LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Our local contemporary has commented upon "exaggerated reports" regarding .war happenings being given out in the ehurclies on Sunday. We do not know /what was said at the churches, Tiut we acknowledge passing a digest of the war .'lews that came through to the News on Sfturday night to the ministers, as usual when any important news comes through at the week-end, to deal with us they thought fit. We really did'nt consider it necessary to ask permission of our contemporary. "We shall not win this war until we liave an election in New Zealand"—so stated Sir William Hall-Jones in the' Legislative Council on Monday. Members smiled —some laughed. "You may smile," replied Sir William seriously, "but you will see that my prediction is verified." In the Auckland Police Court on Monday a B.A. and B.Se. was fined £25 for publishing a statement indicating disloyalty. He stated to some returned soldiers that the flag was only a rag not worth fighting for. Defendant tried to justify his remarks by saying that it was not the flag they fought for, but the principle behind the flag.. A lad, barely sixteen years of age, who yesterday pleaded guilty at Hawera to five charges of theft, at Palmerston, Feilding and Hawera, was, reports the Star, sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labor, prisoner to be kept as far as possible away from the other prisoners. The Prisons Board will liave full control of the lad's future.

An old favorite in the person of Elizabeth Risdon will star at Everybody's tomorrow and Friday in the London film feature, "The, Mother of Dartraqor," adapted from the famous novel, "The Mother," by Eden Philgotts. Following this programme on Saturday will he the World super film, "Rasputin, the Black Monk," which ha 9 caused a remaskable sensation wherever shown-.

At the request of many growers of chrysanthemums, whose blooms are not quite ready, the chrysanthemum f:iir, which m' ! np' or;r:ini.;od for Sir Arthur Pearson's Blind Soldiers' Fund, will l"># held on a dale next week to be announced later.

I ' A mail who ouglit to put £IOU,OOO into the War Loans has put in nothing up till now," stated t)io Finance Minister (Sir J. G. Ward) in the House of Representatives on Friday in the course of the debate on the compulsory loan provisions oX the Finance Bill.

"That the Engineer be given three months' notice of dismissal*" on the grounds of disobedience."—This is a notice of motion put m by Cr. Baskin for the monthly meeting of tha Stratford County Council to be held on Saturday next.—-Post.

Following is an extract from a letter recently received from Home:—"The New Zealanders are very English :ii) their manners, and are much liked and respected. They have giver, a good impression of tlieir orderly, sober, and respectful manners that will never be forgotten." In tha Auckland Supreme Court, Joseph Wachner, bankrupt, formerly a fancy goods dealer, pleaded guilty to a charge of having destroyed his business books. He said ho bad done it without thought, being disgusted with the business. He was fined £SO and costs. At the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.H., Joseph Sweeney, who was arrested by plain-clothes Constable Fitzgibbor., was charged with the theft of a horse, saddle and bridle, at Mohaka, valued at £lO, the property of W- G. Ratclilfe. Accused was remanded to appear at Napier on April 24In the Magistrate's Court at New Plymouth yesterday, before Mr, A. Crooke, S.M., a first offender for ■' drunkenness was convicted and discharged. The same man was re-arrested in town last night on a charge of drunkenness. He had a considerable sum of money in his possession. He will appear in court this morning. •

To-night will be the last opportunity to see Charlie Chaplin in his latest Mutual comedy, "The Cure," at the Empire. There will be a complete change to-morrow when Francis X. Bushman and Beverley Bayne 'will be starred in the Metro super-feature, "The Adopted Son"

Mr.., A. V. Christensen, chairman of the Patea' Harbor Board, telegraphs to the Hawera Star as follows: "Have seen Department re handling charges; alteration will be made at onee; refund will be made for overcharges paid." Information has been received by the Minister for Marine (the Hon. T. M. Wilford) that the whoje of the crew of the steamer Wairuna, \vhich was sunk by the German raider Wolff, have been saved. There was some doubt about the fate of Messrs McKenzie and Isbister, the first and third officers respectively, but a cable message has been received from London intimating that the one is interned at Karlsruhe and, the other at Brandenburg. The Eltham County, employees resumed work 011 Monday morning, but only for a few hours. In the afternoon (says the Argus) they received word that the council would not consider their protest regarding the reduced rate of wages, and immediately tliey ceased work. The majority of the men were employed on the Mangamingi ridge clearing, away the slips there, and they decided to return to town without completing the day's work. The committee who had charge of the arrangements at the Mart on Saturday acknowledges with thanks the following donations: —Leslie Clark £2 2s, Mrs. and Mr. H. Weston £2, E. J. Carthew £1 Is, W. C. Weston £1 Is, Anonymous £1 Is, H. T. 11, Grove £1 Is, B. Wells £1 Is, I. Burgess (Warea) £l, A. Clothier (Warea) £1 and a sheep, Mr. Greig £l, G. Pygus (Waitoitoi) 17s 6d, A. Thompson (Waitoitoi) Bs, A. J. Tunbridge 10s, Mrs Colson 10s, R. Corm wall 10s, South British Insurance 10s, and smaller amounts. They also wish to thank the Okail, Uruti, Waitoitoi, Oxford, Brooklands, Bell Block, White Cliffs, Frankley Road, Okato and Puniho, Rahotu, and Patea Co-operative Dairy Companies for gifts of butter and cheese; Messrs. Sampson, Corbett, and ! Stewart, for pigs; Waitara and Smart Road Freezing Companies for sheep's tongues, and all others who assisted in raising such a fine total; also the Marble Bar Company for refreshments supplied, and the Boy Scouts, Mr. Ross, Warea, a? well as the' carriers and coaches who brought in produce without charge.

