LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the annual meeting of the Eltham Co-op. Dairy Company "hey on Satnrdajr, a donation of £SO was made to the Mercantilo Marine Association, on tiie motion of Messrs Cleaver and Trott.

The chairman of directors of the Taranaki Farmers' Freezing Works stated at the annual meeting on Saturday that during the year the company had spent £17,000 in the town on trade requisites, paid £25,000 in wages and salaries, and paid £SOOO to the Railway Department.

On Saturday last the junior members of t'lio Red Cross Commttee had charge of the Mart, and netted the satisfactory sum of £2O odd, of which £l9 was taken in the Mart and the balance placed on the k'haki soldier man. Two divorce cases have been set dovm for hearing at the Xew Plymouth sessions of the Supreme Court, open to-day. Andrew John Harland proceeds against Amy Harland and William V. H. Robinson, and Henry Curry Barratt applies for the dissolution of his marriage with Fanny Augusta Barratt. The New Plymouth Harbor Board is holding a series of meetings in connection with the harbor proposals, commencing at Eltham this evening; Riverlea, Tuesday afternoon; Kaponga, Tuesday evening; and Mangatoki, Wednesday evening. The serious position some friendly societies are in owing to the strain on their finances caused by the war was brought under the notice of the Minister by Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.'P., in Wellington last week. It was shown that one Order had paid away in death claims over £17,000 since the war started; and all these benefit societies hal been hit more or less. Ministers were sympathetic, and it is expected some practical assistance will be rendered, as a united appeal from the friendly societies is to 1)0 placed before the Government. As showing the increase in land values in a short period, Mr. W. 'i'. Jennings, M.P., 'has knowledge o§ a rapid rise in values in one portion of the King Country. Two returned soldiers, wish a desire to "get on tho land," wrote to [the member for information about getting financial assistance to purchase a settler's holding. The price asked was £4O per acre. Tho settler had very much improved tho holding, but he obtained it under 10 years ago at less than £5 per acre. The member saw the Minister of lands in Wellington laat week regarding the opening ot it block of Crown land at Rangaroa, near Taumarumii, for returned soldiers. This is to be thrown open for selection almost immediately, as plans are now prepared. A very successful afternoon tea gathering took place at the Women's Patriotic Rooms on Friday, when gifts were received for the soldiers' Christmas gift parcels. Some daffodils, sent in by Mrs. Pitt, Bell Block, were sold, and those remaining were offered for sale on a stall in Devon Street on Saturday. The ladies also had a small stall on which thov displayed some sample piueuit; similar to those sent to the soldiers. They took up a collection in the streets which realised something over tO.I. Some 200 half-crowns were received from persons who desired to have their cards included in a puree]. To-day the ladies begin at 8 a.m. to do (.lie final packing of the Christinas parcels, and it: is expected to complete about 1000 before to-night. Music-lovers will be pleased to learn that Mr. T. Shone has been engaged to provide the musical programme at the Empire Theatre, commencing from tonight. This popular theatre already hag the reputation of screening t'lio best pictures in the town, and Mr. Shone at the piano will add to the enjoyment of the pictures. The feature picture for tonight is the Selznick's special, "The Silent Master," starring Robert Warwick, which shows to-night and to-mor-row only. On Wednesday and Thursday there will lie another complete change, when winsome little Mae Marsh will star in the big Goldwyn feature, "Sunshine Alley." Owing to Everybody's being engaged for the Cappelli concert, the fourth episode of "The Alystery of the llouble Cross" will be shown with this prt e.

'•'l Must :• .incy" was the declaration of ! ordon, as the heroine of "Diamoi. ml Pearls," and she manages to secure a milionaire husband. However, she gives free rein to her wilful extravagance, and great trouble comes her wnv. Kitty wears some startling dress creations in this picture, which [shows at Everybody's finally to-night.

Three new dairy companies are being formed in the iPahiatua district. The recent severe weather lias not been without its effect oil the stock. One farmer in the Mokoia district (remarks the Patea Press) reports the loss of twelve cows through chills. Witnesses at the Australian InterState Commission declared that £2,000,000 was annually wasted in the manufacture of shoddy shoes made of adulterated leather. , The Xiagara, which arrived in Auckland on Wednesday, brought about 60 members of the Third Fijian Reinforcements, hall-caste natives, who will enter camp for training. The directors of the Patea Formers' Co-operative Freezing Company (says the Press) have given still further proof of their faith in the future of the district by arranging for a further expenditure of £22,000 on additional cool storage accommodation at the works. By the will of the late Thomas Cooper Antrobus, who died recently in the Patea Hospital, the Patea Anglican Chmvh will Ibsncilit to the amount of £llOO invested, in war Ibonds, the said sum'to be used for rebuilding or organ fund purpose, as the vicar and vestry deem fit upon it maturing a certain period named. T.his i s in addition to the £2OO left to the Patea and BaweTa Hospitals in equal shares. The deceas-" ed was brother to Mr Antroibus, -of Nbnnanby, and: a sister is- still alive in England. During a discuss-ion at the War Belief Association meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Atkinson (North Taranaki) expressed the opinion that there would be a time—probably twelve months after peace was declared—-when there wou'ld be any amount of work to do, and the men would bo back in Sfew Zealand, but they would not have the materials- There would be a period of industrial depression. probably short but very severe, and the men who were unfit would go to the wall. Then the Association would have to come to the rescue.—Post.

