LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is rumored that a number of prosecutions are about to be instituted against farmers who have neglected to furnish returns required by the Tax' Department and others who are alleged to have greatly understated their incomes and profits. The total sale of war loan certificates now amounts to £1,269,803. Wellington has taken £303,594, and the NewPlymouth district, which embraces most of Taranaki, is well up with £58,842.

A local motorist, who has just made a trip up from Wellington, states that the greenest part of the coast is that between Eltham and New Plymouth. In the Wanganui, Rangitikei, and Manawatu districts the country is exceedingly dry.

As a result of the exhibition for a week at Kingston Town Hall of the historic football which the East Survey Regiment dribbled up to the Genua., trenches on the start of the "big push" on duly 1, a sum of £54 lis 5d has been realised for the regiment's ' comforts fund.

The designation "shop-walker," applied to those usually magnificent specimens of humanity who, attired in frock coat, wander about large drapery establishments and keep an eye on tilings in general, has given place in America to the more dignified appellation of "floor superintendent" or "aisle manager." What next, please? 1 \ Two by-law cases were heard before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. James Cross, for allowing a horse to wander on Frankley Road, was fined 5s and costs 17s Od. A fine of 5s was imposed on Edwin Nops for riding a horse on the footpath in Dawson Street. Costs totalled 15s.

There are indications of a great stir in the newspaper world in th,e cities. Prices are to be doubled, sizes reduced, and there are rumors of amalgamations of certain large newspapers, and consequent cessation of publication. The most violent shake up is expected in Christchureh, where there are too many newspapers to allow of a profitable production for them all. The Melbourne's great sale t-nds oi. Saturday. Last chance for men's allwool knitted socks Is pair; girls' allwool black cashmere hose, sizes 3 and 4, Is pair; ladies' all-wool black caShmere hose Is 9d pair; ladies" silk ankle hose, Is lid pair; "Dorothy" overalls Is lid; silk wide end ties, Is each; brown cotton singlets, 2s 6dj pants to match, 2s lid; plain navy "Advance" drill shirts, 4s lid; man's Mosgiel socks, Is 6d pair.

FLI-KEELO is the only insect powder manufactured in New Zealand by Britishers. NO FLIES CAN LIVE where FLI-KEEI.O is used. Mies carry diseass. FU-KEELO kills flies. Obtainable <M* r9 AtfM* Mi «v»r«-

It is estimated that as a result of recent floods about a-quarter of a million cubic yards of silt has been deposited on the streets of Thames, and it will be weeks before the town can be restored to its usual dead condition.

A new industry has been begun at the junction of the Buller and the Owen Rivers, where the necessary machinery has been erected for production of wood wool, used mainly for packing fruit for export. Tt is stated that a discovery of scheelite has been made near, Pukerangi, in the Bare-wood district, Otago. The reef has been opened up for some distance, and good scheelitc has been exposed wherever it has been cut. Advice has been received that Mr. T. Moss, of Eketahuna, who has been appointed to advise the National Industrial Efficiency Board on the question of labor in the dairying industry, arrived in Elthnm last evening. He will meet the members of the committee ippointed by the recent farmers' meeting at 121tham, at 10 o'clock this morning. An unusual motoring mishap was experienced recently by Mr. Watkins, of Otewa, and a companion. At a sharp turn the car met a pair of horses which had bolted with a waggon. There wav> no time to turn and the horses ran into the car, the pole of the waggon going through the glass wind-screen and passing between the two occupants of the car, who escaped without injury. "I am convinced," said Mr Joseph Dawson, bridge constructor, at the opening last week of the new bridge over the Hutt River "that the day of the wooden bridge is gone. Ferro-concrete has come into its own, and in a few years' time new wooden bridges will be sonicthing in the nature of a curiosity." Mr. Dawson has been building bridges for the past 3li years, and during that time has built in the North Island no fewer than fifty.

Some of the discharged soldiers who have taken up land are doing fairly well in several settlements visited by .Mr. \V. T. Jennings, M.P. for Tauinnru•i'.ii. At Mahoeunua a party of eight ex-soldiers, all of whom are Anzacs, have been milkim; cows this season, and line of the men was a very serious cot case when he leturned by the Willochra on her first trip.

