LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A London cable states that in the Now Zealand appeal case uf Marsh and another v. Imlegcr, judgment was reserved.

A meeting at rlftwora ou.Friday decided to form :i committee to go into tiio question of arranging a suitable ceremony in connection with the fiftieth ai niversa-ry of the Turuturu-Mokai gagement.

A Press Association message states that representatives of all the trades unions in Auckland, at a meeting on Friday night passed a resolution urging the National Council of Labor to frame regulations respecting industrial conscription.

A cable from Japan just ''eceived by the Melbourne, Ltd., advises that the price of silk has taken an enormous jump. First quality whitt, cilk has advanced 20 per cent., whilst crepe do chine is even worse, showing- an advance of 33 l-3rd per cent. Ladies should take the hint and provide now for future requirements.

The Red Cross Mart had another very successful day on Saturday. There was a good supply of the usual classes of cooked foods and a particularly line display of (lowers on sale when the mart opened in the morning. The Girls' Friendly Society were in charge throughout the day, and the takings amounted to the satisfactory sum of about £3S. The concert in the Good Templar Hall on Thursday realised a net tnlnl of .C-13 l-'s «d for 'the Tied Cross funds. The piano used at the entertainment was kindly lent by Mr. Hoffmann.

Dr. de Lisle Avrit.es to the Hawkc's Bay Tribune: —By the English mail I received a letter from my cousin, MajorGeneral Sir 11. de Beauvoir de Lisle, K.C.B, D.5.0., in which the following criticism of our boys occurs, and will be of interest to your readers: —"T often come across the New Zealand Division under Russell. They are very fine troops, and I think the best we have. You have certainly reason to be proud of them.'

The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the New Plymouth Freezing Workers' and Butchers' Industrial Union of Workers held on May i: —That this merlins of freezinff workers of New Plymouth condemns the proposals contained in the Finance Bill permitting the compulsory transference of Labor from one industry to another, as we consider that such amounts to an industrial conscription and will enable the food brigands and other profiteers to further fatten on the tribulation of the masses: and. further, we consider that a general election should be held in the immediate future."

There are two kinds of people who don't know a'good thing "'hen they see H. Those who think it is 100 good to be true, and those who think it is ■-• -. inod that perh'ims it mr'bf he made >V'. ter. Tf you try "PERFECTION" WhUkv you'll find no Whisky could be made 1 better.

ill spite (if the unpromising condi (inn 0 f tin' weal lici- ycslcniay morning, it cleared suilicicut ly to allow of a very successful recital being given bv Iho ■Citizens' Hand :i( Kuwaroa park in the afternoon. There was a good attendance (if the public, and the band linistt red about Mt strong, several of the junior players making their lir.-t appearance in a public recital the liand gave a very well-selected programme, whieli was played m good style. Two new quicksteps were included ''llr.no;l!mylif' (Hi minor) and '-fie llie Bight" iKlmers). A selection entitled ••tfnglish Sonus,'' by I!inmier, which included a number of old Knglish melodies, was a very popular item. Two cornet, solos were played, ''A Perfect Day'' and 'Sweet Spirit, Kear My Braver" (YY'allaeci. Bandsman Vog'uf anil Bandmaster MBood hein- Ihe respective soloisK '['he hand also gave a very yowl renderiii'i of an arrangetiit'ii! of (lie Lord's Prayer by I'. W. <; Al'l.eod. The coileelion, which was for Ihe .Par'; funds, amounted to £8 4s. At the last meet inn- of the Moa Pioad Board it will be remembered that the chairman (JMr. A, Corkill) reported that (wo of the surfacemen had approached him with a demand for Ms a day, when working out of their length. I'nder protest, he had agreed to pay it, but considered it would be impossible (.0 carry on if Ms per day, wet or dry, were paid. He, therefore, moved that f : « services of the four surfacemen be dispensed with and casual labor be employed and paid for fine weather only. The resolution was carried. Mr. TTonwood, who seconded, remarked that, the board was paying the wages and getting 110 work done at all- There is evidently some wag among the workmen, for on Saturday, the dav of the Moa Road "Board election, an imitation tombstone bad been prominently placed in front of the band rotunda, bearing the following inscrip-tion:-—Tn bitter memory of four Moa surfacemen, who departed this life for fourteen bob a day. Tbev toiled not, neither did they spin. Fourteen bob don't satisfy him. Woodhon." A crossed pick and No. (1 shovel surmounted the inscription, whilst at the foot was a drawing of a patriarchal member marked Dad, and also Mount Fimont, with the inscription: Metal Hill, not Cork." The lettering was chipped into the slab of papa and then blacked. The monument evoked considerable interest, and was inspected by hundreds during the day: indeed, it is questionable-it' the 'band rotunda has ever attracted such attention since its erection. Botulism, which was mentioned in the cables last week as having caused eight deaths in London in a week, is, as indicated, one of the meat poisoning diseases, and is due to a specific bacillus, Hie bacillus Botulinus. Other food-poisoning are due to the bacillus infection of food which causes disorders of the stomach and bowels. Piotulism ditl'ers from these in that these symptoms produced are almost cntrely due to the nerves being affected, the particular portion of the brain concerned being the medulla, where the vital centres are located. The symptoms, which manifest themselves about twelve hours after the victim has eaten infected food, include paralysis of the tongue, masticatory muscles, and throat, with disorders of the secretions of the mouth and nose, difficulty in speaking and breathing, protrusion of the eyes, and a peculiarly maniacal appearance. Death is caused eventually and at no long interval by heart failure. This disease, which has hitherto been very rare, in Kngland, has been fairly common on the Continent, particularly in Germany, probably on account of the national fondnen for such foods as rawsmoked ham, either by itself or in sausage form, and for other uncooked or haU'-eooked meats. The bacillus has the peculiarity that it cannot grow in oxygon, and the exclusion of air from tinned foods therefore favors its development. At one time there was 110 known cure for botulism, but in recent years an anti-toxin has been prepared which appears to g|ive satisfactory results. It may be added, for the greater peace of mind of nervous people, that the disease is not infectious, and is believed to be unknown in New Zealand.

