LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8215, 12 August 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An Auckland Press xVssociation telegram states that latest reports from Sydney indicate that the condition of Dr. H. W. Cleary, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, is causing grave anxiety. Recent cablegrams announce that lie is very weak and that there has been no improvement during the last few days in his condition, which is regarded as serious.

The charge against Edward Alexander McKay, of Ashburton," of. tho theft of a pair of trousers and a vest belonging to George Dimmick, of Oamaru, came before the Magistrate at Oamaru on Tuesday, and was dismissed as being too trivial for consideration. The evidence disclosed the fact that the lad McKay (who has. twice endeavoured to enlist, but has been rejected on medical grounds) was staying with' Dimmick, who is his brother-in-law. With his sister's (Mrs Dimmick) consent, McKay borrowed the clothes and came to Ashburton in them, on a visit to his mother. At Dimmick's instance he was arrested here en a charge of theft.

Much enthusiasm has been shown in different towns throughout Australia in the recruiting movement. In some places wristlet watches are being subscribed for and presented to every recruit. There was a flutter of excitement at the Melbourne Town Hall depot one day last week (reports the "Age") when Mr Sam Allen, a wellknown bookmaker, announced that he would give £5 each to the next 10 men who stepped forward froni the throng and were accepted as soldiers. Recruiting had slackened off at the time, but directly tho offer was made there was a rush of men into the depot. About 20 men answered the call, and the names of the first 10 were noted. The money will be paid when they are established in camp. Mr Allen then informed the recruits that he would give £100 to the first of them who won the Victoria Cross or Distinguished Conduct Medal.

It has for some time been acknowledged that the maintenance of the physical fitness of the people is a matter of vital interest to the State (states Sir George Clifford in the annual report of the Sports Protection League). The present great war has shown that those host equipped to take their places in the fighting line are the young men who have been prominent in outdoor sport, and in this direction New Zealand can already look with pride upon the deeds of our own men, a very large proportion of whom were prominent amongst the various • sports bodies throughout tho Dominion. The events in connection with the war Jiave held so much of the people's attention that questions of local interest have been neglected. Although in these circumstances it is" not vviso to allow the interests of sport to obtrude themselves to 'the detriment of the work of national defence and recruiting, the policy* 6f continuing usual pastimes has been followed with a'good healthy influence :on the people and without impairing the work of "the State.-

Some of the wealthiest and most influential pooplo in tho; Old Country and elsewhere are tho most enthusiastic of the Ford Co.'s patrons. Latest purchasers among English nobility, are the Marquis of Bath, the Earl of Yarborongh, Mr Hilliare Belloo, General Sir George Aston, and the Countess of Fingal: The idea occasionally developed by people that they should part with large sums of money to buy a good car has long since been proved erroneous,' and will continue -so 'while tho Ford Car is procurable. Price £180. Catalogue and full particulars furnished on request by Gr. H. Carson, the Ford Co.'s Local Agent, Tancred Street. . •• - COO