A South Taranaki farmer was recently approached by a land agent, who said he had one or two "snips" in which he would like to interest the farmer. "The owners are being called up, and they have to 'get out,' and the properties have been given me to sell at a sacrifice." The farmer, however, was built of sturdy stuff. "Look you here," he said, "I dont believe in taking advantage of any man called up to fight for me. If I wanted to buy—and I don't — I would only do so on condition that the price was such as would be ngreeabio to the owners' relations." Hats off to that farmer! Questions as to what became of the native boys trained vit- the Three Kings institution were asked at the Methodist. Conference in Wellington. On, l member stated that he knew of a boy who, after years of scientific training, was now a gravedigger. Others had drifted back (u a useliss life in the Maori pas. The principal, Rev. J. If. Simmonds, said he could only guarantee to train the boys. It was the duty of the country clergy to look after the lads when they left the farm. Other members of the conference gave instances of the success which had attended the life of many of the boys. One of them was now a captain on a coastal vessel.

Considerable interest has been manifested in Auckland in steps taken by Mr ,T. C. Restell. liquidator of the Dominion Mortgage and Finance Company, Ltd., against several of the directors, to recover two sums totoliing £B4OO, alleged to be due to the shareholders. The cr.se was set down for hearing before Mr Justice Hosking and a jury this week, but it has been settled out of court. A member»of the committee of shareholders states that the terms of settlement are: The defendants to pay the plaintiff company the sum of £5200, of which £OOO is to be paid in cash and £4:000' within one year, with interest at C per cent. The plaintiff's costs are included in the sum of £5200 payable by defendants. .An outline of the intentions of the National Eflieieney. Board in regard to female labour was contained in a statewere made recently by Mr. J. 11. Gunson, the Auckland member of the board. "The Board, at an early date/' said Mr. Gunson, "probably will prepare a register of all women in the Dominion, with a view to the classification of those not already engaged in some useful occupation. I shall bo pleased if all who can offer their services will communicate with the secretary at the Town Hall. In other countries the dilution of labour, and, in fact, in many insrane es the entire replacing of it, by the employment of women has been carried out on a large scale. With the continual drain of our manhood from the essential occupations and industries the time is fast approaching when the women of the country will be able to render very much more effective services to the State than in the past.. The details of how necessary organisation can best be arranged will claim the early consideration of the Efficiency Board."

The following statement in reference to the management of soldiers' farms ,was made recently by the Mayor, Mr. .1. H. Gunson, the Auckland member of the National Industrial Efficiency Board:— "1 notice that there is a great deal of unrest amongst the farmers in regard to the calling up of reservists, there being a fear that there will be a. difficulty in connection with the management of farms. A suggestion has been made that the Government should take steps at once to afford the desired relief. As the National Efficiency Board has had this qnesion referred to it by the Government, and important reports bearing on the subject have been submitted to the Aoting-'P'rime Minister by the Board. No doubt at an early date an official pronouncement upon the matter will be made. In the meantime farmers may rest assured that prompt steps are being taken by the members of the Efficiency Board in their respective military arjas to provide machinery which will make it possible for soldiers' farms xo be satisfactorily managed in their absence. lam now awaiting further advice from Wellington in this connection, in the meantime organisation proposals are in a very forward stage."

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At the Ngamotu beach ' to-day the Hillsborough and Omata schools will hold (heir annual picnics. The Ngamotu Committee will supply hot water. A writ for £2(HK) damages has been issued against the 'l'almcrston North ■Borough Council in connection with the Hoy street motor fatality, in which Mr. William Forbes was killed and Miss Mary and Miss Kitty Sullivan were injured. Eltlm.ni and district schools held their annuai picnic at the Kast Kntl reserve yesterday. They were favored with delightful weather, and an enjoyable day was spent. There were over 1000 visitors. *

Instructions have recently been issued by the Defence Department that, during tho continuance of the war, rail passes to enable Territorials or Senior Cadets teams or entrants competing in military events at sports meetings, etc., shall not he granted.

.The Kawaroa Park Committee are making arrangements to hold a fete on Waster Monday on a larger seale even than last year's function. The Waihi school children will again be in attendance, and will give several items, which those who were present at Waihl yesterday will gladly welcome.

