LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

e - v ' w ho leaves for Wellington on Monday for the Parliamentary session,, desires to make it known that if parents of men on active service who wisli for information will communicate with him at Parliament Buildings he will be glad to give their t letters personal attention. The number of the soldier and the reinforcement to which he belongs should alwavs be given. A branch of the New Zealand fanners' Union has been formed at Lowgarth, with the following officers:— President, Air- Richards; vice-president, Mr. Hills, secretary lyid treasurer, Mr Hills; auditor, Mr. JS. A. Gray; delegate to Provincial Conference," Mr. Richards; executive, Messrs B. Booker, H. J. Shrimpt.on, W. A. Richardson, I. A. Shrimpton, A. T. Sulzberger, C. Schneller, and W. 1). Blennerhassett

With the object of encouraging school children to grow daffodils and narcissi flic Wlutelcy Church Flower Show Committee decided last year to .supply schools with bulbs free, conditionally upon au exhibit being forwarded to tile annual show. Up to the present fiv<» outside schools have made the necessary arrangements. Other schools desirous of taking advantage of the free oiler of bulbs should apply without delay to Mr. J. Gibson, .Fraukley Road, A plausible gentleman whose name it is understood is J. C- Harrison, toured Taranaki recently—and other placesselling a disinfectant called "Anconia." Hia plan was to appoint sole agencies in various towns on condition that the sole agent purchased a certain quantity of the preparation, and paid cash for it. He appears to have been fairly successful, and scooped up a fair amount of good hard cash. He advertised freely in many newspapers, but this part of the busings, needless to say, was not conducted on a cash basis. He was selling for cash, but was not buying on that excellent principle- Eventually, having raked in the shekels he did the "Pacific slope," but file police were on Jiia track, and he lias been arreßted at Honolulu. He is coming back to New Zealand.—Eltham Argus. • The English people have prided themselves on their phlegmatic temperament, and as a contrast have held up the emotional character of the French. But the French are by ito means as emotional as the Englishman would have one believe. The Frenchman, when brought face to face with danger, is not .easily excited. It will be remembered that when Junot was writing to Napoleon's dictation a shell burst close to him, "Thanks," he said, nodding towards the enemy's battery, "we shall not need sand to dry the letter this tiipe." This reply gained him his promotion. In the throes of ' the battle of Ypres French troops, under a punishing fire, began to retire. While this movement was being carried out, they were met with by General Grassetti, who called for a chair that he might sit down. A solid camp stool was brought by a soldier, and down he sat, quietly rating in the middle of the shell-torn street, waiting for the advent of the enemy. Shells were bursting around, gutting houses, amidst bursts of shrapnel. Soon a British staff officer, sent by-General French, arrived. The Field Marshal begged to inquire wlijat the French commander proposed to do, as the retreat of the French might involve the retirement of his army. "Well, sit down here. I can talk quite comfortably here," said General Grassetti. At that moment a shell burst close to them. "You can tell General French," he continued after a suitable pause, during which he brushed the dust off his kepi, "that my name is Grassetti, and as the name indicates, I am too fat to retire."

How soothing after a hard day's work or worry to slip into a soft cosy dressing gown and feel at rest. The daintiest dressing gowns you could wish for are showing in a window of the Big Store, Waitara. They look so attractive and comfy, you long to snuggle in anil rest. Harold Lockwood will be featured at both matinee and night sessions at the Empire to-day in the Metro superfeature "Paradise Oarden." Amongst the supporting items there is the fifth episode of "Peg 0' the Ring" and this thrilling adventure picture gets more interesting each wee,k. An excellent programme will be played by the New Plymouth Citizen's Band at Pukekura Park to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 3 o'clock. A number of selections will he given by special request. The "Yyrie and Gloria" from Mozart's 12tii Mass. will also -be included, and the recital will conclude witli an arrangement of the Lord's Prayer' by the bandmaster. Tho collection will be in.- aid of the band funds. The open-air baby gets on best. Leave : yours out of doors all the time, but put f a Korth British Hot Water Bottle at his feet. Watch him grow.

Eain fell on nine days in Stratford during last month, the maximum fall (3.83 in.) on tlie 20th being heavy. The total fall was 7.5!). Inglewood, a total fall of S.GO inches was registered in the nine days on which rain fell. The heaviest fall was on the 28th, when the total was 5.14 inches. liotorua experienced its most crowded Easter this year. The people ?(reamed in hundreds into the pretty li' 'own on the shores of Lake Rotor. -very day last week, and (iood Frid.. .'mind every hotel and ltoardingliou.-e in the place packed. Many visitors who had not had the forethought lo telegraph for accommodation early in the v.eek had the untoward experience on Good Friday of having to tramp round from house to house seeking a place whereon to lay their weary heads, and had eventually to beg for shakedowns until the strain lessened. In this wtfy the War Regulations, which restrict travelling beyond the Dominion to some extent, have proved a boon to the boarding-house-keepers of Kotorua. It is suggested that statistics of the number of people who have visited the unique and beautiful thermal resort for the last three years, compared tvith the three years prior to the war, would be interesting

The disappearance of goods from various auction rooms about Auckland of late weeks caused complaint to the police, aud inquiries by Detective Cummings (says the Star) resulted in the arrest of a married man, who came before Mr. F. V. Frazer. S.M. There were unusual features about the ease in that the accused had taken all manner of useless things, and had left them lying about his bouse, without any effort at concealment, or of making use of or selling the things for profit, though in the aggregate the goods were valued at about £OO. The man had been treated for mental trouble some months ago, and there were many indications that the trouble had recently recurred to such extent that it was questionable if he were responsible for his acts. He entered a plea of guilty, but His Worship, believing that the man was not normal, exercised his power under the Mental Defectives Act to refuse the plea, and, after hearing evidence, committed him for trial at the .Supreme Court. The Melbourne Ltd., advise the arrival of fresh stocks of ladies' pure wool cashmere hose at the following prices. Plain black cashmere 2/11;. ribbed cashmere 3/G; plain llama hose 4/3, 4/6 and 4/11. Also famous "Jason" three quarter socks with double ribbed tops- Size 4. 1/11 to size ]O, 2/11. A plea of self-defence is put forward by the murderer in "AVhose Wife"? and lie claims that his wife saw* the victim begin the attack. His wife, whom he had deceived and deserted cannot be found, but to the amazement of the defending lawyer the girl he loved, entered the court and confessed that she was the woman sought. Gail Kane is cast in the principle role in this powerful drama which is showing at Everybody's to-day and to-night. Day sale tickets for either stalls or D.C. can be purchased at Collier's any time to-day. Messrs E. L. Humphries and W. B. Daviea notify that they hare removed their estate agency business to Griffiths buildings, Egmont Street. The attention of ratepayers In the Opunake Harbor district Is drawn to an advertisement calling a public meeting to consider purchasing the jetty* from the present owner, and putting it in a proper state of repair for safe working. The Board luis a proposition to lay before the business men on the question of keeping the port open. At the St. Aubyn Methodist Church a special service will be held to-morrow morning at 11 a.m. A roll of hoiior engrossed with upwards of 20 names of men who have enlisted from the Sunday school and church will be unveiled by W. Ambury, Esq. Special hymn sheets will be used and special music rendered by.the choir, the soloists being Mrs. Golding and Miss Guildfort. Preacher: Missioner P. Souster.