LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

We have much pleasure in acknowledging a message from the Mayoress (Mrs. C. H. Burgess), conveying Uic •■oiiipliwonts of the svaitou to the News aud stall', with many thanks tor kind assistance during the past year. A Dunediu message states tiiat, in reply to a question, Sir James Allen to-day aaid that, so far as he knew, he was not going to England next year. —Press Association.

We think that the New Plymouth race meeting is par excellence, the most enjoyable race meeting in Taranaki. The beautiful natural surroundings of the course cannot be equalled at any other meeting in Taranaki; the appointments are first-class, and the hospitality of the club excels that of any other Taranaki club. —Eltham Argus.

As an indication of the interest taken by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) in the work of the New Plymouth Citizens' Band, the bandmaster intimates that on Christmas morning he received the following telegram from the Mayor at Rotorua: "Wish you successful day Thursday. Put me down for £5. The provision of the licensing law for the closing of hotel bars at 0 o'clock led to an unexpected and far-reaching effect at Pukekohe (says the New Zealand Herrald). In preparation for a smoke concert, tendered as a farewell to a resident, a quantity of alcoholic liquors had been provided. Intimation, however, was received by the promoters from the local police that at any gathering held off licensed premises the old-established practice of consuming liquor paid for out of the general fund would be no longer permissible. As indicative of the treatment New Zealand soldiers are receiving in the prison camps in Germany may be quoted a passage from a letter received by a Christchureh lady, whose son left with an early reinforcement, and has been a prisoner for almost two years. The writer says: "Dear Mother, —I am a vastly different (the lad's name is omitted) from the son you used to know. At the present time I would easily qualify as a feather-weight jockey." At the time of his departure from New Zealand the lad weighed the better part of 12" stone, and turned the scales at about the same weight at the time of his capture by the Germans. An unusual mishap befel the Union S.S. Company's Poherua while in the Buller roadstead on Friday last, says the New Zealand Times. She was detained there by very bad weather, and the steamer was a good deal knocked about by the sea. In No. 1 hold was stored a consignment of 21 casks of ship grease consigned to the WestportStockton Coal Company. These casks got adrift, and all but eight of them were smashed, and the grease flooded the hold. In addition to the total loss of the grease, cargo in the hold, chiefly confectionery, and some furniture, was damaged, a proportion of it irretrievably. The hold was in such a bad condition that the work of discharging it had to be undertaken by officers and crew wearing sea-boots. The viscous material had to be baled out.

The wife of a prominent public man who was recently knighted has been doing excellent war work of late in connection with one of the Government departments. Having a senße of humor, as well as a sense of her own dignity (says the Daily Express), she tells the following story of herself: She was driven in one of the Government motor cars to a committee meeting, and on leaving the car the good-looking young woman who acted as chauft'euse turned round and said: "How long do you think you will be? When shall I call?" The committee woman answered: "In one hour; and, while you are about it, you might as well address me as 'milady.'" Thereupon the chauffeuse replied: "Oh, very well, milady, and, while you are about it, I think you might also address me as 'milady,' because I am the wife of and she gave the name of a well-known baronet,

In the course of his report to the Fire Board (states the Chrißtchurch Sun) Superintendent Warner gave some advice about chemical extinguishers, which should prove of great value to owners of these patent devices. During the course of his inspections and visits to private buildings, warehouses, and shops, he had repeatedly found liquid and chemical fire extinguishers, which, from their appearance, had not been attended to since their installation, and, as information to the various occupiers who were probably not so conversant with thS care" and use of such appliances, he pointed out that these machines, more particularly those of the "turn upside down" type, should be discharged and recharged at least once in every six months. This was considered essential for the safetv and life of the machine, and also for observing that it was in proper working order. Hg'liad frequently come across machines in buildings in the city that had 'been discharged by some irresponsible person, and either filled up again with water or left nearly empty, and, in consequence of their presence, were only giving a feeling of false security. These appliances were of the ut-. most value in case of an incipient outbreak. but they required periodical inspection, so that they would not be found wanting in cases of emergency. Enquiries in Wellington bore out Superintendent Warner's statements. There was no power to compel the installation of these extinguishers, or their periodica! inspector, except in the case of public buildings. Cases had been known in which the apparatus had been tampered with and rendered useless, or had become corroded 'by the sea air. It was rightly desirable that a regular test of the extinguishers should be made. GOING FOR A HOLIDAY! If off to the seaside, the mountains, a sea trip, or long motor tour, remember to protect yourself by taking with you a pot of Rexona, the Rapid Healer, and a cake of Rexona Skin and Facial Soap. You will be surprised to see how lovely they will make your skin, and protect it from all exposure. You will find a thousand U9es for Rexona. Not only will it protect you from sunburn, which may be cruelly bad if bathing, but for all the minor injuries which are for ever occurring in everyday life a pot of Rexona, the Ra*pid Healer, will be found indispensable. The open air is always delightful and healthy but, as everyone knows, the skin and hair are bound to suffer if a little extra care is not taken, and a tablet of Rexona Skin and Facial Soap makes all the difference in the world, for it not only keepß the skin lovely and firm, but, as a tonic and shampoo for the hair, it is simply unequalled. Thousands of people who care for themselves find Rexona and Rexona Soap not only « luxury, but an absolute necessity, and say that they will never again go on a holiday trip-of any kind without having them along to protect themselves, and make the excursion a real holiday. Rexona, 1/6 and S/-. RexMa Soap, 1/6. Obtainable avarywhere.

