LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

' It is understood that Mr. A. E. Syke.s has given notice of motion to rescind the resolution passed at the Inst meeting I of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, as to the aite selected for the new nurses' home. The police on Saturday received information that a flax mill at Awakino, owned by Alex. Speirs, valued at £1205, was destroyed by fire at 2 a.m. on the 17th. There is an insurance in the Guardian office for £6OO. Mr. F. J. Hill, secretary of the local trustees of the Efficiency Board, has received a telegram from Mr. T. Moss, Commissioner for the Wellington Military District, stating that he will be in New Plymouth to-day, and will confer with the New Plymouth and country trustees on Wednesday. Mr. Moss also intends visiting the back country. While proceeding to the last meeting of the Patea County Council, Cr. Belton was held up by a mob of bullocks. He made an endeavor to get through them, during the course of which one bullock lifted another up on its horns and deposited its adversary on the top of the front of Cr. Belton's car. At the inaugural meeting of the Wa-nganui-New Plymouth branch of the Institute of Architects, held at Wanganui last week, Mr T. H. James, of Wanganui, was elected chairman, and Mr. H. V, S Griffiths, of New Plymouth, vice-chair-man. A committee was appointed, Mr. J. A. Duffill, of Ha.wera, being one of the members. Messrs. Griffiths and West were appointed representatives ou the New Zealand council. On Thursday last the visitors at the North Egmont Mountain House gave a very enjoyable concert in the diningroom. Amongst the performers were Mr. Ernest. Drake (a popular Auckland tenor), Miss Gladys.Watkins (Wellington), Miss Clarice Wood (Wellington), Miss Ethel Skeates (Auckland), and Dr. Johnsou. A collection on behalf of the Red Cross Fund realised £5 13s. At the Magistrate's Court, on Saturday morning, a native named Ngatai Perereka was charged with the theft of cattle at Warea on December 11, 1917. SubInspector Hutton represented the police, and Mr. A. H. Johnstone appeared for accused. On the application of the police, a remand to the 24th instant was granted, bail being fixed, accused in £25, and one surety of £25. Writing to a Palmerston friend, a New Zealand spldier in France says: "It is no good me trying to tell you what a battle or rather an advance, is' like, because I could not do it to make you understand. There is the usual hell of a noise of artillery and the bursting of shells, and the hissing and zipping of bullets, with men falling, and the stretcher-bearers carrying on as ustial, as if a shell was nothing to be afraid of." A correspondent of the I'ost' at Rotorua states that, owing, it is believed, to the increase in railway fares, there were fewer visitors to the thermal district during the recent holidays than during the previous Christmas and New Year season. Rotorua township, he says, was only half full, and tradespeople, who had been looking forward to a great influx of visitors, were grumbling because their takings were not up to expectations.

A startling accident happened at Mataura on a recent evening (reports the Ensign). While Minnie .Walton, the eleven-year-old daughter of Mr. D. Walton, a butcher at the freezing works, was replenishing the kitchen fire .with coal, a loud explosion occurred. A hole, fully an inch in diameter, was torn in the shovel, which the child had turned over, and fragments of coal were hurled over the range and across the kitchen up to tlie ceiling, while the mantelpiece drape caught fire from the sparks. The child received the force of the explosion (which was, fortunately, broken by the resistance of the shovel) in the right leg and arm, and a fragment of coal struck the light eyeball. The eye is not thought to be seriously injured. It is considered that the explosion was due to a detonator cap. Adjutant and Mrs. Hultquist, who are leaving for Hamilton this week, after having been in charge of the local corps of the Salvation Army for the past eighteen months, were farewelled at the hall yesterday. There were good congregations throughout the day, especially in the evening, when the hall was crowdedAddresses were given during the evening by Sergcant-Miijor Jenkins, Mr. Lancaster, Bandmaster Rocli, Treasurer Smith and Adjutant Pearne, all of whom spoke in high terms of the good work done by Adjutant and Mrs. Hultquist. Adjutant Hultquist, in the course of his reply, expressed his appreciation of the kindnesses shown him by the citizens of New Plymouth. The farewell celebrations will be continued to-night, when a social will be held in the hall. Why does some tobacco bite the tongue? Experts now tell us that moisture is the offender. Common-sense too! The moisture turns to steam during the combustion of the tobacco, andt this hot steam naturally bites the tongue. Hence the dryer the tobacco the cooler the smoke and the better the value, because that surplus water adds to weight. Cold Pouch, the New Zealand grown tobacco, never bites the tongue—it is pure genuine tobacco without excels moisture. Unequalled in combustibility it burns freely to the last shred without that soppiness ao common to most foreign tobaccos which foul the pipe and coat the tongue, leaving a nasty bitter aftertaste. New Zealand soil and climate alone can produce a tobacco so mild and with such a small percentage of nicotine, containing but LVL- pe>" cent, as against 4 and 5 per cent in foreign tobaccos. Gold Pouch is the mildest and least injurious of all smokes not afl'ecting the heart, no matter how much you smoke of it. No increase in price, still obtainable at a shilling per pouch. Mr. A. De Bavay, the eminent analytical chemist of Melbourne, testified at the Supreme Court of Victoria, that SANDER'S EUCALYPTI EXTRACT compares with other eucalyptus products like well-refined and matured brandy compares with raw spirit. Bv (insisting on the GENUINE SANDER I EXTRACT you will get tin? advantage !of quality and will be safe from harmI SANDER'S EXTRACT.

