LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The photographic business in Wanganui is evidently a fairly payable one. An appellant at the Military Service Board, when asked the other day to give some idea of his profits, replied: "Oh, '£soo or £IOOO a year." A Wimmera suryivor, referring to the kindly treatment of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated vessel by the Maoris, said: "I've heard a lot of these Maoris, and I don't think there is a people in the world like them for kindness, after the way they treated us." "Belgium will never fail," said the Sev. Father Vandamme, a Belgian priest, who is visiting Australia, in speaking to a pressman. "I am always in touch with ■home. I get news every month," said Father Vandamme. "All the letters I get from homo say the same thing. 'Our sufferings are great; our sufferings arc awful We long for peace, but we will never accept an unjust peace- We will suffer to the end. Do not think our courage will fail us. Is it possible that people suffering so much can remain calm and confident in final victory? Yes; we will never fail. We want a just peace, we want our independence. We do not want, we will not accept, an unjust German peace. Until we get a just peace, we will suffer in patience. We will suffer to the end.'" Ship lifeboats, such as those that were earried by the Wimmera, are fitted with copper tanks filled with air, and they run fore and after on both aides of the boat. "This prevents the boats sinking, even if the plug is pulled out and the ■boat fills with water. The boats also contain sealed tanks containing biscuits and tabloid foods, sufficient to maintain the passegers for some day? The boats have breakers of water, masts and sails, compass and lamp, sea anchor, vegetWS oil and oil-bag, to be used in case of rough weather, and two axes. The boats are certified" to carry approximately 56 persona. They are inspected every time the vessel is surveyed, when any necessary renewals are made. The Dunedin Star, referring to "the ridiculous censorship of information" about Hie loss of the Wimmera, says:— "Though the news, of the disaster was known the evening previous to the day of general publication, only one paper was permitttod to publish an official admission of the disaster. And that journal obtained its exclusive information from the Head Serang—Sir James Allen! Elsewhere officialdom became as a turtle, whoso body may be evacuated from its shell only by fire. At 9 o'clock on Thursday morning, when this office was' being besieged by anxious inquirers as to the fate of the ship's passengers anil crew, our Wellington correspondent landed in to the telegraph office at Wellington the fof owing message:—"Eighty survivors Wimmera landed by drifters at Mangonui." This consoling message was blocked by the censor, apparently on the principle that it might, if published, be of value to the enemy. When this officer was sought out to hear reasons for publication of this cheering messagf • '" *ent word to the inquirer that hw vil _ "too bußy to be bothered." Too busv. .iloVd! Possibly at the moment he, w: '(levising the .discreet phrase "Sunk by external explosion," leavin? the pr ■to jmess whether the vessel had 'Be ■nti*<fied by a mine or meteor Th'e n.mner and extent of this ■particular caise of censorship emphasises the niwaoSf" the Government revifwinfr "■- orial system and weeding out tlic it ', whose ways have been [so often Ri xinggjas Carlyle wouldhav? §a,i&) l .pl 'Jt&a.Jsmg £f.-.d«a]aya.*

A largely-attended meeting of dairymen at Palmovtoii North yesterday, to consider the dried milk industry, decided to take fti'p (■! Mi!;:i;:,uiiate the dairy companies i>> : '.,:i.ii. ■■ •:• for the manufacture of mi.!: j.j-t.d'.i. on a co-opera-tive basis.

The Graves Commission has undertaken to provide whenever possible photographs of the graves of deceased New Zealanders buried in France. These photographs will be despatched to the next-of-kin as soon as they are received in Wellington. The whale which was found pn -the beach near Warea by P»r» Ruakere and another native, had obviously been <lead for a considerable time before being washed ashore. Though a fine specimen it is too far decomposed to be of cpmmercistl value.

The Wanganui Agricultural Association passed a resolution expressing satisfacton with the terms of the Government wool purchase. The .opinion was expressed that even if growers were allowed to ship their own wool after the war the high freights and scarcity of ships would nullify all the advantage of the high prices expected,.-—Press A*soe. The training of the recruits in trench work at Awapuni Camp hae been somewhat hampered by the recent wet weather owing to parts of the trenches having fallen in. These require tp be rebuilt, and it has been decided to support the sides of the trenches and dug-puts with tins filled with sand, in owler to prevent a repetition of the recent experience.

