LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The, following men entrain on the 2Sth August with tho 12tJi CI Draft: At New Plymouth L. McN. Knight, T. J. 0. S. Russell.

Further subscriptions have been received towards the Amlbury Memorial Fund as Mows:—Aiteyi Lady Assistants £1 12s : Roy and Nicholson and MsLeod and Slake, Ltd, .-Ell Is each; G. IV. Buckley, Ms Od; Hurbert Hurle, J. Abbott, Hugh. Bailey, and Mrs Tiehbon, 10s eaich; Mrs 1 ? - Bayly, tjs; Miss Sawson 2s Cd; total to date £6B 2s.

The monthly meeting of tho Committee of the Sooiety for the Prevention of Cruslty to Animals was held yesterday, when several complaints as to neglect and ilHre'atment were dealt with. Attention was drawn to the allpged poor condition of cows in the Witiora Golf Links paddock. The Inspector's report thereon was discussed, and ho was asked to make further enquiries as to the alleged death of two caws. An honorarium of £5 5s was voted to the inspector. The mysterious lights on the mountain ranges that have been occasioning some concern lately wero again in evidence last evening, when they were observed by several people on tho Carrington road and in town. At about 7.15 a bright light was seen, followed by a 'blue, which changed to red, and then back to tho bright light, The lights appeared to come from points about half way up tho ranges. One town observer who understands tho Morse code states that signalling of some description wasgoing on but not by tho Morse system of dots and dashes. It was all dots.

A rare and splendid specimen of the female sea elephant was captured on Saturday afternoon iby Mr Ward, of Fapakura (Auckland). Mr Ward noticed the strango object in the waiter, and by careful manoeuvring managed to steer it into shallow water, with the result that it was stranded. It was secured by chains, and on Sunday morning brought into the township in a wagon. A number of shots had taken effect in the animal's head, and it eventually died some 2A hours jifter being captured. It measured 10ft. in length and oft. in girth, and is being exhibited for a few days in the interests of the Red Cross Fund 1 .

It was reported to the police on Monday that a lady'a purse, containing money, had been taken from a drawer in the bedroom of a house in Gill street, during tho absence of the occupants on Saturday afternoon. The matter was placed in the hands of Plain-Constable Fitzgibbon to investigate, the only additional information given being that

the window of the room had been left open. It has since been discovered that a youth secured tho purse by reaching through tho window. Ho gave" some of the money to another hoy, and both the lads will appear before the MagistrateOne of the hoys i s just over and the other a little under 1-0 years of age. Statements have been made from time to time to the effect that the Defence Department intended taking over the old hospital 'building at New Plymouth for the purpose of utilising it for the returned soldiers. The' statement was repeated again at the meeting of the Egniont County Council on Tuesday. The facts are that the Defence Department have made inquiries in that direction but nothing definite has been ss*tled. Colonel Vallntine, Director of Military Hospitals, when he recently inspected the premises, expressed an opinion that the building was not large enough to warrant the department going to the expense that would be entailed in converting it into a. military hospital.

Clreat. excitement amongst the women of Waiiara! Kenniv's have bought tlie stock of -Mrs Jeravd, ladies' draper, Wai--1 :■.!■:; !M„| will (ifl'er it at Thf> llig Store ~m '':>!i-:-a!M- next at bit' baraain prices for spot cash. What a lucky chance for mnihn- and the girls! Poor old dad's luit of it'. j ■ : ' '\';-.>t»r ills "nil mj iiii'.: ithilh- are soon . i .v-'.-i \v t.-ing a' "F?n\.r.r." Hot Vi'at- ■■ 'V 'J. Alw's a fi>-,i>fc;t, never a ''■ •• i"' r '■■nr'.fi.iirlv economical — ..,:<■, ••>.. (■'..-•.. ■■ .vip,,-. r. i-cnr. A"'': -oi;r .i: Mist .'or a "LV^va."

The equalisation scheme for butter profits is now all but certain to go through. If tales are true, there will be some need for the scheme next season. Without it butter would be a big gamble, for there is little chance of the Imperial Gwernmy-nt buying the output of the country. But on the other hand the price obtained for such butter as may be shipped will be very high.—Exchange. At the last meeting of the Napier Borough Council, Cr Mulvanah strongly advocated the system of Citizens' Committees as in force at New Plymouth, and with direct representation from the Borough Council- Cr. Mulvojiali stated that in Now Plymouth these woifkcd admirably in each branch of city beautifixation and advancement. The committees had a large amount of controlling power, and when any scheme was (undertaken, they assisted in every direction, even financially', to .help carry it out. A rare and splendid specimen of the female sea elephant was captured the other day by Mr W. Ward of Papakura Auckland). Mr. Ward noticed the strange object in the water, and by careful manoeuvring managed to steer it into shallow water, with the result that it -was stranded. It was secured by chains, and next morning brought into the township in a wagon. A number of shots had taken effect in 'the animal's head, and it eventually died some twen-ty-four hours after toeing captured. It measures 10ft in length and sft in girth, and ig 'being exhibited for a few days in the interests of the local Red Cross funds.

