LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Six deaths were registered with the Chief Postmaster at Hokitika one day last week, the ages being 82, 85, 78. 84, fil), and 91—a total of 489 years, and an average of 81.G years. The acting-headmaster of the Central School wishes to thank Messrs Webster Bors. for a donation of seed potatoes for the school agricultural plot, also Messrs Nolan and Co. for a, supply of manure for same.

A Manaia recruit, who enlisted at Hawera and went into camp in January, lias just had posted to his Manaia address by the Hawera Defence office a notice to proceed to camp on July 25, otherwise he would be posted as a deserter.

Quito the greatest achievement in comedy film production is being .presented at the Empire this afternoon at the matmee The title of the picture is Brainstorm," and is from the famous l< ox studios, Tn two reels. This picture which ~, sure to convulse the children with laughter is showing in addition to The Bad !Boy."

An exchange states that British troops are now being supplied with a veil of chain mail, which, hanging from a slender rod fixed round the brim of the steel helmet, protects the eyes and face of the wearer from fragments of shells and Hying debris. It is the invention of a famous ophthalmic surgeon. The veil is light, flexible, and strong enough to turn a bullet travelling with considerable velocity, while at the same time it docs not interfere materially with the soldier's clearness of sight.

The SO c,al held in the , Ro „ and Ha]] on Ihursday evening was most successtul from the point of view both of enjoyment and, in spite of the wet weather, the number attending. Dancing iormed the principal part of the evening s programme, and the floor was found to be in excellent condition, while the music supplied by Miss Rita Sole met with general approval. Messrs A F. Graham and W. Gallagher made efficient M.C's. During the evening songs wore contributed (by Miss Walsh and Mr. Graham, and Mr. Patterson danced a hornpipe. A meeting of the Attractions Committee of the Hawera Winter Show was held on Wednesday, Mr Lynskey being in the chair. Mr. Kimball, hon. treasurer, advised that the total receipts were £3!) 18s. After paying prize money, accounts, purchasing medals for pony events and dog trials in connection with the sports and football matches, a small balance is left in hand. A. donation of £2 10s was made to the Re* Cross Ladies' Committee for assistance with _ afternoon teas at the dog trials meeting, under very adverse weather conditions.

Two falls of earth yesterday, one in the forenoon and a heavier one later in the day, blocked traffic on the Frankley Road, just beyond Mr. Jones's tannery. Both 'were slips from"" the high bank on the property of Mr. Jones, and were caused by the recent heavy rains. After the first occurred, which was About 11.30 a.m., a gang of borough workmen were put to clear it away, and it was thought this could be done before night, as the earth extended only about half-way across the road. About 3 p.m. the second fall took place, the men luckily seeing it in time to get away, with the result that the road was covered with a mass of earth and debris, probably about 400 yards, right over to the fence of Mr. Western's land on the other side. The men worked hard till nightfall, when a track had been cleared sufficiently wide for a vehicle to pass on the side next Mr. Western's fence, a red lamp being placed on the debris as a warning to travellers by night. It will probably 'be a day or two before the whole of the earth has been removed and the full width of the road is available for traffic. The town clerk has notified by advertisement that the road is dangerous.

A largely-attended meeting of all those interested in retaining the services of a medical practitioner in Manaia was held at Manaia on Thursday evening. Mr. J. G. Craig (chairman of the Town Board) occupied the chair, and pointed out that the meeting was in no sense opposed to Dr. Milroy being called up, hut objected to having the district left without any resident medical practitioner. Dr. Milroy had never appealed, and was quite prepared to go, and the appeal which had been dismissed was lodged by the friendly societies in protection of their own interests.. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: (1) That this meeting of citizens and settlers of Manaia and the surrounding district, whilst fully appreciating the great need of medical men at the front, views wifh alarm the action of the Government Health Department in deciding that a medical practitioner is unnecessary, and that the medical needs of the district are already fully provided, and considers the department must be ignorant of the fact that there arc fully 4000 people in Dr. Milroy's district under his care, while tha average number of people under one medical practitioner in New Zealand at the present time is in the vicinity of 2000. (2) That this meeting asks 'that before removing the present medical practitioner that a suitable substitute bo provided to reside in the district. The resolution is to be forwarded to Hon. Jas. Allen, Hon. G. W. Russell, Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., and the Military Service Board. It was decided that representatives of Waimate County Council, Town Board and friendly societies proceed to Wellington to uphold the resolution.

The mart will ibe -open this morning between eight and nine o'clock to receive donations kindly promised. Selling begine at 9.30 a.m.

At the Urenui yards on Monday next Mr. Newton King is offering a little herd of dairy cows on account of Mr. G. A. Gaustad who is giving up farming. At Stoney Ttiver on Tuesday next Mr. Newton King will sell a very choice line of nice conditioned dairy cows on account of Mr. Charles Wells.

In this issue we advertise particulars of Mr. Harry Crozier's dairy cows which Mr. Newton (King is selling at th«i Waiwakaiho yards next Friday. We are informed that the cows are all young and are' a good little herd. On Sunday evening, at Whiteley Church, the Rev. W. A. Sinclair will deliver the second of a series of addresses on "Some Questions Men are Asking." The subject of the address will be "Do We Live After Death." Non churchgoers are heartily invited. There are homes in every suburb Where the children, when at play, Sing the old familiar jingles In the old familiar way. And amid their chants and chatter, If you listen, you are sure To hear them say they love to take Their Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.

