LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-day, June 23, is the twenty-second birifcday of the Prince of Wales. The vegetables forwarded to camp by Messrs Nolan and Co. were so much appreciated that further supplies, which may be left at the firm's mart, will U gltdly received and despatched. "We cannot get boys to learn moulding and blacksmitlring nowadays, and so have to put on unskilled men," was the comment of the representative of a large Christchurch engineering firm at' the Arbitration Court.

Mr. and Mrs. Blake, of Patea, who are taking up their residence in- Hawera, were farewelled by the residents of Patea on Monday evening and presented with mementoes.

The shortage of pig-iron is beginning to be felt by Christchurch foundries, and although small supplies are coming to hand one or two of the firms are faced with a serious problem. Indeed, a rumor is current that one or two foundries are closing down. "The greatest asset we can have in this country," said the Hon. J. Barr, at the Conciliation Council, at Christchurch on Tuesday, "is well-trained apprentices and workmen. In this matter the British Dominions arc far behind the times, and I am hoping that New Zealand, anyway, will be alive in regard to it."

Says the Waverley correspondent of the Patea Press: At the conclusion of Messrs. Freeman Jackson's sale on Friday a spirited appeal for funds for tin widows and orphans of those who fell recently in the naval fight was made by Mr. E. Jackson, who delivered a stirring address. In response to the appeal some £760 was donated by the settlers present.

In the opinion of the Duncdin Star, the time is opportune to seriously coneider the necessity of greatly restricting, it not discontinuing altogether, racing during war time. It calls on some member of Parliament to find an opportunity of getting the House to affirm the opinion that racing should not continue on its present lines while the Empire is at war.

) Admiral Sir David Beatty, the leader of the North Sea Squadron, is a rich man whose passionate regard for his profession has saved him from a life of indolence. He firmly believes in the efficacy of prayer. His disposition is bright, and he has the gift of humor, but behind the surface is a man bom to great adventure and entirely devoted to his work in life. The whole naval service worships him.

The training-ship Amokura continues to be used for training boys for the sea. She has made two trips to the southern islands, and one to the Kermadecs, to search for castaways, and examine, the provision and clothing depots maintained by the Government on those islands for the benefit of shipwrecked persons. The Department has found no difficulty in keeping up her full complement of sixty boys—indeed, there are a great many boys at present waiting for admission when vacancies arise.—Financial Statement.

Says the Auckland Star:—The new aeroplane constructed locallv by Messrs. Walsh Bros, and Dexter at Kohimarama Flying School, was out for its first flight, Mr. V. Walsh being pilot. The Roberts engine developed great power, and the machine attained a high rate of speed. At' times the Curtis aeroplane and the new machine were out over the harbor together, and their evolutions were watched with considerable interest. The pupils who are qualifying for certificates under the Government scheme for sending New Zealand airmen Home are making excellent progress.

"Butter shortages are now hecoming an everyday occurrence," wrote the Sydney Morning Herald recently. "Yesterday Sydney grocers were unable to obtain more than 7 per cent, of their normal requirements. Early in the season tlyr-State Attorney-General, Mr. Hall, announced that Tie had taken steps to ensure 20,000 boxes of butter should be placed in cold store to meet the winter demand during June, July and August. Thic large parcel of butter is now in store, and retailers who have to be content with three boxes when they want four are asking when Mr. Hall is likely to release his 'winter supply.'"

It transpired in the Arbitration Court (says the Lyttelton Times) that a man, his wife, and five of a family, had had to exist since July last year on the sum of 25s a week, half of the wage-earners' pay of £2 12s a week, through the man meeting with an accident. The wife went into the box, and Mr. Justice Stringer himself interrogated her. "You have had a hard time?", The >voman nodded her head, and the mute action was more eloquent than words. "A man and his wife and five children on 20s a week," said his Honor. "And some of it," quietly said the woman, "was on quarter pay—l3s a week." Aiid those present realised then a little of the difficulties that beset the poor.

