LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Urami district has raised, on behalf of the Taranaki Church Army Hut fund, the very creditable amount of £6O. Settlers in the iPukcaruhe district state that the frost yesterday morning, which extended close down to the sea front, was the most severe which has been experienced in the locality for many years. The value of boy labor on farms is not held in very high estimation by at least one Marlborough landowner. Speaking a day or two ago on the subject, he remarked: "If you have one boy, you'll get a boy's work; if you have two boys, you'll get half a boy's work; if you have three boys, you'll get no work at all." , Speaking to a deputation of boot manufacturers the Minister of Munitions (Hon. A. M. Myers) said that during the time he had been Minister the relations between froot manufacturers and the Munition Supplies Department had been excellent. The Minister added that the boots worn by the New Zealand soldiers at the front were the envy of all other troops. The value of electricity in country districts was emphasised by Mr H. H. Hunt, of Rongotea, when speaking at the hy-dro-electric conference at Shannon. He stated that the Rongotea Dairy Factory had an electric installation,, and, .the milk was collected by means (' > »'*",* trucks, which were found to 1 * convenient and cheap means of and some such power should be made unliable to farmexß.

The surviving members of the Wimmera's crew reached Wellington on Thursday by train from Auckland. Sonic went on in the Manuka to Sydney, where the majority have their homes. Passports were issued to these to leave the country.—Press Assoc. It is reported, says the Opunake Times, that influential native gentlemen on this coast have made a financial forward move towards establishing a hospital for the medical treatment of the native people. The promoters are on the right lines, and it is hoped they will carry it to a successful issue. Following is a list of the men entraining at Hawera on July 17 to form the 44th Reinforcements: W. Atkins, J. G. Craig, G. Fitzgerald, F. Henry, L. V. Jackson, D. King, W. lister, W. E. Maekay, J. Miller, R. J. Morris, T. O'Donncll. W. R. Ricketts, F. E. Southcombe, F. Tomlinson.

The New Plymouth Pierrots are having a preliminary outing this afternoon in connection with their quest for moimy en behalf of the Women's Patriotic Committee. The success of their past efforts is a Sflod augury for future appeals, and in to-day's raid on the public they may be relied upon to leave no measure unused that will extract a further penny for the benefit of the -boys in the firing-line. They have a number of very valuable gifts to raffle, including, in addition to those already mentioned, several pairs of canaries, some stocks of. coal, tea, groceries, hams, etc. Operations will commence at 2 p.m., and will be continued as long as there 13 a prospect of adding to the takings. The Pierrots are asked to assemble at Hookers' sample rooms at 12.30 p.m. sharp. A meeting of the Whiteley Spring Flower Show Committee was held last night, there being a very large attendance. It was decided to extend the show over three days this year, opening on September 12. A shield is to be offered for the best public school display of daffodils, each year's winner's name to be inscribed on the shield. A trophy is also to be offered for the best display of narcissi by amateurs. The Whiteley Club has been asked to take in hand a competition for decorated mantels, bowls and baskets, for which also trophies have been offered. Officer 3 and sub-commit-tees were elected, and intimations were received of a large number of intending exhibitors.

The memorable film successes "The Spoilers," "The Ne'er Do Wei!" and "The Rosary" were all produced by the Selig film Company, ihis firm has now produced another eight reel feature, which is proving an even greater success than the previous pictures. The new picture is "The flarden of Allah," from Robert Hichen's famous novel, and the screening dates are next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Empire Theatre. Patrons are notified that this big super-feature will be shown at the ordinary prices of admission. The Opunake Time 3 states that what is known as the old New (Plymouth Hospital ha 3 been taken over by Dt. Vat* intine in the interests of the returned invalided soldiers. "feixty beds will be installed without delay, and the hospital will be a national one for the medical treatment of returned soldiers from any part of New Zealand. Mr. M. Fraser, chairman of the Hospital Board, when interviewed by a representative of the News on the subject, stated that the question is still under consideration, no definite arrangements having yet been made, other than that the Hospital Board had offered the old hospital for the purpose, to be either under the control of the Defence Department or to remain under the control of the Hospital BoardColonel Valintine, when in New Plymouth recently, met the members of the board, and made certain propositions in the direction of the Defence Department fur irishing the old hospital to accommodate 60 soldiers, (but nothing definite has y«£ been arranged. The tragic end of the Wimmera was not without its humorous side. The occupants of the first boat to leave the sinking vessel found the extreme cold terribly trying, and a wag amongst the party raised the cry, "Save the matches." One young man, who shivered involuntarily, had come well provided with the necessary vestas, and a sigh of satisfaction went round as he exhibited a full box of the priceless gems. Having reached dry land, the party set about to do things in the approved Robinson Crusoe style, and it was a case of appeasing the appetite to the neglect of ordinary table etiquette. Fingers were used in place of knives and forks, and the diners vowed that roast mutton and kumaras had never tasted better. Even the weary trudge over the hills was not devoid of humor. "It was a trying business," said one survivor, "but we had to laugh; it reminded us so much of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt." Will Irwin, the war correspondent, tells an interesting story concerning a young negro in one of America's black regiments in France. The man in question bad risen rapidly, and had become a captain. The casualties among the officers made this possible. He felt con--scion;; of the color distinction, thetlgh his brother officers tactfully did everything to show that in the common cause it had ceased to exist where they were concerned. It was a rule of the mess that when a man won his captaincy he had to give a dinner. They told their newly-promoted comrade of this, and he arranged .to give the dinner. He was, in spite of everything they did to put him at his ease over the function, sensitive of the color prejudice. The evening came for the dinner, and the host stood at the head of the table. He asked his comrades to be seated. Then he said, remaining standing, "Gentlemen, there are thirteen of us present. It would be unlucky to dine with that number. With your permission I will withdraw. A fine gentleman could not have met the situation with greater tact. The story went through the army, and that young captain is one of the moat popular men in France to-day.

