LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

One hundred and forty-eight people visited the Health Office's inhalation chambers in Xew Plymouth yesterday, as against two the day before. The telegraph office closed ai 1030 yesterday till 10 at night, owing to the staffs being overwhelmed with work in the last few days and the effects of the influenza. Considering the difficulties that newspapers are beset with these days, it is surprising wo are able to produco a paper at all _ "Tiho Government has no intention of imposing au export duty on butter, mutton, beef, and cheese," said the Prime Minister in answer to a question in the House of Bepresentatives last week.

One of the most striking displays in yesterday's procession, and one which evoked spontaneous applause, was that of the Plunket Society, which consisted of a motor-car load of bonnie babies with their mothers, and Plunket Hurse Williams in liheir midst.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tarauaki Education Board, which should have been held yesterday, has been postponed until next Wednesday. Owing to the railway authorities denying the Technical College students the privilege of using their school tickets, the College was obliged to abandon the idea of talcing part in yesterday's procession.

A united service of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the recent Allied successes will be held in t&e Pukelcura Park on Sunday afternoon, commencing at 3 o'clock. The Citizens' Band will be in attendance and hymn sheets will be provided.

An inquest touching the death of Walter Alexander Smith, who died in the New Plymouth hospital on Tuesday afternoon as the result of an accident by which he received a fractured skull was opened before the district coroner, Mr. A Crooke. S.M.. yesterday morning. Evidence of identification was given by George Wey, who stated that he and deceased belonged to Masterton and were holiday-making together. They arrived by the Karawa on Tuesday morning. The inquest was then adjourned sine die. A number of residents have already : taken advantage of the inhalation chamber set up at tiio Taranaki Hospital Board's office in St. Aubyn Street. The Health Inspector states that as there is a likelihood of the equipment having I shortly to be removed, to other centres, people are urged to make the fullest possible uao of it during its operation in New Plymouth. The Prime Minister remarked in the House of Representatives on Friday night that the number of returned soldiers to date was 26,000, and every one of the men had received proper attention. Much work had been done in preparation for the various needs of soldiers. More had been done up to the present for soldiers by the New Zealand Government than any other Government of h'ne world. He made that statement unreservedly. The Government and the people here were doing their very level best for the soldiers. He knew tliat criticism of the Government in this matter was done for political purposes. At Hawera on Tuesday the peace thanksgiving service, which was held in line open air opposite the Post Oflice, wis most appropriate and reverent. It was ono of the largest gatherings ever seen in the town, says the Star. Proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem. Prayers w«re offered by Mr. Barton (who is relieving, the Rev. Mr. Gray) and Ensign Calcott, i while the lesson (Vtth. chapter of Ex- i odus) was read by Major Cos. The; liynras during the service were; "On-1 ward Christian Soldiers," "O God, oari help in ages past," "All people ttat cm! earth do dwell," "J&w thank we a3l crar j God." 'The Eev. Grant Cowan dfiMwexed j a .fine, earnest, and appropriate speed).

The length of the procession yesterday may he judged from the fact that it occupied 25 minutes in passing a given point.

The deaths from influenza in the Auckland hospitals arc averaging about twenty daily. Nothing like such a seourgo has even been experienced iii the city

The post and telegraph branches will close at 10.30 ajn. to-day. The telephono exchange will observe the usual hours. Chief telegraph offices and those usually open after 10 p.m. will resume at 10 pan.

Mr. W. Lints, of New Plymouth, has been engaged by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association to organise a scheme for the raising of funds for tho erection of tho new club-house. Mr. Lints will begin his duties early in March.

A splendid exhibition of the "carryon" spirit is afforded at Rangataua, says the Taumarunui Press. Owing to the influenza, all the staff at the post office are temporarily down and out, the only man on deck being the messenger boy, who has decided to "carry on." Probably the most crowded vehicle in last night's procession was Mr. E. Wooldridge'a motor bus. What looked like a swarm of boys being carried along could only be distinguished as the bus by the sign on the back of the body of the car.

