LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During the twenty-four hours ending at 0.30 yesterday morning five inches of rainfall were registered at Riversdale, near Inglewood. A boy named Willie Gernhoefcr, son of Mr. Max Gernhoefer, of Toko, has been missing since Sunday. A description of the boy is given in our advertising columns. On Saturday two motor cars came Into collision on the main road to Waitara, near the Richmond road. As a result of the collision both ears are now in Mr. C. Johnston's Waitara garage awaiting repairs. The respective owners, who were driving and were the only occupants of the cars, escaped unhurt. Major Francis Henry Lumpen, N.Z. Staff Corps, has been struck off the Strength of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and absorbed into the establishment, with his original rank and seniority therein as captain, and granted the temporary rank of major whilst employed as camp adjutant at Trentham Camp. Whilst mushrooming at Manaia on Sunday, Miss Ida Fowler had the misfortune to fall over a cliff about forty feet high, breaking a leg and receiving other minor injuries to the body anil head. Apparently she slipped between the edge oF the cliff and a boxthom hedge. After receiving medical attention slio was removed to the Hawera hospital, where she is progressing as well as can be expected. The building trade in Wellington is very busy at present, says the Times; there are several big contracts in band, and, in addition, numbers of residences are being erected, particularly in favored suburban localities. This may be attributed in part to the fact 'that, the near situation of the military camp has brought many people to the city, and houses to let, of which there never was a surplus, are now at a premium. Consequently, many people are forced to buy or build for themselves, even with price's of material and labor at a high level. Some ;C2OOO has been collected or promised for a memorial to the late Dr. A. A. Martin, of Palmerston North, who met his death on the western front some months ago, and the Hon. G. W. Russell has promised to supplement the money to the full extent. The memorial is to take the form of an X-ray institute at the Palmerston Hospital. The Minister (who was met recently by the Palmerston Hospital Board) expressed his congratulations to the district on taking in hand a memorial to the late doctor, who was one of the ablest medical men the Dominion bud produced, and was essentially a man of the people. His father nad belonged to the railway service, so the doctor had had no wealthy influences to assist him in any way His medical ability was equalled by his fine literary attainments, as exhibited by his magnificent book.

Referring to the oft-repeated threat of the dairy farmer, that if his son, brother, or laborer (as the case may be) were se-nt into camp, he would sell off his herd and go in for grazing, Captain Walker said at the Palmerston Appeal Board last week:—"l understand that at the present time the British authorities are not purchasing any New Zealand butter, but will take as much cheese as they can possibly get. I don't think the country will suffer if some farmers turn their farms into sheep farms; it would mean a reduction in butter, but an increase ii» mutton and woo].''

"The man who doesn't make money for himself, doesn't make money for tli'i. country," was the sage remark of an elderly witness at the Palmcrston Appeal Board last week. Toymaking is, says an English paper, being taught to Croydon children by the Primrose League. The boys turn out model aeroplanes, forts, and submarines, miniature Red Cross waggons, and various woodwork articles for play or use. "It is nonsense to say. that the meat trust exists in only one part of New Zealand," declared Captain F. Colbcck at a meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Union Executive.. "It is all over the Dominion, and its operations are being felt more and more as time goes on." ' A North Canterbury resident points out that during this dry season the (lax plants have been attacked with the American blight, similar to that on apple trees. In the [lax ic forms on the portion of tin- leaves nearest the ground, and some of the branches of flax are losing ail the blades. A subscriber of the News wirites: "Seeing that most of our tramcars have a smokers' compartment would it not be a good idea to have match strikers fitted for the convenience of smokers? In addition to the convenience, it would save the varnish on the window sils end sides of the cars being scratched With match beads." "Our factory has paid out as much as any other in Taranaki this season," remarked a director of the. Tarata Dairy Factory the other evening. "We have paid out Is 2d, and I think it is too much. I am only a poor farmer, ana » would be quite satisfied if the Government took everything over Is per lb while the war is on." He considered that there was no reason to complain whatever taxation the Government put on. Mixture of colors and tongues seems to be one of the marked features of the allied battle-fronts. For example, an Aucklander now in Mesopotamia describes the company in which he journeyed by river steamer up the Tigris as consisting of New Zealanders, Australians, Englishmen, Indians .of many castes, negroes from Egypt, and Arabs. The same writer-mentions that be passed Ezra's tomb, and that the. ancient Israelite sleeps under many thousands of tons of masonry. A boy of 13 years of age, residing with bis parents in Christcliivrch, died as the result of an epileptic seizure while bathing. He was one of a.group of boys who were diving for an object on the bottom of the municipal bath, and was observed to be there longer than usu/il. Another bather dived to investigate, and brought him to the side, where his condition was seen to be serious. Medical aid was summoned, and after a while the boy seemingly recovered, and was sent boine. later on, however, he had a relapse, and passed away. The coroner returned a verdict that death was due to heart failure. A suggestion that the State should acquire the collieries, was one of many ambitious Socialistic schemes propounded by a deputation of timberworkcrs, who waited on the Acting-Prime Minister in Wellington last week:—"We -have a Slate eoal mine," said Sir James Allen, in reply, "and judging by the recent experience a State colliery would not be of very much use to us.' We cannot get any State coal now. If State industries are going to be subject to these strikes, then they are not going to be much more use to us than to private industries. I don't see how-we are going to have any security unless there is going to be some better understands* between Labor and capital and the- Governmentall agreeing to work together for the good of the whole, community'. This seems to me to be the only way in which efficiency can be produced."

