LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Rangiotu farmer informs the Foxton Herald that, a district farmer, called up in the ballot,, sold his farm. After being in camp for some time he was rejected as medically unfit. He was surprised to learn that his farm had been sold to a German who had only been in the Dominion a few years. It is surely somewhat unique for father and son to coxnpeto in the same race, but this, happened at the Christ's College sports on Thursday, when, in the Old Boys' Race, won by Mr. D. Matson (the well-known stock auctioneer) from the 32yds mark, his son Mr. K. D. Matson, was also a competitor, being on scratch. Interesting but true, are the following statements by a soldier, an ex-clerk of a New Zealand money-lender: "Our usual rate of interest averages 70 per cent. Every client is regarded as out to beat us, and we make ourselves thoroughly secure. In fact, our ledger has shown for one year the sum of two thousand nine hundred and thirty pounds crossed off as bad debts. And that year the boss bought a £2OOO motor car."

A striking case of family patriotism came before the Military Appeal Board yesterday, when a man named George Ferguson, a drover, appealed on the grounds that 'he was a reservist of the Second Division, He stated that he was 39 years of age, and produced certificates which proved that he wa9 married in 1902 and had six children. He also stated that four of his married brothers, with families ranging from 7 to 13 children, 'had enlisted eighteen months ago. He himself would have been with them, but after lie enlisted he had to withdraw owing to the serious illness of his wife. Mr, McLaren remarked: "This is the Bort of thing that amuses me, in view of the fact that we constantly read reports in the press, as if we had not to deal with married men until we come to the Second Division apj>eals." The chairman added: "Those statements are made by some members of the Second Division to suit individual cases and so serve their own ends." The appeal was allowed. The way in which some of the medical certificates submitted by appellants when appealing on behalf of the ill-health of their relatives are worded was commented on by Captain Walker at the sitting of the Military Board yesterday, when he suggested that, in view of the near approach of the balloting of the Second Division, the certificates should be more explicit and indicate the nature of the illness, besides giving particulars as to the probable period of disablement. In the case in .point the certificate stated that appellant's wife was absolutely unable to carry on domestic duties, but did not say why or for how long. He suggested that it might be advisable in future to have the doctors' evidence taken instead of relying on a certificate. A long-felt want has been filled by J. W. Kurta and Co., who have opened an up-to-date and hygienic fish market, retail and wholesale, in King Street. The shop proper, with its tiled walls and floor, polished mirrors, fly-proof window, counter-cases and spray fountain, is 'typical of the whole premises. Cleanliness and efficiency are the keynotes of the market. Three chilling chambers, with a capacity of 20 tons, are installed, and here fish may be kept in perfect condition for any reasonable length of time. Arrangements have been made by the management for supplies from local fishers and from Onehunga and northern fisheries. Onehunga fish may be bought in New Plymouth within 20 hours of the catch. Fish will be sold at a 20 per cent, reduction owing to the facilities provided. At one time during the making of the picture "Intolerance," to be seen here at Everybody's on the 2oth and 2;6th inst., there were (57,000 people on the pay roll! This was particularly the case when the hordes of Cyrus and Belshazzer were battling for the possession of Babylon. These were real people, not dummies, and the picture shows these vast hordes moving to and fro in the death grips of mediaeval war. There are also 16,700 scenes. During the making of one scene Mr. Griffith wired to one of his assistants to secure men. The man engaged 5000 half fearing he had overstepped the limit. Next day Griffith arrived. "I've got 5000 men," said his right hand man. "I 9 that all," was the rejoinder. "That won't be enough. Get another 5000." That is a sample of the colossal scale on which Griffith works and gives one an idea of what "Intolerance" really is.

A LADIES' CLUB. Fair Orator.—"Miss President, might I ask why that resolution is recorded 'carried unanimously,' when the returns were—for ARCADIA TEA 70, against 30"? President.—Because, according to ithe Hon. a three-fourths verdict should be accepted ag Bueh from juries. (Aoplauw),

According to the apiary instructors' reports the honey crop in Now Zealand this year promises to be an exceptionally good one. The heavy rains which have been general all over the country have had the effect of producing heavy crops of clover, which only need a generous sunshine to develop. Bees are already working the early crops, and, especially in Christchurch and Dunedin, a good store of honey has already been made, while in Auckland and Wellington, the intermittent fine weather has had the effect of starting the young bees flying. The opinion is that as a rule, p'ricefi will be high and honey plentiful. Bulk honey in Dunedin is quoted at fld per lb; sections, none offering; 21b bottles, 18s per dozen; beeswax to Is 0d per lb!