Tim two partners of one firm in .Mastcrton were called up iu Hie recent Gazette. "Tim totalisator investments in New Zealand lor the linlidav season amounted to C7I»U,UIi!J IDs, which is an increase of ;L1 US,-Icompared with the same season in IiJIU-17-Ah an indication of the scale upon which men of our Expeditionary Force are marrying the Knglisli girls, the Advocate states that, on th« last iroovj train tliat passed through Mai'ton from Auckland carrying returned soldiers there were no less than nineteen accompanying their hunhand?. "According to a recent order," says the British Austrakisian, "all CI men of the Australian Forces are to tie utilised for work throughout England, and none of the C class are to be returned to Australia within the next six months." The Australian generals lack reinforcements, and cannot spare even the unfit men. Writes a Palmerston soldier iu England: —"There is a huge army of women here known as the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. These women are attired in neat khaki uniform? with 'W.A.A.C.' on their shoulder straps. T asked one of them what it meant. She replied, meaningly enough: 'Warned Against All Colonials!'" Speaking at Petone on Thursday, the Hon. T. M. Wilford deprecated the chronicling in the newspapers, when a soldier was led astray, of the fact that the man was a returned soldier. One thing lie had noted with pleasure about returned soldiers—officers or men—was that there was no "swank" about them. "If," he said, "you see a man putting on a lot of frill and swank, you can bet your life he has never been to the front" The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister for Agriculture, speaking at Asliburton last week, said that since the beginning of the war to the end of December last, New Zealand had sold to the Imperial Government .145,000,000 worth of foodstuffs and wool. That proved what a tremendously productive country New Zealand was. The production, indeed, was more per head in this country than in any other in the world, but, great as it was, it could be increased. A gloomy horticulture picture is penned by a Masterton paper, which says: Old residents assert that there never was a season in the history of Mastertoi: when orchards and gardens were so badly affected with blights and various forms of pests as this season. Tomatoes are rotting on the trees, apricots are falling off. plums are -affected, and nearly every form of fruit and vegetable is affected in one way or another. The wet season has probably been responsible In a measure for the visitation by garden pests. The death of Mr. Peter Stewart, of Levin, recalli* to a correspondent of the Manawatu Daily Times an interesting experiment conducted by deceased when farming at T'irnam, near Awaiiuri, on the property now occupied by Mr. John Matthews. Having read much in those days of the cost and difficulty of dveing woollen fabric, Mr. Stewart collected and selected all the black ewe lambs to be obtained, and endeavored to raise wool dyed by Nature. He succeeded so far as to obtain a predominant color, but found that it would take more than a lifetime to fix the type/and, further, that he obtained no better price for his ''selfdyed" product.

