LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The total net proceeds of the Scotch Day at the patriotic mart on Saturday were £IP»S. The No. 11 New Zealand Medical Board, consisting of Lieut.-Colonels Craig and Bareroft and Lieut. Anscll (attesting officer), commenced a sitting at the Coronation Hall, New Plymouth, for the purpose of examining the whole .of local men drawn in the eighth ballot. The total number to be examined is about 140, so that the board's ivork will not be completed till, to-night. One volunteer, M. G'alghpr (Waitara), was also examined yesterday.

The secretary of the New Plymouth Citizens' Band has forwarded to the Mayoress (Mrs. C. H. Burgess) a cheque for ±.13 17s, being the net proceeds of the recent concert in aid of the Bensloy Fund. This, with the previous sums acknowledged, brings the amount of cash in hand to £IGO 9s Gd. This is apari from gifts of furniture, clothes and goods.

During last night's meeting of the works committee of the New Plymouth Borough Council, the. Mayor referred to the great amount of work the borough engineer had on hand, and said it was not desirable that lie should be asked for more estimates and reports than were absolutely necessary. The engineer should, in his Worship's opinion, be allowed an opportunity of getting on with his estimates for the roads included in the £42,€00 loan, and also other main roads, such as Frankley. Avenue, Tukapa, and about twenty others.

The Patriotic Committee informs us an appeal has come for hares for the men in camp, and arrangements have been made whereby hares can be railed free of charge if addressed "Commandant, Military Camp, Featherston." Hares must be railed on Monday morning, July 30, and it is suggested they be shot about Thursday or Friday, and forwarded or left at the receiving depot, Jones' stables Devon street, Neiv Plymouth, not later than 12 o'clock Saturday next. Will Taranaki farmers and others kindly note'

At last meeting of the West End School Committee it was announced that Mr. J, S. S. Medley had donated £2 2s for the best essays in Standards 111 and VI, the same to be written at the end of each month—July, August, September, October and November. It was decided that the best essays in eaeli class monthly be printed, and that the boy and girl with the best aggregate mark's for the five essays win the prize of the class. The secretary was instructed to thank Mr. Medley for his generous offer.

Some extra good attractions arc showing at TCvcn body's this week. To-night and to-morrow Louise Lovely appears in a brilliant Blue Bird drama, ''Tho Gilded Spider," and by request, the local film, '©eauties of Taranaki," will also be screened. Oil Thursday and Friday the winsome Fox star. June Caprice, will appear with Harry Hilliard in "Little 'Miss Happiness." This couple will be remembered for their fine portrayal a few weeks back in 'Caprice of the Mountains," and should again attract crowded houses this week.

The Westown side school opened yesterday with an attendance of close on 40 pupils, and it is cxpeetfd that this number will be increased during the liex't few days, probably necessitating the appointment of a second teacher to assist Miss Delivers, who is in charge. Mr. J Winfield, headmaster of the Frankley Road School, under whose supervision the school will be conducted, was present at the opening, as was also Mr. P. ,T. H. White, a member of the Education Board, who expressed himself as well satisfied with the muster for the opening day, and the future prospects of the school.

The intention of the police to enforce the borough bylaws with regard to street traffic was referred to at the meeting of the works committee of the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. Cr. W. A. Collis said the council had previously passed a resolution to amend the by-law by substituting notices bearing the words "keep to the right," instead of the previous notices directing pedestrians to "keep to the left," and he suggested that the former notices should at once be taken down and new ones put up. The Mayor said the amending resolution had been passed by the council, but the new by-law had not yet been adopted. "I notice from press reports," said Cr. W. A. Collia, at last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council works committee, "that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board have outstanding accounts amounting to £IO,OOO. I would like to know if we have not a right to criticise this position of affairs, especially as thev some to us for a reduction of the water charges. . They also say they are not in a position to erect a new nurses' home, and when they do they will probably come on the council to pay a share of the cost. I certainly think the board should make an effort to collect from those ex-patients who are in a position to pay, but will not do so Until forced." The Mayor said he did hot think the council could do anything; they had already paid the levy for this year. Perhaps it was as well, however, that the matter had been ventilated. The entries for tho Fitzrov School musical competitions are far more numerous than anticipated, being over 130, but the committee has made arrangements to cope with their task, and at the name time provide an excellent programme for each of the two evenings. Wednesday and Thursday, when no less than 23 items will be submitted. Patrons will not be admitted or allowed to leave during the rendeing of any item, a wise and necessary precaution to avoid interruption and annoyance to performers and audience alike.

It is the talk of the town that the Boys' High School will take charge of the Bed Cross Mart, on Saturday next. In conjunction with this they intend to open a modern meat market, fitted with all the latest hygienic appliances, so if you want a good roast for Sunday's dinner pay them a call.