A prisoner who conducted liia own case in the Wellington Supreme Court the other day surprised many present by the confident and able way in which he handled legal matters. He appeared to have an excellent idea of court procedure, and his address to the jury was almost as good a 3 some from counsel that juries have had to listen to in the same court. The explanation of this unusual store of knowledge came at the conclusion of the case, when his Honor, in sentencing the young man, said he had 31 convictions against him, and had been an habitual criminal. The prisoner had been frequently before the Supreme Court, and evidently being an observant young man, had laid by his accumulated knowledge for "the rainy day." Some amusement was caused at the Supreme Court, Palmerston North, when a witness was heing examined as to his knowledge of business and ■his ability to make calculations involving fairly simple sums in arithmetic. Examining counsel asked witness to calculate hoAV much a girl would receive for two and a-half days' work at the rate of 20s per week of six days. After considerable calculation by means of pencil and paper, witness made the answer 3s 9d per day, and finally said the amount --ould be 9s ljd. Oh counsel pointing out that witness's figures were a little astray, witness said ho usually made use of » ready reckoner, and afterwards said that although he had managed some big businesses, ho had had the services of a clerk to assist him.

Hero is a rumor current in England: "If, like other shipping companies, the Cunard Line cannot place contracts for steamers with a prospect of early delivery (although the situation in this respect may booh improve as the result of action by the Controller of Merchant Shipping), it is preparing for post-war operations in other ways. Apart from the consolidation of its interests on various ocean routes, it is now erecting or buying premises at many of the world's principal port 3. The inost important of these will be at New York, the cost of the work being estimated at nearly a million and a half sterling. Provision has also been made for offices at San Francisco and Vancouver (which seems to confirm the report that the Cunard Line intends to maintain a service on the Pacific), and at Copenhagen and Gothenburg, whilst at Wellington, New Zealand, a building is nearing completion."

The Otago Daily Times states that one of its reporters who is acquainted with a returned soldier who is at present acting as a military policeman passed the time of day with him, and casually asked him how he was getting on. The soldier, to the surprise of the reporter, replied that he was "fed up with the game." This answer naturally rpompted a further enquiry *» w hat was the matter, and the soldier then unburdened himself of the statement that he was getting tired of failing after >fficers to see whether the private soldiers they passed saluted them. He said their latest instructions were that if they noticed a soldier pass art officer and not salute him they had to put him under arrest, and convey him to 'headquarters, where he was interrogated by an officer as to the reason of his lapse. Two or three men have already been arrested, and severely reprimanded for not saluting.

The Melbourne's great end-of-season salts continues to attract a constant stream of shoppers. Judging by the enthusiasm displayed, it is apparent the firm's plForts in organising and advertising the varied bargains are meeting with the heartiest, appreciation. Fresh bargains are being brought forward daily throughout the period of the sale. Attention is directed to an important "Pierrot" announcement in our advertising columns to-day. "I'm in favor of Prohibition," 1 says many a moderate drinker, "but I'm against paynig a cent of compensation to "The Trade." After making such a startling indictment of the Liquor Traffic, the National Efficiency Board's Report only advocates the payment of compensation for the very good reason that under the present Statute Prohibition, if carried by a national vote, cannot come into operation for four and a half years. >Sign the Alliance Monster Petition asking for a poll on the Board's report. _ If you get a chill take X.AXOr, mime- 1 lately. It will prevent sore throat o! tightness of the chest Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second Group) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable to-day, Monday, August 10, at the Secretary's Office, Curric street, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., : Irom 1 P.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to S I p.m.-—Advfc.

In aid of the Copper Trail, a very successful dance organised by the railway officials at Waitara, took place there on Friday last. The aggregate result of Waitara's efi'orta is £513, and both tho women of Waitara and the Freezing Work's staff deserve congratulations on their success. Delegates of Foresters' Courts throughout Taranaki met at Waitara last week, and at the close of the conference they were shown over the Freezing Works, a courtesy they fully appreciated. Bro. Draper did his best to make the visit pleasant to the delegates. As showing the possibilities of the port of New Plymouth for direct shipment, it is interesting to note that the Thresher, which arrived here from America with a full load of benzine, etc., is leaving here with a full cargo, some' of which has been railed from Wellington. It has been decided that all medical examinations of reservists must take place in tho districts where the reseri visit resides. Thus a Wellington man will not be permitted to be medically examined in Christcliurch or Auckland. A great deal of trouble hasb een caused in this way in the past, and complaints that a particular reservist has worked a point in his own favor have often been based on the fact that he managed to get examined and rejected away from his own district.

