Local and General

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4596, 27 June 1917, Page 4

Local and General

Archdeacon H. W. Williams has been elected the first chairman ot too Patutahi Town Board. j

On Thursday No. 3 Medical Board will commence a sitting in Gisborne, when reservists drawn by tb jo last ballot will l>e examined. ;

A reminder is given of the meeting of settlers which is to be held in tne Matawhero Hall this evening at 7.30, when matters in connection with floou prevention will be discussed.

As showing, the great change effected in the munitions industry at Home, Mr It. Cilkison, in an address at the meeting of the Dunedin Burns Club, stated that one part of a gun, which formerly took 1 hour and 20 minutes to manufacture, was now made by women workers in a period of six minutes.

No offers have been received by the Local Board of Trustees from men willing to undertake the driving of teams for men called up for military service. A report upon the cartage question is being prepared by the Board, which asks that men prepared to undertake the work mentioned should give their names in at once.

It was reported at yesterday’s meeting of the Defence Committee that the subscriptions received from June 18 to June 22 totalled £1233 14s 6d. Individual receipts were as under: J. H. Bull £2 2s. C. I. B. Beckett and E. I. B. Beckett £lO, Tokomaru. Sheepfarmers’ Company (Red Gross) £2O 14s 6d. Anonymous (Red’ Cross and .Y.M.C.A.) £I2OO, Anonymous 18s. The payments totalled £1285 8s 9d.

The Poverty Bay Hocrey Association has decided to approach the Rugby Union authorities for use of the Domain on Thursday afternoons. Games will be played on Thursday afternoon as under:—Combined Schools v. High School A; High School B v. Allies; Kia Toa a bye. Referees : Miss Angland and Mr. McLaughlin and Miss Parker. *

In our report of the. Harbor Board meeting, Mr. Lcng was made to say that he favored the removal of No. 4 shed to the Kaiti side! What Mr. Long said was that the proposal to cut off the corner of tne wharf were agreed to No. 3 shed 'might well be shifted on to the Kaiti side of the river.

The matter of the secretaryship of the Defence Committee was mentioned at the meeting of that local body yesterday afternoon. The Mayor said that Mr. J. B. Broadhurst had reconsidered his decision, and would agree to take over the duties provided tlie Committee arranged with the Borough Council for receipts to be paid into the Council’s office. He thought that such arrangement could be made without difficulty. Members spoke appreciatively of 'the services given to the Committee by Mr. Broadburst, and considered that in him the Committee would have a good man. Appreciative references were also made to the services given to the Committee by Mr. Ball, who liad acted as secretary for some time.

Referring to the scheme for a Returned Wounded Soldiers’ College, at the meeting of the Defence Committee yesterday afternoon. Mr. Humphreys said that it was a most important question. Disabled soldiers should receive first attention. He moved that the Committee should approve of the general lines of the scheme and that the Patriotic Committees be circularised with copies of the scheme, asking them to discuss the proposal. He said that the Committees might not. agree to the scheme, but the question would he threshed out and something would be done. It was pointed out that there was but a small meeting, and Mr. Humphreys agreed to the suggestion to give notice of motion for discussion at next meeting and copies of the proposed scheme were circulated among members for consideration.

The engaging of prisoners in rural pursuits is a comparatively new undertaking as far as Canterbury is concerned (says the Christchurch Sun). At the new Templeton Prison, however, 1100 acres are fanned by the occupants, under the direction of Mr A. M-aephprson, Fields Supervisor. About SOO acres of this area comprises an old riverbed of a- branch of flip Waimakariri, and' much of this is in pasture, and is, therefore, devoted to sheep grazing. On the better class soils oats are grown for the feed of the horses engaged on the farm, whilst crops of potatoes and vegetables supply the wants of the institution. The labour done by the prisoners extends even to the shearing, and. in fact, many take a> great interest in Abe experimental work which is carried out.

“Has it ever occurred to you—but of course it has —that the men who cause a war are always vain old fellows with bald Treads and soft, fatstomachs. who don's have to fight The speaker was Theodore Dreiser, the novelist. He went on: “The elderly, soft, fat Kaisers and Junkers who talk war so ferociously, in warmed .bails while the young soldiers without any talk whatever .die in the slush of the trenches —Ciese vain and evil old rascals remind us or the mushroom gatherer. 'Jr aat h<-ayvns 3 man,’ a doctor said V< a mnsnioom gatherer, ‘it’s a lucky thing you happened to meet me! Those things in your basket there are toadstools, deadly poisonous toadstools. Why, a handful of them would kill your whole family.’ The mushroom gatherer laughed heartily. ‘Have no fear, doctor,’ he said. ‘Have no fear.- These ain’t for us. They’re for the market.’ ’’