Speaking at Tarata the other evening, a local settler stated that when he came into the district nine years ago lie received Os 4d {or his lamb?. This year lie had received 24a (Id. Prior to the war the highest price that he had received for his wool was 10.U1 in London. Since he had received 171(1 in London, and this year lad and ISJd in Waitara. He thought fanners had nothing to complain about the war. While some sections had complained about their produce being commandeered., ho was pleased to see that the grazers had not. He considered that they should consider themselves very hicky to have any profit on which to be taxed. Referring vo the labor troubles, he said that he considered that the vested interests should first show some consideration, and then they could look for consideration from the working men. ; It is now some weeks since the Board of Trade began to be interested in the price of meat, and to take steps in some localities to limit the retail prices to the consumer. The State shops in Auckland are now ancient history, and they continue to carry ion successfully. A modified scheme has been established in Masterton, by which all the butchers save one are being supplied from the Waingawa works with meat which is purchased by the Government for the Imperial authorities, and the retailers ate required to give an undertaking that certain maximum prices shall not be exceeded. In other towns—Napier, Hastings, and Palmerston North—the Board has fixed a schedule of prices by agreement with the local butchers, and the butchers have promised that these prices shall not be exceeded without reference to the Board. It is reported that all the schemes are working satisfactorily. The Wanganui Harbor Board again spent an hour on Friday discussing' the question of suspending work at the harbor. Mr. Poison, who moved the, motion argued that it was not economical to g.i on with work now, and also said that it seemed that the tendency was in favor of bigger boats and the concentration of these in the large harbors. An amendment was moved that the Efficiency I Board be asked to make a recommendation. On a vote being taken there were four votes for the motion—Messrs. Polson. Bignell, Bruce and Bassett; and five against—Messrs. Veitch, M.P., Mackay (Mayor), Murray, Williams and W, Morrison. When the amendment was put, as a substantive motion, Ml'. Williams transferred bis vote to the other side, and, in military language, it is a case of "as yon were!" Several of those who voted against the motion agreed that there was a good deal in the argument in favor of suspending work, but one wanted "the people to decide," and another wanted the Efficiency Board "to recommend." To an outsider it would appear to be an instance lot politicians with an eye to future elections being "shy" of shouldering responsibility. CARE FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS WILL CARE FOR YOU. Rexona Soap is the secret that makes many a complexion a thing of beauty and a joy for ever. Rexona Soap, Is 6d user tablet. PMjiinabJn pXßVJfwherj^

