LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The observatory at West BroimvicJ. England, records the greatest earth quake for a decade, probably at tli Aleutian Islands.

The offices of the Petone Borough Council was broken into on Thursday night, but, fortunately, the burglar was unable to take anything of value. It is interesting to know that the American people are sending gifts to the New Zealandcrs, ono sebool in New fork having recently sent 000 pairs of nocks to tho Second Canterbury Battalion. A Bill lias been tabled in the French Chamber proposing the abrogation of the luxury tax and the substitution of R. 2 per cent tax on the gross receipts of all tradesmen and manufacturers without exception. In the preamble the authors of the, Bill calculate that this tax will bring tho Exchequer from £100,000,000 to £200,000,000 annually. The moving picture baa acquired a tudden and enormous popularity in Jersisalcm, particularly among the native population, according to letters from •oldiers there. It is impossible to accommodate the crowds that try to attend the theatre!!. People almost fought to get into a big theatre when the film depicting the occupation of Beersheba tvas shown.

As a sequel to the gift of Mr Peter Waite of a, valuable property fit Glen Osmond, South Australia, to become (ivailabk> after his death for the endowment of agricultural education, Mr. Waite has made a further donation for the same purpose of shares in Elder, Smith A- Co. worth £OO,OOO, making the total value of the endowment upwards of £IOO.OOO The endowment is under Hie control of the University. The- TTawke's Bay Tribune says: It is Understood that representation is being made to the Government, urging the removal of the Supreme Court from N'apicr to Hastings. This is considered necessary in view of the cojjtinual "disagreement" of the Xapier juries. The N'apier juries seem to be getting courttvovn. When similar conditions existed on the West Coast of (lie South Tsland, the removal of the Supreme Court some years ago from Greymouth to Hokitika proved very effective.

A returned soldier who has a long period of service to bis credit was going towards Cheltenham Beach, Auckland, with some friends, when the big-gun firing commenced on Friday. ''Let us hurry up, and wo will see some of the firing," said one of the party. "No," replied the soldier- "We had better retrace our steps, for I cannot bear the sound of guns in this peaceful country, no very far'removed from the chief centres of this great, war." "To you oeojile " he continued, "the sound of tho (runs may mean little or it may mean much, hut to me it means hell, and I llon't want to hear the shells bursting."

The boy scout movement in New Zealand lias grown lo very large proportions Lieutenant-Colonel Cosgrave, V.'D., thief scout commissioner, stated in Auckland about "22,000 boys under some ?500 officers, were at present enrolled. Since the beginning of the year over 300 officers bad been appointed, SO of these having taken up the work within tho past month. Apart from their drill, the lads had been assisting the work of tlia patriotic associations since the commencement of the war, and also helping the wives and mothers of soldiers l)jr digging and planting their gardens. In. many centres also they have collected paper and bottles which they sold in aid of patriotic funds. Writing to a friend in Christchurcb an Edinburgh business man says:—"lf onjy one could feel as sure of the politicians as of the fighting men one's mind Would be at case. But there are men here so stupid or so hopelessly selfseeking that they actually hope and work for the statu quo of pre-war days, as if that hectic age had not gone for ever. When peace, does come there will be great, upheavals, politically, socially and commercially, and in nothing more markedly than in the latter direction. One sees tho signs on cv«V side. Of course living expenses here are very great, food being about two and half time pre-war prices, and, therefore, it is making both ends meet that is one's endeavor just now, Abandoning any idea of doing 1 more than that—when 12s is a pound's equivalent. But all through the laboring classes there is great prosperity and great spending. To-day is crammed with Cla.sgotv folk' marching lip and down 'Princes street, all with caps on (the men that is), hands in pocket". bright yellow shoes and cigarettes, as becomes the proletariat from Clydo side during Glasgow fair week. The trains have been running in three sections and most of the munitioners travel first-elas's and to the deil wi' expense."

Tiie fate of Alsace-Lorraine ts of no little importance to Germany with regard to her iron and steel industriesThe enormous expansion of lier output within the last ten years or so has been .due largely to the magnitude of the iron ore resources of these two provinces, and their li*ss must 'he regarded 'by Germany as an economic calamity. Accordin" to a conservative* estimate, the iron ore deposits of Lorraine, which extfend over an area of some 108.000 acres, are placed a!- about '1,300,000,000 torn. Duri]H' IMS tlie ore output was nbout 21.130,000 tons, or ; roughly, 5S per cent of Germany's total production. In the same year 'Prance produced 2U million tons, of which P0 per cent "wore obtained from the Briey. 2fancy, and. (Longwy districts, where the deposits aro believed to he about 3,000,000,000 tons, and the greater portion of these fields is now in the occupation of the Germans. Thfe iron ore production of Lorraine alone, therefore, is nearly equal to the whote of the French production. If you get a chill take NAZOL immediately. It will pwss.at aQCfeitaftt-ot

! A Wellington wire slates that the racehorse Hastie has been donated to the [fund for a crippled soldiers' hostel by iMr. I'j. Short, of l'arorangi. j The band-room, which has jiM been | completed for the New Plymouth Citizens' Band, is to -be officially opened on | j-'hursday of next week.