It is still a moot point whether a New Zealand Rhodes scholar for 1918 will be elected. Messrs 'Ponder and Meldrum. who were selected last year, one of them to fill the vnc.incv caused through the death on the battlefield of Mr. Atliol Hudson, were both at the front at the time, and they are still there. Three of the four college professorial boards (Victoria, Auckland, and Canterbury) are in favour of choosing a Rhodes scholar for 1918, but the Otago body considers that under the peculiar circumstances no selection should be made for next year. Mr. R. J, Richards has been nominated by the Canterbury Board as the next Nejv Zealand Rhodes scholar. He is a son of Archdeacon Richards, of Invercargill, and was born at Dunedin 24 years ago. At present lie 'is in camp as a second lieutenant with the 34th Reinforcements. He had a brilliant career as a student and athlete at Christ's College and Canterbury College. In lfllo he took his B.A. degree and the Senior University Scholarship in Greek. Last year he took his M.A. degree, with honours in classics. Mr. Richards played for the University Club in first grade Rugby, and was a good distance runner. He represented Canterbury College in the university tournaments, and also represented the college in cricket.

Beautiful scenes make "Big Tremaine," the Metro feature showing at the Kmpire to-night, a joy to the eye. Mqst of the scenes take place on a Southern plantation, and the life of the "old landed" gentry i 9 well depicted. An unusually interesting contrast shows the devotion of the old Virginian families to horses and hounds and other favorite amusements of the early days, as well a 9 a thoroughly up-to-date regard for politics and the ■welfare of the country. The programme to-night also includes the second episode of the sensational serial success, "The Secret of the Submarine."

Speaking at Wanganui on Sunday of the nature and variety of services he had held, Chaplain Blamires said that one Sunday morning., over the Belgian border, he held sixtoen services—each of about three minutes each—amongst batches of men as they were moving towards the front. He had held- services in a brewery and in a Roman Catholic church, only the bare walls of which latter had been left standing. A Christmas service he had held on the field during a fog so dense that the whole of the men in a battalion could not be seen at once. After referring to the great and useful work of the Y.M.C.A., Chaplain Blamires, speaking of the morals of the men. said' that the standard was not too high as far as the Army authori ties were concerned. The men, however, frequently used bad language without thinking or meaning what they said and dropped the habit when in hospital or in the company of civilians. Drunkenness was not very apparent at the front, though plenty of light wine and beer were drunk. Gambling was very rife, but this habit was frequently formed as the result of trying to pass away the time in the trenches by tossing pennies. There was abounding cheerfulness, unselfishness, devotion to duty, and wonderful courage and bravery in the face of great odds display»d by the men. There were very few sceptics; he had not met an agnostic. Hen did not trouble about theology. Some of the noblest and best traits were found in men who had big vices, and our theology would have to be modified.

Writes the Samoa Times (which U edited, printed and published by a Celestial by the way):—"The policeman who is euabled to combine his official duties with the entertainirig (and profitable) pastime of turtle,hunting, and to do so without leaving his beat, is certainly entitled to feheitations on hla good fortune. This unique and enviable opportunity came to Military Constable John Batey, who bagged a fine turtle in the small hours of Sunday morning last while performing his speh of night duty along the waterfronit. Passing by Johnston's store, Matafele, about 3.30 a.m. his attention was arrested by an unusual noise in the grass on the beach side of the road. He pro> ceeded to the spot to investigate, and his astonishment was unbounded when the flashlight revealed a monster turtle which, with a fine disregard of the danger involved in the choice of such a place, was assiduously engaged in a series of gyratory evolutions in the sand, precedent, most likely, to the production of eggs. . The emprise was rudely shattered, for John, drawing on his stock of natural history knowledge, succeeded after several fruitless attempts in turn, ing ttie reptilian monster on its back. Then he proceeded to do business. A Samoan policeman came along, purchased the creature, annd conveyed it in a liandeart to the Native Pofice Barracks. Measured the next day, the dimensions of its shell were 3ft by something over 2ft, and its weight ,}2olbs. The reputed value of the shell is £3 or £4, so the purchaser should* do well out of his little deal. John, too, has collected the kudos, and is quite satisfied with his share in the transaction. His successor on the night shift is reported to be keeping a sharp look-out on the beach side of the road. It is further alleged that while patrolling his lonely beat his errant fancy turns lightly to thoughts of turtle,'but the rumours in question are most probably merely baseless fabrications." John Batey, above alluded to, is a New Plymouth resident who is doing "his bit." His wife, to whom we are indebted for the .paper, lives in Barrett street.

, The Discharged Soldiers' Department notifies that a number of suitable men are urgently required foR work at expeditionary force rates of pay. Applicants should see Mr. W. J. Chaney, deputy chairman of the Patriotic Committee, at the Soldiers' Club daily, between 11 and 12. Ask distinctly for SANDER'S EUCALYPTI EXTRACT, or else you may receive one of the manv substitutes. The GENUINE SANDER EXTRACT cures colds, fevers, indigestion; prevents infectious diseases and heals ulcers, poisoned wounds, skin diseases, burns, sprains, etc. It is much more powerfully antiseptic than the common eucalyptus and does not depress or irritate like,the latter. Good looks are always enhanced by the possession of a set of pearly white teeth. Remember "OZO" TOOTH POWDER makes white teeth, and imparts a