LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On leaving Sydney for Melbourne on October 10, General Pau wrote "to the people of New .3outh Wales," as follows:—"At tlie time of quitting New South Wales, I am glad to be able to express to its inhabitants the deep gratitude of the French Mission for the cordial and spontaneous welcome which has been given us. Wo have constantly felt that we were surrounded by an atmosphere of sympathy, the sincerity of which was evident, and which went to our very hearts. We knew also tha through our persons the greetings of New South Wales went to France. And in the name of France I thank you." In the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr A. Crooke, S.M., judgment was given for plaintiff by default, in the fololwing undefended cases:—James Bennett (Mr A. A. Bennett) v. Ruatapu (otherwise Barney Xgawhare), £3 (costs £1 4s); H. A. McLeland (Mr A. H. Johnstone, for Mr Hutchen) v. F. S. Beauchamp, £5 (costs £1 Is Cd); Bruce and Feakins (Mr J. 11. Quilliam) v. James Rognski, £3 15s Cd (costs 18s Cd); Ernest A. Walker (Mr Ct. Ball) v. Paul Mat%, £3B 8s (costs £3 9s); Henry Wesrfc (Mr G. Ball) v. Siegel's, £6 IGs (costs £1 3s Cd). In the judgment summons case of H. T. Joll (Mr Bennett) v. Albert Loveridge, an order was made for the payment of £1 18s 5d on or before October 28, in default 2 days' imprisonment, and in the case of the same v. A. V. Trueman an order was made for payment of £5 0s 2d, by October 28, in de.ault six days' imprisonment. W. H. and A. McGarry, land agents, Eltliam, advertise on page one a leasehold dairy farm with cows, machines and plant as a gcing concern. All motor cyclists interested in the motor cycle club are requested to attend a meeting to be Iheld at the Soldiers' Club, New Plymouth, on Thursday, October 31st.

The Eleliam Argus states that the Imperial Government will offer 181s per cwt. for butter and lOMsd'per pound for cheese, taking the Dominion's output for two years.

In connnection with the Band Carnival on Labor Day (Monday next), a special feature of the evening procession will be a decorated and illuminated lorry in charge of the following Chinese: — Leong Ting, G. Huka, King Hong, who are devoting much attention to the novel details, which include a fireworks display.

During a gale on Monday night, two lighters, owned by Messrs Borthwick and Sons, Ltd., Waitara, were blown from their anchorage in the Waitara roadstead, and were washed ashore near, the Waiongona river. The lighters, which we?e empty at the tiuiij, liad been engaged in loading a liner, and being unable to return to port had been anchored. The liner put out to sea.At the school committee meeting last week, in referring to the general mipunctuality of people in Manaia, a speaker said he did not know what the residents would do when the railway was opened to the own, for he felt sure they would never be able to catch a train. We wonder whether this is the reason why sotpe people are opposing the construction of the line.—Witness. When addressing the members o£ the Navy League at Wellington on Monday night, Sir Joseph Ward told a story in illustration of the strict discipline maintained aboard Atlantic liners in the danger zone. He said it was a rule that all passengers must wear' their lifebelts. There was one passenger who disregarded this rule, and after more than one warning he was marched to the ship's guardroom, and asked to give an explanation of his conduct. He was released after he had promised not to offend again. "We brought him hack with us safe and sound to this country, where he does not require to use a lifebelt," added Sir Joseph Ward, amid laughter. Those business people who imagine the railway workers are slow in handling goods will be surprised at the following: At Mr. jSmith's presentation meeting it was mentioned that for considerable periods over 300 tons daily went in and out of the goods sheds. Considering the cramped conditions under which they work, this statement demonstrates that the railway officials are not slow in their efforts to cope with town and country trade-

At the presentation to Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., on Monday, some of the raiWaymen related experiences. One remarked that a big, 'burly aide-de-camp struck the town and desired his luggage removed. It was a bulky parcel, and there was some talk, during which the visitor called the porter "a colonial pup." The latter got in the last word by remarking that would sooner be a "colonial pup" than "an imported bulldog!" "The Honor System" created a profound impression on the crowded house at Everybody's last night. This picture needs no comment, as it certainly lives up to the advertisement of being the greatest human story ever told. The final screenings take place to-day, this afternoon at 3.15 and to-night at 8 p.m. Mr K. O'Donnell, Tongaporutu, has received a letter from his son, who sailed with the 39th Reinforcements, in which some interesting incidents are related in connection with ttoe voyage Home. The letter states that after leaving New Zealand the troops did not sight land for 21 days, and as usual there was much excitement at the first sight of a new country. The most sensational experience of the voyage happened as the vessel was approaching a port of call about the middJe of July, which necessitated the landing of all troops on board, and they spent three weeks amongst the natives on one of the islands of the Atlantic. A visit was paid to one of the biggest Atlantic seaboard cities, and the troops after sailing had to put back again in order to pick up with a convoy of ten other vessels. This was the first New Zealand draft to visit that particular Atlantic port, and they were photographed for the inoving pictures, which will in all probability be shown in the Dominion. They finally sailed for England on August 18, and Private O'Donnell's letter was written "at sea" on August 19.