Less than, a year ago there were not 45,000 men employed in American skipyards (says the New York Herald of June 9). To-day there are more than 30,000 skilled mechanics and laborers engaged in building ships and an additional employed in making the engines, boilers, winches, and other machinery necessary to equip them. This tremendous expansion by which the United States hopes to put into service a new merchant marine that will rival

the trading fleet of any nation in the world has been accomplished in luetiiodical fashion, without any "fuss and feathers," but achieving a result that industry long will regard as one of the most brilliant victories of the war.

Farmers in the King Country (says the Auckland Star) are still complaining that tho weather continues rough and cold, and that in some cases stock is suffering severely. Many of the. milking cmvs are coming in early, hut on account of the recent and continuous severe frosts there is very little grass. Many of them have started on their last haystack, while the turnips are nearly done. Ono old Maori near Te Kuiti, who,, was born and has lived there nearly all his life, says he has never seen so much snow as this season, and that the nearest approach to it wim in 1875, or, as he puts it, the year when Sir Donaldi M'Lean, the Native Minister, paid a visit to the old Maori King, aiid when amicable relations between the Pakeha and Maori races were resumed, which Sir George Grey, the great friend of all races, but more especially of tho M<aori, cemented more closely when he became Premier two vear-s later.

Many people may remember that soma

time ago a man developed a curious kink which gave the Post and Telegraph Department a good deal of trouble (says

tho Dominion). Ho was in the halbit of visiting public telephone bureaux in the city at a late hour of the night, and cutting off the receivers by the simple method of severing the corded wire which connects tho receiver with the instrument. Determined to discover the offender, the electricians of„thc Department devised a trap, whereby the act of severing the wire rang an alarm at central and at tho same tim* shot a holt in the telephone bureau door where tho offence was committed. In this way was the guilty party securely "coralled." and subsequently convicted and fined. The sequel to this peculiar form of crime was that a bundle of ten or twelve telephone receivers has been picked up on the bottom of the harbor close to the wharves, by the Wellington Harbor Board's diver. «

Preparations for the sending of Christmas parcels to the boys at the front are going on quickly, tout very thoroughly at the depot of the Women's Patriotic Committee at St. Aulbyn street. The final packing is to 'he done on Monday next, and at present the rooms of the Committee are the repository of all sorts of gift goods to he included in the parcels. Scores of tins h&ve Ibeen collected and thoroughly cleaned for packing sweets, etc., in. Other larger tins have been made ready to receive the complement of Christmas cake for each man. In each, parcel there will also be a little gift from those who have provided and paoiked the parcels, "golliwogs" being the moat popular form of token, and to these are attached a small card bearing a cheerful message to the recipient. The Women's Committee intend making a final appeal for gifts for the parcels on Saturday when a stall will be sot up in Devon street for the purpose of exhibiting specimen parcel? and securing gifts-* cigarettes and tobacco being especially solicited. Contributors of haM-a-crown may have their names written on ft card and enclosed in a parcel.

A reminder is given of the gift aftern'oon to be held at the Patriotic depot, St. Aulbyn street, this afternoon. Visitors ai'd workers are asked to bring a gift for the nurses on active service. A case of gift parcels for the nurses" is being packed by the Women's Patriotic Committee, who will dispense afternoon tea.

Now's the time for influenza, Sunless days and sweeping gales ; When we cough in sad cadenza, Through our winter ills and ails. Now's the time when soro throats blighl us,

And when coughs and colds are sure; Now's the time for dread Bronchitis, And for Woods' Great Peppermint Oure.

CAR ENGINES CLEANED AND 25 PER CENT MILEAGE INCEEASE.

Owing to the great success of Imp Carbon Chaser numerous imitations are now being offered, Demand the heat, proved by 28,000 car owners in America. Sntisficlion 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 t'aMet for every five gallons—it will give better combustion, at the same time , flciiiiing the engine. Contains no in- ■• im-iuns acids —will not injure any motor. for 100 gallons, only 7s a tin ]:<>?t pi"!. If dealers a»e out of stock Vellinston