LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to the ban on the export of iron and steel from Great Britain, it is feared in Japan that shipbuilding will ho restricted in Japan, consequently speculation in tonnage is rife there just now. .Some business men in Osaka and Kobe have organised a corporation for the purpose of speculating ,n vessels, though ostensibly it is announced to have been initiated to advance money on the security of ships. Individual enterprises ere also planned in increasing numbers.

The evidence of the destructiveness of seagulls among young lambs i? accumulating (states the Cheviot correspondent of the Lyttelton Times), and there can be no doubt that these birds arc fast accuming the habit of killing lambs for themselves. Farmers frequently discovei lambs still alive that gulls have attacked. It is also noticeable that gulls are frequently in the lambing paddocks in larger numbers than formerly.

The medical correspondent, of The Times describes the wonderful re-equip-ment of maimed soldiers. At Rochamp ton. be says, in cases where legs have been amputated below the knee, it is impossible to distinguish real from artificial limbs. False hips and legs have been so perfected that the patient is able to . walk comfortably with an almost natural bend and swing of the Mmbs. Artificial feet nearly resemble the real tiling. The newest types are fitted with rolli r-bearing joints, the easing being a raw calfskin.

A iPalmcrston 'boy who participated in the recent Canal fighting, writing to his people, relates ninny exciting incidents of battle with the Turks. He is especially enthusiastic over the flying arm of the service, nnd declares that aeroplanes are as tamo and as safe as ''buzz-buggies." He tells of a particularly plucky feat 01 one of the British airmen. The aViator had come under the lire of tno Turkish anti-aircraft guns, and his plane being set on fire he was forced to descend. But. he kept his guns going rill the time, and it was seven hours before the Turks could induce him to surrender. The writer also states that only forty, members'of the oth Reinforcements remain with the Mounted Infantry in Egypt,

Nurse Isla Stewart, of Maaterlon, writing from London, on July 30, says: '•Recently in the country we met a drag load of New Zealand wounded who were picnicking under the trees and being entertained by the New Zealand War Com-' mittee. A boy I knew, who had just got his artificial leg, was getting uiong with two sticks. He hit his artificial leg with a stick, and said: 'Now, what do you think of inc, Miss Stewart?' He soomed so proud of himself. . . At Roekhampton, where the limb hospital is situated, there are thousands of boys awaiting their turn to be fitted. A Maori boy, >vlio had lost both his legs, and another \xw Zealand lad, who had also lost a iimb were there Jenrning the business for *he New Zealand fiovovnment. They are to go to New Zealand to repair and refit limbs for the lads in New Zealand. It is a very wise move of the Government."

Interesting questions were recently raised by a local body in the provincial district of Wellington, said the Minister foi Internal Affairs last week. The question was as to the right of n 'ierman, or of a New Zealand resident horn in (!ermany, to retain his seat on a county council in the district. The matter was referred to the Ministei, and lie has replied that there is no provision of law under which the member referred to can be deprived of his seat on account of the f-ict of his having been born in Germany. !n the particular case in qiustion the member of the county council had been naturalised in New Zealand a number of years ago.

I must relate one instance of the typical spirit of these Light Horsemen, wiitea a Home correspondent. When the Australian Infantry went t.i France a Light Horseman, who was awarded the D.C.M. in Gallipoli, smuggled himself away with them. When discovered, though ho pleaded that he wanted tc be where the Empire's work was hottest, he wa.' sent hack to Egypt, arriving with his regiment when the Turks approached, lie was placed in a guard-tent and" not allowed to have a rifle or horse; but when the action began he escaped from Lhe tent and tramped to where the engagement was hottest. Attaching him.self to an ambulance, he went to the firing line and carried fourteen wounded men out of action and was in the act of ri'sciiing a fifteenth when he was killed. If there is any endorsement on this brave fellow's conduct sheet it should be inscribed in letter of gold.