Shipping matters in Waitara (says the Mail) are slack. The Harbor Board meets once a month, but it has little business to transact and the outlook just now is altogether The war is the principal cause of this unfortunate state of affairs. The big boats' visits are few and far between, and tlhe owners of the coastal craft appear to have a particular bent for centralisation even going to the length of unloading cargoes intended forthis port at the Breakwater, and causing extra expense to the consumer. In some cases, wo understand, railway freight from'the unloading point to Waitara has been yaid, but, generally speaking, the retai'et has to pass the burden on. The bad tnetment we have received in tespent to coastal shipping has been quitJ meekly borne; perhaps it is looked uoon as an inevitable concomitant of four years of war. Protests made in other places against monopolies shielding themselves under various guises have invariably received support from the community adversely affected, but here, where the influence of the shipping ring has manifested itself for several years past, more or less, the farmer and the townsman has allowed it to go on until to-day the coastal trade is badly hurt, and possibly it may be a long time-be-fore we come into our own again*

To-night will be the last screening at the Empire of that deeply interesting mystery play, "The Mark of Cain." Tomorrow June Caprice and Harry Hilliard star in the Fox l comedy drama, "Every Girl's Dream," a picture as pleasing as a fine morning in spring.

The Melbourne Clothing Company are still able to sell a line of men's Irish lawn handkerchiefs, full size, 6d each, despite the fact that the wholesale price of similar goods is 8s per dozen. Also, {rents' hemstitched handkerchiefs, superior quality, 9d each. New Zealand has a reputation as a leader in progressive measures. Just now she is facing the Liquor question. State Control in Sweden, South Carolina and Saskatchewan has failed, and has been voted out by the people. Nowhere has this policy succeeded. Experiments with Prohibition in nine provinces in Canada and in twenty-eight states of the American Kepublic have all succeeded. The right road is abundantly clear. But Canada will not be entirely dry until May 1 next. It will be J«ly 1 of 1019 before all America is dry. New Zealand can yet lead in Prohibition progressivenesß, and prove the first nation in the World to reach the goal. Why not havo it in operation by January 1 of next year.—Advt.'

At Wanganui during the week-end there was an unusual crop of accidents, six or seven altogether, mostly collisions in town between motors and other ve-l hicl.es In several instances.broken limbs were tlio result.

A meeting in the interests of the New Plymouth harbor improvement schema will be held in the Strathmore Town Hall at -2 p.m. to-day. The meeting advertised for the Whangamomona Town Hall has been postponed until Wednesday, the 30th. at 2 p.m.

For some time the Public Works' train from TahOra to Koh.ura.tahi has bej>s running once a week only, on Tuesdays. Mr. J. Robson made representations to the Public Worka Engineer on the matter, and t{ua train will now run on Saturday instead of Tuesday, and will connect with the early train tor Stratford, and with the evening train from Stratford. This arrangement should prove a great advantage to the people of the district. —Post. An indignant protest was made by Dr. Florence Keller at Tuesday's meeting of the Auckland Hospital Boarad, when a recommendation cams up from the Finance Committee that a typiste be engaged for the office at a salary of £1 a week. Dr. Keller said it would* be a disgrace to the bo»rd if it employed a girl at such a low rate. Decent board could not be procured for £l. How, therefore, was a girl to dress as tha board would expect her to dress? To her mind, it was tantamount to causing a girl to supplement her means illegally to ask her to accept such a wage. After discussion, the meeting fixed 30s a week < as the salary to be offered for the position

A New Zealand soldier, in a letter to a friend in Auckland, says: "One of the most impressive incidents I saw at the Cape was fJhe "Midday Pause,' and I think it would go well in New Zealand. At midday all traffic and business suddenly stops. Then from the balcony of the principal restaurant in the centre of Adderley Street a bugler plays 'The Last Post' and all the men bare their heads. Then follows two minutes of silent prayer, and the 'fall in' is sounded. Immediately traffic and business resume and ordinary routine goes on. The whole thing takes but three minutes, and is most impressive."