In the St. Aubyn Methodist Church on Monday night a farewell social was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. F. Souster, who left last night to take up work in the Otahuhu circuit. The church was filled, practically every part of the New Plymouth circuit being represented. The Revs. A. 0. Seivewright and O. Blundell and Adjutant Rowlands sent letters of apology for their absence, and expressed regret at the removal of Mr.. Souster. The Rev. H. L. Richards spoke on behalf of the other ministers of the circuit, and Mr. O. E. Bellringer spoke on behalf of the circuit. Mr. J. Asher, for the congregation of St. Aubyn Church, presented Mr. Souster with a travelling rug, and oil behalf of the Children's Happy Hour Circle, with a copy of J. Oxenliam's poems. Oil behalf of the ladies of the congregation Mrs. Souster was presented witli ft hand-bag. Mr. Souster suitably acknowledged the gifts and the expressions of good feeling, During the evening a number of musical items were contributed, and supper was dispensed at the close of the programme.

One interesting admission by an authority is that "\vo are a long way from having command of the <air." ' This is disappointing after three and a-half years of war, particularly at the opening of a struggle which may prove decisive, and in which spotting for the masses of artillery is of such supreme importance. Trie enemy have been straining every nerve in the production of aeroplanes during the winter, and they are now able to concentrate on the west front almost exclusively they have apparently gained a considerable measure of success in making up leeway. Judging by Sir Douglas Haig's reports, however, we still have a substantial superiority. Thus he claim# the bringing down of twenty-one enemy aeroplanes and three balloons against the loss of seven of our machines. Moreover, lie mentions that during the past week the American air forces have rendered invaluable service. The first batch of American aeroplanes was reported to liave arrived on the western front during the tiiird week of February, or about six weeks ago, and Sir Douglas Haig's announcement suggests that they are now beginning to arrive in some strength.

Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 1/6, 2/6 For Children's Hocking Cough at night,

The revenue of the Wellington City tramways for the last financial year was £218,320, the expenditure being £200,420. The lieU profit represents a fraction over ]i per cent 011 the capital involved in the undertaking.

The war has brought unprecedented prosperity to the food-packing industries of Chicago. The annual report of Armour and Co. disclose net profits last year of £4,258,7 J2, which is equivalent to 21 per cent of the capital. The gross volume of business in 1917 from sources within tho country was £115,000,000. Mr Robert Ure, a returned soldier, who has been attending commercial classes at the Hawera Technical College, lias gained his first-class certificate in shorthand. This success is the more commendable in that Mr Ure', while on active service, lost three fingers of the right hand, and writes with the thumb and one finger. In yiew of the high prices now being charged for petrol, a corespondent of a Wellington newspaper suggests that the Government should step in and reopen the Orepuki oil wells. He adds: There can be no question of a market at paying: prices, and the oil was suitable for petrol engines. The deposits' of shale are very extensive, and I understand that over £luu,ooo was expended on the plant. ? A returned officer, in speaking yesterday to the Mayor of New Plymouth in respect of the use of the regimental funds' amongst men at the front, said the money was used to supplement the regulation rations. He did not wish to imply that the rations were insufficient, but he said the New Zealanders were always hungry. He did not know how to account for it, but it was a fact nevertheless.

The delay 111 the transmission of cables from soldiers in England was the subject of some discussion at last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee. The question arose out of a complaint of a local lady whose son cabled for some money, and the cable had taken 47 days to reach its destination. The committee thought, in view of the statements made by the PostmasterGeneral in Parliament, it was not wise to press the complaint any further. Out of the fund from which the Mayoress of New Plymouth provides comforts every month for troopships, Mrs. Burgess states that up to the present eight gramaphones and a large number of records have been included in the cases sent away. The supply of books is also being well maintained by means of the boxes placed in the streets. Three boxes were put rip about six or seven weeks ago, and over 1000 books have been placed in them during that time. At last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee, Mrs. C. H. Burgess reported that arrangements were practically completed for the evening celebrations in connection with Anzac Day. It had been decided that the returned soldiers would entertain the veterans to tea at the Soldiers' Club, and to a social in the evening. The gathering would be a much larger one than that held last year. An invitation was given to the members of the Patriotic Committee to be present on the occasion. The committee gratefully accepted the invitation, and decided to contribute £lO towards the cost of the function.