Jeremiah O'Rielly, wlio was arrested iu Kgmont street on Saturday night oji a charge of drunkenness, appeared before Mr. 11. R. Cattlcv, J.l\, on Monday morning and. was lined ill, iu default three days' imprisonment.

The accommodation at the Dawson';, Kails Mountain House is being tested to the utmost capacity, every available corner having been booked weeks since. The holiday-makers staying at the house include visitors from all over the North Island, and from as far south as Christchurch and Dunedin. —Argus. It is expected that nearly 400 returned soldiers will, arrive at Rotorua for treatment early in the New Year. The buildings at the King George V Hospital are to be extsmkd, <o as to provide accommodation for 200 mere men.

Some times the soldier gets tired of "shouHerfhpr his crutch and showing how fields were won." Such was the man whom a pressman heard in a tram-cav, when the interested old lady asked the everlasting sympathetic quostion, "How did you lose your leg?" "In a raffle, lady,'' said the soldier, and "puffed hard at his pipe.

During the celebrations at Raetihi on Tuesday reference was male to th°- fnct that at one time the Waimarino Block, consisting of 200,000 acres, narrowly escaped falling into the hands of a private syndicate from Auckland, the price arranged being 2s 6d per acre. A certain hitch occurred, and subsequently tin land was acquired by the Government.

"No beer to-day. . Hotel closci " Such a notice was. frequently seen.by Mr. Frank Meadowcroft, of Wellington, during his recent visit to England. "Such a notice as that is unique. I think," he said to a Post reporter, "but it is easily explained. Since 'lie war the amount of beer brewed ha? been restricted, and whenever there is a shortage, the 't.'ed' houses are given preference, and ths free houses suffer."

Probably the proudest recipient of a Christmas box this year is Mr. D, J. S. Hickson, of Wellington, who has received from France (via London) the following letter: —"Dear Father, —We are sending you this pipe for Christmas. Hoping it reaches you in time.—Your affectionate sons, Wilfred, Harold, Noel, Keith, Claude, Clarence." Still another son was recently invalided to New Zealand as the result of wounds received in France. An eldest son, Richard, gave his life for his country in the South African war. A great record! —Dominion.

The holiday attraction at Everybody's theatre to-niglst will be the fine Triangle feature "Mad-cap Madge," in which the noted prize beauty of the New York Follies, Olive Thomas, makes a triumphant entry into motion pictures. On the wune programme there is a laughable JCeystone comedy in two reels entitled "Cactus Nell," and the current number of tlie "Gaumont Graphic." The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P, Luke, C.M.G.) had a miraculous escape from serious, if not fatal, injury on Friday, when driving along the Hutt road in a motor-car. Mr. Luke was motoring to Trcntham in order to be present at the Christmas dinner that was being given to the 33rd Reinforcements. When passing through Kaiwarra a motor lorry loaded with bales of pelts was met. Just as the car was alongside, three bales, each weighing upwards of five hundredweight, fell off the waggon. One bale struck a stanchion which holds the hood of the car up. The direction of the. fall was thereby altered, and the bale fell on to the running board. In doing so, however, it grazed Mr. Luke's shoulder. Fortunately the hood was up, otherwise there is little doubt but that the bale would have fallen right into the car. The second bale fell alongside the car. A third landed on the front wheel, and did considerable damage to the vehicle. Mr. Luke, who Huffered tliglitly from uhock, proceeded to Trentham in another motorcar.

"This is war legislation," said his Honor, Mr. Justice Edwards, in Wellington, referring to the anti-shouting legislation, "and it in not for me to criticise what is necessary in war legislation or the measures taken to enforce it. That is for the Administration to consider. But if it were anything but war legislation, I should say that it is at least questionable whether it should be enforced in this way. The police watched a person, gave no notice whatever that she was charged with a breach of the law, allowed those who were the occasion of the breach to walk away, without taking the smallest trouble to escertain who they were, and some days afterwards laid an information. It must be quite obvious that in such circumstances there is no possibility of a defence, unless by some chance shot the policemen can be found to have been mistaken. It is impossible to prepare a case or bring a defence if there should be one. The onus seemed to be on the defendant of showing that he or she is a good boy or a good girl as the case may be."