The reputation which Maori sold iers have won on the battlefields o Gallipoli and Franco has evidently not been tp fully appreciated in sonn parts of the world as it deserves (writes .“Mereutio” in the Aucklaiic Herald). European soldiers fi'on New Zealand describe _ incidents oi the voyage to England, in which the treatment of their Maori comrades a 1 a certain port of cab has roused general indignation.; They that the white: citizens of this town mack the mistake of classing Maoris nuclei the contemptuous heading of “niggers,” obviously forgetting that in this war dark-skinned soldiers have fought as gallantly as any other subjects of the Kang, and have won, a now claim to respect and admiratiqn. Yet at this port of call Maori soldiers were refused! attendance in restaurants. and suffered other indignities merely on accounb of their colour, and in one instance it was only when the Mayor intervened that the soldiers were able to obtain a meal. l. he supercilious attitude of some troops which joined a New Zealand transport at this-town also caused friction, until the officers inteiposed and told the men that Maori soldiers were clej serving of the same honour that would! |be accorded to 'ethers wearing the King’s uniform. The story has a happy, ending—the Maoris performed tlieir hakas during the voyage, and by them completely won the goodwill of their new comrades..

It was announced by Mr. Burnard in the Supreme Court last evening that the jury case, Winiata Wairama v. A. A. Wyllie, claim for damages for alleged malicious prosecution, had been settled out of Court. In thanking Sir James Allen for his courteous- reception of the Wellington six o’clock closing deputation, the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) said that ever since he had been Mayor of Wellington there hadi never been a drop of in.. toxicating liquor in any function sar- - ried out at the Town Hall whether for soldiers, sailors, or Ministers; and whatever odium might have been cast upon the Mayor on account of his teetotal principles, he was prepared to bear it. (Hear, hear.) It was their bounden duty to do all they could to help the poor boys when they cams back. (Applause.)

“I understand that having h-eft married since the war began, u I go into camp I get only a single man k money,” said a marine engineer at a sitting of the First Wellington Military Service -Board. Captain Walker (military representative): U.i, dear no! There -is no difference made. Your wife will get the Is a day separation allowance, and Id per day for the child.” f ihis statement is calculated to. ease the minds of young married men who may have been labouring under the same misapprehension.

4 rather peculiar accident occurred on Sunday at Tai Tanu, so a Christchurch Press reporter was informed. 4 man was driving a motor cycle and! side-car, with a lady passenger in it out towards Little River, and he took the turn at the Tai Tapu bridge too fast with the result that the outfit overturned, breaking two of the guard rails of the bridge and precipitating the lady passenger into the cold and deep water cf the Hals}, ell River! Apparently no one received any serious injury, but the passenger who took the involuntary cold bath was pulled out of the water only m time, and naturally received a severe shock.

A Christchurch gentleman who is a frequent anal regular traveller between Wellington and Lyttelton, in conversation with a Lyttelton limes reporter, referred to the fact tnat the stewards on the ferry boats were usually most solicitous for the comfort of men at the port of arrival, displaying great eagerness to their luggage, even where the modest grip or valise could mot be deemed any encumbrance. Ladies with children, however, were only too often left to shift hem selves. Seeing he adds than the court had decreed “tipping ’ illegal, and that the stewards had chosen a higher wage and no tips to the old! conditions of lower wages and unlimited rights to tips, this travelle thinks that the women are entitled to greater consideration both at Wellington and Lyttelton.

The difficulty of identifying cattle without distinctive marks was very evident in two cases cr alleged theft which were heard at the Supreme Court at Auckland. The cattle in question were declared to be ike property of a returned soldier, but in neither case was his distinctive brand upon them. In one instance a cow was stated to bear the brand of the man from whom the soldier bad bought- the animal, out as the initials were not those of the vendor it seemed likely that the cow had been bought by him from somebody with those initials. The witnesses nearly all admitted) that they had considerable difficulty in reaching a decision as to the identity of the animals, and one (a lady) related quite a series of

“false shots” that she had made. Some mention was made of earmarks, but. it- did not appear that either earmarking or branding had been a regular practice of the parties concerned. Hence the confusion.

The German press is publishing a remarkable article by a publicist named Kohler, in which he declares that Germany, seriously under-esti-mated the British Empire. German experts expected the war to finish by Christmas. 1914, because it was assumed that England’s maximum Continental army would be 60,000. Germany made the mistake of forgetting history' and Britain's great experience of warfare. She is only gradually realising that Britain is extremely capable in a military sense. Diplomats also under-estimated British diplomacy, and failed to appreciate the existence of pronounced AngloAmericauism as a definite counterbalance to Germanism. Editors, commenting on the article, warn Germany to learn a lesson, and not to overestimate her own powers and qualities, or to under-estimate the powers and qualities of her enemies.