The New Plymouth High School Old Girls' Association Committee request that all those old girls who sold tickets for the recent concert hand in money and return unsold, tickets to Miss Oarkill or Miss Andrews, by Monday*

WHERE'S THAT DR. SHELDON'S NEW DISCOVERY? Don't hide the bottle; keep H in plain sight. When Dad's cough keeps him awake lie wants it handy. Keep Dr. Sheldon's New Discovery where it is easy to find. Let the children have it wtten their colds begin. Keep away the big colds and serious illnesses. Dtr Sheldon's New Discovery is a safe treatment for big peopk. Keep it in sight, and ioeip your family free- from coughs and colds and sore throats all through the Winter months. Dr. Sheldon's New Discovery. Price, 1/8 and 3/-. Obtainable -«eryiWhetA-

That Taranaki can grow winter potatoes is shown by the results secured ■by Mr. J. Honeyfield, of Moturoa, who in March put in an acre in Gold Coin. He started digging last week, when he sent to the Red Cross mart thirty pounds, and he gave another thirty pounds yesterday for the same good cause. The potatoes are well grown, and quite equal to the summer article. An additional attraction at the Oale Chantant next week will be afforded by the presence of Miss Wilkinson, wellknown for her skill in tinting photographs. Her charge is only one shilling per photograph, and tho money raised will go to further swell the funds of the Women's Patriotic Committee. There are doubtless many who will be glad to avail themselves of this unusual opportunity. In the course of a speech with reference to the exemption of teachers at. a meeting of the Education Board, at Invercargill, Mr. McGibbon said: "There is a better way of winning the war than further depleting this Dominion of her manhood. The American nation is prepared to send 10,000,000 men to France, if required, and she can send five transports as quickly as we can send one. Therefore I say we should not send another man or woman from this Dominion, but conscript every man and woman that is fit to do any work, and grow food and raw material to help to supply the armies, the American nation, and Great Britain with these things." In order to enable settlers to attend Mr. Norftlah Burke's clearing sale, also the important meeting which is Ibeing held by the Mangatoki milk suppliers' on the same day, it has been arranged to start the clearing sale at noon instead of 1 p.m., and the meeting will commence at 2.30 p.m. instead of 1.80 p.m. At the Baptist Tabernacle, on Sunday evening, the Rev. Campbell Seivewrigh't will discourse on the interesting subject, "Should Christians take part in Seculaf Pleasures?" Young people are particularly invited. All the seatß at the Tabernacle are free, and all are welcome.

The Melbourne, Ltd., are offering a special line of men's all wool tweed suits, super tailored and boxed at the very low price of 52s 6d. These suits are the product of the Roslyn Woollen Mills, a fact which is a further guarantee of their excellence.

Whoever invented the blouse conferred a blessing on all women-kind for it is now her "pet" article of dress. To see the blouse at its best you should visit the Big Store, Waitara, and fit on some of those mentioned on page four. They are cosy to wear, dainty in appearance, yet their price is well within, your means.

Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne appear finally at the Empire tonight in the Metro feature, "Red, White and Blue Blood." There is plenty of sustained interest in this picture, and it will serve to keep this popular doubls high rn the favor of the motion picture pfitfoas.

A big subject with a big east is the correct discription of "The Dormant Power," the World film drama heading the new programme at Everybody's today and to-night. The cast includes Montague Love, Ethel Clayton, Edward •Langford and Muriel Ostriche. The supporting films include the fifth episode of the popular serial, "The Neglected Wife."