The American military authorities have found themselves up against too big a man even for thean to tackle. George Bell is his name, ebony in color, and twenty-five stone his weight. But it is hia height that is ithe .bit too much. There is 7ft 'lilon of him, which needs a couple of amy cots for his adequate lying down; and he is entered as two men on the roll, in order to get the necessary two men's rations for hia continued standing up- Now the medical officers have rejected him, on the soete, presumably, of his facing too much of a good tiling. By the last English mail, Mr A. B. Gibson, secretary of the New Plymouth 'branch of the British. Red Cross Society, received a letter from the Hon Sir Thos. Mackenzie acknowledging receipt of £IOO from the New Plymouth branch for Red Crosg work jn England. Sir Tlios. MacKenzie, in notifying that the amount had ibeen paid over extended his personal thanks for this and many other generous donations from the society whic-h reached him from time to time. Such practical proofs of sympathy and remembrance greatly helped to alleviate the sufferings of our sick and wounded, and it would hardly be necessary for him to say how much such gifts "from home" were appreciated. Mr. J. S. Connett, President of the ! Taranaki Agricultural Society, addressed suppliers at the annual meeting of the | Maketawa £>airy Company on Thursday, solociting their continued support to the society. The address was attentively listened to, and, at its conclusion, Mr. J. Brown, chairman, stated that he con- | sidersd Mr. Connett had made out a good case and that lie and his fellow workers who had done so much to place the society on a good footing deserved support. Mr J. H. Simpson considered that the society should be supported in the interests of the growing youth. The majority of the old memlhers decided to continue their membership, and a number of new members joined. Mr. IT. Trimble was appointed the company's representative on the Agricultural Society's Committee. "

The need for suppliers of dairy factories to supply milk in the best possible condition in order to enable the staff to turn out the beat article was stressed Iby Mr. .T. Brown, chairman of directors, at the annual meeting of the Maketawa IXiirv_ Coinpany on Thursday. Referring to turnip feeding he stated that recently suppliers had been using butter which had been in store for some time, and this had a decided flavor of turnip. Some suppliers appeared: to think that the -pasteuriser would eliminate all food flavors, but this was not so. He considered it would become necessary to instruct the manager to refuse any'milk in which he noticed milk flavor. There was a lot of talk about judicious feeding on turnips, 'and this was alright if the turnips M'ere carted out to the cows, but the trouble wag that farmers put the cows on the turnips for half an hour and then left them there all day. At the Manaia Court on Wednesday a case of interest to licensees of hotels wag heard (before [Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., when J. B. Dunn, licensee of the Waimate Hotel, and his wife, were charged with supplying liquor to one EdVard Borrie, a person apparently under the age of 21. Mr O'Dea appeared j for both defendants. Borrie stated that ho was 17 years and 3 months, and under cross-examination admitted that he had Ibeen a member of the Fire Brigade for two years, and ihad been sharing for the last three years. Mr. ODea contended that Borrie looked 35 instead of 17, and that it was not necessary under such circumstances for the licensee to ask his age. The Magistrate agreed with counsel's contention that it was not necessary under the circumstances ,to ask the age, and said that Borrie certainly looked over 01. He would therefore dismiss the informations. Borrie appeared in Court with a good growth of beard.

The use of constituents of coal-tar in high explosives' was the subject of some interesting remarks 'by Professor Easterfield in a lecture he gave before the Philosophical Society at Wellington on Wednesday on coal Iby-produots. One of the constituents of coal-tar, lie said, was toluene, Which was invaluable in making explosives. On account of the great demand on toluene, efforts had. been made to increase the percentage of this constituent that could be distilled from ooal. By high temperature distillation, however, only about half '.p., pound of toluene could be got from a ton of coal. To secure the necessary amount of toluene it would have been necessary, therefore, to distill almost all the coal in the United Kingdom. This difficulty was overcome by an order given shortly after the outbreak of war that any works producing over 3,000,000 cubic feet of coal gas per day must wash all the gas with tar oils, so as to absorb all tlie benzine and toluene. As a result. the amount of toluene per ton of coal was brought up to 101b- This was purchased from the companies by the Government. A difficulty was encountererf, however, for while the Navy wished to have the constituents of tar as fuel, the munitions people wished the tar distilled, so as to produce constituents for the manufacture of high explosive. We are in receipt of an avaount of ten shillings from Mrs Rea, New Plymouth, also five shillings from Mr G. Brereton, Ngntoro, towards the AmI bury Memorial fund, w3iich have been duty bonded over to the seeretaiy.