LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The rainfall in Stratford for April totalled IXB4 inches, ltain fell on 17 days, the heaviest falls being I.Bin. on the !)th and 1.87 in. on the 20th. "I know a sharemilker who did so well that ho was able to buy a motor ear in two years." remarked a witness at a sitting of the Military Service Board at Palmerston North.

An Eltham butcher, desirous of helping people to cope with the "cost of living" problem, is instituting a wholesale meat trade under which he will sell beef, by the quarter or side, at (id per lb, and mutton at the same price by the side or whole sheep. Under this system (states the Argus) households, by ••partnering'' in their purchases will be able to effect an appreciable saving. The Minister of Justice, speaking at Auckland, frankly admitted that Ministers were often surprised when hearing of some of the men who had got off, but lie pointed out (hat it was a most difficult thing to say who should and who should not be exempt without hearing all the circumstances. So man should, in short, take upon himself to say of another man: "Why is he not at the front ?"

The Urenui Patriotic Committee made and sent away for the Belgians, about a year ago, 062 garments, in some of which notes were put asking for replies •or other communications. In one of the replies received by Miss dean Glentworth, the writer gratefully acknowledges the receipt of two small garments for hi» little girl, and states they were most acceptable. After giving a detailed account of his struggles since lie was wounded, he solicits a continuance of the benevolence and generosity extended to him, as his pay is small anil the cost of Jiving high. "The Kid from Timaru" has arrived and Mr. Barrie Marschel will tell all about him to-night at Everybody's. The unique combination of poem and •film, aacompanied by special musical effects and the stirring recitation by the author, is sure to draw forth enthusiastic applause.

The Christchureh City Council is negotiating for the agency for a successful typo of electric truck. The council's electrical engineer states that there is a field in Christchureh for the sale and use of GOO electric motor trucks. If this business is secured it will displace 4200 tons of petrol, at a minimum cost of fl per case. This will keep in the country a sum of £60,000 annually now paid to •the Standard Oil interests. The council will provide garage accommodation for the trucks, and will charge the batteries at night, when the power from Lake Coleridge would otherwise be wasted. The charge for housing a truck, keeping it in order and supplying it with electricity, will be £25 a year.

In a deputation to the Hon. T. M. Wilford at Auckland the other day,' Mr! Creamer said that many cases of exemption occurred which tended to disturb public confidence in the system. Why, for instance, hail, business men in the city of Auckland gone to Hamilton to have their appeals heard. At the last sitting of the Hamilton Appeal Board fourteen exemptions were granted under the religious heading, and among them appeared the name of the head of at least one Auckland business firm, who must previously have been classed as physically fit. In that room at the deputation were two men in business competition with this very man exempted. Mr. Wilford: Did he get out on account of his religious scruples? Mr. Creamer: Yes, sir. It is necessary for me to cite cases to substantiate ray statements. There are men in our league of religious scruples who do not intend, however, to appeal. This sort of thing is giving growth to an antagonism which takes the leaders of the Second Division movement all their time to combat.

In answer to a Second Division deputation in Auckland last week, the Hon. T. M. Wilford said that in regard to the question of allowances, interwoven with it came the question of the country's ability to meet the call on behalf of the Second Division men. He pointed out that the league's demands relative to the allowance for children had been met, and as to the rest he did not believe the whole story had been telegraphed from Wellington so far as the published report went. Speaking personally, he believed that the rate to be paid by way of allowance should not be dependent on the Financial Assistance Board, but should be the principal rate that everybody knew they could get without being dependent on the Financial Assistance Board. He believed, in other words, in a flat rate. The Financial Assistance Board had done excellent work, but as one member of the Cabinet he would rather see a definite rate fixed for women with one child, two, three, or more children, without having to depend on representation to the board. So far as the three mouths' period was concerned, he assured the deputation that up to Friday week at all events there had been no suggestion whatever that the promise made by the Government would not be strictly kept.

Five New Plymouth men left by the ttmil train yesterday morning for the CI camp. There was no speech-making as has been the custom up to the present. The men were provided with light refreshments at the Women's Patriotic Committee rooms and each was presented with a parcel of soldier's comforts. The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) wished the men good-bye quietly while they were enjoying their cup of ; tea, and said he did not intend to speak to them publicly at the station. Mr. Burgess explained afterwards that in deference to the feelings of the men themselves, who were really going into camp to be tested as to their fitness to undergo the necessary training, and ,in consideration of the fact that the general public showed little interest in the men's going away, he thought it better to make no public address to the men, as it only meant forcing them away from their friends during the last few moments on the station platform. When the train left yesterday morning, hearty cheers were given for the men. Following are the names of the men who went forward: K. C. Jury, A. G. W. Mason, L. A. McHardie, G. L. Scott, and W. F. Trim. A. Martin, who was due to entrain at Palmerston, also joined up at New Plymouth. Mr. Barrie Marsehel, last here with "Where are My Children?" arrived by yesterday's express with New Zealand's own picture hit, "The Kid from Timaru." Ladies should buy their white silk now for future use, if they wish to save money. The Melbourne, Ltd., have still a small quantity of their famous first choice ten momme weight Japanese silk, 27 inches wide at 4s Cd yard. This quality will soon be 5s ed ! gard.

A meeting of the North Taranaki Head Centre of the .Royal Life Saving Society was held last night, the president, Mr. D. J. Hughes, occupying the chair. The following new members were elected: Mrs. R. W. D. Robertson, Miss McLean, Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, Newton King, C. K Bellringer, J. McCluggage, E. Maxwell, C. McGuinness, J. S. Connett, R. W. D. Robertson, R. Masters ,and T. S. Young. A donation of 10s fid was received from Mr. R. Masters. Messrs J. Bennett, R. L. Mcllroy, and S. G, Smith were appointed to make arrangements for the concert at which tli» certificates are to bo presented. On Saturday next the ladies of Hillsborough will have charge of the Red Cross Mart, and a bife day is predicted. The ladies of the district have been busily preparing for some weeks, and visitors to the Mart can be certain of finding a satisfactory assortment or goods on sale. No orders will be booked beforehand,, and .operations will commence on Saturday at 9 a.m. Purchasers are asked to have all parcels removed by 4 p.m., in order to assist those in charge to close the Mart as early as possible.

■The monthly, meeting of the New Plymouth branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held yesterday afternoon. There were present, the Rev. F. G. Harvie (in the chair), Misses Curtis and Wilson, the Ven. Archdeacon Evans, Messrs J. Paton and E. lash. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Martin and Wilson. The inspector, in his monthly report, stated that matters generally throughout the district were satisfactory. An Inglewood offender, who had been prosecuted, had pleaded guilty and had been substantially fined. Accounts amounting to £1 17s Od were passed for payment. The report of the subcommittee on the Colvile Memorial Fund was received, but consideration was further postponed pending a report from the treasurer. A wonderful play, told in a wonderful way, with that wonderful artiste. This is how an American exchange describes "Outwitted," a Metro filmdrama starring Emily Stevens, showing to-night at the Empire.