A telegram from Westport states that tlie Acting Premier (Sir .mines Allen) liiis received advice that (he first portion of the 2:Jrd Keinforceiueuts hiis roachcu a certain port on the due date; all well. The Mayoress would be pleased to re ceive parcels of new clothing for cliil-1 dren, in order to finish packing a. ease which is nearly ready for forwarding to London, The scene at the railway station yesterday morning was a busy one prior to the departure of the mail train, a large number of people having gathered Tor the purpose of bidding farewell to tlio soldiers who were returning to camp after leave. There were heavy freshes yesterday m the Waiwakaiho and Waitara rivers. In tlie latter a considerable quantity of drift wood came down. Tho flood iii the Waiwakaiho, beyond delaying operations at the bridge, did no damage, as the concrete has advanced above the water level. At a meeting of the British P.cd Cross Committee, held yesterday afternoon, it was unanimously resolved to cable home the sum of £.' 100 to the New Zealand branch of the society in England, to be used for sick and wounded New Zealanders. With this amount, a total of .CBOO has been forwarded since the beginning of the year. The takings at the Mart on Saturday (Mayoress' Day) included a donation of £1 from Okato. In the competitions, the cake donated by Mr. A. Wooller was won by Mr. G. A. Colson (tiekc N T o. 34). Mr. H. Kendall won the ham donated by Mr. Fox, Okato. Mrs. IS. J. Baker (motor-bus) won tlie wool jacket (ticket No. 9). The aprons made by the young ladies engaged in bnsines? in Devon street, have been judged, and the prim awarded to Miss Jones (first) and Miss Goldsworthy (second). The competition is not closed yet. As there are twenty prizes, no doubt many of the Indies would like to enter, and may leave their names at the Patriotic Depot.

Owing probably to the very wet weather yesterday there was only a very Bparse attendance of farmers of the -Vorth Tnranaki District at the meeting convened by Mr. W. J. Freeth at Urenui for the purpose of discussing the butter fat tax, forming a Dairy Farmers' Protection League, and discussing other matter of interest to farmers. ' Tho meeting was accordingly adjourned and will porbably bo held next sale day and as it is important that these matters should be discussed, at a representative gathering it is hoped that every farmer in the district will endeavor 'to be represented. Some, action must be taken at once if matters are to be put in train before Parliament meets, I quite foresee it will be necessary to go on improving the port so as to cater for all classes of ships (writes Mr. 1). .J. Hughes to the Hawera Star, anent the Now Plymouth harbor). For the largest liners more shelter is needed, and from 000 to 1000 feet will have to bo added to the breakwater. This may probably cost £OO,OOO or £70,000. The district I represent lias paid a large amount in rates in the past, and received very little return for its money. The people are just starting to reap the henefits of their contributions. Another shipment of xicat will be taken from here by a liner within a few days, ana several direct boats have berthed here with manure, timber, and latterly one with benzine, which, had this same benzine been landed at Wellington as hitherto, the transhipment charges alone would nave cost the users about £I2OO. Thus in nno direct shipment the users of benzine benefitted to the extent of £I2OO. I have often been amused at the argument of those disciples of transhipping who say the shipping companies pay the 10s or 12s (Id per ton charged from Opunako, Patea or New Plymouth out of their own pockets. Have they not enough commercial instinct to see that a company cannot work without pay? 1 am not one of those who want to cripple our small coastal ports. They are and will be essential, but the great, large, and more important factor of direct shipping overshadows all else to the inhabitants of Tarannki. To those whom I represent on the Waimate Plains I would say to-day that, faith has been kept with you. We have struck no rate, we have made the port fit for ocean liners, we linve put produce on an ocean liner from the wharf, and we look forward with confidence to tile concentration of all produce for export and regular shipments when this dreadful war is over. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile draw attention to their Matau sale on : Thursday, April 19, at 1 p.m. .Seasonable bargains at the Melbourne Ltd, Boys' oilskins 10/9; men's oilskins, 10/6; men's canvas coats, 3">/-; men's sou' westers, 2/0; men's blue military ioats, 19/0; boys' and youths' tweed overcoats, double breasted and with belted back, 11/0 to 27/6; men's D B. c.iirk tweed overcoats, 3*/- to 55/-; liovs' and youths' gabardine showerproof coats, 23/6 to 37/ C.