The New Plymouth Pierrots made the most of the opportunity of the crowds that were in New Plymouth during the past two days, to prosecute their appeal for £3OOO for patriotic funds. On the first day they succeeded in raising about £2OO, and it was anticipated last night that over that amount would be gathered in from yesterday's activities. Tihe holiday spirit seems to have gripped the community almost as badly as the influenza epidemic, and there appears to be an impression abroad that it is scarcely worth while opening for half a day to-day, and some business people have already decided not to open this morning. This matter is, of course, entirely in the hands of business people themselves, as no arangement ihas been made for observing.a whole holiday today. Tho Women's Patriotic Booms were the scene of some strenuous operations yesterday morning, wihen the task of bagging up the lollies which were distributed to the school children yesterday afternoon was in operation. A busy band of women made a frontal attack on the task, which was carried through by grand assault. A perspiring Mayor worked hard on one of the flanks, opening tins and passing up the ammunition to the bagging parties. No body of men is more deserving of the thanks of the community than the Citizens' Band for their services in connection with the armistice celebrations. The band has had a particularly strenuous time during the past few days. Wihat with the capitulation of Turkey and Austria in quick succession, the premature announcement about the German capitulation, and then the two days' celebration of tho real event, the demand on their services has been somewhat heavy. No such celebrations could have been carried through with the success that has attended them without the aid of the band, and yet the men have come up cheerfully/and willingly on each occasion, and it is good for the public to realise k>w much it is indebted to this most patriotic institution, and it would be a graceful act on the part of the community to recognise this public spirit in a practical way by donations to the bandroom fund.

As soon as the disarmament of the Germans hag been completed," said Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Representatives, "you are going to have a large number of ships coming out here " In his opinion there would be greater relief from the shipping p om t 0 f view than at any time since the outbreak of war. Then the people would begin to have tihe benefit in the way of a reduction of prices. He did not believe that the cost of living would ever be as low as before the war—not for ten years at least, but there would be a higher rate of wages all over the world.

A passenger who was in the train at the time of the recent railway accident on the Main Trunk line tells the Eltham Argus of a peculiar incident. Wihon the passengers were at work endeavoring to release other passengers, they suddenZ Tl t Uge V™ tree . about .00 feet high and with a circumference m proportion, slowly gliding down towards them. It remained quite perpendicular, being carried down with the slowly sliding landslip. Presently it appeared to meet with an obstacle probably a rock, alien gradually turned to one side and fell with a resounding crash. The informant says it was a •strange and weird sight to see the tree whilst still retaining its perpendicularity, gradually advancing upon tho spectators, and it was a relief when it toppled sideways and fell.

In the Hawera Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, a young man named Charles Archer Bryant was charged tftai he did at Nbrmanby, on November 8 assault Harold Wills so as to cause him actual bodily harm, and being an indictable offence. Mr. OTXea watched tho proceedings on behalf of Wills. Mr. Etherington said acused had been down with influenza, and owing to tie conditions prevailing lately <h e had been iin.able to get his witnesses together. Accused would reserve bis defence. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial ai the next ettting of the Supremo Court at TSew Plymouth. Bail was allowed accused, self £SO and two sureties of & lifas amount.

Owing to the Health Department's decision that al! publie buildings are to be efcsed for a -week, the, concert which was to have beau hM in ike Wanea hall tomorrow jjjgfefc, ia aid of the JBed Gross funds, has Iwen postponed. BSZOKA, THE BBSS' BKMEDY MS PUSS,

y?omm wiw suSsr from Pftes <are asymsSty tutfortona&e, ia &a* they canMot Mk afcosi their caaipiaint. They (mast suffer in eiteaee, To affli &u<fc 13««Ki» oomes as a gceat Messing, for it is leasSy attained, «asSiy oppfied, and ithe scesuit -is atasays ®nattfying. The (dLskessing sickly subside, anind and body both feel relief from (fihe .constant strain .almost after the ifcst application. In fliis Ointment are tcomibined Juices and essences in an enfea]y new .and roiicme manner, forming a oemedy .ijusfly celebrated is a. Sapid Heato. Bexona iB & remedy which is (especially in the treatment of ipileß. Those <v/ho try ft will not be disappointed. Rexona is sold everywhere at Is 6t}, a>r in pots holding lour timee tthß.guaniHytforiftj. Obtainable <every'Whane.