LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An opossum, the first known to be in the district, was seen at Purangi last week.

The newspaper world of London has, states a late member of the Daily News staff, changed a lot since the war. The size of the papers has been considerably reduced, and they devote nearly the whole of their space to war matters. In consequence very small staffs are employed, and so things are not too good from the point of view of the men. The Patea Press states: An act of wanton hooliganism was perpetrated at the local motor garage on Wednesday night, when the tyres of a motor car that was left outside in readiness to go into the country were cut to pieces. The benzine tank was also emptied and filled with water, and the sparking plugs of the engine removed. It is sincerely to be hoped that the perpetrator or perpetrators will be caught and taught such a lesson as will prevent them repeating their performance. Hooliganism of any kind in this country should be stamped out at all costs.

A gathering to welcome home Rev. Clement Houchen, M.C., who has returned invalided after nearly three vears' active service, was held at Auckland recently. When thanking the gathering for their welcome, Mr. Houchen dealt with the battle of Fleurs. He paid a high tribute to the splendid work of the late Dr. Boyle, a New Zealand surgeon, whose advanced dressing station was his post during much of the fighting; and to the late Dr. A. A. Martin (Palmerston North), with whom he had lunch in a shell hole an hour or two before the doctor received his fatal wound. Representations were made to the Hon. W. H. Hemes (Minister of Railways) when he visited New Plymouth recently, regarding deficiencies of the weighbridge in the local railway yards. Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., has been advised by the Minister that the weighbridge is a good machine, and with proper care and attention will continue to weigh accurately. There is some difficulty, the Minister adds, in keeping the weighbridge in order, owing to the effect of salt spray on the working parts, a difficulty which would be experienced with any type of machine, but instructions have been given with the object of ensuring that the machine shall have the care and attention necessary to maintain it in good order. A very enjoyable social evening was held in Whiteley Hall last night to inaugurate the winter session of the Whiteley Club. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair presided, and there was a large attendance. The programme, which consisted of games, competitions and musical and elocutionary items, was arranged by Miss M. Cannell and Mr. J. Gibson. Opportunity was taken to welcome home Sergeant Foote, D.C.M., who has recently returned from the front. Reference was also made to several other soldier members of the club who had returned since the end of last session. Private Blanehett, who was on final leave, was also suitably farewelled. An outline of the programme for the session was given by the chairman, and the meeting closed with the singing of the doxology. A strange girl on the hearthrug at three o'clock in the morning, is the surprise that greets Everette Hale, the playwright in "Chicken Casey." His good instincts come to the for? '. this awkward situation, and from i f npr predicament comes his life ha ; y ;. Showing to-night at Everybody's.

A deputation waited on the Minister of Justice at Wellington on Saturday, to plead for a mitigation of the sentences recently passed on Te Wliiti and other natives in connection with what is known as the Rahotu riot cases. The Minister promised to go fully into the matter at the earliest possible moment.

"Russia can he only one of three things—an ally, an enemy, or a neutral. If she is an enemy, Japan has every right, with the assistance of Americans and even Chinese, to invade Hiipsia, just as the Allies have every right to enter Belgium to drive out the Hun."—Hon. T. M. Wilford in Wellington on Friday. The Wellington Times states that three vessels—the Kapuni, Hawera and AVaverley—left Wellington for Patea on Sunday, taking advantage of what appeared to be a lull in the stormy weather. On approaching Terawhiti, however, they ran into a heavy sea, and were compelled to return to port. A watersider giving evidence before the Waterside Accidents Commission stated that when they were working cheese they had found the insects in the cltp.-o petting into the men's heads. Tf looked like dust. He had got it on him, and it began to itch. He washed him.self in a weak solution of Jeyes' Fluid, and continued the practice while he was working cheese. But it came out on the flesh of some of the men like barber's rash. It also affected their eyes, and he had seen a man wearing goggles to prevent that. Theso "jumpers" seemed to be on any cheese that was left any time in the shed. (Laughter.) Captain McArthur: "Some of these high-class people won't have it unless it walks down." (Laughter.) When the heavy downpour fell on the streets shortly after midday on Friday last, shopkeepers in Lambton quay, Wellington, in the vicinity of the police station and Government Buildings wer* occasioned no little concern by the rising flood waters, which covered the surface of the street. The drains were unable to cope with the rush of water, and as the rain came down with ever-increasing force the waters rose higher and higher! Soon every shop door facing the police station buildings was lined with anxious looking shopkeepers ready to take steps to keep out the storm waters should they rise any lusher. Fortunately the rain decreased in volume when things were looking critical. The quay at this spot was then a large sheet of water through which passing motor-cars and tramcars ploughed their way. Senator Kenyon, who, before a visit to the front, was a pacifist and could not believe in the German atrocities, addressed a large audience at Baltimore, U.S.A., recently. Apologising to the Rev Dr. Wroth, who presided at the meetins, the lowa Senator declared that if Hell were turned upside down "Made in Germany" would be found stamped on the bottom. He urged the people not '• purchase goods made in Germany, and said he was positive no good American would buy goods made bv murderers under the directon of a! ruler who ordered defenceless women and children to ba slain. "Let the German take their goods and go to Hell with them," he shouted. "Do not do your bit do your damnedest."

Great importance is attributed to the arrest in New York of two women whom the authorities believe to be active members of the German espionage system. The full story of the arrest has not yet been divulged. The characters are Despya Davidovitch Storseh, a beautiful Turkish lady; Baron Henri de BeWile, a Frenchman, aged 40, said to be infatuated with the beautiful Turk; Count de Clairmont. aged 38, and a friend of the fourth prisoner, Madame K T ix, a native of Berlin, who admits receiving £6OO from Bemstorff before he left America. Storseh has been living at the rate of £2OO a month at the Hotel Biltmore, whore she cultivated the acquaintance of diplomats and officers. Before she came to America she is alleged to have lived in Paris as Mme. Nezie, in Madrid and London as Mme. Davidovitch. It is stated that she gave very pleasant little parties to officers at the Savoy Hotel, London. She was borne at Constantinople and married when she was 17 a Frenchman, Paul Storseh, from whom she was divorced. She proclaims her devotion to France, and says that the arrest is a horrible mistake. All four claim French citizenship. "When you ask me to sell my baby, I tell y«u I won't do it." This statement of the young wife in "Alimony" startles the wicked schemers who have brought her within their net of lies and brings the whole evil business to nought. To-night at the Empire. The New Plymouth Boys' High School will resume after the vacation this morning. The Girls' High School resumes tomorrow. All returned soldiers in the Egmont County are to be tendered a public welcome home in the Opunake Town Hall to-morrow night. Morels are advertising a fine selection of new blouses, featuring very charming fashions. The values are excellent. See advertisement.