T he following new hosiery goods have opened up at the Melbourne, Ltd.: Men's black cashmere soeks, wool and cotton, Is pair, all pure wool, Is Cd, Is Ad, 2a p'lir; ladies' all pure wool cashmere hose ]> Od, Is lid, 2s (Id. 3s lid, lis 3d; pure iisle thread hose Is fid pair; mercerised lisle hose Is lid pair; lisle thread hose with silk ankles 2s Od pair; shildren's black or tan three-quarter soaks Is 2d to Is lid- fizes 3 to 10.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, ii nunber of civil cases were called, but all were* cither adjourned or struck out. It is not necessary to attack receipt sta r.ips to any voucher made out on account of patriotic purposes. Ihonus Brown, a fisherman, was fined £o or one month's imprisonment, at Xapier yesterday, for selling the Tongariro cargo picked up on the high seas. Thfc New Plymouth Borough Council, in response to a request from the Employers' Association, has decided to declare n, puhlie holiday on October 23, I.ibor Pay.

I'. C. Hart; horn, manngei of the Napier Dairy Company, was Ined £2O vi'fiterday 'or selling adulterated milk. Il was s:ated the ease arose through the suspicions of the Health Department who succfcssfiiiy prosecuted in Wellington a Vendor ivbo obtained supplies from the vime source as the Napier company.— Press Association.

\ meeting of the Boy Scouts District Cuir.mittri was held last night, when it was roso'ved that sea scout patrols be organised m New Plymouth. A Financial Committee was appointed. The seeru-

!,iry reported th.it he had received three donations towards the boat fimd. A ;.'ood boat has been offered to the Committee, and it is proposed to raise the purchase money by the issue of debentures of 5s each One troop has already offered to take up thirty-four debenture.

Some families (says the Waitara Mai!) have a bright record in regard to the number of member? who have answered thei" country's call. Round about here we have the Chapman's, the Sofi'e's, and the Fultor.V—all figuring largely, Another striking instance is the family »f Mr. F. Ross. He has his lather and five brothers ail on active service, and nhen ho naa ther? will be serai of them in all wearing kraki.

1" e Kliham Amis reports; An accident bef«-U Messrs. Purdy, Rowe, Pol-' xr-k, Boyle n,nd Peacock, whilst returnnr from N"w P'ymouth by motor-car on Si.nday morning. In negotiating the d.ngerous corner: on to the, railway Lri'he at \ppperion, the rear of tlie air stnuk the sine of the bridge, smashin;,' the body. Although none of the occupants of tin car were thrown out, Mr. Purdy revived ft broken ankle., whilst Mr. Pollick sustained injuries to 'us shoulder* and bead. The others escaped injury.

With reference to tlie Hon. G. AV. Russell's strictures on the of running, tlie Anza; Art Union. Mr. B. Sutherland, who was Wellington representative of the organisers, made the following statement to a-Xew Zealand Times reporter:—"l asked, the Minister of Internal Affairs, when he granted the permit, to fix a limit on expenditure—not to allow expenditure to eNceed 10 peV cent, of tlie, takings. He would not do so. When Mr. MvHordy and myself interviewed Sir Joseph Ward in reference to the art union,' 1 again asked that a 10 per cent, limit of the takings be placed on tlie expenditure. Sir Joseph agreed that 10 per cent, for expenditure was reasonable, but. the Minister for Internal Affairs refused to accept my suggestion/'

Tlie New Zealand Loan and Mercantili Agency Co., Ltd., wish to draw the atni.lion. "f clients to the sale they are hnldiny at Mat?u on Friday, September 2!). Particular* will be found on page S.

The charming display of sensible, serviceable wearing apparel in all its varied departments, suitable for men, women and children now exhibited at Ammtry's should satisfy the most fastidious and give pleasure and comfort to all. \

The East End Committer desires to lb-ink Messrs K Whitte, W. G. Kmeny, inn! C. Potts for donations to the funds tVr the firowel! recently tendered to the lute secretary, Mr W. Roeh.