LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A man named John Joseph Larlcin appeared before Mr. A, Crooke, S.M., yesterday, at New Plymouth, on a charge of drunkenness. Accused, agianst whom there were previous convictions for similar offences, was convicted and discharged, and on his own application a prohibition order was issued against him. Shortly after mid-day yesterday an alarm of fire was given for an outbreak at the New Plymouth Sash and Door Factory. The fire is as in the pit underneath the engine, and was discovered by one of the boys. Most of the employees were away for lunch at the time. The brigade turned out quickly, but the flame had been extinguished before their arrival. The only damage was to the wooden guard rails around the big flywheel of the engine, which were charred by the flames. Drastic action has been taken by the Wellington Soft Goods Employees' Union in connection with the refusal of the Arbitration Court to grant an award in the Auckland soft goods employees' dispute. At a meeting of the executive the judgment was placed before members, who expressed the opinion that the decision had violated all the principles embodied in the Arbitration Act. It was decided to write to the Minister of Labor and the Minister of Justice, pointing out the facts in connection with the case, and demanding the removal of Mr. Justice Stringer from his position as president of the Arbitration Court. The judgment is to be placed in the hands of all other Labor organisations in the country, with a view to securing their co-operation.

Two airmen flew from Scotland to London. Their journey was made at the call of duty. The visit to the capital was of short duration, but they decided to have one last glimpse of a revue before returning to Scotland, preparatory to their departure for the front. So they went to see "The Bing Boys" at the AUiambra. Their journey had occupied a little imder four hours, and they were only just in time for the night performance. They landed at an aerodrome in the north of London and went down west. The only seats they could obtain were in the dress circle, but when the revue begafS they found that they were both still deafened by the roar of the engines, and they could not hear a sound from the stage. They approached the manager and asked if they could be placed somewhere nearer. When he heard the circumstances he made it possible, and they sat the performance to an end. An hour later two machines rose from the aerodrome in the north of London and sped off through the i night to Glasgow. Benzine thieving has now become an accomplished art in various parts of the Dominion, and has made an appearance in this district (says the Opunake Times). A Watino Road settler, like a number of others from that road, were interested in the court proceedings, and afterwards had tea and went to the pictures. On arriving home the settler's curiosity was aroused by his motor shed being open. An inspection was made, and the owner found that fifteen cases of benzine were stolen. The benzine hogs left one tin so that the owner could light up his spirit lamp for his early morning cup of tea and replenish his motor car to run into Opunake and purchase more benzine. The motor shed was locked, and the key left in the lock, and another key was hung on a nail near by to suit the convenience—not of thieves—but the owner. The thieves took the lock and left the key. After this the owner will keep the lock of his motor shed in a safe place.

A film drama of the out-of-doors, taken amid the wonders of snow-bound Alaska, will be finally shown to-night at Everybody's. This picture, under the title of "The Greater Law," features Myrtle Gonzalez and George Fernandez. Monday nest —King's Birthday—being a holiday, the Ngamotu Seaside Committee is arranging a working bee with a view to effecting further improvements on the beach. Splendid work has been accomplished as the result of former working bees, and it is hoped that there will be a record number of voluntary workers in attendance on Monday. Luncheon and afternoon tea will be provided by, the committer

They are making shells of cast iron in France, making them at the rate of 1,000,000 a day. The "Scientific American" quotes Edgar A. Ooster as saying tlie-70 are more effective than steel shells In attacking earthworks. "Opossums are increasing steadily if. the Tararuas, at Paraparaumu, Rangiti. koi, and. other places, but as they are absolutely protected in the Wellington district, no trap-ping season can be opened until an amendment of the Act, enabling differentiation to be made, has been sanctioned by Parliament," remarks the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society in their annual report. When the war broke out there were about 30,000 medical men in Great Britain and only about 1500 medical women, but lately there has been an enormous increase of women students at the medical schools, and in the opinion of the leadline; female member of the medical profession, the women will very likely outnumber the men in aboat 20 . years' time. Even in five years' t'.ine, when the students now under training will havo finished their course, there will be a considerable influx of women doctors into private practice.