In opening a bridge over the Piafct river last week the Prime Minister sail the change for the'better since he last visited the district, four years ago, spoke volumes, not only for the quality of the soil, but also for the energy of the settlers. When the drainages of the plains was completed, the district would be one of the most prosperous in the Dominion. The total sum expended by the Government on the development of 40,000 acres on the Hauraki Plains wa* £243,000, and loss than half the total area had so far been dealt with. Not■•vithstanding the difficulties resulting from the war, 30 miles of drains and roads had been constructed last year. He hoped that wlion the soldiers returned it would be possible to place no fewer than 3000 of them on the land. He trusted that it would 'be possible to set aside 10,000 acres of Hauraki Plains for tins purpose. Further demonstration of the fertility of the plains was afforded later in the afternoon, when the Prime Minister and party journeyed from Ngatea by launch' to the mouth of the Piafco Riv«r and thence to Thames. Land adjoining the river was stated to have changed hands at no less than £4O per acre.

Visitors to Waitara arc invited to inspect. "The Big Store," ;is it is ,one of the ;ihow places and should not be missed You are requested to handle and examine the goods shown in its many departments, admire or condemn as you may, but you will not be asked or expected to buy.#

There is only one SANDER EXTRACT, and that is why the people reject the many inferior und harmful substitutes and just as goods. SANDER'S EXTRACT is free from the objectionable qualities of the common eucalyptus. Sander's Extract cures all infectious diseases, all winter ailments, ulcers, burns, sprains, eczema, etc. Insist on the OENUINE SANDER'S EXTRACT.

| Rough roads don't worry the users of CLINCHER TYRES because they are ; composed of the best quality rubber made by honest British labor. Trade ' imperially and buy the British article.

Willi reference to tlio discovery made by the Government analyst, .Or. MeLaurin, of fl, new method of cleaning low .grade kauri gum, it is announced dial the (Jovernment has decided !o proceed with the erection in Auckland of a I'louning plant. It is slated that llie Minister for internal Affairs witnessed an "ixpemmiit with the new system, when gum particles, practically waste, whieli could only be sold for about IBs per cwt., wvi cleaned so effectively that they were valued at 65« per cwt. The new faetory will be run on a commercial basis.

A shortage of water is beginning to be felt in Napier. In the southern part of the town last week a 4in bore <va* put down to 192 ft, and an excellent and very clear flow of water, which rises to over 20ft above the surface, has been obtained. This supply is so eonvnientlv situated that it will be possible to send it through pipes to (he storage '.inks without the use of power. It estimated that this will add another HC,OCO gallons a day to the town supply.:

Arrangements are completed for the Citizen's Band Carnival at Pukekura Park to-morrow. The band will parade in uniform at the Melbourne corner at 10.S0 and march to the Park. The carnival will commence at 11 o'clock with the children's events and the fun will be fast and furious all day long. At night the special attraction will be an entertainment of a somewhat unique nature, including items by the male choir, which will be sung from boats on the lake. Amongst the numbers chosen to be sung are the hunting part song "To the Death," "Comrades, we March," and "Alexander," which met with such an excellent reception at the choir's recent concert. Members of the choir who have copies of any of the numbers to be given are asked to bring them along on Thursday night.

At the end of the seven years' war the most noted of Germany's generals had fallen, hosts of officers hai' disappeared, the lands were untilled, the seed corn was eaten, and men hunted men for food. One-sixth of the men eapable of bearing arms were dead; the only 'aborers in the fields were woman and ?lrls, and two .well-nigh perishing of starvation. Ihe very cattle for food and agriculture were swept away by famine and disease. Ten per cent, of the whole population were dead. Selection and re'eot'oi, o f man for the annv iv«e impossible, and at ths c!ose thi! lighting lanks included whole battalions of deserters from the other side, or prisunors captured in the war. j ( "Tom Brown's Schooldays" has attracted big attendances to the Empire theatre for the past two nights, and to those who have not so far seen this fine English picture a reminder is given that to-night will be the last occasion on which this film can be screened. There will be a complete change to-morrow when the popular screen artists, Olga Petrova, will be featured in a Metro wonderplay, "The Secret of Eve."

The Rev. R. Haddon does not at nil agree with the notion that the Main race is declining in numbers or deteriorating in physique. Speaking at a Methodist Home Mission meet : ng it Manaiir (the Witness reports!, he said philanthropic ladies had come to him, bewailing the approaching disapp"arance of the Maoris. But they were entirely wrong, he said. The Maoris h.wl increased from i! ,000 to 52,000, their present number, and they stood well in the health statistics. Their dangerous time was the transition from Maori to Pakeha habits and customs. But they had passed that stage and were bringing up numerous and healthy fatni'iirs '•Look at me." he said, "I have a family of nine children. „Does that look like dying out? (Laughter.)

In an interview with a representative of the Napier Daily Telegraph, on Wednesday, the Minister of Defence stated that so far as he knew there was absolutely no truth in the rumor of his being shortly transferred to a position in the Old Country. He himself was of opinion that his duty lay in the Dominion. With the present state of war, a large number of new war departments had been necessarily created, and they with their collateral branches had grown to such an enormous extent that it would be very hard for any other man to take his place. The general public had no conception of the tremendous amount of extra work involved by the war. He himself had to sit Tip every night and Saturday as well to keep up with the work. In the same issue the Telegraph stated: "Sir James Allen did not deny the rumor that he was shortly leaving for an important position abroad when he was asked about it last night at Soldiers' Club."