LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The "New York World" is informed ly its correspondent at the British front in _ France that lie.' interviewed a Canadian officer, who said:—"We are 'jminding the (ierniaus with Oin guns at. 3000 yds. We have shells to burn, and are firing ten to the Hermans' one. Also the material of the shells has been great-. !,y improved, which multiplies the life of the gnus. Some of the guns fire 30,000 rounds without losb of accuracy.

"Conscription has made New Zealand famous in America," said Mr Rclwyn ■Toyce, an ex-resident of Lytteltou, who has been connected with the literary staffs of various American newspapers for the past fifteen years, and who is now on a visit to Wellington. "Whenever I mentioned that I came from New Zealand tlw invariable exclamation was, Oh! that is the place where they have conscription, and where the fiovei'nment mils the railroads." Conscription has been a huge advertisement for New Zealand."

Dealing with civil business at the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday Mr. A. Crooke, P.M., gave judgment for the plaintiff in each of the following undefended cases:—Fanny Tuoliy (Mr. G. Cray) v. Arthur Martin, £3 ius, costs 10s: Farmers' Co-operative Association v. Francis Montague Mills, £-28 Us, costs £1 13s. In a judgment summons case, W. (i. Kmeny (Mr" P. T), Fitzherbert), v. Riki Kalmi, an order was made lor payment of the amount due, £3l Os 3d, on or before July 5, in default thrcf weeks' imprisonment.

There have been many examples of wonderful "child acting" seen on the screen in recent months, but it would be indeed difficult ..to imagine anything more perfect and clever than the performance of two little dots in the film "Bobbie of t)w Ballet," showing finally to-night at / Everybody's. These two children, aged about 3 and 7 respectively, play leading parts, and throughout the entire five reels of the production their work is quite wonderful, and equals, at times exeeis, that of the adult artists of the peace.' Altogether "Bobble" is a 'really fine production. Tn connection with the recent operation on the brain of a, young prisoner at Auckland, Mr. James Moore, the Sailors' Friendly Society missioned gives an /interesting instance of a somewhat similar case which was reported in a reputable English journal some years ago. In the Buttle of Waterloo-a British officer was in the act of giving the order "Charge, Forward," which was then used. He had just said "Charge" when a. bullet struck him on the head. For over tiiirty years ho was an absolute imbecile, until with the march of medical science, it was decided to operate. The operation was entirely successful, the pressure on the brain was released, and the first thing the patient said was the word '"Forward," the remainder ,of the order he hud commenced thirty years before.

Under date May lsth Mr Percival Phillips (Daily Express correspondent ai British headquarters) sent the following vivid picture:—"Bullocourt is a flattened heap of rubble, over which toil-tired, dirty unshaven Australians, so thickly coated with brickdust and shellground plaster that they resemble .• fantastic figures in a masquerade as they struggle along the narrow ditches, sweating uiidcr the weight of thoir own Wombs. It is impossible to describe the wild, aimless bomb-lighting in the incessant struggle for this wild nnd desolate place, where everything is tumbled earth. There are no buildings and no streets. Without a compass one gets hopelessly adrift. Tho only landmarks are the mysterious white maze of the Hindenburg trenches beyond, or the bloody trail across the craters, where the corpses of dead guardsmen lie mingled with those of thoir victors." The following is from the "Christchurch Press":—We have occasionally published extracts from letters received by the editor of "The Press" from an American scientist whose sympathies hsive been with the Allies from the beginning of the war, and who was very uneasy under (President Wilson's Notes io Germany. In a letter which came to hand by the lasfc mail, he now writes: At last' we are. in the war, and we feel better. It isn't going to be a half-heart-ed business, but an aggressive war. Though we shall doubtless move slowly, I personally feel that the triumph of

-■gilt is now absolutely certain. For if it wore necessary we could put an additional million men in Hie field every year for ten years before the first available supply is exhausted. And, in addition there would be a million more young men reaching the fighting age each year. If the Hoheir/.ollerns have eyes, they can scarcely miss seeing the handwriting on the wall. The hand has written only one word this lime, an English word, "Liberty," find further explanations or an interpreter should be superfluous. The President's speech is balm to impatient hearts who doubted his intentions. We now think better of him and of ourselves. We feel calm and sane, healthy in body and mind, and we "rejoice as a strong man to run a race." Tn good time our artillery will be .helping to blast out the rock from the quarry of German arrogance and German hate, which will be pulverised to impalpable diist, and only fertile felspar and spiritual mica will be left to glitter ill sunny France. It's going to be a job to be nroud of.