It happened "somewhere in France," and it has the merit of being true. A certain Lewis gun section had in it a big, powerful, cheery, kindly back blocker from Taranaki, Trish by name. Out on duty one day ammunition ran short, and the Tarcnaki man was sent back for some more—a three-mile walk over shell-swept country. He went, and returned safely in about an hour and a-half. Still there was a shortage, and the officer said to him: ''Tell Private to go and get some more." The Taranaki man found Private fast asleep. "Poor little devil, let him sleep," he said, and he went the journey again, and again returned safely. "Private asked me to bring you the ammunition he has just brought in sir,'' he said to the officer and even then Private ■ was fast asleep. It was not until a week later that Private found out. Now both men are' back in New Zealand —the Taranaki man wounded and Private . gassed.

The star attraction at the Empire tonight will be the appearance of the popular aetress,_ Clara I\. Young, in a thrilling and romantic story of Russian Court life, with its innumerable plots and intrigues, entitled "My Official Wife." Miss Young is supported by an exceptionally brilliant cast in this remarkable production. Another serfcs of the popular "History of the War" will also bo shown on this programme.

W. IT. and A. M'Garry advertise a !splendid Ngaore- dairy farm of 240 acres, ! curry in}; from 90 to 100 cows, on exceptionally easy terms. Pull details appear nn first page. Morey's do not forget the clothing needs of baby. On the other hand they devote quite a lot of attention to tliu matter, and they are able to offer varieties and values that will appeal to every mother. We refer you to an announcement regarding baby's attire, published by Morey's in this paper. PLEDGES ALL BROKEN. DRINKO EFFECTS CURE. An Auckland wife writes: "I am pleased to state that the patient started on his fourth packet to-day. From the first powder ho has not tasted drink. It is marvellous as he lias been a heavy drinker. Pledges and promises were broken over and over again." Could anything be more convincing?" Wo have dozens of similar letters. Drinko can he given in any liquid or food secretly if desired. Treatment is not expensive and will not harm anyone. Iljokiet with testimonials free in sealed envelope on request State if Mr., Mrs., '■i - Miss. Address in strictest conMiencc. Lady Manager, Drinko Proprietary, 212 A. C, Lambtcoi Quay, Wellington g

A drastic ivdiii-i'mit in Hie .mipiit «n" paper iisod by Hie London '-Times ii about to lip enforced. The daily sale will bo limited to 120,(1(10 copies, and to make up for (hi! prions loss, ol' revenue I hi; price will be restored In threepence, at which tins Times was sold from lSlil lo 10111, when it was rallied lo twopence. Those who require the "Times" will be obliged to sign a rationing form and no copies will be supplied to anyone who does not undertake to share the journal with at least one other reader. The London Sunday newspapers are all increasing their prices from Id lo id.

A rather remarkable motor-car accident occurred at Newmarket, Auckland, on Tuesday morning, when a vehicle conveying a wedding party to church for the ceremony to be performed capsized. The motor-ear skidded on the wet rails, and was completely overturned, with the occupants underneath. They had a remarkable escape from serious injury, if not worse, and, strangely enough, not one was hurt. The car was righted, and the wedding party, consisting of a lady and two gentlemen, having been released, they proceeded to the church, where the marriage was performed as if no such untoward incident had occurred.

England, it is certain, will brill" foriJi no move Falstatfs, at least, not as long as the present war rages, lu perusing the table of foodstuffs, that a housewife is supposed to know by heart one is struck by the extreme sparingness which permeates the whole. One and a Jialf ounces of tea is what each person is allowed per week. If a man works extremely hard he may have for the same period Sib of bread and 4oz of butter. For breakfast, no meat, no sugar, 3oz of bread, 1-lioz of butter are tabulated. For the midday meal 3oz of meat, Joz of sugar, 2oz of' bread, loz of flour, 1-lioz of butter are allowed; lioz of bread and l-3oz of butter may be had for the evening meal. Sidelights on the Mesopotamia campaign are given by Sapper Eric Ward, of Wellington, in a letter dated 15th December last, and published in the Katipo. He says: ".Not much news from this part of the world. Been very cold lately, and we are feeling it after the hot summer. During the last week have had a sheet of ice on the water buckets every morn, sometimes an inch thick, and we all have a schoolboy's wash now. This place is much colder than where we were last year, but of course we are over 100 miles further north. Latest pastime is shooting ducks and geese, which are about here in thousands. Some of us go out every morning to try our luck. Got a goose a few days ago, but the ducks are hard to hit with a rifle. A shotgun would be just the thing out here now, but can't get one in the country."

