LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

'She threw a mug at me," said a man in the Police Court, who was accused of assaulting his wife. "Oh," said the woman, "It's a Me. There's only one mug in the house, and " "And," interruped accused, "this is the mug here I'm the mug!" An Australian Press message states that the returned soldiers' conference passed a resolution that the conference was strongly of opinion that the demands of the Second Division League regarding an increased allowance were entirely unreasonaible; further, it was the duty of the Returned Soldiers' Association to deal with the question of the repatriation of returned men, which was not within the provirce of the Second Division League. The performance at Everybody's tonight will commence at 7.50 owing to the big double programme that is being scroened. Full particulars wi)> I,* found in our advertising «ohtmV

A girls' hostel, to accommodate young women employed in local shops and offices, was opened at Wanganui by Mrs. Massey yesterday.—(Press Assoc.

The Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union approved the action of the directors in entering into negotiations for the purchase of the extensive business and premises of Laidlaw Leeds, and authorising the increasing of the capital from £IOO,OOO to £600,000. The negotiations are not yet completed. It is not generally known that tli?: present highly satisfactory and -impie system of building up the share capital of dairy companies by the deduction of Is for every 60 gallons of milk supplied owes its origin to the fertile brain of Mr. Buckeridge, the hon. organiser of the Farmers' Union in Taranaki (states the Pa tea Press). Mr. Buckeridge devised the scheme nearly thirty years ago and submitted it to three different banks before it was accepted ns a commercially sound proposition. The soundness of the scheme has been proved over and over again, and manv a factory owes its present satisfactory position to-day to it.

At the Haw era S.M. Court yesterday, three youths pleaded guilty to having at Okaiawa left a cart in a public place without reasonable excuse. SeniorSergeant Till stated that the lads on a recent evening took a cart from a settler's homestead, and taking it down a public road for some distance, left it on the road, where the vehicle was more or less a danger to traffic. It was evidently an act of larrikinism. There was nothing known against the defendants. Mr. O'Dea said the act of the youths was more of a joke. The defendants were all of respectable parents and counsel asked the court to deal leniently with them. Each was fined 10s with costs.

Says the Palmerston Times:—We are a lot of slackers: that's what we . are (with rare exceptions), and the biggest slackers of all are the mob of useless politicians (we do not refer here to the Cabinet Ministers) who are roaming aimlessly about the country instead of heading movements (each in his own community) to bring about a general scheme of national organisation. Millions of hours are being wasted by persons who -'isht be profitably engaged, a.nd who i Oil if they were really in earnest to back up the men Who have ?one away, and make increased provision for those who will return, be organising for schemes involving personal endeavour and mutual benefit. It is cruel and cowardly to ask men to fight for us and women to suffer for us while we neglect our opportunities and stand by with folded arms in contemptuous equanimity. The Americans are showing us the way. There is yet time to emulate their example. Snake stories from Australia serve to render their absence from New Zealand more gratifying. In Victoria last month Mr and Mrs M. J. O'Brien, of Greta, with their two children, were driving along a road, when a snake, in crossing the road, got foul of the wheels and was thrown into the gig. The reptile immediately fastened, its teeth in the lips of the child Leslie, aged two years. The mother promptly caught the snaka a few inches above it s head, and after two or three tugs pulled its teeth from the child's lip- Turning its head quickly the snake fastened its teeth into the inaex finger of the mother's hand, and only by banging its head against the back of the seat was it induced to loosen its vicious hold. The _trap was then driven at a rapid pace until a -doctor was met in his motor car. The child was with difficulty kept awake, but both the child and the mother were admitted to Wangaretta hospital, where they fully recovered. A following trap killed the brown snake, which measured five feet.