A meeting of the committee who conducted last yearns Citizens' Band Carnival . together with a number of other gentlemen, was held on Monday eveu.ng presided over by Mr. S. G. Smith. Mr! U. ,J. Howartb was appointed secretary 'and a large general committee was <et up. ' ~

A Red Cross football match will be played on the Recreation Ground tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon, commencing at 3 o'clock. The contesting teams will be the local members of the 1 44 th. Reinforcements, who are now on final leave, and tilie New Plymouth 'Rovers. The soldiers succeeded in defeating a team representing New Plymouth on Saturday last, and a keen and interesting game is expected to-morrow. Admission will be one shilling for gentlemen and sixpence for ladies.

On Saturday last the New Plymouth branch of the Women's National Reserve held another re-union of soldiers' mothers and wives. There was a large gathering, and an enjoyable time was spent. The afternoon tea was dispensed by the Ohetwode School girls, and musical items were given by Misses C. Douglas and 15. Armstrong (piano), Miss J. Morrison (songs), and Miss N. Collis gave a recitation. An interesting address was given by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair. At the end of the proceedings Mrs. L. M. Smith, on behalf of the guests, thanked tlie ladies of the Reserve for their hospitality. Several badges I which 'had been ordered were presented. When the question of the election of a new Patriotic Committee for the New Plymouth district was mentioned at last night's meeting of the committee, and it was stated that the annual meeting was to be held next Tuesday, one member referred to the fact that some members of the committee were conspicuous by their absence from the meetings. The speaker said it was unfair of members to accept a position on the committee and then leave the work to be done by the same few who gave their time un-

grudgingly. It was ultimately resolved that at the annual meeting a rfiport be presented of the number of meetings held during the year and the attendances of the various members thereat. The Fitzroy School Committee met on Monday evening, Mr. W. G. Reid (chairman) presiding. The headmaster (Mr. O. Johnson) reported that during the four weeks ended August 30 the average attendance was 185, and the average roll number 210'. The school was reopened on September 10 after the spring vacation. During the past week Messrs Giddy and ,Walker had commenced tar-

ring the path, but were unable to finish owing to the supply being exhausted. A wish was expressed that the committee would ask the board, when considering applications to fill Miss Tolme's position, to give preference to an applicant who was qualified to teach singing. Tiie Secretary to the Education Board advised that application for a grant for the

proposed additions in wood to the school had already been made to the department.

A meeting in the estate of William i Murray, of Oaonui, was held at the office of the D.0.A., Mr. J. S. S. Medley, on 'Monday afternoon. Bankrupt, in his statement, showed liabilities to unsecured creditors amounting to £3o+ 10s 3d, and to secured creditors £73 10s—less estimated value of securities £7(1 — £3 10s, making total liabilities of £3OB 0s 3d. No assets were shown. Bankrupt, examined, said that IS months ago lie bought a farm in conjunction with his brother, at Xgacre, of about 170 acres. He supplied £2OO cash. After being there about six months, one of tiie mortgagees sued Hancock, who had sold to bankrupt, for interest, and Hancock seized and entered the place, and lie and his brother lost everything. The cattle were sold by the mortgagees at miu-li less than they gave for them, it being near the end of the milking season. Nearly all his debts were incurred before he left the farm. He gave a bill of sale over the motor cycle, and the furniture belonged to his brother. He owned two or three good horses, and also had some cows at Rahotu. He had S3 acres of Native land under the West Coast Settlement Act. The meeting was adjourned and it was staled that Lank - rnpt's father would probably pay cer-

►tftin of the debts. Every man, woman, and child in Germany is a pawn in the hands of the Kaiser. Before the war Germans spread throughout the world at his bidding—and now they lurk and scheme among us under the guise of neutrality or citizenship. The remarkable film "The Spy System," screened for the first time last night at Everybody's, is the story of Mark Quaintance, who sought to Mum the U.S.A. of its peril. He delved h.to the darkest centres of Potsdam espionage —and there met a girl who had been sent to spy upon him. In a sudden love she threw down the Kaiser's work—and together, as man and woman, they defied the wrath and torture of Prussianism in a drama that grips and sways with sheer intensity through seven stupendous acts. There will he a special malinee of this picture this afternoon, and it will finally be screened to-nigM. Tomorrow night "The Spy System" slums in the Theatre Royal, Waitara. Mr Frank Morton in the Sydney Sunday Times, says that Mr David MoKee I Wright, the Australian poet, "is without the least extravagance, one of the finest poets now living anywhere." High praise, tout he deserves it. Mr. Wright has written a book of poems, "An Irish Heart," and of these Mr Morton goes on to say: "These poems delight everybody not spiritually dead or decayed. In this book there, is simply nothing thai is not fine, high, quality, nothing in which you cannot, hear a very keen true spirit sing. Tn.thc domain of pure beauty no other Australian writer has come near it." Copies ot' "An Irish Heart" may be secured from the "8.K." Book Depot, whose management we desire to thank for a,review .copy.,