In connection with the recent criticism in English papers of the British high command, the London correspondent of the Sydney Sun, writing on the 22nd February, said: ». "There is at least one high commander in France of whom we have already, indirectly, given a frank opinion. I am convinced "that it was necessary. The general is General Cough. The Australian divisions fought several times in his army in the Somme country. They have no great love for his methods'. General Gough is the only British general I have heard the Australian soldier criticise and his criticism has been free. I notice that the German view is that Sir Douglas Haig will he called on to retire from his command, because, quite apart from all other considerations, the Allies' plan of severe ecouomy, which the Haig school cannot, and will not reconcile with their ideas of western strategy. That view, I" am confident, is incorrect. Haig will shake oA' all attacks, and remain at least for some time, as British Commander-in-Chief. The policy will be to surround him with new, fresh, able young men; but the great gifts of Sir Douglas Haig are recognised. He has some of the soldier's most necessary qualities highly developed—strength, decision, clearness of mind, rigidity of character, sternness. His character is indeed outstandingly that of a soldier—so much so that it approaches genius." Our main topie of conversation at present, says a London letter to a exchange, is not raid 3, but food. Next week we are all to be meat rationed.— lib weekly for each adult and Jib for each child under ten. We are not to spend more than Is 3d each, which naturally will not buy very much. Fish is not rationed, though bacon will be, and we are all expecting to see eggs soar up to a tremendous price. They are at present 5d each, and have been more. We are all interested in our funny ration cards, with their disc, each of which gives us the right to rather less meat J than one offers to a young magpie. Possibly all this sounds as if we were leading dismal lives, but, apart from the war, it is doubtful whether anyone is a penny the worse. There is plenty to eat, though it may not always be just what we would fancy, and doctors say that there has rarely been so little sickness. The match famine lias set us all making paper spills, and many a family boasts that it only uses one match a day. lighting gas and candles with paper slips from the diningroom fire, which is started beforo breakfast. Wo gossip now about our last meal or next meal in a shameless way, and exult over a "lovely piece of beef" or a 'leg of mutton, my dear,'' or ''half a pound of butter.' The bread we get is all right,.but it is khaki colour, and steams furiously before it will toast. A Manchester newspaper terms it "The staff of death." Butter has to be eked out at the rate of a quarter of a pound per person per week, therefore one rarely gets more than a scraping on one's bread. But fish and vegetables and jam and cereals are plentiful, and if fat people are a little thinner than they were, it really does not matter.

\ Wiling 1,., n friend in Wellington, an sev-Xew Zealander now in Durban says: "Strange for Africa, we are Jiavinj dread I ill storms mid washaways, with j.'t good ileal of loss of life—Europeans, | Indians, am' natives. ZulullUid •has suilered terribly, entire villages being washed away. J'Ynit. is very cheap in the season. Pine-apples of good size are,, selling in Durban market at 4d a dozen, and bananas are dirt cheap." Colonel Gibbon's attention was called by Sir ltobert Anderson (chairman of the Defence Commission) to several cases in which valuable officers were being paid much lower salaries than others; engaged in far less important work. It is hard, said Sir Robert, to understand the basis of differentiation. Colonel Gibbon explained that lie had little to do with the details of payWhen anomalies were brought up they were dealt by the Adjutant-General. There had been frequent discussions on the subject. "But these anomalies," said Sir Robert, "have been going on for a long time. There is one case of a captain getting more than a colonel." "There are anomalies in the British Army,'' retorted the colonel. "When I was in India I was drawing more money than the second in command of the regiment, because I was classed as a general staff officer of the third grade." When asked whether he could suggest a remedy, the colonel remarked that jie hoped any suggested improvement would be a levelling up, and no cutting-down. Otherwise present dissatisfaction would De intensified. "But," persisted Sir Robert, "are not men, most of whom have not been to ! the front, being spoilt by their fat salaries? Could they not well stand some cutting down?" The brilliant sporting pictnre, "The Tohorouglrbred," attracted a crowded house at Everybody's on Saturday, and this exciting racing drama proved equal" to all the advance eulogies. To-mTght will be the final screening, and no lover of "the sport of kings" or anyone who appreciates a gripping fast-moving picture should miss viewing this splendid feature. To-morrow June Caprice will star with Kane Lee in the Fox drama, "A Small Town Girl." The gift camisolo donated by Mrs. Percy Jury to the Blind Soldiers' Fund was won by E- L. Hoyden.