■Every day oE the week an average of 12 recruits are thrown out of Trentham camp for physical unfitness. Many of these men have sold up their farm's or businesses or thrown up their positions ir; order to go to camp. What are the Medical Boards doing in passing as fit a large number of absolutely unfit men? The difficulty created by dazzling lights on motor-cars was one of the matters in connection with the city bylaws that came before the Auckland City Council at its last meeting. The traffic inspector suggested as a solution of the question that it should be made compulsory that the centre of brilliancv should fall on the road within 40ft from the front of the car. It was decided tu refer _ the proposal to the AutomoK'" Association for an expression of opinion.

A visitor from Now Zealand to Sydney writing on the Bth inst. to a friend in Christohurch, says:—Sydney looks much further from the war'than in Ne\> Zealand. The look of the elegantlygowned women and the air of things .generally gives one the impression that it is "rotting in riches." they tell me recruiting is dead, but in spite of tlia; a transport left yesterday with nearly 200 ft men. The seriously-minded good people here feel .keenly the result of the conscription vote.

The first consignment of oil (forty gallons) taken from a whale which was stranded on tho beach near the moutn of the Bangitata River, arrived in Ashburton on Saturday, and (says a southern paper) experts pronounce the oil to be of good quality. Owing to the appliances used for the melting process being so small, the work hao taken a longer time than was anticipated, and large quantities of the oil have been wasted in tho sand.

A Wellington telegram states that the following police changes are announced: Senior Sergeant Treanor, of Newton, Auckland, retires on superannuation, and is succeeded by Senior Sergeant Rutledge, of the chief station at Auckland. He will be succeeded by'Senior-Sergeant Seely, lately at Hawera, Sergeant Waterman of Auckland goes to Ponsonby vice Serjeant O'Grady, transferred to Waihi, and Sergeant Fraser, of Napier, goes to the" Thames.—Press Association.

The friends of the men who are serving on 11.M.5. Philomel will be interested to know that the vessel is due to return to New Zealand before the end of the present month. The Minister for Defence, Sir James Allen, in this announcement recently in Auckland stated'that the Philomel's "men had been doing splendid work "in parts of the world where it w,as not very pleasant to live." New Zealand, he said, might well be proud of what these men had done in very trying circumstances.

/ The recreation tent erected at the Territorial cam]) by the C.E.M.S. is greatlv appreciated by the men. Besides the provision of literature and writing materials, a piano is provided for their use. Last night a party, organised by the \*e\v Plymouth branch of the Society, ineluding Messrs B. Vinsen, Goldswo'rthy, R. Day, Lieut.-Col. Evans and several men from the camp, gave a most pleasing entertainment, which was greatlv enjoyed. On Sunday next it has been arranged for the Band to play at the morning parade, and also to give a concert in the camp in the afternoon. A iarge concert party is 'being organised for Tuesday to give a farewell concert, and it is hoped to procure the best of local talent to entertain the men.

Sir Ernest Shackleton, who left Wellington for London, via Australia and America, on Thursday, intends to stay in Australia for a short time in orde'l to deal with some business connected with his expedition. Then he will proceed to America, where he will deliver a few lectures before crossing the Atlantic. Sir Ernest Shackleton intends to join the fighting forces of the Allies at an early date, and he is busily engaged in the compilation of the records of his expedition at the present time, in order that his hands may be free soon after his arrival in London. He has sold the Aurora as well as the balance of his stores and equipment.

At the last meeting of the Waihi Mines and Batteries Union, at which some fifty members were present, it was decided to vote £5 per month Irom the union funds towards the support of the wives and families of the men hnprisont'd recently for seditious utterances. The proposal met with some opposition. It was pointed out that the funds were limited, and that deserving cases 'nearer homo should have the first consideration The question of a levy was raised, bur it was shown that no levy could be made so long as the funds in hand exceeded £IOO. It is understood that the families of the imprisoned men are to receive .-€5 per week each during the course of the men's incarceration.

A Waitara sensation ia being experienced, and keen buyers are excited over the surprise sale of Cossar's stock of masculine clothing which has been bought by Rennie and Co. and removed to the Big store, there to be offered on Saturday at almost half-price. The full-page bargain list appeared on Thursday, and proves that you can easily save From 5s to 10s in every £1 you spend.

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