LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Very little sickness "exists in the training camps at the 'present time. Ko epidemics have secured a footing among recent drafts, and very few serious casc.i of illness have 'been reported among the men in training during tha ! last few weeks.

Following along the usual lines for the Empire matinee, the -management ■will to-morrow present a splendid diversified selection of pictures, with comics and interest films occupying a large place on tho programme. There will be ten pictures shown, and a glance at the advertisement will convince both parents and kiddies that THie F/inpire is the place to go to-morrow afternoon.

Tho following half-dozen bargains are worthy of particular notice at tiio Melbourne's great stock-taking sale: Ladies' Dorothy overalls, 2/3; ladies' colored crepe de chine blouses, I*2/0; pearl buttons, Id dozen; Ilorroekses' 30inch calico, 7/'ll dozen; Island hats, with straps, 1/5; and ladies' black silk ankle hose, 1/11 pair*. Tho Army has an unsentimental way of announcing a marriage. The followjing notice is ptiblished in orders: "With reference to the notice published in the New Zealand Gazette No. 4, of 11th January, 1917, 'Appointment of officers for duty with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (hospital ship Maheno, No. 3 charter,' for tho words 'A. MoKenzie' read 'Annie Draper, nee MoKenzie.' " In tihe Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., Edward Emerton was fined 10s for driving a delivery van at an excessive speed in Devon Street on the evening of February 10. Two cases brought by the Defence Department against Territorials for failing to attend drill were struck out, owing to the Defence Department not continuing with proceedings.

The enlistment of men under or over military age is to be discouraged even more firmly than in the past. Group officers have been directed to initiate proceedings against any men who make a false declaration regarding their age. The men are liable also foi obtaining money under false pretences, in the form of a day's pay, if they succeed in attesting as a result of their false declarations. Tho military authorities are strongly of opinion that the enlistment of men under 20 years of age is undesirable. Generally speaking, the lads have not the stamina to face the condition? of modern warfare.

purses are goou judges of tea. A nurse writes: "I use Desert Gold Tea in my Nursing Home; all my patients like the tea and intend using it when they po homa " '

The majority of tlic Aurora's crew left, Wellington Inst night for Sydney in the Moernfei. Sir ]?. Shackleton goes to Dunedin next week to begin a series of lectures, lie subsequently goes to Australia, en route to England.—Press Association.

In the four ballots that have already taken place, 17,407 members of the First Division have thus been called up to till some 5800 vacancies in the 23rd, 24th, 251 hj, 20th, 27th, and 28th Reinforcements. As the membership of the First Division also is being steadily depleted by the voluntary enlistment—it originally comprised 84,080 iven—it will' be seen that this class is already more than one-quarter exhausted. The Otago Daily Times understands that the military police are now being enrolled. The members are picked men, belli as regards physique and character. 11l a very ehort time, therefore, the public will no doubt see the men who have tailed to turn up for medical examination, and also those who have failed to parade on the day of departure, drastieullv dealt with.

Messrs. Olson Bros., Kgmoiit Village, W. Hall, Lippcrton, and James Burgess, Warea, well -known Ayrshire bleeders, have presented the Taranaki Agricultural (Society with a handsome silver cup valued at £2O, which will 'be given as a points prize in tlie Ayrshire section, to he won three times. J'lacli of the three prominent dairy sections has now a valuable trophy to be competed for, ami this should act as an added incentive to breeders to enter their cattle.

Travellers across the plains between Waioitru anil Tokaanu repent stores concerning a strange man wlm lias been seen on various occasion;; (luring the past four months. Now and again lie appears on the track and begs for matches How he lives or where ho lives in that wild country is a mystery. He is described as black whiskered, long haired and thin featured; though ho talks wildly now and again, claiming that he reigns over millions of rabbits, lie is not violent, in any way.

