LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The East End Committee acknowledges' with thanks a donation of £ 1 Is from Mr. J. B. Connett.

A new telephone directory is now being distributed in New Plymouth. It contains several improvements on the old issues, which considerably facilitate quick reference.

Excess of arrivals over departures from New Zealand during October was 280 persons, as against 448 in the corresponding month of 1916. Preliminary arrangements for the annual East End picnic on New Year's Day are already being made, and an ambitious programme has been drawn up by the committee.

The smelting operations at Moturoa were reported at an early hout this morning to be running as perfectly as possible, without the slightest drawback of any sort, and an excellent tapping was expected.

A correspondent inquires the nature of the ailment called "trench feet." It is the result of exposure to cold and damp, and produces a lack of free movement of the numerous joints located in the feet. It yields to proper treatment when the sufferers are removed from the cause.

As 12 o'clock struck yesterday, Bishop Ayerill, who was presiding at the conference in connection with the proposed diocese of Taranaki, asked that those present stand. An intercessory prayer for the men at the front was offered up by the bishop, after which the business of the conference was resumed.

An inquest touching the death of the little boy, Leslie Charles Taylor Upson, who was accidentally killed at Hillsborough on Monday by being run over by a motor lorry, was opened yesterday morning before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., coroner. After formal evidence of identification was heard, the inquest was adjourned.

At a committee meeting of the New Plymouth Plunket Society, on Monday, resolutions were passed thanking all who had assisted in various ways to make baby week such a success. The sum of £126 12s 9d has been collected, thus enabling the society to apply for a permit, from the Minister of Public Health, for a Plunket nurse.

As illustrating the independence of youth nowadays, an employer, who recently aßked a 17-year-old employee to do some extra work, was met with the reply: "Do you think that I intend to work night and day for a paltry £3 per week?" The employer retorted that if it was not for the war he would not be receiving half that amount. At last night's meeting of the Patriotic committee, the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) read a letter from "A mother of three sons in khaki," who stated that one of her sons, a gunner in the 28th Reinforcements, wished her to express his thanks to the association for a parcel received on the transport. "A parcel coming from New Plymouth," the boy had written, "was like a taste of home." A lady purchased a cake at the Mart on Saturday morning and left it in a parcel to be called for later. However the cake was removed by mistake but it can now be obtained by the purchaser on application to Ambury Bros. A piece of crochet work picked up in Devon Street and left at the Mart can also be obtained at Ambury Bros. At a meeting of members of "A" Company, XI Regiment (Taranaki Rifles), on Monday evening, a proposal to hold a ball was negatived, and a resolution was passed deciding to hold a day to raise money for Christmas comforts for men at the front. A meeting is to be held on Friday evening, at 7.30, to further the scheme.

To-night) will see the final screening of the exciting picture, "The 'Diamond ■Runners," at Everybody's. To-morrow there will be a complete change when William Farnum will star in the powerful Fox feature, "The Fires of Conscience" and Peggy Hyland will be featured in the Greater Vitograph special, "Babette." Gentle in its unfoldment, sweet in its play of forces, "Babette" is an emotional play which is as loving as a mother's caress.

Referring to the difficulty of finding positions i'or returned men, Mr, C. E. Bellringer remarked at last night's meeting of the Patriotic Committee that many meh preferred to act independently, and did not apply to the association at all. That showed a, good spirit, although, perhaps, it was not in the best interests of the men. In other cases positions had been found and kept open for men who had applied, occasionally for a considerable time, until it was found that the applicants had obtained other work, and had gone off without giving any notification.

