LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Probate has been granted in connection with the will of the late John Rawlings, of New Plymouth. Judgment for phi infill' by default was given by llr. A. Crooke," S.M., in 4li« Magistrate's Court yesterday morning in the following undefended case: Richard Frost. Oiuata, v. William Woolvcu, Wanganui, £:2 S. A Paris cable states that SurgeonMajor Bnvergsy extracted a bullet from a soldier's heirt in which it, had !>pcn lodged for several months. He is entirely cured.

The heat which lias been experienced in Nimv Plymouth lately readied its highest point on Saturday. when 84% degrees in the shade were registered. The thermometer showed the heat to be 83 degrees yesterday. A moonlight concert will be given »y the Citizens' Band in Pukeknra Park tomorrow evening. A number of popular selections and will be played. Admission will be charged at the gates to defray the cost of installing electric light in the Park, and a special concession will be made to families.

A few days ago Mr. and Mrs. Bunbury, of Moturoa, picked up a quantity of greasy-looking substance on tbs beach near Paritutn. The subst.in.-c was of a whitish color, and was thought to be ambergris, but proved 011 examination by Mr. W. W Smith, curator of Pukekura Park, to be congealed moss

Never in the history of Churn, any* the Advocate, has so much travelling stock passed through 011 its way to Taranaki. On Saturday and Sunday oOt' cattle, besides sheep, were 011 the read, and several more to follow. Most of the cattle came from the Waikato and Thames districts, and, although, several days 011 the road, were in splendid condition.

Within the past few days, says the King Country Chronicle, a Mokau syndicate has sold cattie amounting to the sum of £BOOO cash. The number u. cattle sold is considerably under the four figures. This, we understand, creates a record for (lie King Country To the Dominion such a transaction means wealth, and to our immediate district an advertisement well worthy of. keeping on record.

A meeting of the Central, Whiteley, and Yogeltow.i troops of tho Boy Scouts was held last night to confirm tlio re solutions passed last week with regard to amalgamation. Tlio result is that the three troops are now organised as (lie troop, to he known as the New Plymouth troop. The Rev. A. B. Chappell is chief scout, with Scoutmasters Sandford and Allen, and assistant-Seoutmn.v tern Deare, Coleman and Bailey. "I think if your neighbors over military age were appronched in the rigiit way they would undertake to manage your farm for yoo while you were on active service,' observed Captain V'<ilkev when oxam'ning an appellant- at tlio

silting of the Military Service Board in ?>uv Plymouth yesterday. "I don't think they would,'' said the appellant. "Thou thev might have to," replied Caplair Walker and Mr. McLaren, a member of the Board, simultaneously, "a law might- he intruluced to make men over age give their services in order to release eligible men for active service," Captain Walker added. The folly of dropping lighted mat-dies or starting fires, i:ow that, the gras.--. is so dry, was demonstrated in a startling manner on the banks of the Bangitikei at Kahariki on .Sunday, tho railway bridge narrowly escaping destruction. A fire started about u mile from the river, and spread with such lightning rapidity th'it there was a great rush to nave veTiielos and notor-ears. A bicycle was burnt, and it was only the willow trees in the neighborhood of the bridge that saved it from destiuction. This sp.it Is a favorite resort I'or picnickers, and as there is good bathing there over on; hundred people spent the week-end on the banks of the Enngitikei River. A young settlor of Lopperton, Harry Mehrtens, lost his life on Monday afternoon in unusual circumstances. It appears that Mehrtens had been to Wuitara- with pigs and on returning to Lopperton he hacked hi-- cart, into the pond to wash it out. The horse hacked into deep water, and in his efforts to drive the horse out .'.gain, Mehrterts struck his head and fell into the water stunned. Evidences bearing out this assumption were discovered when the dead body w?.i found an hour later. News of deceased's death was received with widespread regret in Lopperton, where he was highly respected and liked.

"Are you collecting Camels?" ip a qv estion that causes nr, surprise to housekeepers who use Desert Gold Tea and save "Camels" off .packets. , Hundreds of '^distributed... ;!

