LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

As the result of defections on the P4/ of a number of drivers of motorcars during the period of the New PlySs'wni C Si is Undorstoo(l Hawera tradesmen report bavin" extwTf■ a b ',' isk • trac!n at C!ll ' is tmas, takings showing a considerable ad- ?\ tllo5 ° for t],e con ' os pomling period last year. • While driving a cab down the Cover, ■Stiect hill from the races 011 Tuesday aHcrnoo,,. Mr. B. Jury was overtaken by a motor-car, and a collision occurred e cal > "'as considerably damaged, and one wheel of the motor-car was bent. An elderly Native named Tc Ora fell 011 the stone steps leading to the People's Stand at the Taces yesterday and sustained concussion of the brain' He was removed to the hospital. Fifty Boy Scouts, from New .Plymouth, Stratford, an dEltham, leave today for Opunakc, where they will spend a fortnight in camp. Major Sandford will be in charge. The Telegraph Department has turned down the request to extend the hours at Hawera telephone exchange by opening same at 7 a.m. instead of's a.m., but consents to having the exchange opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 11 p.m. instead of at midnight. "

The figures showing the amount 01 post and telegraph business done at the New Plymouth office during the four days immediately preceding Christmas are as follow, the figures for 1015 being given in parentheses:—Number of mai) bags and parcel receptacles despatched and received, 1178 (10411); amount of stamp sales for whole of New Plymouth district, £703 (£1021); telegram's forwarded, 2200 (1027); telegrams received, 2G'2i> (2571); telegrams transmitted. 3192 (3091). The railway traffic between Hawera and New Plymouth during the Christmas holidays was somewhat heavier than usual. On Christmas live a large number of people, mans of whom came to spend the holidays here, arrived by train, and the express, carrying over 500 pe.oplc, arrived an hour late. An average crowd travelled 011 Christmas Day. The number of arrivals by train 011 Boxing Day was consider,l bit in excess of that of previous year?, the number of passengers on two trains arriving from Ilawcra being estimated at 1200. A quiet day was experienced yesterday.

By an Order-in-Council the importation into Xew Zealand of the following newspapers -and periodicals is prohibited: —Atlanta Ar.iericiiu, Atlanta Georgian, Boston American, Chicago American, Chicago Examiner, Los Angeles Examiner, Los Angeles Herald, Morgan Journal, Nov York American, New York Deutsche* .lounißl, Xew Yorok Evening Journal, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Sunday American, Sunday Georgian. Cosmopolitan Magazine, Good Housekeeping Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Hearst's Magazine, Motor Magazine, Motoi Boating Magazine, Ross's Magazine, Bull (illustrated newspaper). While Mr. and Mrs. Parker, of Smart Road, were driving a horse and trap down the Hcnui hill towards Fitzroy, when Hearing (ho bridge the horse slipped 011 the tarred surface of the road and fell. The occupants of the vehicle were thrown headlong over the horse's body to the road. On recovering itself tlio horse proceeded at a smart pace homewards, one wheel of the vehicle passing over Mr. Parker's shoulder. Fortunately, the weight was not heavy, and no serious injury resulted. Mi\ Parker received several misty contusions, and Mrs. Parker was severely shaken. The horse was stopped by Mr. Pentecost, who drove back to the scene of the accident to render any assistance that might bo necessary to Mr. and Mrs. Parker, but he found them able to resume their joiirnej. As the surface of the road on this slope is decidedly dangerous, great cave should be exercised by all who are riding or driving over this part of Devon Street. .

The Melbourne Clothing Compp.ny announces that they have, received fresh shipments of their famous line-; of hoiscry. New arrivals include white silk ankle linse 2s Gd pair; "Jason" holeproof cashmere hose 3s 3d pair: "Jason" lisle thread hose with cashmere feet ar.-d lops 2s ild pair; girls' all wool ribbed hose Is i/d paid and ladies' pur.' wool cashmere hose Is 9d pair; ribbed ditto Is lid pair.