A good deal of interest is being taken in the approaching visit of the Eev. J, (Burton, who was formerly Minister of the Whiteley Church and was greatly interested in any scheme which had for its object the keeping and uplifting of men. During his ministry The Brotherhood was a live organisation and many pleasant Sunday afternoons were spent. Next Sunday afternoon Mr. Burton will give an address in Everybody's Theatre, and ladies will be welcomed. The subject will be "The New Era in the Pacific."

In order to bring before ratepayers of the Egmont County Council the portion of the rate struck that was actually avalable for road maintenance, the county chairman suggested at last meeting that the rate card should detail the proposed allocations for hospital board levy, administration, road maintenance, machinery, etc. Messrs Roy and Nicholson, however, advised against this and suggested that sufficient publicity could be given at the council table. The chairman stated that of the general rate struck it took 7-32 d to pay the, hospital and charitable aid rate, 6-3Zd fpr new machinery, and 3-32 d for interest on the bridge loan. Out of the balance of Id administration costs had to be taken, leaving rather less than Id for road maintenance,.

An accident, fortunately unattended with serious consequences, occurred on the Main South Road at IPuniho about 2 o'clock yesterday morning. When, re* turning from Pungarehu a Ford motorcar, occupied by two natives named Itua and Sullivan, collided at the toll gate witfh a loose saddle horse, with the result that the car was capsized,. 'JPhe occupants had a lucky escape, being uninjured, but the car was considerably damaged,. The horse, which, it is stated, had got out of a paddock near the Stony Kiver saleyards, also escaped injury, though one of the stirrup irons and the bridle was found under the car.

The effect of the recent storm on the stock in the North. Canterbury district Is a matter of serious concern, and flock owners are preparing themselves for heavy losses. It is reported that in some localities that only Ohe heads of the sheep are to be seen above the snow, and in many directions the sheep are wandering about on the snow-covered flats searching for food. Those farmers who have hay and other fodder at command are fortunate at the present juncture. In some places flocks of hare 9 have been observed wandering over the snow looking for food. Trees all over the district affected by the downfall have suffered a good deal of damage through branches being stripped off by the weight of the snow, and live fences, too, have been beaten down. Reports are also coming in of considerable damage to farm and station buildings. Rabbiters in Southland proved gainers by the floods recently experienced in that district. Thousands of rabbits were forced to take refuge on islets remaining above water here and there. The rabbits were crowded on these small pieces of land, and the men, armed wit/h long sticks, had an easy prey. One islet was literally black with the animals, an exchange states, and with skins fetching from 3s to 4s per lb those at work must have labored profitably. A rare treat will be afforded partons of the Cafe Chantant to-night, when both male choir and band items will be given.

These cold days and nights a warm dress-gown is often a boon. Kead Morey's offerings in these advertised to-day—then call and inspect. In connection with to-night's programme at the Cafe Chantant, the bandmaster desires that the bandsmen will assemble at the hall promptly, so that the programme may be carried out as arranged-

The Central School is closing this afternoon on the occasion of the opening of the Cafe Ohantant, when children are to he admitted for half price. Numerous attractions are being provided for them, including fishing wells, Santa Claus in his magic cave, bran-tubs, etc. As an indication of the trend of prices in England the managing director of the Melbourne, Ltd., writing to his linn'from (London on May 16th, states that the well-known firm of Selfridge and Co. arc selling men*s ready-to-wear suits at seven guineas, and men'B boots at £2 2s to £3 5s a pair. Compare these suit prices with those at which good suits are offered locally by the Melbourne Co., viz., 53/fl to 89/6. CAR ENGINES CLEANED AND 26 PER CENT MILEAGE INCREASE. Owing to the great success of Imp Carbon Chaser numerous imitations are now being offered. Demand the best, proved by 28,000 car owners in America. Satisfaction is guaranteed. Imp Carbon Chaser is composed of highly concentrated volatile power oils which add to the efficiency of ordinary fuel oils. Simply drop into your tank one Imp tablet for every five gallons— it will give better combustion, at the same time cleaning the engine. Contains no injurious acids—will not injure any motor. Sufficient for 100 gallons, only 7s a tin .post paid. If dealers are out of stock Wefljpgtfi*.; '•"".""■ -~* -V.

