Notes and Comments.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2701, 21 April 1915, Page 2

Notes and Comments.

To-day's History

Isabella of Spain born., 1-1-51. Jean Racine <!i( , d ) ]G99. Fi'oebel 1782. Charlotte Bronte born, 1816. First railway opened in South Australia, 18oG.

Spanish-American war began, 1898 Olympic Games revived at Athens. IiJOO.

Mark Twain died, 1910. Alexander the Groat is said to have died on April 21, B.C. 323. Diogenes, the philosopher, who lived in a tub, died on the same day. A belaid, the lover of Heloisc, died on April 21, 1142. Prince George of Denmark, the dull husband of Queen Anno—herself, if Die truth must be told, an uncommonly dull lady—was born on April 21, 1653. She is vory dead by this time, of course. JJishop Heber, Hie author of "From Greenland's icy Mountains" and other well-known hymns, was born on April 21, 1783. Racine, the great. French tragic poet, and the ountemnorary of Moliere and Oonieille. died "on April 21. 1690. IMchop Heber would not hare approved of llaciiie's works.

Comprehensiveness of Influenza. The Flu is once more in possession of the land. From Auckland to the Bluff its ravages are inconvenient in office and workshop and home. It frenzies Feilding. The strange thing is that it had England by the throat last month, at the tail-end of the winter, whilst it has gotten into the bones of New Zealand in the autumn season. The fact is, the Flu is no respecter of seasons. At Home, the Flu throat affected soldiers and civilians alike. And what of it? Here in Feilding we should take the attack as a warning. It gets hold first those who neglect their health and are in that state known as "run down." Moral: Watch your health, keep up your strength—and don't get scared about contagion.

And Only One of Him! To-day's news tells us that Belgium made a spectacle of the shooting of the spy and traitor at Lenoir. In this connection, it is surprising to learn from London papers just to hand that only one spy (Lody) has been shot in England since the war began. This information was given by a member of the Government in the House of Commons. In view of the elaborate and expensive system of espionage built up by the Kaiser and Co. in Britain, the toll of one is remarkable. John Bull really does not seem to take the spy seriously. At the same time, some system seems to have been followed in the Old Land in rounding up suspects. It i,s recorded that there are still 16,000 alien enemies of military age in London, and 685 male alien enemies within the prohibited areas on the east coast of England. In view of all the threatenings of a great Zeppelin raid,, it is surprising that all these possible 685 helpers of the raiders are allowed to remain along the coast line. But "John Bull smiles, and says: "Pshaw—they're only Germans!"

Patriots of the Pacific. When the war is over! Many things are due. when peace shall over all the earth again. One of the most interesting is that of which announcement is made in the issue just to hand of that splendid with-a.purpose publication, the" Mid-Pacific Magazine, which is printed in Honolulu. Editor Alex. Hume Ford announces a great big catch for the Hands-Around-the-Pacific Movement, of which Mr Ford's magazine is the organ and booster. This catch is no less a personage than Jack London, who has once more been lured from his home in California to the South Sea Islands, which he voyaged with his bride on their honeymoon some few years ago, and out of which voyage the most forcible of America's' novelists obtained much "copy" which he has already converted into colourful stories. On his reentry into the Pacific, Mr London has acknowledged himself a keen convertto the Pacific Movement, with which he promises to closely identify all his personality and talents in the future. He has gone so far as to undertake, when the war is over, to participate in a Hands-Around-the-Pacific Movement tour. This delegation will touch at every land whose shores are washed by the Pacific Ocean, and Jack London will be the historian of the great cruise. Such a delegation may bank upon an enthusiastic reception, when it reaches New Zealand. LOCAL AND GENERAL. THE SILVER CRADLE. It is the custom in British communities when a gentleman has a son and heir born to him while he holds office as Mayor of a town, for the presentation to him of a silver cradle. Mr A. M. Ongley, the present Mayor of Feilding, had his first son born to him during his term as Mayor, and last night he. and Mrs Ongley were asked to accept tho cradle. The presentation was made on behalf of a number of ratepayers by Mr G. Fitzpatriek. Reference was made to the good work which had been done by Mr Ongley both on the sporting field and on the Council /in the interests of the town. Mr Ongley made an appropriate acknowledgement of the gift. RECORD RECRUITING. Yesterday sproved a record day at the recruiting office in Wellington, no fewer than 53 men registering for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, at the front. At To Kuiti yesterday James Kyle was fined £50 for keeping liquor for .sale, and J. Taylor £20 for supplying liquor to a native. Girls promoting the concert for distressed Belgian girls are asked to meet in tho Parish Hall on Friday afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock. Tho mails which left "Wellington on March 5, per s.s. Manuka, and connected with the Brindisi despatch, per R.M.S. Medina, arrived in London on the 17th inst. —one day late. During the interval at the entertainment of the Court Cards at Woodvillo on Monday evening a Belgian Hag was auctioned in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund and realised £64 10s. The parcel post rates have been further reduced. The limit of weight for places served by rail and steamer is now increased to 281bs (3s)", and other improvements have been effected which should make the parcel-post system still more useful to the public. At yesterday's meeting of the Mauawatu A. and P. Association, over which Mr Ernest Short presided, 22 members sent in their resignations. Secretary Penny, stated that up till March 31 last the names of 1601 live members were on the list. It was de-/ aided to convass for new names. Owing to all his machinery and scientific applicances being of German make, a member notified the Manawatu A. and P. Association at its mooting yesterday that be would be unable to exhibit at the forthcoming Winter Show. For the same reason he sent in his resignation as a member of the Association. Mr M. A. Comvay has given notice that he will move at-the next meeting of the Mankwatu A. and P. Association : '"That this "Association make a strong recommendation to the Government that when considering the ways and means of collecting the necessary revenues to meet expenses created by the way the totalisator be one of the sourcs taxd 'for tli purpose.'' Count Michel Tolstoi, a grandson of the famous Russian writer, who was a prisoner of war in a Bohemian fortress, escaped a few days ago with two felow prisoners. They did not get far, being 'recaptured in a small village in German Bohemia, the inhabitants of which denounced them, and they are iiqw back in the fortress. They have been put in chains,'and each is confined in a. separate "cell. A Waitqtara Maori recently applied to the court for a- prohibition order against his son—not, however, to restrain him from drinking,' but from eating! The native 'in question had developed a "most extraordinary mania for eating, and not long since ate a large kit of potatoes, and lay like a dog for a couple .of days. The Natives were under the impression that if there was a law to prevent a man from drinking too much there must surely be a law to prevent him over-eating ! One of the most surprising results of the war is the large number of greyhaircd women of fashion one now set's both in London and Paris. This is not wholly due to personal distress or patriotic motives. Truth is that the best hair dyes hitherto have been made in Germany. The supply has been cut off by the war, and the women fear to take the risk of producing .some weird ell'cct by changing their dyes. If you put oik , sort of dye on the lop of another, it is said that the. conflict of chemicals may produce anything from sea-green to spontaneous combustion. So grey is becoming a fashionable colour. Good health is the vest wealth". The truth of this old saw is unquestioned. To assure good health and the possession of that always-merry-and-bright feeling, go i,o McMenamin's and get a good tweed or rainproof overcoat. Piic c n low, quality high. See advertisement elsewhere for particular i