"The supreme mistake in this country,'' said the Rev. John Paterson at an Empire Day meeting in Christchurch, "is that history is not one of the most important subjects in all our State schools. It is a crime against our growing boyhood and girlhood and a crime against our nation that- every boy and girl is not taught the history of this great Empire to which we belong, and by that I do not mean mprely English history, but the history of all those nations and parts that go to make up this great complex Empire of ours " "Tho soldier is utterly disgusted with the compulsory church parade. He is turned out when he is wanting a rest, made to get himself ready, marched up and down till he is absolutely sick of compulsory religion, is drawn up often at such a distance from the parade that lie cannot hear a woTd. and then goes back utterly full up of the Army religion that he has been coirnpelled to undergo." Thus Canon Williams at a. meeting of the C.EjMjS. in Christchurch, according to the "Sun." A Xew Zealand military officer, who was in England during the German offensive, says that tho spirit of the British people during that time was absolutely splendid. The bus-drivers were just going on strike, and there were very iicrioua difficulties with the Society of Amalgamated Engineers, but the German offensive settled all differences, and closed up the ranks. It was .felt that the situation was very grave, but the courage and determination of the people seemed to rise higher than ever- There was a solid determination that even if Germany succeeded jn getting to Paris and the Channel ports, and England was left to fight alone until American help was forthcoming in strength, she would fight on, sure of victory in the end.

Following is an extract from an American paper:—-"Trust the battle line of England, the indomitable! Of all the peoples of history none more than the English have shown the strength that comes in the fight with back to the wall. The last ditch is where England fights best, and there she will fight .best to-day if forced to it by the most tremendous military pressure the world liaj, ever known. Thank God our boys are fighting at her side, even if it be but a few of them! May they carry to her the assurance of our faith and glory in her. May they sweep aside the ancient prejudice® that have made us grudge England her fair need of trust and honor.''

The employment of girls in clerical positions was referred to in Auckland on Thursday by Mr A. E, Kenton, secretary of the Discharged Soldiers' Employment Committee. Jn speaking of the difficulty lately experienced in placing returned soldier's in this class of work, Mr Fenton said: "So many girls are now being employed by city firms, and in banking and insurance offices, that this avenue of employment is practically closed to the soMiers. T t ia, of course, understood that the girls are only holding these positions temporarily on behalf of the men at the front, but we have many applications from returned soldiers who would be very glad to hold the positions on the same terms.

Two soldier motor cyelists had a rough trip through from Fe&thorston to Falmerston North on Saturday. Anticipating, trouble with water, they covereu llieir magnetos with grease before leaving camp. They ran through water pretty continuously on the way up to Masterton. One mount went out of business on one cylinder and finally closed up altogether at Masterton. They found that the flood had subsided there and tilings were nearly normal, but were warned not to go on. To prove that t.ha hardy old pioneer stock could not make the yomvger generation blush, they pushed on on one cycle. They encountered water all the way to within a few miles of Eketahuna where they came into violent collision with a oar smashing its radiator and buckling the front portion of the motor cycle. Both machines refused to ''cough" and the soldiers threw their machine on the side of the road, walked about five miles and then taxied to Woodville, arriving in Palmerston at ten o'clock by a delayed train. The Rarawa will leave the wharf tonight at 7 o'clock for Onehunga, and in connection therewith the train to the breakwater departs from the town station at 6.30.

Meetings of householders in those school districts which failed to elect committees on the day of the annual meetings previously appointed, will be held on Monday, June 24, at 7.30 p.m. Mr. T. W. Welch, in a replace advertisement, call? attention to a couple of handy dairy farms of 50 and 100 acres he has for disposal. We are in receipt of £1 from a "friend" towards the Soldiers' Comforts Fund, which we have handed to the secretary. ''Alimony'' will bo finally screened at - hi' Empire to-night. This is a picture that no film fan should miss. The attention of our readers is directed to W. H. and A. McGarry's advertisement on page* 1, giving particulars of dairy farms for lease and exchange. From now on cold«r nights may be expected, and the Melbourne, Ltd., are to the fore with low prices for blankets, rugs and quilt 3. Splendid quality heavy Colonial white blankets, three quarter size 27/tf, full double bed size 37/6; extra, large (double bed size) 45/a pair; large doulbie bed grey blankets, all wool 35/- pair. Lots of bush rugs from 6/W. Kaipoc quilts, well-filled, Jjgfat sad warm 18/0,