LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Daily News will not be published to-morrow (Good Friday), but will be issued as usual on Saturday and also on Monday (Easter Monday).

In the course of a letter to a New Plymouth friend, Captain W. H. Hawkins, of Okato, says: "The coming offensive will be something awful. Our artillery is massive. . . At Fricourt the Huns were blown out of underground dens, 40 feet below. I saw them. (Illustration of dens enclosed.) Percy (his son) and I are well, but I have a bad knee—wrenched it on the Somme. Captain MacDiarmid is fast in the collar. He is a good chap, and well liked both by officers and men." A meeting of the Westown Progressive Association was held in the West End bowling pavilion last night, Mr. Jas. Sole presiding over a fair attendance of members. Several matter* of interest to the district were discussed, ft was resolved that a committee, consisting of the president and Messrs W. Haddrell, E. Nops, J. Garcia, and J. S. S. [Medley should meet similar committees from the Vogeltown and Frank; leigh Park Associations with a view to discussing municipal matters.

The Defence Department notifies that all recruits, whether voluntary or called up under the Military Service Act, must be examined by a district Medical Board only, and that examinations by individual medical officers will no longer be accepted. District Medical Boards will visit the district periodically, and the dates which examinations will be conducted will usually he made known through the press, and any volunteers presenting themselves on those dates will he enlisted and examined.

At a meeting of the 'executive of the School Committees' Association on Monday, the Stratford branch sent in a resolution complaining of the unnecessary amount of note books and exercise books that the parents are asked to buy for primary schools at the present time, when note-paper, etc., is so expensive. The 'branch considered that a good deal of the work could be done on slates, and thus save the unnecessary expense to parents. It' was decided that, in view of complaints from school committees regarding the unnecessary amount of exercise and notebooks used in school, the Board be requested to impress on teachers the need for economy in this direction,-in view of the high cost of paper.

An appeal is being made by Mr. R. 0. Ellis to 'billet a number of the boys of the Boys' Drum and ,Mfe Band during their stay in New Plymouth. This is the champion drum and fife band of New Zealand, and the ; boys play some very fine selections, such an "King of Spain," "Maritana," "Gems of English Mejody," etc., all with bell accompaniment. The members of the band will arrive by the 3 p.m. train next Saturday, play in Devon StreeH Saturday evening, on Sunday afternoon give an open-air concert, on. the Ngamotu beach, on Easter Monday they are playing at Kawaroa Park, leaving by the delayed train that evening for Inglewood. The practical patriotism of the man of tho broad acres is not one whit less than hia proverbial open-hearted hospitality, states the Otago Daily Times." A typical instance of tlw neighbourliness and goodwill of the toilers of the soil towards one of their number proceeding on active service was outlined by a secretary at a meeting of the expert advieers ito the National i.uiciency Board at Dunedin, when he stated that, in the case of an Awamoko farmer called up, the residents of the district, so as to facilitate his entry into camp,' undertook to plough hia land and permit of sowing operations before his departure. The speaker stated that no fewer than twelve teams were engaged on the land.

There was again a large attendance at Ihe Kawaroa Park bungalow on Tuesday evening, when the Kawaroa Park Committee held another of their popular euchre parties and dances, no less t.han twenty tables being occupied. For the ladies' prize 'Mrs. Lunn secured first (silk blouse length), Mrs. Noddcr and Mrß Miscall tied for second prizo (a tray-cloth), Mrs. Nodder winning in the play-off. Mr. Haye won the men's prize (umbrella); Mr. J. Nodder and Mr. Bridger tied for second place, Mr. Bridjrer winning the play-off (taking 2511> bag flour). After supper the floor was cleared for dancing, which was kept going till one o'clock. On Easter Monday night a euchre party and dance will be held to wind up the day's picnic.

•Special benefit performances in aid of |tl<e Wounded Soldiers' Clrfb will be held at both the Empire and Everybody's theatres to-morrow (flood Friday) night. The Kmpire will consist of a selected picture programme, and at Everybody's there will be picture programme interspersed with songs by Mr. McDonald, and a cornet solo by Mr. K. Taylor, a returned soldier, now a member of the orchestra at Everybody's. The usual prices will he charged, hut patrons whose means will allow, can assist the Soldiers' Club by purchasing Is tickets. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Ab'-'-v "tify that on account of the Ea?ter' •»'Hela-.- s their Opunake and Manain ?:;' > v iU be held on Wednesday, Ai'iil II .ui.l their Palmer Road sale on I'i ' "y April 15. The cup "''■•>• ".lei to the Kawaroa Society by "• A. Salt, of Christchurdi, for v ' -of-war e.tent at the picnic on J ! " -unJay is on view in Mr. T. Pett/ •■> .mr, Devon Street.