Benzine is selling as low as 'pence a gallon in the United States, and there promises to be a further fall in prices consequent 011 the opening of new oil wells.

(ieneral BrusilnlT. the famous Russian commander, is described as u sort of Hessian fiord,-in. His religion permeate;;' all his private life. Ho never lias any money, because he gives away his pay, partly to crippled soldiers, and partly u the families of killed men on his estate at Knrsk.

Oil Thursday a precocious youth aged 12 years cleared out with no'hoots, hay. or stockings from his home in Wanganui The police were advised on Siminv tliat; he hail l.cen discovered slmpin<; in a railway truck at the Anckbr.i! railway station. He is being sent back iv. charge of the guard to-day.

U is proposed, on the return of rhe Aurora from Ross Sea (says the Christchurch Press), to make a presenta'.Um to Sir Ernest Sbnckleton from pecplc in the Dominion who recognise the courage and resource displayed by him li. his repeated mid finally successful efforts to rescue his companions who we:e. stranded on Elephant Island, in the Weddell Sea.

A useful formula for getting rid of the fly nuisance in the following:—Mix 2oz of sodium arsenate in a gallon of water in which lib of sugar has been dissolved. Soak a small branch of a tree with smooth leaves of this solution aw! hang it from the ceiling of the room where the Hies congregate. The sodium arsenate can be obtained from an? chemist.

The Auckland Military Apppal Board on Saturday granted two months' exemption to Percy V. E. Stainton, in order to pivc liim aii opportunity to arrange his business aflYlirs. Appellant stated he was manager of the firm of .T. C Speckling. of New Plymouth. He had volunteered for aetive service on May 30, 1!)!(i, and went into camp, bi.t was subsequently rejected. His on'y brother then decided to go to the front, and lie wan now 'in France.

On Saturday afternoon, 100 stocks of wheat lying on the farm of Mr. Craigie. M.P., situated at Kingsdovn. were completely destroyed by fire. The fire evidently originated from a spa>k from a passing locomotive, and in addition to burning the wheat, destroyed a quantity of cocksfoot, which was growing along the railway line, and also the pos-ts of the fence. At the time of the tire a strong nor'-wester was blowing, and this prevented the fire from making; further progress. Had the wind been ir. the apposite direction' the (Ire would have readied a standing crop of SO acre* of wheat, which would doubtless have been destroyed.

Several fires have occurred lately in the lupin bushes that skirt the railway line between the New Plymouth railu'av strtioii and Moturoa, and damage l.a's bter. done to fences and valuable trees Or two occasions the Fire Brigade has been called out. The matter was referred to at the Borough Council meeting 011 Monday night by Cr. W. A. Colli?, who suggested that the Railway Department be written to and infortupu that as the tires had been caused jy sp&rks from the railway engines, more care should bo taken. Cr. A. E. Watkins said he knew of two instances in which varidals were responsible for the fires. It was decided not to communi er.ti with the Department until further evidence had been obtained.

Referring to flie proposed stoppage of annual leave, the Public Service ,Tommi. says: "There may be ail impression ii. the mind of a section of the public that annual leave is a prerogative of tlic Public Servant, whereas it is 1 lie rule rather than the exception with bank? anil oilier large institutions, ineluding leading bus'iiess firms, to allow their employees literal annual leave on full par. This is regarded as an economical practice by the employer in that ii benefits the health and increases (ho zeal of the employee, whilst the latter values the privilege as a welcome break in the monotony of continuous labor, and as a rule sdiows his appreciation in a practical manner.'' The position of Methodist clergy w'.th regard to the ballet was referred to at the Methodist Ministers' Council at Ha : vera on Monday. The Rev. T. G. Hammond, chairman of the TarnnnkiWangamii district, of the Methodist Church, stated that the operations of th: ballot had beer, carefully considered by the leaders of the church and at many of the official meetings. It «?<n ncticeable that already, by voluntary enlistment and by the calling up of chaplains, some of whom were above the age limit, the ranks of the Methodist Ministry had been very seriously deputed It was felt, however, that, the present crisis was such that the church's duty was !o make no appeals for exemption in the case of such of her minister; as may he called up in the biiiiut —except under extraordinary circumstances—unlil an irreducible minimum is reached in the staffing of the circuits Tie was confident that this was the feeling of ( he great majority of Methodists throughout the Dominion, and the business of the Council that afternoon had been the consideration of Ih'o working of the circuits in the district with a view to making the best arrangements siblc, in so far as the operations of the ballot may all'ect the circuits.

