LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Commenting on December 1, the train now leaving New Plymouth at 7.48 a.m. will depart at 7.43 a.m., five minutes earlier. The number of recruits obtained as the result of the campaign held at the Palmerston Show by "the military authorities was four. Thqy are estimated to have cost £IOO a head.

As the result of the appeal made by the wardens of St. Mary's Church for assistance to reduce the debt of £309 incurred in connection with the enlargement of the vestry, and necessary repairs to the roof, the sum of £IOO was given in offertories at the anniversary services on Sunaay. The Mayoress (Mrs. C. H. Burgess) desires all those holding books of tickets in connection with the raffle for the horse donated by Mr. Barry to< hand them in without fail by Saturday iiext, as the non-receipt of the books is delaying the drawing of the raffle.

In the complete list of the names of those drawn for military service, published in the Gazette, appears the name of "Guinane, T. V. C., Masterton, Roman Catholic priest." The history of this war is filled with incidents of the bravery of clergymen, priests and other teachers of religion—all grouped together under the one heading of "padres."

Referring to bills of lading during,the hearing of a Supreme Court action in Wellington on Tuesday Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., said that a shipping company to-day is relieved of very nearly every obligation possible. He recalled the, 'remark of an English Judge some little time ago, that it seemed to him that the only obligation a shipping company has nowadays is the obligation to take the money for the freight.

Theie arrived at the Breakwater on Saturday tjie launch Marokopa, a vessel which had occupied thirteen days in making the journey from Auckland, via te North Dape. The launch is to be used for trading between Marokopa, Kawhia, and Aotea, and for fishing purposes. The craft is 45 feet long, with a beam of 11 feet, and is fitted with two 20 h.p. engines, also mast and sails. She will proceed to Waitara as soon as the weather moderates.

In the event •of the Australian coal strike causing shortage of coal in the Dominion, it is probable that of the four centres Christeiiurcli would be the least affected, owing to the fact that Lake Coleridge electricity is available. It has been estimated that owing to the increased use of electricity in that city the amount of coal received in Christeiiurcli this year showed a decrease of 27,000 tons as compared with the amount of coal normally used

"Private was arrested yesterday and tried by court-martial on a charge of desertion. He was found guilty and sentenced to be shot. The sentence was duly performed at 4.45 o'clock this morning, sunrise," read an extract from British orders issued in France and included in the orders published at Trentham recently. The Wairarapa Age says that the man who was court-martialled and shot in France for desertion, twice deserted before leaving New Zealand.'

Personal experience is always interesting. One woman writes: ''l cannot speak too highly of Desert Gold Tea; it is excellent." Desert Gold is of rare flavor—delicious and refreshin."

A Sydney cable states that thunderstorms and heavy rain are delaying the war news.

A gruesome story U going the rounds with regard to a New Zealand soldier who is at present a prisoner of war in Germany. '1 lie talc goes that he recently wrote to his liancee in New Zealand stating that he was well and asked if there was anything he could send her. The girl in reply wrote "Send me the Kaiser's eyes." To her horror and amazement, she recently received from Germany a box containing a couple of human eyes. The.so she believes are those of her lover and have been sent by the Germans as a punishment to her for her request.

Charges of carnally knowing a. girl .under the age of 16 years, and committing an indecent assault, were preferred against an elderly man named James Alfred Bysantsen, before Mr. A. Crooke, 6.11., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The case was heard in camera. The evidence was to the effect that the offences occurred at Waitara, and that misconduct between accused and one of the girls, whose age was 15 years 4 months, had been carried on for three years. Charles Christensen was charged with indecent assault at Waitara. After hearing the i evidence, both accused, who pleaded not guilty, were committed for trial. Christensen was allowed bail in one surety of £SO.

"As showing the absurd mistakes made by men in filling in their registration cards," said Mr. Malcolm Fraser (the Government Statistician) to a Times representative, "one man whose name was drawn in the ballot, put himself down on the front of his card as a single man wj|h four dependents; but inside he stated that the four dependents were a wife and three children. A very similar mistake was made by a Wellington reservist, but his name was not drawn in the ballot. As there wat a doubt about the matter in each ease, both cards were put into the ballot, though probably both men are married right enough, and should be in Division 11, not in Division 1."

An important move in local commercial circles lias been made by Messr=. L C. Spedding, Ltd., who have arranged for the direct transit of cargo from San Francisco and Seattle to Jvcw Plymouth. The Narwhal left San Francisco on November 10, with lumber and other cargo, and the Encore is expected to leave Seattle within a short period with a cargo of Oregon pine. Vessels will leave either Sail Francisco or Seattle at regular intervals for New Plymouth. Arrangements have been made for the erection of a large shed on the wharf for the. accommodation of cargo arriving from overseas, The institution of a direct line of vessels between America and New Plymouth should give a, considerable impetus to local trade, and should result in a large increase in the business of the port.

The Cristmas ''smokes" for soldiers' tins, specially prepared by the New F'lymout Patriotic Committee, will assuredly be one of the most 'opular gifts for the men at the front. The tin contains four plugs of Havelock tobacco and five packets of Three Castles cigarettes, and is put up in a specially designed colored label. Stamped ready for posting, it costs only 3s. Bought in the ordinary way, it could not be got for less than B/G. Orders are being taken by the Tartuiaki Daily News,* J. Avery, Ltd., C. Carter, J. Abbott, Gilniour mid Clarke, J. W. If. Martin, and L. A .Nolan. Country readers may send to any of the above, with soldier's full address, and a small card or note to be enclosed. The tin, like a letter, goes straight to the soldier, find will be posted in fee to reach him for Christmas.—W. J. Chancy, lion, treasurer.

A man who presented himself for enlistment in Group 5 (Wellington City land Suburbs) on Friday set an example to the laggards. When the war began, he was a reservist in the navy, and he responded to the mobilisation eall at once. He was drafted to a warship at Tilbury on August 7, 1914. Four months later lie took -part in the Falkland Islands battle, as a member of the crew of the light eruifer Glasgow. He played his part in the destruction of Admiral Von Spee's cruiser squadron, and in the course of the engagement received a wound which necessitated the removal of his left eye. After a period in hospital he was discharged with a pension. But he has discovered now that a man with a sound right eye is eligible for, lipnd so has enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was offered a Home Service appointment, but insisted that ho would prefer to "have another smack at the Germans" at close quarters. He has passed the doctors and will enter camp at the first opportunity.

Le Roy's famous oily canvass coats are now acknowledged to be superior to all other makes for keeping out the wet. The Melbourne, Ltd., has a full stock of these coats in light weights. Suitable alike for riding or walking, price 37s Cd.

That ideal blouse which you have in your mind's eye is at Morey's. In tlieir announcement in to-day's issue Morey and Hon have quite a lot to say with regard to blouses, and it merits your iu ; terpst as soon as convenient.