LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At yesterday's meeting of the Eduoation Board permission was given for an appeal to be made in the schools on behalf of the Countess of Liverpool's Jfund for providing Christmas puddings for soldiers on active service.

Mr. Fred James, a New Plymouth poultry enthusiast, who was so'successful with his birds at the late Winter Show, received a wiro last night to the effect that at the Taihape Winter Show He had been a-warded first and special in American Leghorn cock birds, first and special in the hen section, and second in the class for American utility cocks. The Minister of Defence has been advised of the safe arrival at its destination of the transport on which were embarked the 36th Artillery, Sfith Engineers, certain infantry details, and a party of aviation cadets.—Press Assoc. The New Plymouth branch of the Veterans' Association has received an invitation from the citizens of Hawera to attend a gathering to be held at Hawera on July 12, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Turu Turu Moki. The Railway Department, it is understood, has expressed its willingness to issue free passes to all veterans desirous of attending the function. At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Education Board the truant officer submitted a report, stating that he had issued G8 notices for irregular attendance, and had visited 22 schools. Some members of the board took exception to the brevity of the report, and urged that details should be supplied as to the schools visited. It was resolved to aslc the officer in future to supply fuller particulars in making his reports.

The matter of tho auditing of school committee acccunt» was referred to at yesterday's meeting of the Education Board, the secretary complaining that many committees failed to send in their books. It was ultimately resolved that it be a recommendation to the Department to bring in a regulation prodding that committees shall. forward their books complete for audit as soon after December 31 as possible, and in cases where a committee fails to render them before tho last day of the February fol-lo-vir.g, tho capitation grants will be withheld until such time as the books ha-'e been duly audited. Mr. iff. Lett has just taken over the motor 'bus service recently Mr. Baker between Inglewoocl vjjSßßi Plymouth, via the new proprietor intend; super-six Hudson e<? supplemented by nesdays and SzjUHBBB^UE^H retur dfl^Hß|^^^^B^H^^BH driver'^^^^^H|BH^^^^H^H|^H de, JßH^9fflHfl^B9K

The percentage of Class A declared fit for military service is 32.89, and Class B3S.

Joseph Lcvandowski, who was arrested at Whangamomona on Tuesday, for shirking his military duties, has been discharged, a mistake having been made by the authorities. As a, matter of fact, Levandowski enlisted several times, but failed to pass the medical test. Speaking to a press Donald IWbertson, Public Service Commissioner, stated, in regard to the calling up of the civil servants, that "everybody possible who can go must be sent." Mr. Robertson, took the opportunity of explaining the care which is taken to conserve the rights of soldiers from the public service while they are absent doing a higher duty. "Promotion," he said, "is carried on for those who are away, and if any vacancy occurs, we regard those who are away as applicants. In point of fact, we have promoted quite a number of men who are at the front, so that wheii they come, back they can fill the vacant higher position." The Land Board was fully occupied at monthly meeting with a long agenda paper. Eleven applications for land under various tenures and mostly for small areas, were granted. Applications for advances from eight discharged soldier selectors, aggregating £2,700, were authorised, the money to be expended in stock, buildings ana fencing. Ten applcations for consent to transfer were considered and the Board tin committee dealt with four applications for consent to mortgage, also various applications from soldier settlers for adjustment of rents. The Board forfeited one soldier selection, the 'holder having failed to carry out his obligations, and also having allowed the land to go back since taking it up.

The public is reminded of the meeting to be held in the Soldiers' Club this evening to consider ways and means of bringing the educational facilities of New Zealand up to date. The meeting is the outcome of a passed at the recent householders' meeting at West End, and the idea is to bring the subject prominently before the public. Various phases of the subject will Ibe treated by prominent educationalists,and the ensuing discussion should be both interesting and helpful. No more important question is before the country to-day. Too long has New Zealand (been hugging the delusion that all is well with our system and that we are ahead of other countries in this as in other respects. In point of fact, we are miles behind the European countries and America, and unless we rid ourselves of our smug complacency the future generations, which will have to carry the great burdens imposed by the war, will he greatly handicapped. Only by creating a healthy public opinion can an improvement be obtained. A lead hasjbeen given by the Educational Institute, and public meetings are being held wherever possible. All interested in the education question—and who is not?—should make a point of attending to-night's meeting. Excellent examples of night motion picture photography are shown in "The Outsider," a Metro feature adapted from Louis Joseph Vance's novel, "Nobody," starring Emmy Wehlen, now showing at the Empire.

Two boxes of butter and a cheese have been given to the Eed Cross Mart for next Saturday, when the parish of St. Mary's will foe in charge. A plentiful supply of cooked meats, plum puddings, apple turnovers, etc, has been promised. Come and buy your Sunday's dinner at the Eed Cross Mart.

The Melbourne, Limited, offer some unique handkerchief bargains for both women and men. Ladfes' Irish lawn hem-stitched handkerchiefs, 5s for Is; others, 3d, 4d, 6d to Is 6d; men's'fine Irish lawn handkerchiefs, <Jd each; others, 9d and lOd; pure linen handkerchiefs, large size, bordered or hemstitched, Is 6d; khaki handkerchiefs, 6d, 3d, and 9d; mercerised bordered handkerchiefs, 6d each. We have often heard of crocodile's tears, and even of the Kaiser's tears, but an elephant's tears are quite a new event. During the production of a recent moving picture in America & whole circus was requisitioned, and as most of the scenes had to be taken at night, an immensely powerful light was required, with the above strange effect. The picture was the wonderful Goldwyn spectacle, "Polly of the Circus." Motor cyclists are reminded of the meeting which is to be held in tjie Soldiers' Club at 7.15 this evening to consider the formation of a motor oycle club'.

Come and buy, come and try your luck at the jumble stall, Red Cross Mart, next Saturday, St. Mary's Bay, also send a contribution.

A picture that is unique in its way is now running at Everybody's under th.B name "Auckland From Aloft." 'Portion of this film is made up of the city and its environs taken from a hydroplane in flight, and the views are certainly interesting. Indeed, it would be difficult to imagine a more comprehensive picture of the district. The film also places a series of views of flying school pupils at work and play, and gives many snaps of the instructional school here. Miss Olive Thomas is the heroine of "Betty Takes a Hand," the Triangle drama showing on the samo programme.