Tho Engineer in Chief of the Tublic Works Department visited Waitara a few days ago, and spent about ten minutes 011 the town bridge, which the Department had been asked to inspect, with a view of a plan being found to repair the damaged piles. Strange to pay, the Mayor, who has been to Wellington in connection with a request, for Government assistance in the matter of repairing the damage, was not notified of the visit, and the engineer, therefore, had 110 information as to the Council's intention. Without wishing to be alarmists (savs the Waitara Mail) we may sav that we believe the bridge to be in practically a dangerous condition. Tho damaged piles are eertainlv not able to carry the weight intended for them, and consequently other piles must be doing more. It ma>- seem absurd to say that the new bridge is bordering on a state of collapse, yet, 011 deliberation, we let the statement stand, and ask who is going to be responsible, if, under pressure, a portion of the structure gives way, los? of life is occasioned, and traffic, is suspended. The position is really so serious.

On the motion of Mr. Quilliam ((it.vett and Quilliami the Supreme Court las granted probate jf the will of tue late John Kawlings to (lie -executrix therein named.

CURE FOR STOMACH DISORDERS. Disorders of the stomach may be avoided by the use of Chamberlain's Tablets for the stomach and liver. Many very remarkable cures have been effected by. theSQ tablets. Sold every-

"The light on the rear of the motorcar, if there ivas a light, was so fairit lhat I could not tell whether it was the moon shining on'the glass," said a m. Datable, when giving evidence in a by-law ease in the Wellington Mag.sbate's Court. His Worship remarked that the evidence given by the witness was rather unfortunate, as it raised a question as to whether the whole circumstances wero moonshine.

A special meeting of the Patea Licensing Committee was held on Saturday to consider the question of hours for the conditional license of the public/n's booth at the ffiuvera races next week The committee had. originally fixed the hours at from 12 noon to 6 p.m.. but on further representations being made as to the arrival and departure of trains they decided to extend the hours from 1. .'JO a.m. to ti p.m.

The facts in connection with I lis drownin." of the infant child of Mr. r.nd Mr* Hanion during the recent Good at Tokomnru >how that the water was washing through the house and the occupants were hurrying out. Whilst Mrs. Hanion was pissing the child to Mr. f'nnlon the latter became tangled in a fuice and in the effort to get away tlie child fell from his arms, being carried down the stream. Mr. W. I'iwhirangi, who was on horseback made a gallant attempt to rescue the child but misjcJ by inches. During the hearing of a charge against a hotelkeeper at Auckland of suplying a person already in a state of drunkenness with intoxicating liquor the Magistrate saia that if a man wer.) actually drunk when served with liquor it did 'tot matter whether or not tlie bar attendant noticed it; he broke the law by serving the man. Further, tiic law was that if a man were "intoxicated," in other words, "showing any signs of drink,'' he must not be served. Even if a man is "reasonably sober" lie must not, according to law, be served with liquor.

Captains of vessels trading to Wanganui speak highly of the new harbor light which has been established at the signal station at the Heads, ft is said to be a great improvement on the old port light, which has practical ly outlived its usefulness. Captain Thompson, of the Hiniitangi, informed Captain Melntyre, harbormaster, that he had "picked up" the Wanganui iL-ht twelve miles oil'. The captain of. the \V»ilseitd, whidi arrived in the roilstead at an early hour on Friday nioi-.i-iug from Melbourne, also made complimentary reference to tlie new light.