A plan to enlist Indians from the different reserves throughout Ontario for the 114 th Overseas Battalion has been formed by Lieutenant John R. Tracey, of the 109 th Regiment, who is himself enc of the Iroquois tribe, living formerly on the Changnawauga Reserve on the St. Lawrence River. Lieutenant Tracey believes that there are at least 500 Indians who could be secured in the province, and he proposes to visit these indeavor to enlist them. From his knowledge of the Indian dialects, Lieutenant Tracey hopes to be able to reach the Indians where no white man could appeal to them; and lie feels that when the facts of the war are explained to them, they will readily enlist. The Indians of the various reserves of Canada are again contributing to the Patriotic Fund this year, as they did last.

In a letter addressed to the editor of the Organiser, London, for April, Sir W. H. Lever states: . . , I see the power of Germany crumbling up much sooner than we had any right to expect. It is with war as it is with advertising; many people think that with an enormous force and rush you can accomplish in months by advertising what usually takes years," nut in addition to the equipment and money for advertising there is the element of'.ime, and I believe exactly the same is an important element in war. We have to turn a whole nation from a spirrt of vainglory and boastful pride to a spirit of humiliation and a desire for the restoration of peace. In view of the fact that the German nation in this state of mind had been preparing for forty years, and that other nations, their neighbors, were unprepared, the marvel is that we are in as good a position as we are today, and that we are so rapidly bringing the Central Powers of Europe to a realisation of the true position." A 'iittle" Cough is not to be (Unregarded. The sooner you attack it with SYKES'S CUBA COUGH, the sooner it rill teave you. Is 6d, all stores '

The New Zealand Holstein-Fricsian Association liaa decided to vote £SO to the Sailors' Dependents Fund.

New Zealand products entered for export for the past week were valued at £41,653, the largest items being hides wid skins £1(5,177, and wool £15,088. Press Association.

Mr. Massey announced to the House last night that a cheque for £SOOO had been received from the Wellington Navy League for the British Sailors' Dependents Fund, adding, that lie understood there was more to come.

Customs duties collected during the ■JaiiiiarvMareh quarter, at New Zealand ports totalled £904,311, as compared with £737,901 in the corresponds period last year. Beer duty amounted to £53,700, as against £33,034 a year ago.—Press Association.

The Post Office advises that rending matter for IJew Zealand troops, at home or abroad, of special interest to any branch of military service, such as transport, medical, etc., may be accepted tor free transmission through the post with a label firmly attached, inscribed 'for Transport Unit," "For the A.S.C." and so on. ''

At a meeting of the West End School Committee on Wednesday night, it was decided that the Rev. A. B. Chnppell and Mr. S. ft. Smith be nominated as representatives of the North Ward at the forthcoming election of the Taranaki Education Board, on July 18, 1010,

At the Wellington Supreme Court, the Isationn! Cash Register Co. claimed from C. M. Ross and Co., of Palmerston the sum of £I2OO for an alleged breach of contract to complete the purchase of pertain registers. After a lengthy hearing, the jury returned a verdict for £6OO. Leave was granted to move for a new trial.—Press Association.

A dance and presentation was held in the Mokau Hall on Tuesday evenin" to farewell Messrs. Lnl and Sid Black "who are leaving for the front. . There was a large crowd present, visitors coming from Awakino, Mohakaitino and surrounding districts. Mr. Jim Fra'ser, after a neat iittlc speech, presented each of the two guests of honor with a wristlet watch, and the gifts were suitably acknowledged. The dancing was interspersed with songs by Mesdames Easmussen and Clifton, Miss Huzel Wolf and Mr. W. Perkins. The supper was "par excellence." The hall was beautifully decorated and great thanks are due to Mrs. Clifton and Mrs. Cane, who got up the entertainment, and also to Mrs. Monk and Mrs. W. Bailey, who assisted in the supper arrangements. Music was provided by Mesdames Cliristoffenson, McNeiee, Avery, and Miss ,T. Stewart. We publish particulars of a clearing sale to be held at Puniho on Thurs. day, June 29, on account of Messrs. Stevenson and Kirk. As Mr. Stevenson is going to the war, the partnership must be dissolved and therefore everything will be sold without reserve.

Particulars of the tramway time-table appear in an inset in to-day's town issue of the Daily News. Attention is drawn to the sale of the balance of E. Dingle's house furnishings, in our auction column.

The Melbourne, Ltd., notify that a supply cf boys' warm dark union shirts has opened out. These shirt* are in great demand owing to their durability and usefulness. Prices, size 2, Is lid, rising 2d per size