We hear that war bonds are above par. Bonds have been cornered, but there is still one at large, and that one will be found in one of the Boys' High School shilling parcels, which will be on sale next Saturday. Speculators get busy! L. A. Nolan and Co. advertise sale of a 35-h.p. Willys Utility motor bus chassis, which until recently was used on /the New Plymouth-Inglewood run, Although the top was damaged b fire, the chassis is in good serviceable condition.

Rain, snow, liail or blow don't trouble you if you fill your Hot Water Bottle before retiring; but Bee that it lias the "Unique" Stopper. The bottle that won't burst because of the properly vulcanised seams.

iPatea iias formed a branch of the. Sccoiu! Division League, bul. deferred the election of officas until this vf'ek'p meeting. A. fascinating featuro drama dealing with the inner workings anil intrigues of the German spy system is unfolded in "My Country First," a brilliant military photoplay to be screened to-mor-row and Thursday at the Empire, On the motion of Mr. It. Fletcher, the House of Representatives lifts ordered return showing tllie number of Germane interned on Somes Tsland, the cost per head of those interned, and the number employed in useful work. Objection? to boy officers over mature men were voiced at the Second Division conference. A motion that Second 'Division soldiers should be in charge of officers of their own division or single men of riot less than thirty years was referred to the executive.

As indicating the high price of iron some old corrueated iron sold %y a Gisborne firm the other day realised on an average £4B per ton. The Herald says this was a higher price than what new iron was sold at a few months ago. The number of patients in the mental hospitals of the Dominion at the beginning of last year was 4200. at the end of the year it. was '41375, 1820 being women. That means a ratio to population (exclusive of 'Maoris) of 89.46 per 10,000. The number of first admissions were 738, 2SB being females. In the House of Representatives Mr. W. Xorworthy has given notice to move for a return showing: (1) The number of men who voluntarily enlisted during the .period extending from xlf|e commencement of the war until the coming into operation of the ballot under the Military Service Act; and (2) the religious denomination to which each of these volunteers belonged. "Tho wheels within wheels," of the great Ince studios are thoroughly exposed in "The Iced Bullet" by the time that William Desmond has vaulted the great spiked iron fence, dashed through the lawn and gardens, run through the corridors and business offices, smashed into the studio proper, bungled into the scenery and other sets, and been kicked off the premises bv actors' directors and cameramen. This picture will be finally screened at the Empire to-night.

Attention was drawn bv Mr. 0. Witty in the House of Representatives to the fact that a war bonus had been given to members of the Public Service, whereas it would have been far better to have devoted the half-million expended to the men -who were lighting for those who were left behind. Every soldier, Mr. Witty advocated, should have been insured for a least £IOO and the premium paid by the Government while he was away.

Last Saturday's Manawatu Times pub lished this paragraph :—f'Tlvere is in Palmeiston looking for work a man who was passed as fit by a Medical Board in Taranaki, sent info camp, after selling up his farm stock for what it would fetch and was rejected within a fortnight as 'physically unfit.'" Yesterdaj' we received a visit from a man who was passed :>s Jit liy a Medical Board in Taranaki, sent into camp after selling two businesses and losing £SOO. He was rejected within two months as physically unfit, and is still awaiting an allowance of one month's pay for which 'he has already made several ineffectual applications. A genial appellant who was before the First Auckland Hoard stated he was in the Second Division, lie had been married eight years. The board was very surprised, and the appellant went on to add that lie had two children of his first marriage. He had re-married in September, 1015. and had one child. "You were a widower in August, 101-5 ?" asked Major Cnnlan. ''Ycb," replied the appellant. The chairman: "Then you are not really married eight years?" "Well, not exactly," came the drawled-out response, "I had <i spell." The courtroom resounded with one of the heartiest peals of laughter that have occurred there. The appellant said he could (produce both his marriage certificates, so his appeal was allowed. • j At the -New Plymouth Magistrate's Court, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.?»r., Claude Jeffries was charged with having failed to provide adequate maintenance for his wife and child. The complainant, for whom Mr. A. H. Johnstone appeared, gave evidence to the effect thai she lived with her mother at Fitzroy, and her husband lived with his sister at Opunake. They were married on February 17. 19Ui, and there had been one child of the marriage. She had received no money, either from her husband or from anyone else for her own support or that of the child. Her husband would be twenty years old in September next, and was a farm laborer. His Worship made an order for £lO for past maintenance, and for £1 per week for the wife and 5s ipcr week for the child for future maintenance, with solicitor's costs, £1 Is.