Editorially, the Farmers' Union Advocate has this to say of the purchase of New Zealand butter and cheese by the Imperial Government:—"The fact that the produce is the property of the Imperial authorities will be constant reminder of the need for supplying ships, and from that point of view is a strong argument in favor of accepting the prices even if they are a long way below tlieir true value. It is worthy of note that all through the war, the prices given for New Zealand cheese have not compared favorably with those given to Canada, for instance. It is not that we want to complain of the treatment meted out to us, but it is only fair to the producers that the public should know the facts, so that they nitty get a proper perspective of the position from the producers' standpoint. We believe the 'deal' is mutually advantageous; to the Dominion as much as to the parties directly interested, i.e., the Imperial Government and the dairy farmers." It was proved at the Supreme Court of Victoria, at Melbourne, that (1) SANDER'S EXTRACT is much more powerfully healing and antiseptic than ordinary eucalyptus preparations: (2) SANDER'S EXTRACT does not depress the heart like the so-called "extracts" and crude oils; (3) SANDER'S EXTRACT is highly commended by many authorities as a safe, reliable and effective household remedy. Get the igenuins—insist if you have to—and bo

Mr. Roy Canncll was the winner of the pipe presented to the local Plunket Society for a guessing competition. The sura of £ 10,025 has been raised in the Dominion for the Methodist Mission Fund. The New Zealand ''inference, held in Wellington last A'prn, appealed for the sum of £IO,OOO by'(x„.jber 31.

Owing to the scarcity of hoy labor the Asliburton'Electric Supply Company has engaged a girl on the mechanical staff. Her work includes the manipulation of the electrically-driven machinery, the manufacture of minor parts, and various other duties. The manager of the company expresses himself as thoroughly satisfied with the experiment. A distressing accident occured at Mania, near Masterton, la&t week, when the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Rutherjford, aged 18 months, was drowned in a water-race. While his mother was feeding the fowls, the child strayed away to another part of the yard, and a little later was found lying face downwards in ti water race. The race was only two feet deep and was netted off except at a crossing leading to the fowl run. The reach of the long arm of the law was demonstrated in the Wellington Magistrate's Court, when an articled seaman on an oversea vessel was charged with deserting from the vessel on December 31, KK>7. Inspector Marsack said that the desertion took place ten years ago, and the man had since been in respectable occupation. The vessel had since been wrecked, and, under the iircumstancs, ho would ask permission to withdraw the charge. This was granted.

The Hon. W. Fraser (Minister for Public Works) returned on Saturday from Dunediu, where lie had been visiting the flooded area of the Taieri Plain. In May, September, and October, stutcd the Minister, the floods were very disastrous, and l 1 ! 1 , • otcs were still under water, which \ - •••• being pumped out. Every emit:-. .*. r -niM be made to prevent a recurrence of ; .V.o damage, hilt the necessary works would involve considerable expenditure. The Minister added that lie had never seen the country in Canterbury and Otago looking better. In Novell's second innings in their match versus Trentham, at the Basin •Reserve, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon, says the N.B. Times. C. O. Wilson, who scored, lifted one of Shacklock's swift deliveries from the centre of tlie field right out into the roadway, where the ball bounced and neatly holing one of the lower windows of the Caledonian Hotel, landed in the dining-room. It was a fine hit, good for six rims, and in celebration thereof a little "liquidation"—"for the good of the house"— resulted.

According to a correspondent of the Manawatu Times, an extraordinary accident happened at the Woodville staHon on Thursday evening, about 7 o'clock. Aii engine with steam up wns standing in the yard, and was left unattended for a few moments when it suddenly started and set oil' at a great pace in the direction of Palmerston. Luckily after travelling about 400 yards it reached a bend or caught in the points, which threw it off the rails and caused it to fall over. Had it kept to the line and pursued its unguided way the result might have been very much worse.

Charges of keeping and assisting in the management of a house of ill-fame were preferred against several persons at the Kawhia Magistrate's Court last week. Constable Smith stated in evidence that the occupier was Whul Rangitakaora. who was assisted by several Madri girls. Moana Hill, alias Peter Hill, and Alice Hill were also charged and admitted having been ordered to leave Auckland by the police for assisting in a similar house. They were convicted and ordered to leave Kawhia within a week. Wliui Rangitakaroa was convicted and fined £2O, in default three months' imprisonment.