The New Plymouth branch British Red Cross Society wishes to thank sincerely the donors of the various jutms in the recent raffle in aid of Red Crois fumlii. Miss Putt, who gave the doll, and provided the whole of her wardrobe, bedstead and belling, which had unfortunately been lost; Dr. Walker, for the handsome gift of a Maori mat replacing the original one, and Mrs. E. Sole, for the beautiful Christmas cake., Thanks are also due to Messrs Baker, who so kindly gave window space to exhibit the doll and who gave valuable help in disposing of tickets; to the Mayoress, who draw the winning numbers, and to all the other kind friends who sold tickets or otherwise gave help.

Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second Group) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable to-day Thursday, December 28, at the Secretary's office, Ciirric Street, from () a.m. to 12.30 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.— Advt.

FLI-KEELO is the only insect powder manufactured in New Zealand by Britishers. NO FLIES CAN LIVE where FLI-KEELO is used. Flies carry diseass. FLI-KEELO kills flies. Obtainable from all chemists and storekeepers,' " \

A first offender inebriate. a Maori, was convi :i«l anil lined 5s ?t the Maj/istrail's yesterday. C

Hie orchard tax lias produced approximately £IBOO this season. Though tin; tax is imposed for the benefit of the fruit industry, at the request of glower*, a large number of orclnrdists appear to have failed to pay. As the area, under fruit trees is about 45,000 acres, the tax should produce at least £2250.

"I tried to get away with the Main Body, and have been declared medically unlit about fourteen times since," stated a man who came before the Medical Board in Masterton recently, and who gleefully waved a lir.-.1. class certificate before the eyes of an Age reporter. The man, who was a perfect stamp of manhood, had previously been rejected owing to the fact Jiat he was blind in tho left eye. He was parted for artillery service.

Six pictures have been proscribed by the official censor of films,' Mr W. Joiiffo, during the past ten weeks. Since he assumed the office, he has examined 418 pictures, representing upwards of 1,000,000 ft. of film. In addition to the condemnation of six pictures, portions of others, have been passed for exhibition only to persons of over 21 years. •Mr. .Jolill'c stated that the police have been informed of the condition on which the latter have been passed, and the theatre proprietors would be responsible for its observance.

Vv'ith the duplication of freezing works there is an increasing demand for fattening lands m the Wanganui and Main Trunk districts. A number of properties have recently changed hands, including "Ann Bank," at Turakina, the property of Mr. B. P. Lethbridge, chairman of the Rangitikci County Council. The property, with the exception oi the homestead ami HO acres, which Mr. Lethbridge retains, has been purchased by Messrs O'Neill Bros., tho price being in the vicinity of £(10, MO. The ne.v owners of '■Ann Bank" propose going in extensively for the fat lamb trade.

Residents of Ellerslie point with pridte to tlie prowess of the family of .Mr. Thomas Lynch, who Ims five sons in the ,cclenial portion oi' the Kiajiirp's army. Of these, Private Noel Lynch- enrolled in the Australian forces, and did his share of the -fighting at linllipoli, from which place he returned to Auckland with a permanent injury to his foot Sergeant-Major Ronald Lynch and (Private Milford lynch are' now At the front in Fiance. Private flladwin Lynch was also ill the raiik'3 there, but'was lately reported missing, and -has not been further heard of. Lieutenant Amiley Lynch is how at sea 011 the way to support his Xew Zealand compatriots in the great encounter. John David Marks, of Christclnircli, a medical practitioner, appealed to the Military Appeal Court the 'other day on the grounds that liis calling up would be contrary to public interest. Anpelhint stated that he had no personal objection to serving as a medical man. but the reason why ne was appealing was Unit he was not sure that til- Med" ical Board would pass l,i m . a s a medical man, hut rather for (he trenches. He was prepared to go as a medicai man, but considered that his services were more necessary as a doctor here than ■as a combatant in the trenches The chairman said :t made no dili'erence to the community here whether the appellant went as a medical mail or a combatant.—Appellant admitted that no man was indispensable.—-The chairman suggested that the appellant go before the Medical Hoard and see how lie got on. This course was decided upon, and the appeal was adjourned sine die. Writes a. Xew Plymouth bov from the trenches:—''Von 'nave probably beard and read so muca about our exploits in that exciting neighborhood, the Homme, that the word nov.« sicken-, von. Seriously, however, the liovs diil leally splendidly, and' I was proud indeed to be with them. We had a pret'.v had time of it while there; but had'times are quickly forgotten here, and mm we are back in a comparatively quiet part of the line—l expert for'the -.vintor. The weather is getting cold ar.d >yi*crable, and we are not looking fin ward with over much tatlusiasn' 11 the winter months. Every day I s-.ay in France I am cultivating a deeper icgarcl for that little band of heroes who came over with the Main Body, It is bad enough for us, with all "our comforts and good organisation, but what must it have been for them! . . . The