Charges under the Military Service Act of failing to notify the Government statistician of a change in his address and giving false answers to a constable when questioned on the subject of his enrolment in the Expeditionary Force Reserve were preferred against a young man named Peter tl. Kenny, at the Auckland Police Court. In asking for a remand Sub-Inspector Brdbcrg said that on Tuesday afternoon the accused was questioned by a constable in reference to his enrolment certificate. He admitted not having enrolled, saying that he did not think he was good enough for service. He said ho came from Stratford, and had not notified the authorities of any change in his address. Later he contradicted the statement in reference to enrolment, and, accompanying a constable to his lodgings, he produced an application for enrolment form not filled in. The sub-inspector added that accused's statements generally were very unsatisfactory, and he iwished to make further inquiries into the matter. Accused's name did not appear on the Taranaki district reserve list.

W. H. and A. McGarry, of Eltham, advertise for sale a dairy farm of 80 acres on exceptionally easy terms.

A large consignment of white and colored towels has arrived at the Melbourne, direct from Home manufacturers. These towels are an exact replica of those recently sold at 2s and 2s Od iper pair -and wiil again be offered at the same price. This will be the la9t opportunity at these prices as all new shipments will show a substantial rise.

Messrs E. Hannah and Co., Ltd., have secured the services of Mr. Abraham, who has had 15 years' experience in the Boot Eepairing Trade, including 9 years with the celebrated makers, H. Pannell (now Pannell and Co.), of Christchurch. Hannah's wish to announce that they are now ready to attend to all boot repairs. Customers are assured 1 satisfaction-

The H.Twera Bowling Club took a ballot on the question whether on visitors' days alcoholic liquor shall be included in refreshments, and the proposal to out it out was negatived by 38 to 35. Fifteen members did not record a vote. A proposal to stop all afternoon teas during the season was rejected by 67 to 5. Splendid progress is being made with the new fellmongery which ia at present being erected for tie Petea Fanners' Co-operative Freezing Company. • Tihc building which will be completed shortly will be a decided acquisition to tho works and should prove an exceedingly profitable investment for the Company.

What is said to be a New Zealand record for expenses paid to a reservist for attending for medical examination was put up at Hokitika on Monday (says the Grey River Argus). The man, who attended from Copper Creak, below Okuru, claimed and wjrn paid eighteen days' pay and expenses for attending at Hokitika, and after all his long journey and trouble he was pawed as fife forborne service only. It is not generally 'known (says ttie Parliamentary , correspondent' of the London Telegraph) that Neld Jiltrshal | Sir Douglas Haig is color-lblind. This fit fiTst threatened to be ft serloua obstacle to his career as a soldier, because |ie was refused ontranca to tho Staff College. Hearing of the circumstances, Colonel (now Major-General McClamont) am l the laite Sir Redvers Buller asserted themselves to secure a reconsideration, pointing out that Haig was not likely often to seek guidance from railway signals. Eventually tho decision was reversed, and the future Field Marshal passed through the college. A native named Powingl Meo and his daughter*, Wairata Huku wore drowned near Nevesville on Sunday. In company with Hari Huku, the litter's husband, they were returning to Nevesville from Wbarekawa on horse-back, and had completed the greater portion of the journey, fording the river a number of times. When crossing the river, whioh was in Hood, four miles from Nevosville, Hari lluku's horse got into difficulties, and rolled over. He called to the other two, who had already crossed in safety, for help., Presumably they returned to his assistance, and lost their lives in the endeavor to savo him. Hari Huku, after being washed down some distance, succeeded in„effecting a landing in a much bruised condition. He managed to make liia way to the Golden Belt battery; believing that the others hud gone on into Nevesville. It was not until the noSt morning that he ascertained they hat} not returned. The bodies weVft lifter - wards recovered about two lnlles below the crossing.

Members fairly bubbled With mirth while the following question was being put to the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives OH Tuesday by Mf. Payne, member for Grey Lynn:—Whether he will state for the information of the House: (1) The cost of the special train to Pukekoho, ii advertised in the Auckland newspapers, in connection with the dinner given to >vvelcoui; home the Prime Minister? (2) Did iheavy Pukekohe mail arrive by a coindenco on the night of thq banquet'' (H) Wan it necessary to divide tile Pukekohe train into two parts in ordir to carry the heavy Pukekohe mail, if a heavy Pukokohe mnil did arrive on the■night of the banquet, as asked in question (2) hereof? (4) As tickets for tile dinner were advertised at 15s each, dois the Prime Minister think that ho was doing his duty by the Dominion and by the Empire in encouraging the spending of las a he;id on a dinner by the needy farmers who can so ill afford it lit this time, when wc arc preaching economy to the citizens of this community?