Louise lovely need not fear for her popular place amongst the foremost motion picture stars wliilst she appears in characters so pleasing as '"Bobbie" in i"Bobbie of the Ballet,'' the fine photoinlay showing for the last time at Everybody's to-night. Wonderful settings of Broadway cabarets and their sinful luxury form a feature of "The World and the Woman," the attractive feature picture showing at the Empire to-night and to-morrow. Every lady has her pet article of dress, and the most popular is the blouse, which is suitable for ail occasions. The Big Store, Waitara, offers some smart styles in blouses this week on page four (top left-hand corner) which should appeal to all ladies who desire to combine style with economy.

Two more ladies have vowed they will never buy their stockings anywhere but at the Melbourne. Ltd. One showed the managed two pairs of plain cashmere hose for which 3s 2d it pair was paid and on beiuy :Hinared were found not to be enu;i to those sold at the Melbourne -'»" in 'ld. The other lady, after JJ»J'" 1 - '■'< •>■• -omcwliero for an alleged •"»■ •■ ' *»''■> llu _»» hose had them gp »d. , ?rv color when first iwiAlkad

The Auckland provincial district Ims raised .€012,000 for various patriotic purposes, including £300,000 for the provincial patriotic fund and "tiler objects of a general character. £126000 for Belgian relief, £90,000 for the Navy League funds, and £SOOO for the lied Cross fund.

The King of Rumania has conferred the Star of Rumania, with the rank of commander with swords on Colonel Sir J. Norton Griffiths, who organised tho destruction of the oil wells in that country, in recognition of his good (services to the Rumanian army and his energy on the field of battle. Colonel Grifliths's name has been frequently mentioned of late in connection with big railway undertakings in New South Wales.'

"What's in a name?" This old quotation stands for much in motion pictures, not only as regards actors and actresses, but principally in the name or title of the film. Some producers choose most unsuitable titles for their film-plays, a case in point being the film "Bobble of the Ballet," showing to-night at Everybody's. The title of this film conveys very little to the reader, which is a pity, for a better production has never been seen here yet.

Many marriages are taking place in London between N.Z. soldiers and English girls. Before a marriage takes place an officer's consent must be obtained. A Maori recently asked his officer's consent to marry a pakeha girl. The officer, after pointing out the seriousness of the undertaking said that the lady might object to go and live with the natives in New Zealand. "Oh, that's oright, ''said the Maori, "we not going back to New Zealand: her mother keep te pub!" An ex-member of the Christchurch Press Company's literary staff, writing from Sling Camp', Salisbury Plain, under date I7th March, snys: "We had a very cold winter here, fogs and snow and bitter easterly windß that blow for days. Your Christchurch easterly is milil compared with it. It comes straight off the ice from somewhere, and will freeze water inside the hut, not to speak of the ice it makes around the washhouse. We arc all well housed, however, and with a stove in the hut and plenty of blankets (I have eight) one keeps tolerably warm even oh tho chilliest night. They look after you very well here."

Mme. who arrived in Sydney last week, is brimming over with enthusiasm for the soldiers. She has done tremendous things for the patriotic funds and wants to' do a whole heap more. One of the first things she said was that she had met Charlie Chaplin in America, md that she had done an impromptu film with the great picture comedian. "1 won't tell you the subject," said the .listinguished With a smile, "but it is a short film, and I'm going to make money out of it for the soldiers. Mr Chaplin is a very charming man, and lie is also good looking. lie is very fond of music. He wants to do serious things, butj the v wton't let him."

Next M/inday being a public holiday, the Victoria League and Women's Patriotic Committee are organising an Empire Day. and King's Birthday celebration to' be held in the Coronation Hall. Archdeacon Evans will deliver an address, and the children from the schools, who will be assembled, will salute the flag. Mrs. Woods' orchestra will be in "attendance, and a number of very interesting competitions are being arranged for the eildrcn. Afternoon tea will be obtainable, and the autograph t:ibb cloths and the Victoria Lcjgue and Women's Patriotic Coui'iiittec correspondence front abroad will be on view. In the evening, the Citizens' Baud will give a promenade concert in the Hall. , \