'bookies' who wore lr.ying odds that the war would finish in .September have fallen down rather badly Pitting the gains against the effort, 'we are now of opinion that the task may have to be finished by a generation l-.ot yet on the books of the registrar. Nevertheless, 'hope springs eternal."'

A meeting of three brothers in London eventuated a short time ago, states the Amberlcy correspondent of the L.vt-tc-lton Times. Kombaidier I . ,1. Smith was wounded at the commencement of the "big piiMi'' on the Somme, ami was sent to Knglaml. Whilst convalescent he took a trip to Ireland and on returning to London was reporting for light duties when he met a friend who informed him of the death of a in-other, Private 15. Smith (who was killed on the Somme). To ensure the correctness of the story, lie journeyed to the P.ecords Office, and whilst on the way met another brother, Private Len. Smith, who was also wounded, neither knowing that a brother was ill London. On verifying the information the two brothers walkel to the New Zealand Soldiers' Club, and at the entrance met the third brother, Driver M. Smith. The brothers were much surprised to. meet one another in such a large centre, inasmuch as none of the three was aware of the others' presence in London, nor lud two of them heard the news of the fourth brother being killed in action. To celebrate the occasion, a trip was made to the nearest photographer's. Another brother has recently left New Zealand for the front with a Reinforcement draft.

Dr. SHELDON'S DIGESTIVE TABULES COMPLETELY CURES INDIGESTION OP LONG STANDING.

"Dr. Sheldon's Digestive Tabules have been the means of completely curing me of Indigestion of long standing and for which I never expected to get any relief as 1 have used so many different remedies that wefe guaranteed to .succeed that I gave up all hope of ever obtaining ariy relief," writes Mrs. M. Henderson, 43 Donegal street, Belfast, N.Z. "It was one of the most fortunate things that I heard of Dr. Sheldon's Digestive Tabules, and I nm now a new woman through taking them and can make myself pleasant to all about me as I have quite a renewed life, and I anf never in the slightest trouble with the above complaint or its symptoms for' which [ am very grateful and thankful." Dr. Sheldon's Digestive Tabules are sold at L ls 6d and 2s (3d. Obtainable everywhere.

Taxi-car driving is evidently a lucrative employment in tile Waiiarapa: A taxi-car proprietor told the Military Service Board at its sittings in Masterton that his takings averaged. between £lO and £l7 per week, and that his profits, over anil above expenses and depreciation, were about £8 per week. A Isapier botelkeeper lnid an unusual experience the other day. When he lifted the lid of an ice chest, where cordials and soda-water were stored, a bottle burst into many fragments, and the class was widely scattered about the bar, hut fortunately 110 one was hurt. It was surmised that the cause of the explosion was. the contact of the hot air with the cold or air in the ice chest.

''The Americans are learning with interest the number of men we are sending t< the front," paid Mr. H. A. Fox, who lias just returned from a visit to America, to a Wellington Post reporter. "That we shall have raised 10 per cent, of the whole population of Xew Zealand by September next they think a marvellous performance. The Americans are great readers, and they are very interested in this country . They consider that the large number of exports from Xew Zealand is simply -wonderful."

\\ ritlhg from France, a New Zealand soldier says: "f suppose you have heard the rumors in Xew Zealand that Frit?, is getting short of shells. It is true all right. It has iieen proved by circulars found on German officers. We can notice the difference ourselves, anyway. Down at the Somme he is not using half the amount of shrapnel he used to, and there is not nearly the kick in it. There is still quite enough, mind yon—enough for me. At one time when we were 'n a nasty corner be could have wiped out the battalion if he had used shrapnel instead of the stud' be did use."