On Wednesday afternon the proprietor and staff of the Central Garage assembled to bid farewell to Mr. W. Hedlcy, for many years head mechanic, who is Up on final leave. Mr. 11. Derby, on behalf of the Ann and staff, presented Mr. Eedley with a silver wristlet wateh.

"One more lad sets out in life's Mg'away unknowing the by-paths that lead to good and evil." This describes the beautiful scene in "The Bad Boy," when Jim, the hero, sets out from his father's house, smarting under a sense of injury und angrily plotting vengeance. "The Bad ©oy" shows this afternoon and to-" 1 night at the Empire. At the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. A. Crooke,! 5.M.,. a man named Arend Henry Hermann Seacamp was convicted of- drunkenness and ordered to pay K>s, costs of j medical treatment in gaol. No .penalty j was imposed on condition that the defendant took out a prohibition order against himself.

"Give me some money or I'll tell your husband aibout killing your lover in your room." This is the everlasting threat held out by the dangerous criminal who has secured a hold over the young wife in "The Bondage of 'Fear," showing to-day and to-night at Everybody's. In a county by-law case heard at the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday James Draper was charged with having on April 12 left an obstacle, namely, a wharo on wheels, on iiarrett road, Taranaki County, to the danger of traffic. Mr. Quilliam appeared for the county council and stated that the whare had been left in such a position that it was a menace to life and limb, especially at night time. The defendant Btatcd that he was a threshing mill proprietor and hay to visit aibout 200 places in the season taking tte whare with him. Owing to a breakdown the whare had been left on the road and Unavoidable circumstances had -prevented it being attended to for a day and two nights. His Worship imposed a penalty of £l, with costs £1 Bs. Several applications bv senior cadets for exemption from drill came before the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday. P. Drinkwatcr asked exemption on the ground that he was employed in a picture show and learning to become an operator. His employment required his attendance at the theatre every night in the week except Sunday, and on Saturday afternoon, and if compelled to attend drill one night per week he would lose, the chance of becoming expert at the business. Lieutenant Crutch pointed out that under the regulations employers were bound, under penalty to make arrangements to comply with the demands of the Defence Department. His Worship dismissed the application and Lieutenant Crutch formally notified defendant to parade at least once a week as laid down in the regulations. .Similar aipplications by N. Winter, L. Harvey, P. Tucker, and John Roberts were struck out, Lieutenant Oriitch explaining that they had only been made because the usual parade nights were to them because of their employment as hairdressers' assistants. An arrangement 'had now been made for them to (parade on another evening.

An interesting question put to the Minister-in-Clmrge of the Police Department by Sir John Findlay in the House a few days ago was whether he would have the following circumstances inquired nito, with a view to proper proceedings Ijeing taken: On Friday, June 20th, a man in Wairoa concocted what purported to be a High Commissioner's message, copied allegedly from the 'Post Office notice-board, which detailed the capture of Lens with 150,000 troops, five generate, and much booty. The Germans had asked for an armistice to bury their dead, which was refused by the Australians, who waded in and smashed the rest of Hindenburg's line, or words to that effect. This was brought to a Mr Dickson, of the Wairoa Hotel, and he, believing it to be true gave the news to all and sundry! In reply, Mr Herdman stated that the matter is being inquired into by the Police Department. From interim reports received, it appears that a poster containing the statements complained of was found by an employee of Mr Dickson in the bar of the hotel, and was posted up in the belief that the information was correct. When it was found to be a hoax the poster was destroyed. The author of the hoax has not up to the present been discovered.

"The Campbells are coming." A procession of pipers, Highlanders and Scotch lads and lassies, headed by Drum-Major Roderick McCrae will bring in the haggis, leaving the corner of Gover and .Devon streets at 11 a.m. Watch out for it. The procession will be repeated in the afternoon shortly after 1 p.m. The dancing will begin about 1.80 p.m. in Brougham street. There will be foursome reels, sword dance, Highland Fling, Irish jig, and sailors' hornpipe. Don't miss this, it will foe worth seeing. At Sentry Hill on Thursday next Mr. Newton King is offering a very good line of dairy cows on account of .Mr. F. H. Sampson. These cows are nearly all Shorthorn and should attract buyers. An important sale of .suburban allotments situated at Fitzroy is advertised in this isaue iby Nolan and Co. The neetions are situated within easy distance of tram stop and 'are on rising ground. This sale affords an opportunity of securing a first grade section on high, 'welldrained ground. In the Qkato Methodist Church tomorrow evening, the Rev. R. B. Gosnell will take as his subject, "A Religion for Men," and all men who reli9h a good straight talk are heartily invited to attend. The service commences at 7 o'clock. In this issue we publish preliminary particulars c-f a pedigree Jersey sale on account of Mr. Henry Stonex, at the Rahotu saleyarda, on Wednesday, August 8. Mr. Stonex has been breeding at Rahotu for many years and now, through ill health, he is compelled to pell the whole of the herd. Catalogues are now being printed and will ho available during the week from Mr. Newton King or any of his offices. The Melbourne, Ltd., have a fine stock of men's raincoats, oily coats and Mack oilskins at the following prices: Tower's famous "Fish" brand oilskins, walking l«s «d, riding 22s Cd; Tower's oily canvas riding coats, 355; Le Roy's, 49s 6d; gabardine raincoats, 39a 6d; "Hydrotite" gabardine raincoats, 655. Messrs L. A. Nolan and Co. advertise 150 sacks of prime eating potatoes for sale by auction to-day.