The increased price of land in the Pahiatua district was mentioned at thei Wellington Supreme Court. "I understand there has been a considerable increase," said his Honor the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), "but I do not fancy it will last very long; that is, unless something abnormal is going to happen to the world." A matter of fifteen years ago a San Francisco or Vancouver mail was considered a large one if it comprised 800 bags altogether, but by the Moana, which arrived from San Francisco on Sunday evening, there were 1001 bags for Wellington alone, and 2350 bags altogether, all of which had to be handled in Wellington by a staff that is not quite so used to the work as was the case, say four y*fiTS ago. America's hens are "mobilised," and are now doing a very effective "bit" to win toe war. Following the stretch of mild weather early in March, the hens suddenly contributed 300,000,000 e»es ( during a weekend a large part of this number was rushed into the large cities, thus making it easy for people to give up wheat, flour, etc., for shipment to the Allies. The price of fresh eggs dropped is 3d a dozen in two days. A meeting of the committee of the New Plymouth branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held yesterday, there being present Misses Curtis, A. Wilson, Banwell, Ven. Archdeacon IJyans, Eev. F. G. Harvie, Messrs. J3. Lgjjh aijd B. C. Hughes. A letter was received from the wife of a settler on tie Mountain Road, complaining of the treatment of stock driven along the road, and the secretary reported that the inspector had hee» sent to investigate the matter. The inspector reported that he had made enquiries into one ease, bat had .difficulty! in getting the name of the drover concerned. The secretary reported subscriptions amounting to £1 10s 8d had been received since the previous meeting. n A stiff nor'-west breeze prevailed at Ashburton during Friday night, and there was a rapid thaw. It commenced tp Urns about six o'clock on Saturday morning, and at nine o'clock seven degrees of frost were registered. The weather during the remainder of the day was mild with bright sunshine, cansine a further melting of the deep snow up country Owing to the mild weather residents fear serious floods due to the huge quantities of snow water. After a good thaw during the whole of Saturday frost set in at Ashburton 4uring the night, and eight degrees were regi? teredat 9 a.m. on Sunday. The weather during Sunday was mild, and there was a rapid thaw, which further considerably reduced the great (lepth of snow still ly, ing m all the upper parts of the Ashburton district.

The first conviction for German propaganda by means of the kinema is reported by the United States Department of Justice. The case, wfoich is of especial interest to Great Britain, was brought latdejr the Espionage Act. Bobert Goldstein was found guilty before Judge Blodsoe, at Los Angeles, California, of soliciting German financial gnp. port for showing a seditious kinema film, and the Irish rebellion bayoneting babies, and in- general eonunitting outrages which the Germans committed in Belgium. The censors had been evaded by cutting out the worst -parts, but Judge Blodsoe happened to be present when the entire film was shown. He ordered the United States Marshal to seize the film without waiting for legal process. The film was shown in his Court to the jury, who returned a quick verdiot.

Lieut-Colonel Colquhoun, in returning thanks for the returned men at a welcome social at Dunedin, met with a warm reception. He said at the outset that the work of the women's association was specially welcome to the men. They were doing splendid wo\*k, which was highly prised. In his opinion there was absolutely no doubt of the ultimate success of the Allied cause. There were stiff times ahead, but the Hun would be beaten. There were in France two outstanding things that impressed everyone. The first was the great confidence of the French people, and the second was the marvellous good spirits of our men. He left the New Zealand Division at the end of March, just after the Hun had commenced his great offensive, and the division had done some excellent work in stopping the advance. He had been asked what was his opinion of the American soldiers. He had not had a chance of seeing their work in France, but he had met a lot of them in England. They were great talkers, the Americans, but there was no doubt that the American nation was with the Allies in earnest with al) they had got, and he was confident that the American soldier would make good. The New Zealand Division had won a proud place in the British Army. The highest authorities considered it one of the very best divisions in France, and he would ask all to do everything they could to assist in keeping that division up to Strength. He had been closely associated with! the Otago Regiment during the whole of his career, and he was proud of the men of the Otago Regiment. Attention is drawn to the programme for to-day of the ''Cafe Chantant" entertainment organised by the iNew Plymouth High School Old Girls' Association, and held in the Coronation HalL The official opening is at 2 p.m. to-day, and from then onwards there will be an endless succession of attractions. All that is wanted to make this patriotic effort a thorough success is the support of the public, and that should be accorded most liberally. No efforts have been spared to ensure the enjoyment of all visitors. ':

There will be a - Special matinee at Everybody's this afternoon commencing at 3.80, when the latest Charlie Chaplin comedy, "The Adventurer," will be screened- Children will be admitted for threepence and adults at the usual price. '•The Adventurer" will also be screened again this evening, and for the last time to-morrow night. In this picture "Qharlie" is seen in many new "stunts," in addition to those that have made his name famous.

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