The audacity of a man named Alfred Collins in leading a horse down th: footpath in Cover Street on the seconl day of the Taraiiaki Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting, and deliberately ordering the pedestrians oil the ' footpath to make way for him, was disclosed in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Collins was charged with a breach of the borough by-laws. He did not appear, and the evidence given by a police con stable, who witnessed defendant's behaviour, was supported by a statement made by a solicitor in Court. Defendant's excuse was that it was dangerous for the horse to travel on the road, owing to the trallie. The Magistrate (Sir. A. Crooke) described the case as a glaring one, and convicted and lined defendant £l, and costs 7s.

The practice among local bodies of charging poll expenses against the loan money concerning which the poll hau been held has been challenged by the Auditor-General, and his view has' been upheld by a ruling of the Crown Solicitor. The Auckland Star says that in consequence of this the Mt. Eden Borough Council's balance-sheet was /(- turned with a "tag." intimating that a charge of £175 against loan moneys would not be passed. The Mayor stated that although the Council had been legally advised that its method was quite in order, other local bodies were following the. Auditor-General's view, and it would probably he. as well for the Council to fall into line accordingly. It was agreed t'i charge the loan expenses to the district fund, as requested, and the balanee-Bhc-et was approved. A special train, convoying over a thousand passengers—school children, teachers, and. parents—from Inglewood, Waiongona, Norfolk, Durham, Dudley, and Lincoln, arrived in New Plymouth yesterday morning. The occasion ivn the annual picnic of the schools in the districts named, and it was held on the Ngamotu beach. The weather was perfect, a delightful tempering breeze adding to the pleasure of the outing. "Many of the picnickers indulged in Wiling, the temperature of the water being fa vorable during the hottest part of the day. The children mere entertained to luncheon and tea on the beach, and the parents, who brought their own provisions, were supplied with hot water ( tea, milk, and sugar. In the afternoon games and races were held, and an. enjoyable time was spent. During the day a large number made trips to the town, and the trams profited in consequence. David Craig, farm hand, Ohau, appealed to the Military Court at Palmerston on Tuesday on the grounds of undue hardship. Appellant said that he received £2 5s a week, and kept himself. The Chairman: Whore does the | hardship come in? Appellant: Well, I have seven brothers at the front, anil one should bo left. The Chairman: That's a good record. Appellant: We have received congratulations from His Majesty the King. Appellant also stated that his mother wanted him to stay, and lie was considering her. Personally he wanted to go. His mother was an old lady about 70 years of ago. The Chairman: Are all .your toothers alive? —Yes; two have been wounded. Tin) Chairman: Do you send anything home to your mother'! —Yes, both to my mother and my sister. Decision was reserved.

A farmer milking 30 cows is called upon to pay £lO5 income tax. Another farmer milking 100 cows is called upon to contribute only £55. The seeming anomaly may be easily explainable, and an explanation 'by an expert would be appreciated (says tho Eltham Argus). It is somewhat of a novelty to make the ascent of Mount Egmont in February in a heavy snowstorm, vet this was the experience of a lady climber oti Tuesday last. Miss E. Ullmer, of Wellington, left the North Hostel under beautiful weather conditions, but snowclouds were encountered at 0000 feet, and shdrtly afterwards the' snow began to fall, continuing until the summit was reached, some two hours later. Heavy snow had previously fallen, and the mountain was covered around the top, the snow formations on the extreme summit being far grander than had ever been seen in the winter. This makes the third heavy fall of snow since New Year's 'Day.

The Wailii Patriotic League are holding a gala day in the school grounds cn Thursday, Bth Mardh.

The assigned stoclc of 11. If. Cossar, Wnitara, consisting of men' 3 and youths' clothing, mercery, atid boots has been purchased by Eennie and Co. at about 10s in the £.* EVERY BODY'S DRINKING IT! What? GREEN GINGER. A pure, wholesome and refreshing drink for sensible people. A TRIAL WILL COM-, VINCE. A tablespoonful to a large tumbler of water. 50 drinks to ihe bottle. ,1/6 per bottle; all grocers. Order to-day from your grocer! You will be satisfied