It is almost certain that this month will see the cud for the time being of the regime of penny newspaper in this Dominion.—The Gisborne times. "Let us," says President Wilson, "stand by the little nations that need to be stood by." To which London's Bystander adds: "Yes let's! But do it now. It's no use standing by and by." From an English solicitor of standing to a Palmerston friend: "I have recently had Noel at home. He had a most extraordinary escape. A shell landed between his legs and he was blown up onto the top of a tree, but beyond shock was uninjured." The Broken Hill express was two hours late in arriving at Broken Hill recently, having been delayed on the South Australian line by grasshoppers. Ona train which left Broken Hill for South Australia had to return after travelling a few miles, finding the track blocked by the pest,

It is announced in The Timeß of 27th January that Mr John McCormack, the Irish tenor, has renounced his allegiance to King George and declared in intention of becoming a citizen of the United States. The declaration states that ho was born in Athlone, in Ireland, in 1884, and that he arrived in the United States in 1904.

The train was nearing Taihape and the guard heard the dialogue: Sourvisnged female to more than usually bloomin' colonial: "Why may I ask are you not at the front?" Bloomin' colonial (equally candidly): "For the same reason, old girl, that they forgot to enter you for the beauty show!" After that "Tickets, please!" sounded like the detonation of a French seventyfive.

"How many hours did you say appellant worked!" said Mr Poynton of a farm manager at Masterton, who was appealing for the exemption of a farm laborer in his employ. "Sixteen hours, sometimes," was.the reply. "And what wages do you pay him?" asked Mr Poynton. Thirty shillings a week. "Thirty shillings a wek," echoed Mr Poynton. "Xo wonder you do not wish him to go to the war! I quite agroc v you that he is an invaluable man io j. i in those circumstances."

The establishment of a national fernery in Palmerston North is suggested by the Mayor of that borough (Mr J. A. Nash). "I expect to have a proposal to bring before the people of this town at an early date," he said recently. "In some parts of the world they have nat-, ional ferneries. If we started one here on t'hc Ksplnnnde it will be of interest for people throughout) the Dominion* and ovesrscas. It is going to cost a lot of money, and it should not be raised by a loan, but by an appeal to the public, which I feel sure, when the proposal is outlined, will recoive a ready support.

A well-known Dunedin solicitor will make his appearance at the Court to answer a charge of loitering on the footpath and refusing to move on when requested to do so by the constable. It is alleged that the solicitor was standing in the middle of the footpatli conversing with another man when they were asked to move on. Tho other man started to do so, when it is alleged that the solicitor said: Come here—don't go away,'' and that lie then turned to the policeman and said: "You go about your business, and don't interfere with me. I pay my rates. Why don't you go round the corner and shift some of those bookmakers 1"

Mrs Harrison, of Palmcraton North, has received a letter from M'isb Irene O'Brien (daughter of Dr. O'Brien), who is studying music in Florence, in -which (reports our Manawatu Times) she says, referring to the Italians: "My word. they are fighting splendidly. The King is a man. The thickest of the flght will always find him We are having nothing but State bread here. They are not allowed to sell any other and not that after 12 o'clock; ho creaai, no fat, the Government have taken all the latter; no meat twice a vvAk, ho butter twice a week, no cake three times, and if anyone is caught selling them they will be lined £IOO. Sugar is scarce anil also oil and benzine. Still, we are determined to settle the enemy. The Inspector of Factories proceeded against Mr. C. 0. Ekdahl, printer, at yesterday's sittings of the Hawera Court, for the recovery of £lO for an alleged breach of the . New Zealand Typographers' award, in that he did during tho period from January 8 to January 29, 1917, employ one William Evans, at a wage of £2 10s per week, in lieu of £3 per week, as provided for by an undcr-rate workers' permit made in accordance with the provision of the forogoing award. Mr. Ekdahl explained that Evans was altogether an incompetent hand, and as the man was not strong enough to do heavy wor|>, he employed him in order to enable the man to earn a living. Evans was at present employed on light work which a lad could do He had given Evans work off and on during the past couple of years for the sake of his mother. The inspector, after relating Evans' earlier connection with Mr. Ekdahl, said that Evans had obtained an under-rate worker's permit for. £3 a week, which was in force for six months. When the permit expired, no application was received by the Union for a renewal of the permit. Evans, who was als:> proceeded against for a breach of the award, said that during the period mentioned in the information lie was doing practically a lad's work, and was very little in the composing room. He was now employed as a "dis" hand. The Magistrate said he was loth to impose a penalty upon a respectable citizen, who had not committed a wilful breach, but ho had to carry out the law. He would adjourn the case for a fortnight to enable Evans to apply for an underrate worker's permit. The inspector said that every facility would be given Kvann to apply for this permit. The Magistrate remarked that if the permit were obtained it would make some difference in the 'amount of the penalty imposed. The inspector said the Department was not pressing for a heavy penalty. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. Here's a ease of a man being harassed for doing an unfortunate worker a good turn. The Labor Department could, in such times as these, with advantage to all concerned exercise a little more discretion.