Football is to be resumed by the leading clubs in Melbourne (states the "Argus"). Two years ago most of the clubs, recognising that 37 sturdy men chasing a ball on Saturday afternoons was an offensive satire on the war spirit, suspended the competitions. It is difficult to understand how the resumption of the League and Association matches can be justified now. The war has not been won, nor are the dangers of the present situation likely to be decreased simply because those controlling the League and Association pro. grammes encourage eligible men to spend afternoon playing football. No one can play the game who is not physipally fit for active service. That is the one reason why the matches were discontinued by the best clubs, and it is also a strong reason against their being resumed.

An excellent war story, which is elaim> ed to be true, coines from a soldier ia France. It is a well-known fact that a number of Chinese are employed on .fatigue work behind the British lines, [and one day Fritz paid a party of these Celestials the questionable compliment of bombing them, with fatal results. Such treatment was not to be regarded lightly by our Eastern Allies, and a form of revenge now allowed for in Army Orders was decided upon. Behind the lines also was an enemy internment enclosure, and with this in mind the "diggers" collected a quantity of hand grenades and set off in the direction of the imprisoned Bosches. By medium of these deadly weapons the wily Celestials carried out reprisals most successfully, but, needless to say, a stricter watch was subsequently kept over everything in the shape of ammunition.

The Times special correspondent a« Uashington, after a tour of America, studying the war work, meeting political, financial, and industrial leaders, says:—. "There is general evidence of a nationwide, unselfish idealism, vast energy, and an iron determination which is deeply impressive, particularly over the great middle-west. America's real mainstay is practically unconnected with New York's financial network. Experienced authorities regret the early boastful reports about the country's capacity fo> turning out ships and aeroplanes, but production is now advancing at a high speed, and will extend for many months to come at a much faster rate than Britain's during the corresponding preparatory stage. Henceforth, increasing forces and supplies will demonstrate that America is not indulging in bluff and show, but will fight till Prussian autocracy is crushed, even if she must fight alone.

Attention is called to sbmo motor-cycle and side-car bargains advertised by the Elthain Motor-Cycle Repair Depot 011 page X. The public and those interested are invited to attend a demonstration of the utility of the McKay patent artificial arm, which takes place at Messrs Cook and Lister's, Brougham Street (next Bank of New Zealand) on Friday, April 19, at 3 p.m. This arm is a marvel, and with it a man can work at almost any trade. The fact that the New Zealand Government is adopting it foi< returned soldiers should be a sufficient guarantee of its superiority.

LEST YE' FORGET. Easter has again come round, but when 011 that holiday or picnic don't forget to take with you a packet of Arcadia Tea. It matters not if it is made in a kerosene tin or a silver teapot; it always maintains its lovely flavor.

Get a North British Hot Water Bottle with the patent "Unique" stopper. Made of best rubber, tight well-vulcan-ized seams, they last for years, that's why all chemists recgmihend them;"

An invasion of kangaroo mice oil ft New South Wales station is reported in the Australasian. During the owner's :S2 years' residence he had seen only three of these strange animals until March, when they appeared in numbers, and 1,051 were poisoned. They have long hind legs like a kangaroo. They usually run on all fours, but when hurried they hop, after the manner of the kangaroo. Many years ago the owner of this station found a pouched kangaroo mouse with nine young in the pouch. The mice now; seen are not pouched.

Even the rat is assisting in the present war. This pest is described by an English paper as the worst of all war profiteers, owing to its ravages of grain! supplies. In France, however, rat skins have been turned to account for many purposes after having been tanned. Tho leather is reported to be very soft and. flexible, and the fur, when the skins are .properly preserved, is stated to resemble musquash, added to which it lasts better than moleskins. One rat exterminator states he kUled over sisi million rats last year.

In the course of the next few weeks; the kauka or godwit, which is at present, spending its summer in the northern parts of New Zealand, will assemble in, its millions at Spirits Bay, in the fan North, in accordance with its annual timetable, to start off at the right mo-t rnent for the long trans-oceanic flight tq its winter quarters in Siberia. The' spectacles of the long columns of birds taking wing at a given signal must be one of special interest. The Auckland Herald understands that several Auckland citizens are organising a party to' be on the spot at the time of the birds'; departure

An immense deposit of limestone has been discovered on an educational reserve, at Waikari, Canterbury, leased by Mr Charles Trounce. The Christehureli Sun states that an analysis has disclosed the extremely high average proportion of' 82.5 per cent pure carbonate of lime. Parts of the deposit analysed made over, 90 per cent, so that the remarkable purity of the find can be The lime can be handled easily, being crisp like cornflour, and no difficulty exists in quarrying it. It does not lose its, crispness when exposed to the weather. At present the deposit is revealed in a) solid mass, but its full extent can onJjS be guessed at.