It is reported that members of the 38th Reinforcements took part in a peaceful demonstration at Trentham on Monday night (says the Times), their object being to bring prominently under the notice of the authorities a grievance on the subject of leave. The men, it is said, have made two requests for final leave, in addition to the Easter leave they have had already, but both were refused. Last night a number, estimated at 500, marched through the camp, headed by a "scratch" band, and proceeding in a perfectly orderly fashion, drew up outside the headquarters office: The Commandant being away, a deputation was sent to interview the officer in charge, who urged the men to wait until tomorrow. The procession was reformed and marched quietly to the parade ground, where the position was explained to the rest of the men. Some speeches are said to liave been made, in the course of which indications were given of what might happen should the request not be acceded to. The men claim that, as they are more or less "marking time" in their training they may just as well be given a few days leave.

The Hawera county ranger met with a rather painful experience the other day. Particulars were furnished in the Hawera Court yesterday, when he proceeded against Emily Hayward for assault. Evidence was given by the complainant that on May 13 last he went to the Waingongoro beach in pursuance of his duties as county ranger. While riding along the Ohawe Terrace lie saw Mrs. Hayward, who called out to witness to stop, saying, "Here, I want you." Mrs. Hayward had a whip in her hand. Witness replied: "I don't want you/' Witness proceeded on his way, but had not gone far when Mrs. Hayward caught him up. As he made to turn away Mrs. Hayward strufek him with the whip across the face, just below the eye, leaving a wound which required medical attention. Emily Hayward stated she was taking draught horses to a paddock when she saw the county ranger. She called out to him, "I want you." He replied, "I don't want you." Witness called to the complainant again, and he retorted, "Want will be your master." Complainant's horse turned suddenly around, and witness had to put up her whip to prevent it trampling upon her. Complainant used bad language to witness. The Magistrate pointed out that public officers had a duty —not always a pleasant duty, perhaps —to perform, and had to be protected. A fine of £5 was imposed, with solicitor's fee £1 Is, doctors' expenses £1 Is. The Magistrate ordered that £2 of the £5 line should go towards the complainant for his medical expenses.— Star. Harold Lockwood will appear to-night in his first "Metro" comady at the Empire under the title of "The Square Deceiver." Merit tells The phenomenal sales of the North British Rubber Coys. Hot Water Bottle with the "Unique" stopper is the best evidence of their undoubted quality and service. All chemists NAZOL relieves cold in the head and Nasal Catarrh, '

In view of the shortage of petrol, the number of motor-cars that passed over the Rakaia bridge last Thursday attracted more than usual attention (comments the Ashburton Guardian): It ia reported that during the forenoon 250 passed over, and that, with one or two exceptions, all were bound for the Ashburton races.

Sacks are almost impossible to procure at the present time. Coal sacks and grain sacks alike have become more difficult to obtain, and now dealers aro offering as much as tenpence for old sacks in good condition. Apparently New Zealand industry has riot advanced sufficiently so that sacks might be manufactured. The problem of the shortage of sacks is a serious one to coal and grain dealers.

A visitor from Gisborne noticed a Chinaman at Otaki planting cauliflowers and reckoned that the Celestial had about 8000 plants in. He asked the Chinaman how many plants he was putting in, and the reply was 15,000. As there are fully 50 of these gardeners about Otaki, the plantations give some idea of the quantity of cauliflowers the Wellington people consume. Coal is beginning to reach Christchurch from the collieries at Broken River, on the Midland Railway. These collieries, situated on the Canterbury side of the dividing range, are tapping a coalfield that was first discovered very many years ago, but that could not be utilised except for local purposes owing to the lack of railway communication. "Some of the Worst land," was the remark of a returned soldier at a meetin<* of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, referring to an estate on which discharged soldiers had been settled. He said that the conditions, which suited the sellers but not the settlers, made life a hard struggle 'for the men. "They are only hanging on till some other silly -—comes along," he added. "I am sorry for swearing," he apologised, "but I feel sorry for the men who are losing their savings—and some of them have girls waiting."

