LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Christiania message states that the committee has decided not to award a Nobe' pence prize in 1918. The suitability of pinus insignis for butter boxes is bekig tested by experiments carried out by Mr. H. G. Kingsland, of Nelson. He has forwarded to the Agricultural Department three boxes of butter, which have been stored at the freezing works, Stoke. The butter will bo ksrtt for, three months, and the condition ilicji reported on by the dairy division. Mr. Kingsland has good reason to believe that the experiment will be successful (states The Nelson Mail). Reports in the Australian papers of the surrender of the German Navy, by world-wide consent the most impressive and significant episode o£ the whole war, show that each enemy vessel was looked after by a ship of the British Navy. To the Australia was allotted the new battle-cruiser Hindenburg, while the 23,000 ton battle-cruiser Derfflinger was the special charge of -the "New Zealand. In each' case the escorting warship sent a boarding party aboard the enemy ship to make sure that, according to the conditions laid down, the latter was unarmed. It was the first time that the New Zealand and the Derfflinger had met since that afternoon, two and a half years earlier, when they hammered each other in the Battle of Jutland.

The Mayoress of New Plymouth is still somewhat exercised over the 'non-return to the Women's Patriotic Committee rooms of many of the utensils in whi,ch food was sent out to patients during the recent epidemic,, These vessels in many cases belong to people who contributed edibles to the Women's Patriotic Committee, and should be returned to the rooms without delay, so that.they may be claimed by their owners. The work at the rooms is for the time being suspended, as most of the workers are resting, and the Mayoress hopes to be able to close the rooms for a short time almost immediately What will be 'done in the future remains yet to be decided. The shop in Currie Street will re-bpen on Monday and remain open each afternoon. A fresh supply of basket-work goods has been received from the returned soldiers at Kotorua. An Auckland citizen, writing to a friend in Christehurch about the influenza epidemic, criticises the Hon. Q. W. Russell very severely, but adds: "I must, however, admit he is right in fastening the blame on the Auckland- City Council, as no doubt their negligence in not keeping the city clean offered a prepared field for the epidemic. Consideration of the owners' interest has allowed the existence of hovels which would not be tolerated in any up-to-date city I believe the Dutch have had some experience in the past, that it is not good to leave city councils without supervision. The mayors of cities are appointed by the Government. They are always chosen from other districts, and must be trained administrators ana lawyers. They stand entirely above the parties, and prevent any hanky-panky business within the council. Though this may not be quite democratic, I consider it an excellent measure, and it certainly has caused clean administration in Dutch towns. Wo arc promised now all sorts of improvements, but I am afraid if the citizens don't insist, the old slipshod course will be taken again." "NAZOL" for Influenza and Catarrh.

The Chamber of Commerce, at its meeting last night, passed a resolution expressing appreciation, on behalf of the business interests of the community, of the splendid- work done by the Public Health Committee in com'balting the .influenza epidemic. The Watersider Union, at a meeting on Wednesday, passed the following resolution:—"That this meeting desires to extend its sincere thanks to the Citizens' Health Committee for the noble and self-sacrificing work they did on beiialt of the community during the epidemic, and further particularly thanKs those watersiders who took part in the committee's noble work." The Auckland Presbytery has expressed its views concerning the recent epidemic in a resolution expressing the belief that the epidemic must be regarded as a visitation of God, and calling them to humble themselves before Him and to earnest living. The presbytery expressed gratification at the earnest spirit of sacrifice and service on the part of many who gave their time and strength to help the community through a time of very serious trial and sorrow The presbytery expressed gratification to- God that the epidemic had ,been stayed, and called upon its people, by earnest God-fearing lives, to see that the lessons of God's Providence were not neglected. "It is with much pleasure that the King has received the loyal message which you have addressed to his Majesty on behalf of the Salvation Army. The King gratefully- recognises the splendid services of your . devoted workers both at home and abroad, in promoting the social and moral well-being of the community, and his Majesty prays that under" God's guidance their efforts in many land 3 may continue to benefit those who are in need of a helping hand." The above message from the King was received by General Booth in reply to a message sent him on behalf of the Salvation Army on die occasion of the signing of the ar'mistice. The cleaning-up of the borough waß continued in New Plymouth yesterday, when the outer areas of the town were dealt with, and considerable quantities of accumulated. rubbish were removed from business places and residences. There is no doubt that such cleaningsout of refuse must make an appreciable improvement in the cleanliness of the district, though from the appearance of some of the loads of stuff that were carted away it looked as if Borne people were getting a cheap clearance of rubbish for the removal-of which they might reasonably he expected to make special arrangements With the sanitary inspector Altogether 70 loads of rubbish were removed yesterday, approximating 50 tons.

In regard to working the boats at New .Plymouth at. night, the president of the union explained to, the News-that before the war the union made representations to the Harbor Board, with a view to improving the lighting, which was very unsatisfactory and dangeroas to work under. The shipping companies and the riilway authorities also brought the urgency of the matter under the attention of the 'board. The war came on, and tiie matter was allowed to remain in abeyance. Now, the union think the board should provide the extra lighting, hence their objection to v. overtime. The board has previously met'he union in a spirit of reasonableness, and the. union hopes, that in a matter tuat involves the safety of the workers It will lose no time in providing the extra lighting or re-arranging the present lighting "I thought the Plunket Society had taken the child for good," remarked n mother,- somewhat indignantly, on the return of her offspring from the creeho improvised in New Plymouth during the .epidemic to relieve the stricken mothers. She admitted she would have preferred to be without the child, as that would enable .her to have the "good time" she had been denied for some years. Another mother positively' refused to take her baby back'"when the assistant tendered it to her at her own door "Tak:it away," she exclaimed, ''l don't wan', it." and the man could do naught else but take it away "What am Ito do?" he asked. The >dy in authority told him, so later he -wraps the infant caw fully in a rug, approaches the verandah of the mother's residence, puts down a small cushion, and deposits the child thui provided for on the verandah. He gets away without detection.; Whether the mrther subsequently claimed her infant is not known. Your Christmas holiday! Every lady's holiday outfit should include one" or two. of those dainty dressy blouses, priced so reasonably, on page four, at the Big Store, Waitara, .and every purchaser speeding .10/- and upwards will receive a free Christmas gift. Visit the fair early and often—you're welcome!

Gail Kane appears finally. to-night at the Empire in the Mutual feature. ''Tin; Bride's Silsnce," and the fifteenth episode of 'A lass of the Lumlierlands" also shows, to-night for the last time Those patrons w]io were disappointed in missing .Ma» Marsh in the Goldwyn feature,, "Fields of Honor," when the picture, .theatres were closed down will !k> delighted to know 'that the Empire management has' secured this picture aga ; n for screening next Monday- night. Handkerchiefs are ideal Christmas presents for men and hoys. The Melbourne, Ltd., have superb stockß at extremely moderate prices. Irish lawn handkerchiefs, 6d, 9d, Is; Irish linen, Is Hd and 2s Gd; white mercerised handkerchiefs with colored" hemstitched borders, f>d each; mercerised initial handkerchief, Is each; kiddies' handkerchiefs, 2d and 4d oach. Gladys Broekwett is inherently and instinctively an actress. . Her sway over all audience- lies to a great extent in her ability to interpret a role ir> a fashion at once realistic and gripping. Tfcr latest motion picture success is "The Soul of Satan," which commences at Everybody's to-night. Parents are req jested to note that there will be no matinee at this theatre to-day.