At last night's meeting of the Patriotic Committee, the Mayor (Mr. G. H. Burgess) drew attention to the fact that there were only three bodies in New Plymouth authorised to collect money for patriotic purposes under the War Relief Act. These bodies were the Patriotic Committee, the Red Cross Committee and the Women's Patriotic Committee. All other bodies or persons wishing to collect for patriotic purposes must do so either through one of the three named or first apply to the Government to be put 011 the same footing. It was just as well that the public realise that the War Relief Act was to be treated seriously. The matter, had been brought to notice recently by the discussions on the overlapping of collecting bodies. If the number of authorised bodie? was kept down the risk of overlapping would be small. He could grant permits only to those collectors who were acting through either of the bodies named, the ponalty for collecting without a permit being a fine not exceeding £2O. There is an uneasy and widespread feeling that the expenditure in connection with defence matters is absolutely wildly wasteful and extravagaiit (says the Wellington correspondent of the Kltham Argus). Money appears to be no object ,and is poured out freely with my little check or control —at least so it is averred. But matters are now being looked into, and some revelations may be expected. The heavy hand of the economist is about to fall upon the Dental Department. it is .said that the commissioned officers in this department have been mightily expensive in the matter of travelling allowances, and that the medical men have been ditto. Thousands of pounds, it is said, can easily be saved without in the least reducing the efficiency of the services. It is believed that of the hundreds of girls wfto are employed scores could he dispensed with and "never missed." Tn the Government Printing Office. I nm told, there ig riotous extravagance in printing for the Defence Department. Of course I cannot write with authority:! am merely giving you the general talk of the city, but there is general satisfaction because some enquiries are about to be instigated. Bathing costumes are in full supply at the Melbourne, Ltd., at the following prices: Boys' one-piece navy costumes, Is 3d and Is 6d; youths', Is lid; men's, 2s fid; two-piece costumes, girls' 2s lid, women's 3s fld, o.s. women's 3s lid; men's two-piece costumes, 3s fid and 3s 9d; boys' V's, 8d; men's V's, 9d. HEAVY DRINKER FOR YEARS. "Although a heavy drinker for years, my husband is now off the drink, thanks to 'Drinko.' It is wonderful stuff." So writes a grateful wife. Drinko can be given secretly in liquid or food. Write for free booklet, in sealed envelope, giving full details. State if Mr., Mrs., or Miss. Lady Manager, Drinko Proprietary, 212J Laxnbtoii Chambers, Wellington.

Ladies and invalids will find Sharland's Magnesia a valuable Corrective for sick headache, and a mild laxative

Speaking in regard to the difficulty of 'securing house accommodation ni Opuj iiake, Cr. Mcßeynolds, at yesterday's meeting of the Egmont County Council, instanced the ease of a professional man, who, lie stated, had to pay uOs per week for a 5-rooin cottage. At Monday night's meeting of the Borough Council, in reply to a question by Cr. llayden, the Mayor stated that no reply had been received from the Gas Company in answer to the Council's letter offering to negotiate for the purchase of the gas workß. Mr. C. Sadler, speaking on the question of finding employment for returned men at last night's meeting of the Patriotic Committee, said it was often not a question of finding work for the men; it wan one of finding men for the work. Several returned men had recently turned down good jobs offered by the' association.

In concluding his valedictory remarks at the final meeting of the Egmont County Council as at present constituted, the chaii-man stated that the county was worth working for. Though a man of over three score years, he did not abandon the'hope of some day riding in a railway carriage through the county, en route from Hawera to New Plymouth. Then, he considered, the county would progress, and that was what the county council should always keep in view. The council could considerably assist in securing the railway which would enable them to get fertilisers in and increase the production, as well aa get their produce out, and the railway would also assist in getting them improved roads. A story which tells what money lust, and love of admiration and luxury, bring upon the head of a beauty who worships at their shrine is unfolded in "The Dark Road," a Triangle feature in which Dorothy Dalton appears for the last time at the Empire theatre to-night. On the same programme J. Warren Kerrigan 13 delightful as "The Gay Lord Waring." a Blue-bird picture of exceptional merit. To-morrow the "Empress of Emotion," Olga Petrova, will be featured ii) one of her greatest portrayals, ''The Soul of a Magdalen.'' ,