Four Napier youths went for a joy ride the other night, which cost them dear. Finding an unattended taxi, they took charge, and arrived home at an early hour on Tuesday morning, unobserved—so they thought. Unfortunately for them, they left two motor cycles near the spot where they got the" car, end the numbers furnished a clue. Next day followed a visit from the irate taximan, and four wiser, but sadder youths had to "part up' to his tune, under threat of police proceedings. The Government has decided on the following increase in the salaries of pupil teachers, probationers, and training college students, as from. June 1: Pupil teachers living at home—First year, from £35 to £4O; second year, from £45 to £SO; third and fourth years, from £55 to £GO. iPupil teachers living away from home—First year, from £55 to £65; second year, from £6O to £75; third and fourth years, from £65 to £B6. Probationers—First year, from £3O to £45; Second year, from £35 to £SO. (No alteration in lodging allowances.) Training College students—A general increase of £lO per annum on present allowances.

"I have seen something of other armies." said Colonel Adams, Camp Commandant at Featherston, at a Farmers' Union social at Masterton on Tuesday night, "but there has never been a crowd of men with more 'bite' in them than the New Zealand soldiers in the making." He proceeded to relate this story: "To-day I was watching the first big draft of Second Division men and a number of youngsters coming into Featherston camp from Trentham. I

went up to one youngster and said, 'Well, son, how are you getting on?' 'All right,' was the answer. 'How do you like it?' 'AH right. The old man ment away two years ago, and I have been waiting till I turned 20 to follow him.'"

Referring to land for soldiers in course of a chat with a Gisborne Times reporter, Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald mentioned a fact that is not generally known. He said that if a soldier came across a property which he thought would suit liim, he could apply to the Government, stating the particulars, and if it was deemed suitable, the Government would acquire the place for him up to £750 for stock, etc. Similarly, a number of soldiers together might see a larger property, which they might desire to subdivide. They could draw a rough plan of the place and ballot for the sections among themselves, and then apply to the Government, which, subject to approval, would acquire the place for them.

The rehearsals for "Only a Hoax" are now in full swing, and those taking part are doing their utmost to make the affair a success. This killingly funny farce, which is being got up by the old girls of the New Plymouth High School, is to be performed in the Good Templar Hall on July 4, and, judging by the excellent results attained even at this early stage, the finished production will be something worth seeing.

The Melbourne, Ltd., are showing a splendid line. of men's warm tweed double-breasted overcoats at 49s fid. The tweed is of good quality and texture, and a nice dark grey in color. All coats are Italian cloth-lined and are belted at back.

The public will be interested to learn by an announcement in our advertising columns that the two well-known and long-established grocery firms of Messrs Johnson Bros, and Bill have been amalgamated. This has been brought abou» by the exigencies of the war conditions, The local Efficiency Board Trustees took the matter in hand on behalf of Mr. Cecil Johnson, who has recently been called up for active service, and who undoubtedly would have had to make a great sacrifice if the present arrangements had not been made. Mr. Norman Johnson, the other partner, who hag been in the firing-line in France and recently returned, is lying dangerously ill at Cambridge. Boys' tweed and serge backers are offered at saving prices at the Melbourne, limited. Boys' imported tweed "shorts" 3s lid and 4a lid, serge "shorts" 4a lid to Os Oil, cotoitial tweed knickers 4s lid to 6s lid. Ask to see the splendid line of hoys' and. youtns' Hydrotite raincoats, 23s 6d to 39s 6d, sizes 1 to 16. THE POISONING OF THIRTY GIRLS in a Melbourne factory by eucalyptus lollies which were evidently made from the common eucalyptus brings home forcibly the importance of using onlv the GENUINE SANDER EUCALYPTI EXTRACT internally. SANDER'S EXTRACT sniffed lip the nose and three drops on sugar, is a sure and safe protection from meningitis and other infection*. Applied to ulcers, poisoned wounds, sprains, chilblains, eczema SANDER'S EXTRACT brings quick re-