I Writing of ' The Freedom of the Seas.'' Mr. Archibald Third opens our eyes to a trap which has been laid by the enemy in their pretended acceptance of the | Pope's suggestion of the establishment of ''the true freedom and common enIjoyment of the seas." It is no mere coincidence that, while the Pope speaks of "the seas," 'both Berlin and Vienna in their replies refer to "the high seas." This would exclude the Baltic, the North Sea, and the Adriatic, in which Germany and Austria are interested; and, since armies can be created far more quickly than navies, "no development could suit them better than a scheme of military disarmament which was accompanied by a rigid plan of naval disarmament applying only to the lugh seas." A farmer in the. Levels district hit upon a novel method of killing a stoat which had wrought serious havoc In his poultry yard. Having defied all efforts at capture, and having refused to take strychnine spread in the ordinary way, the farmer sought out an old hen which had long since given over laying, in favor of a younger generation of her tribe, and smothering her feathers in strychnine he put her in a shed which the rpdent nightly visited in search of eggs and chickens, the two latter having been cleared irom the shed on the night in question, leaving the aged hen as its soul occupant. The plan worked with deadly effect. When the farmer looked in ffle shed next morning he found the hen dead, and the stoat lying alongside of it.

Amongst the prominent scenic attractions of Now Plymouth are the grounds of "Brooldands" and "Maranui," wliicli were yesterday thrown open to the public by the respective owners. Never have these beautiful and well-kept properties looked better, for each year improvements are noted that add to the pleasure of visitors. Theiarge crowd of residents and visitors that yesterday took advantage of the invitation to roam through these delightful grounds derived the greatest pleasure from inspecting both the natural and artificial beauties which are associated with the grounds. At "Brooklands," the begonia house was a source of marvel ami delight, the gloxinias being a striking feature of the lovely collection of flowers, while the floral displays in the grounds were greatly admired. After the recent rain the native bush looked at its best, as did the exceptionally fine collection of horseshoe ferns, the exquisitely graceful rimu, and the magniliccnt English chestnut tree that forms such a striking feature of the landscape. The agapimtlms blooms and those of the hydrangea were also greatly admired. Passing through the bush of Maranui, visitors were enchanted with its appearance, especially with its fine specimens of native trees. The gully was also a great source of attraction, while the ornamental grounds near the residence held many beautiful flowers to delight the eye. There is no doubt, that all. who had the privilege of roaming through these unique grounds greatly appreciated the public spirit of the owners in allowing them the opportunity of making the visit.' RHECMO REMOVES THE CAUSE AND CURES RHEUMATISM. It is not a i; cnre : all" but a scientifically compounded specific, which eliminates excess Uric Acid from the blood. Trv it. U has cured thousands. '2s (id and 4s fid. Bsu'raclough's Nervine stops Tootaehc. IMPUDENCE. Tramp: Many thanks, mum, for that cup of tea, but, beggin' your pardon, I know by its color it ain't the brand I likes, so i can't accept it. If you wants to enjoy my society, you'll kindly give me a eun of Arcadia Tea»

Unlike fish stories, dog stories may be true. jiii Ancklaiifi resident who jitx's lit llerne Buy and was leaving for a holiday asked a friend in Grey Lynn to look after his dog. The friend agreed, but 011 the fourth day the dog disappeared. The friend advertised ior ii_ searched for it, awaited its return, but in vain. When the owner of the animal returned to the city his friend met liini with a guilty conscience, but no dog. Together they mourned the loss of the departed canine, and together they deeided to go to the police about it. ;The visi; was never paid. Hardly had they left the statiun when the lost dog, hungry and looking a little anxious, but still in the flesh, greeted his muster. The question is, was it an accident, or did the dog know lie was returning by that train'!

The Prime Minister liad a eurioiw experience in I lie course of his visit to Southbridgc, Cdritcrbury, to inspect kind acquired there for soldiers' settlements. As he drove into the township lie found the main street; crowded, and the whole place en fete, His visit was too informal to ieiul him to suppose, for, a moment Hint any compliment, was intended towards him, anS lie was not long in discovering that his Excellency the Govern-or-General was visiting the town, and had just opened a (lower show in the Town Hall. To this building the Ministerial car had to wend its way, under pressing invitation, and the arrival of the second distinguished visitor was received with great enthusiasm, and presently Mr. Massey found himself on the platform before 1111 audience packed from floor to gallery. It was fouud out later that both his Kxeellency and Air. MaSsey were making their first visit to Southbridge. A special bargain in the popular mercerised sports eoats for ladies is being offered by the Melbourne, Ltd. The line consists of four only very fair quality coats, in the following colors: Navy, sand, emerald green and lilac. The priesis 3;is. The next Government wool valuation at Waiiara will take place on February Bandsmen should note that, to suit the convenience of Mr. Hughes, practice tonight is called for 8 p.m. Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second Group) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable to-day (Monday, January 21), at the Secretary's Office, C'urrie Street, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.—Advt.