Replying in the Cluirch Times to Press criticism of exemption of the clergy irom military service, a Xew Zealand soldier says (writes a London correspondent!) During the last advance I witnessed one of the finest deeds that was ever done. I saw the padre of the New Zealand Brigade tending wounded soldiers and burying dead while under shell-fire. This chaplain worked as hard as it was possible to work Tie even dug graves and tilled them in again. He made tea for the wounded and, in fa'ct, did all that man could do—tliis is in the pouring- rain, too." Great interest is being taken in Auckland in a case in which Mr. .Tohn Henry Mnniian, a very prominent citizen, is charged with a breach of the War' Regulations dealing with houses of illfame. I'lic heaving of the charge has already lasted several days A sensation was caused in Court on Monday when the defendant collapsed. Tic was sitting with his face in his hands. A few moments later he seemed ill, and while he was being assisted from the Court he collapsed. While being taken to 11 private room he became hysterical, and shouted: " Mie police are murdering me!" After examining defendant the doctor announced that Mr. Hannan would not he fit to appear at Court for several days, and the Court was accordingly adjourned.

Speaking at a meeting of (!-<. Varniers' I'nion at Christchurch, Mr. I'. Ilorrell said tfint there was no doubt the situation was extremely serious. He did not wish to be an alarmist, Imt he thought that if no wheat could be obtained from Australia there would not lie an ounce of bread in Xew Zealand by twelve months' time. .No man could travel from Christelmrch to Timaru and see the crops nnd feel quiet in his mind as to the wheat supply. It -was not a question of price at all: the wheat must be obtained, nnd adequate encouragement must l,e given to the fanners to grow it. Every (fiort should lie made to economise our wheat, and he thought that if the fowl--01' the country continued to be fed on wheat now, the people would be starving ill twelve months' time.

Auckland established- something like ft record in rainfall last woo!;, thr> total registered during Thursday ami Friday being 0.22 inches. "Minn;- damage was done in t'ne city and suburb*, while in the country low-lying areas were deeded. The llooil waters of th? Wainiukn district nearly proved a dealh-trap f:r three men, C. Miller. A. Humphreys mul •T. Fletcher, of Auckland. On Friday evening, when returning to the city in n spring cart, after successfully negotiating- several Hooded portions of (he road, they drove into a dip in the road which was covered with water to a depth of 12ft. The horses were drowned, and the'men werq swept out of. the cart into the water, where, after some struggling, they succeeded in grasping the tops of some teatree, and in that, position tbev were rescued, as a result of their cries for help, by two residents of, the district.

■Replying to a N.Z. Times' reporter, who asked for the information, the Hon. Mr. Mac Donald said the position as to dairy produce was that at the present time there were over 130,000 boxes of butter and 120,000 crates of cheese in the Dominion awaiting shipment, 'int there would be several boats loading in Xew Zealand in the next week or two, and he understood that space woti'd be allocated for about 7000 tons (280,000 boxes) of butter ju the next two months. That would, of course, f ar more than take up the 130,000 boxes of butter now awaiting shipment, but large quantities of butter were now coming forward for shipment all the time, and the 7000 tons of space would be none too much. The Minister adde! that be bad had a eable message from Mr. Massey, saying that lie would let him knowin a day or two what could be done in the way of •shipping space for cheese, "In the meantime," be said, "they unmaking all the arrangements for storage that tliey can. I have instructed Mr. Cuddie (the Director of the Dairy Division) to try to assist those concerned in every way bv arranging storage. I am hoping, also, to get information from Mr. Massey as to the commandeering of cheese by the Imperial Government at that end, or whethei there is any likelihood of them purchasing it in New Zealand, as is being done with regard to meat and wool."

Mr. DAIRY FARMER! As a progressive dairyman wliat you are after and perhaps already using .is SYKES' DREXCH! Why? For these five sound and convincing reasons: 1. Because it makes cows clean quickly in the natural way. 2. Because it prevents Catarrhal discharge which is apt to result in contagious abortion. 3. Because it will cleanse the blood and act as a safeguard against Milk Fever. 4. Because it will act as a tonic, not a purgative, and tone up tha digestive organs. 3. Because it. has the iargest cale of any Cattle Drench in Australasia, and is regularly used and recommended by breeders of Stud Stock and Dairymen everywhere. Stocks in all da|*ying centres. Price Is 6d per packet, 18s per do?en. It costs 3d to drench a cow,