LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A sounding of the Patea bar was made by Captains Tinney and Jackson last week, when it was found that the channel was in better order than it had been for a considerable time past. This is attributed largely to the extension of the walls which lias been made lately.—Press. Owing to further cable interruptions, messages per Eastern Extension at deferred rate are being posted in both directions between Gibraltar and London with average delay—five to six days. The delay on fully-paid messages is from ten to fourteen hours. At a meeting of the Kawaroa Park Committee, held on Wednesday evening, e farewell was tendered to Private J. Lister, a member of the committee, who was on final leave from camp. On behalf of the committee, the chairman (Mr. V. H. Beal) presented the guest with a wristlet watch, and wished him a safe return. Other members of the committee also expressed their appreciation of what Private Lister had done for the Park Committee. Private Lister suitably responded. A further result of a picture enterprise at Eltham is the bankruptcy of E. C. White, farmer, of Bunnythorpe, ! whose creditors met at Eltham on Tuesday. Debtor, a man 70 years of age, entered into partnership with two others in the moving picture business, and mortgaged his farm to take up shares. The venture turned out so badly that debtor has practically lost all he possessed. The creditors took a sympathetic view, and it was arranged to leave debtor and his estate in possession during his lifetime of land in which he has an equitable interest, and handed him back his chattels. His interest in picture company shares will be realised on. On behalf of bankrupt, Mr. Weir returned thanks to the "editors for their kindly consideration.

Lord Rhondda's yearling pedigree 'hull Reformer was sold a few weeks ago for 1450 guineas—a record price. At liiglewood last month 7.70 inches of rain were recorded, rain falling on fifteen days. There is tremendous enthusiasm in America, said Mr A. G. Wise, general manager of the Melboure Herald, after a visit to the United States. The preparations are on sucii a gigantic scale that at present their aid is not so effective as it might be, but when it does come, in the visitor's words, "God pity tho Hun." The great German population was mainly composed '■■ of Saxon people who had lied to escape l the Prussian jackboot, and no one ho spoke to had any doubt but that they were intensely patriotic to the American flag Generally he found the Labour classes m the States were contented and working loyally to end the war, One of the returned men from tho front, who arrived in Oamaru the other day, tells the story of a Ne> Zealand gunner, who had just arrived at his sector in Fance, shaken hands with those who would be his mates, and turned to proceed to his quarters when a shell caine over and he found himself badly wounded—so badly, indeed, that after hospital treatment, lie was sent back to New Zealand. He has done his bit, but it did not take him long to do it. Such are the misfortunes of war. "But I couldn't leave fingerprints— I wore gloves.'' That admission wrung by a fierce and clever cross-examina-tion, goes a long way toward clearing up "The Grell Mystery," the detective drama, starring Earle Williams, now screening at 'Everybody's An exchange relates that a Class B man of the Second Division, within a couple of days of being called up in the recent ballot, was overwhelmed with circulars and other- advertisin;! matter from various people offering to do all manner of things on his behalf if he would only favour them . with hia patronage. He had offers to sell his furniture, and his house, to prepare his will, to administer his property when he was away—in ; fact to relieve him of all "worry and annoyance''—in turn for "reasonable charges." It is s.'tatod that several Second Division men have been complaining of the annoyance to which they have been subjected of late by having their mail flooded with his type of ■'literature" Tlie demolition of the brick strongroom which has been standing in lofty loneliness on the site near the old theatre building, in Devon Street, has been proceeding slowly for the past few days. A wholesale levelling of the structure", however, took place yesterday, just after mid-day, and attracted a good deal of attention on the part of people leaving business. A line of brick was gradually knocked out from the structure a little above the ground, on the western side, the operation being carried out by means of a long pole which enabled the iconoclast to work at a safe distance from the building. Those who built the structure evidently built well, for the task appeared no easy one. At last, however, the remaining support was knocked out, and the Whole fabric fell in a head on the ground. The No. 1 1 Medical Board, consisting of Lieut.-Colonel Peerless, Captain Widdowson and Lieutenant Ansell (attesting officer), commenced work in the group at Hawera on Wednesday, sth instant, when 78 men—a record for the group—were examined Forty-one ballotted men were examined. Ten were accepted as fit, 29 were classed C2, and 2 were deferred.. There were 32 volunteers, 20 of whom were classed fit A, 1 was classed CI, and eleven were turned down. In addition five returned soldiers re-enlisted. Two were accepted, and three failed to satisfy the examiners. Tho board is busily engaged dealing with about 70 men per day. It will visit New Plymouth on the 13th instant, and will continue to work here until the 18th instant. Reservists are asked to note that the examination will take place at the Foresters' Hall, Gill Street, and not at the Drill Hall as usual.

On and after July Ist some important changes will lie made in telegraph hours affecting both the public and the press. For the present the cable service will not be interfered with, but in other directions hours will be curtailed. Press .•messages for morning papers will not be accepted after 9 p.m. with some exceptions as to very important items the amount of which 'will be limited to 400 words. 'Provisions will also be made for a limited amount of Parliamentary reports and for policy speeches by the leaders or acting-leaders of Government. Weights and acceptances for races will largely be shut out unless clubs put forward the hour of declaration. All offices now closing at 8 p.m. will close at 5 p.m., which means that no news arising after the latter hour can be issued tilt nest morning. Special atrangements may be made to enable race reports to be telegraphed from these places. Press messages for morning papers which now may not be handed in before 5 p.m. after July Ist will be accepted at 1 p.m. No telegraph office will be open to the public before i) a.m.. and none after 8 p.m. It is understood that if the telegraph staff is depleted further curtailments will haye to be brought into force.

Ladies "ill be interested in the pretty laces and insertions now showing at Morey's. See advertisement. The much discussed photoplay, "The Neglected Wife," makes its first appear - ane here at Everybody's Theatre tomorrow (Saturday), commencing at the matinee at 2 p.m, The Melbourne, Ltd., has still a small quantity of their lovely white Japanese silk. 10 momme weight, to sell at 4s 6d a yard. Shipments of the same silk shortly to arrive will require to be sold at 5s 6d a yard. Here's a solid saving for those who wish to take it. Every good mother loves to see her children snug and cosy these cold days. Many wise mothers know that the Big Store, Waitara, is the best value place for children's clothes, and those who do not should read the list of Winter wearables, offered this page four. Anything purchas/d wiU bo sent post free. The New Zealand Loan a lid Mercantile draw clients' attent/ion to thieir Stratford sale on Tuesday, 11th inst. Only best plantation rubber backed by British brains and napital go ti> make up unique success of the "Unique" brand Hot Water Bottle. So'.d and recommended by leading chemists overywhere WILL CARE FOR YOU. D. and J. MeCa-1 turn's "Perfection" Whisky you'll like first time you taste •v. i-i..- i„ "bust Complaints,