913 (says the Bulletin). La*t year they made £'2.">o,0041,000, despite the loss of many ship?. Freight charges average now four to five times more than those of two years ago. If the English people want foodstuffs from Australia their shippers charge them 110s for what cost 2(ls 3d before the war. If they want grain from Atlantic ports, they pay ISs fill, as against Is 9d in 1814. This is what Lever calls "freedom of the seas." It is clearly a case of mis-spelling "seas." Recent English newspapers contain many hints that Britain is energetically forwarding her preparations for offence and defence in the air. Sir Oliver ■ Lodge states that many devices for dealing with Zeppelins have been broug'ht before the Admiralty Board of Inventions, which has held frequent meetings under the chairmanship of Lord Fisher. Experts are thoroughly i« wake to tlhe problem, he adt'*, but the Government cannot give away it- secri ts to the enemy. Another significant fact made public is that the Royal FlyI irig Corps is to bo raised to a strength of 10,000 men.

The great importance of rifle shooting in war under present conditions was emphasised by Major 11. C. Dawson in Sydney recently, in replying to speeches of welcome made by members of the council of the National Rifle Association of New South Wales. "I believe that if troops leaving here did nothing but musketry," lie said, "ami learned to handle their rides properly, it would be the greatest aid in this difficult warfare they could possibly lliave. The men must get into the way of making the riHe part of their being, as it were Rapid fire is the- most essential thing. On May Ifl, at Gallipoli, we took the Turks at a disadvantage, and the terrible slaughter we inflicted on them till en was due to the fact that most of our men knew how to use their rifles. I noticed that among the Australians the more excited they were the better they used their rifles. In Egypt we 'had the good luck to be placed under Genral Birdwood ,and he was very particular in training the men in the use of the rifle. ITe 'had under him two famous rillc. shots—General Leslie, the winner of many Queen's medals, ami General C'arruthers, V.C. We received highly valuable instruction in Egypt, and I believe that did wonders for our men in the trenches. Several members of this association became noted marksmen, or snipers, and some did great execution." The Major went on to tell of one young man from Mudgee, who was reputed to have shot 350 Turks. CAN YOU AFFORD THE RISK! Were you ever seized with a severe attack of cramp, colic or diarrhoea without a bottle of Chamberlain's Colic and Diarrhoea Remedy in the house? Don't take such risks. A dose or two will relieve you before a doctor could possibly be called, and it never fails even iu the most severe and dangerous cases. You cannot do better than to keep a bottle of this remedy ever Sqjd everywhere* ,

J liR bag containing the silver taken at the Stratford Soldiers' Day Carnival weighed licwt.

At the social held in the East End Pavilion on Thursday evening, two of the competitions were drawn, resulting as follows: Doll's House, 11. Smith; table centre, Miss Corbett, Inglewood. For a second time the Belgian Fund box at "Aotea" has been raided and the contents stolen. It is hoped that Buch paltry-minded and sacriligioua vandals can. be traced, and then be rigorously punished.

An Oamaru telegram says that a huge wlmlc, measuring eighty-four feet in length, was stranded at Moeraki Heads on Friday. It was killed by the fishermen and towed to the harbour. It is Mtimated to give about seventy-five tons of oil, and. the jawbones are twenty-one feet in length.

The annual meeting of the Jersey Breeders' Association for the Dominion will he held at the next- Dominion Winter Show, in Hawera, in July. This meeting is of very considerable interest and importanee to the dairy industry and its being held at Hawera will add another point of interest to the Show, which has already established itself as one of the leading winter shows in the Dominion.

A youth named F. New, a cycle mechanic employed in Price's cycle factory, was, says the Hawera Star, admitted to the Hospital late on Easter Monday, in consequence of an accident which occurred on Beards' estate, at the back of Araratn. It appears that the young fellow (with his mates) were lying in a tent, when a loaded rifle went off, the bullet entering his leg and travelling up his body. It is not yet known whether New is seriously injured. The Wanganui Silver Band of the Salvation- Army gave a programme in Devon Street on Monday morning, and also visited Nurse Baker's private hospital, to the evident "delight of the patients. In the evening at Ambury's Corner, they gave a "request" programme tc the pleasure of a large number and finished up their New Plymouth visit with the National Anthem. The collections takfen up amounted to £SB 15s 7d; Mid after the expenses were deducted £4(l clear is left for the children's homes, which, in face of the wet day on Sunday, Is considered very satisfactory.

In reference to t!he last banking returns and the trading figures for the quarter, tho Trade Review says that they give ample evidence of the prosperity of the Dominion, and the abundant supply of funds available consequent on the splendid prices wliidh are being realised for New Zealand's staple articles of export. "The present position is a record for the Dominion—we have an enormous surplus of exports of over twelve millions, and the banks have a surplus of deposits of 7'/ s millions. While money is exceptionally plentiful Hi ore is a good deal of hesitation as to investing, dhiefiy due to a feeling of uncertainty as to how long tihe war will last and what conditions will be subsequently, and consequently lending rates keep firm." The annual gathering of veterans at the Gill .Street Hall last night was made exceptionally interesting and successful by the presence of the Minister of Defence (Col. Allen), the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. Burgess), and the member for the district (Mr. Okey). Mr. T, C. List presided. In the course of his remarks, tho Minister paid a tribute to tlie services of the veterans and their self-sacrifices, and to the younger generation who had covered themselves with glory at Anzac. Colonel Allen also gave some interesting details of the organisation and training of the Expeditionary forces. He was confident that when the story nf the New Zealandcrs' doings was written it would be read with pride. A number of apnropriate ioasts were given and responded to, and ft most enjoyable evening was spent, songs und recitations adding to the pleasure of all present. Our detailed report is crowded out of this issue. Arrangements have just been completed (savs the Auckland Starl for the erection at Whakatane (Bay of Plentv) of verv large works and plant for the Ft-.st Coast Co-operative Meat Company, Limited. Some indication of the nature of the undertaking may be wined from the fact that the plant to be installed will be capable of dealing with pio.onnih of meat in twentv-four hours. The importance which the Imperial "uthorities attach to such undertakings U evidenced by the fact that, next to munitions, work for colonial freezing eemnanies is placed first on the list compiled under the direction of the Minister of Munitions. When John. Chambers and Son, of Auckland, received the order for £350,000 worth of refrigerating plant from t!he well-known Ilaslam foundry at Derby, the requisition was at once considered by the British Covernment It was decided that the plant should be supplied as requested, subject only to such delays that might prove necessary in the manufacture of 'munitions.

Tn "The Unafraid," Miss Rita .Tolivet (who takes the part of Delight Warren, an American heires,s captured and married to a Montenegrin noble), is a charming sereen personality and is a clever artist as well as a handsome one.

"The Unafraid'' will he finally presented to-night at the Theatre Royal. The Melbourne. Ltd.. are showing an excellent line of boys' tweed sport suits in Colonial all wool tweed at the following prices: 7 to 12, lHs fid to 23s fid; 1;! to 1(1, Ms Od to 25s fid; also a good heavy serviceable Knglish made line at 17s (id a suit, all sizes. *•

Attention is directed to an advertisement in this issue dealing with a 200acre farm for sale as a going concern in (lie Auckland district. The proposition looks good and particulars not included in the advertisement will be supplied to anyone by Mr. A. L. Raven, estate Queen street, Auckland.