Householders should note tile advertisement in this issue re dust removal. It is intended to carry on the service as usual during the holidays, but very early in the mornings.

Mr. A. De Bavay, the eminent analytical chemist of Melbourne, testified, at tlie Supreme Court of Victoria that SANDER'S EUCALYPTI EXTRACT compares with other eucalyptus products like well-refined and matured brandy compares with raw spirit. By insisting on th 9 GENUINE SANDER EXTRACT you will get tUe advantage of quality and will be safe from harmSANDEH'S BXlßAfll.: ' ~

At a special meeting of the Taranakl Employ era' Association last night, Mr. W. P. Brooking presiding, the question of the approaching municipal elections was considered, and it was decided to apprdach several likely men with a view to their nomination; and to, if possible, ensure' an election. Considerable excitement, says' th» Manawatu Herald, occurred on the P»ekakariki hill on Wednesday, when a large jnotor car bound for Auckland caught fire. The occupants managed to subdue the flames, but, it is stated, left behind a part of tiieir luggage, which contained £IOO worth of jewellery and 150 in notes. On reaching Otaki they noticed their loss, and immediately returned, only to find no trace of the goods. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., Amy Maud Christolferson, of Awakino, appeared on remand on a charge of having forged the name of Mr. H. It. Taylor to Ml order to the postmaster at Okau, and causing the same to be acted upon as though it were genuine. Senior-Sergt. Bowden stated that after considering the whole facts of the forgery with Inspector Hendry, the police had oome to the conclusion that it formed part of the transaction in which acoused had been tried for theft. It had been done in a blundering manner, and would have done accused, no good, nor would anyone have lost anything thereby. It was, in fact, part of accused's system of untruthfulness to cover up theft. H« therefore asked permission to withdraw the information. This was agreed to< and accused was discharged.

At the meeting of the Weatown Progressive Association last night, Messrs R. C. Hughes and W. B. Davie* drew; attention to the lack of communication between Seaview Road aneTVeales? estate, and also between Seaview Road, David Street, and Veale's estate. They! pointed out that a considerable number of the men employed at the wharf lived ,in that district, and the provision of. such a road would give them easy access to Devon Street. He had seen th« trustees of Veale's estate, who wersl. prepared to dedicate sufficient land to link up the estate with Seaview Road. The borough engineer had visited the 1 site, and saw no engineering difficulties in the way. In the course of discus-' sion the opinion was expressed that| while some such connection was necessary and would have to be undertaken in the future, tho time was hardly opportune to approar' the Borough Coun-t eil. It was deoided to appoint a com*' mittee, consisting of Messrs J. D. Sols , (chairman), R. C. Hughes, and W. Had* " drell to obtain particulars.

Buyers of ladies' hose are warned b« the Melbourne, Ltd* that there will goon bo a very serious advance in the cost of stbekings. Yesterday the firm re- ' ccived a cable from the London princi" pals advising that oil line* of hosiery had. advanced thirty five per <ent. Thii is a very serious matter indeed, coming, as it does, on top of present high price*. ' A migration on a huge scale is being * prepared by country residents. On tho coast from Uremii in the north to Opunake in the south and inland from all directions the move will simultaneously take place. Motor cars, busses, converted freight lorries, trains and horse vehi- ( elcs will be all requisitioned. The day is fixed for Easter Monday and the ''Mecca" of tho journey will be Kawaroa. Park, New Plymouth, The anticipation of enjoyment to be gained all day at tie seaside fete and picnic, which \ ill be held in the iPark will be more than realised. A full day's entertainment of spectacular events will be given in tha grounds.