Never since the establishment of our public schools has the public interest in education been keener than at present. The demand for reform is strong and widespread, but there is much uncertainty and difference of opinion flying experts as to what ought to be done. Mr. E. U ; . Just, organising secretary of the New Zealand Educational' Institute, will give an address on the need for improvements in. our education system in the Good Templar Hall on Friday night, when it is hoped there will be a large attendance of parents and others interested in education.

Decision marks the man of power. It takes energy to decide, but it saves time. Two thirds of life is wasted in making up one's mind. If you want to khow which whisky will best suit your health try "Perfection" and your mind

The Hawera Star understands that under the will of tlio late Mr. A. S. Tonks the Hawera Hospital will receive a bequest of £SOO, and that St. Mary's Church, Hawera, will receive a bequest of a similar amount.

Advices from the West Coast are to the effect that since the miners vent back to work in the West Coast mines they liave been working at a good speed. The output from the mines. bag been satisfactory. The coal shortage in Wellington has eased considerably, and retailers are said to l be delivering to their customers a better class of coal than they have been giving in recent weeks.

It is somewhat notorious that the coat of legal proceedings is great. An indication of this was given toy Mr. Justice Hosking sitting in chambers in the Snpreme Court, Wellington. "I am not going to allow costs to solicitor and client unless I know what they are p-nng to be. Tliese originating summonses are being abused. Why, I noticed the other day that to determine two or three unimportant questions the costs amounted to £360."

The first instalment of the next war loan is not likely to be formally opened for subscription before the end of the presgnt year, and possibly not until-e&rly next year, according to the Hon- A. M.' Myers, Acting-Minister for Finance. The Minister stated that those who desired to subscribe to the new loan could doeo by way of remittances to the Treasury. He also mentioned that the number of defaulters coming under the compulsory clauses of last year's Act was comparatively small, tlio objects for which thelegislation was passed having-apparently 1 been achieved.

The value of tlie Expansion and Tourist League's enquiry bureau is evidenced by the number of enquiries and calls; made. At a meeting of the league last evening, the secretary (Mr. W. A. ColHff) r stated that for the past season therewere over four hundred. Though early; in the season, he was at present receiving enquiries almost daily. At a meeting of the Expansion and' Tourist League last evening there were present Messrs T. C. List (chairman), A. M'Hardy, J. R. Cruickshank, F. Jackson and Dr. Leatham. The treasurer reported that the receipts for the year woilld about equal the expenditure. It was de-i cided to hold the annual meeting on the Bth prox. A sub-committee was set up to interview the chairmen of the seaside committees, with a view to discussing matters of mutual interest, and, if possible, formulate a scheme of co-operation and co-ordination of various activities having for their object the further popularising of the town as a tourist and holiday resort.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr A. Crooke, S.M., judgment was given for plaintiff by default in the following undefended cases:—Mortgage Loan and Agency Co., Ltd. (Mr D. Hutehen) v. C. A. and 0. Zurcher, £l2O (costs £0 12s); Arnold George (Mr Hutchen) v. F. C. Jenkins, £4 12s (eqsvs 17s); Alice Sampson (Mr Hutehen) v. A. Maxton, £l9 18s lid (costs £1 10s Gd); Margaret Leitch (Mr. A. A. Bennett) v. F. Carr. £G 3s 4d (costs £1 3s Cd). ft is alleged that the process of procuring oil from penguins on the Macquarie Islands, which are under the jurisdiction of Tasmania, is a cruel one. Before issuing further permission to destroy the birds the Tasmanian Government intend to investigate the matter. They have communicated with Captain ft. A. White, the South Australian ornithologist, asking him to undertake the task. Thin will be by no means easy work in these remote and frigid regions. The means of communication are few and difficult, and the expedition may take five or six monthsCaptain White is seriously considering the request. And tiius it is willi the German Government. Having decided upon a policy that meant the murder of helples3 American non-combatants on the high seas, men, women and children alike, it then proceeded to plot against the domestic peace and safety of tiie United States. Wlien caught red-handed, the proofs of guilt being undeniable, it seeks to justify its crime against the nation to which it professed a warm and unyielding friendship on the ground of military necessity, f:ice "The Spy System," which shows at Everybody's for the last two screenings this afternoon at three and to-night at eiahf.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday a land agent's license was granted to Mf T. P. Hughson, Rahotu.