Tho suggestion made from time to i : mo Hint the country is bc'ng ovorrun vitlt hawker?, who are largely lir.idooj and Afghans, do.-s not find confirmation ir tho AtickliinA City Council returns for the vear 1010. Licenses to carry oil Oris calling nr.) issued weekly, and no separate return is made of the nmuboi of individuals engaged in it. The re\vnue from 'leensef, however, shows a drop of 42 per cent, with respect to pidlars and linwkers.'iis compared with tiie previous year. A falling-off in Ihe number of street-stall license? is als-; ill noted hy the license fees, which wove about 13 per cent, less than those for 1015. A board of four commissioners ha? teen appointed .to control the railways of New South. Wales. The appointments are for seven years, from Dec•James Fraser (Chief Commissioner, wit! - , a salary of £3OOO ner annum), Mr. K Milne (Deputy Chief Commission!" I'2ooo per annum) '.nd two Assistant Commissioners (as £ISOO per nnntnv each). Privision has been made for ♦heir automatic \nci'"ur on tho conclusion of the war. Mr. Fraser holds tin' ■iif-tinctio'i of being the first Austratha born engineer to have charge of lie railways of New So»th Wales. V.'Milne 's also an Australian by bi.-t'i He entered the railway service in ISTfi.

On Saturday afternoon, railway and itliiculiir traffic through the Man.awaiu Gorge was for some hours blocked by a huge lmph fire, which destroyed almost ill! the vegetation on the hillside.i in tiie Gorge, and laused showers of debri < ami stones to block the road. J.h> timbers of one of the bridges wore attacked by the flames. The Gorge read i» unsafe for vehicular traffic, owing to ihc number of borlders which have filion on the road from the hillsides. Small quantities of stones (ire constantly dropping, and constitute a serious danger to pedestrians and passing motorists. Several iarg'.' bush fires have been observed in the vicinity of the Gorgo (luring the last few days, but, .inti 1 Saturday, none had,been in such proximity to the railway line as to c.iu;e apprehension to the railway nnd county officials, "In a way this war is doing a great, gcod for everybody and seems to have :'uuiged nations." writes a Wellingtoi. man, who at the time of writing was in training in London, to his mother there "In London all the principal churches are full and there is a service every day 7 hen the rich people have given money to the poor and the starving. The slums a?e not like they used to be, and there's not so much immorality going on as prior to the war. Franco is gradiia'lv beioming a Citholic country again. I am only pointing out these things for you, because in New Zealand the peopie have enjoyment and go to plays and pictures, and don't think of across this side They forget, there's a var and if- they only gave up these pleasures and went to church and jfl'ercd up prayers, like England and Fiance tu-.d other countries are doing, thev would be doing a service to their country. They should thank God their country is so far away nnd safe *rom attack. Perhaps if a 'Zepp.' was to appear over Wellington and damage a few places like it does in London they rr.iglit wake up then. So you see I canrot impress on your mind the seriousnet.-, of the war and how every man 18 mc-dcd. One must go through it himrclt before lie can understand."

Lucky Indies! Your chance lias coii.c. Or. page four, top left-hand corner. is ar announcement that will gladden the hearts of all thrifty women who desve to look their best. Ronnie's sale at the Big Stove, Waitara, now oilers you the chance of securing many stylish nnd desirable garments you will feel proud to wear at a price you will be plensed t» pay.

Best in the beginning and cheapest in the end. Palatine suits never fail to give that day by day—satisfaction Vhieh is the secret of our good tailoiinc. Try the Palatine for your next snir! You'll be well phased. The Palat : ne, New Plymouth.

EVERYBODY'S DRINKING- IT! What? GREEN GINGER. A pure, wholesome and refreshing drink for sensible people. A TRIAL WILL CONVINCE. A i tablespoonfnl to a krgo tumbler of water. 50 drinks to the bottle. 1/(1 per -bottle; nil grocers.Order to-day froijj yqur grocer! Ypu