Nicotine is very poisonous. Even m small quantities pure nicotine causes vomiting, purging, and collapse. and when you consider that many imported tobaccos contain from 4 p.c. to 5 p.c. of nicotine, it shows how careful you must be in your choice. Gold Pouch Aromatic is a tobacco containing the verv lowest percentage of nicotine—but II p.c.— see how healthy and safe it is. More than that. Gold Poueh Aromatic is grown and manufactured in New Zealand. In buving it vou are NOT sending money abroad, but are helping your own country. Recently the quality of Gold Pouch has been greatly improved, and nothino- more perfect and purer can possibly be produced than the new Aromatic Blend, •V.?li excels all foreign tobaccos in mildness, in flavor, and eombustibil!ty- -I ozs. for one shilling. CimiretTe should use the NTZ.grown, Hiree Diamonds Tobacco, better than the imported brands.*

, No one who knows the game at all dbubts that all the wars that ever were invented; would kill off the petty party spirit that lias spoiled political life (says the Feilding Star). . That the spirit is still rampant- and that jealousy is as. green-eyed as ever is demonstrated in such a simple thing as the arrangement of the programme for the opening of Parliament next week. It, has been the custom from the first- days of debates on the Governor's Speech at the opening of Parliament for two members belonging to the party in power to move and "second. the: Address-in-Reply. To-day we have a National Cabinet. Therefore the Reformer and a Liberal had to be chosen for the honours next week. It happened that by-elections had provided! a new member from each side. The Reformers selected) Mr G. 11. Smith, the new member for Paliiutua, to open the debate; bub the Liberals did not nominate their returned member, Sir John Findlay. They are putting up that veteran, the Hon. D. Buddo. If the Liberals’ are looking for trouble from Sir John, they will get all they want—As a free lance, he should be able to cut a wide swathe’ iu the home paddock during the coming session.

TVheu you think of household good 3 you at once think of the right people to buy from. You consider the amount of money you have to spend and then think of the store that offers you the best value. We ask you to fix your mind on “The People’s Emporium” for a moment. Here is a store that sells for cash, only. The goods are of the best quality, the variety- is unequalled in Gisborne, and the prices are the low* est. Wo can supply you with anything from -a 2d Tea Strainer up-, wards. Don’t bo like one of our customers who told us that he did not know we stocked cutlery. Ho bought this lino elsewhere and then found he could have saved 7s per dozen on exactly the same knives. Surely this amount was worth saving especially in these times of stress. You will save by buying from “The People’-* 1 Emporium.”** •

During the meeting of the Defence Committee yesterday a number of problems affecting returned soldiers '. were discussed, but the report is crowded out of this issue.

The Gisborne High School . Old Students’ . Association are holding a euchre tournament in Findlay’s rooms' at 8 o’clock this evening., Old students and their friends are particularly invited to be present.

Xc - le Kcd Cross shop returns on Sat£}‘36 12s - Mrs. Randall Sherratt had charge of the cake stall. Miss Efhe Williamson, who had sent m a large share of cakes, uas unable to take part on that day

Mr. a. Collin has purchased the business of the' Gisborne Co-operative Meat Supply Co., and is in a position to supply Gisborne and surrounding districts with the best of meat and small goods. Mr. Collin is well known locally having for some time been connected with the Co-operative Aieat Company as manager. He has now purchased the three shops of the company, and will take over the whole or then- business. v '

An inset, appears in to-day’s issue drawing attention to Mr. A. G. Gunn’s huge winter clearance sale, wnich will commence at 9 a.m. on Friday next. It is said to be a goldeiL opportunity for money-saving without precedent in Gisborne, the goods displayed showing the splendid resources of Gunn’s big drapery store.* * J

A P.A. wire from Wellington says: 1 rivate advice lias been received of the death from wounds of Private Paul Freyberg, a member of the wellknown fighting family and brother of Brigadier-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C. _ Private Paul was 33 years old, und is the second of the family to lay down his life, the eldest, Oscar, falling in Gallipoli. Paul was educated at Wellington College, and afterwards studied law in the office of Messrs. Findlay and Dalziell. He then joined the City Solicitor’s staff, whence he enlisted with the Twelfth Reinforcements., Though ' only a youth at the time lie saw service in the Boer war. Mr. F. W. Crombfe, a well-known, cricketer, son of the ex-Comniissioner of Taxes, has also succumbed to wounds.

A correspondent of the Farmers’ Union Advocate gives the following interesting extract from the diary of tlio late Rev. J. G. Butler: —“On the morning of Wednesday, May 3, 1820, the agricultural plough was for the first time put into the land of New Zealand at Kiddikiddi (Keriker),' and I felt much pleasure in holding it after a team of six bullocks, brought down by the Dromedary. I. trust that this auspicious day will be remembered with gratitude, and its anniversary kept by ages yet unborn. Every heart seemed to rejoice on the occasion. I hope it will still continue to increase, and in a short time produce an abundant harvest.” The results of the ploughing were reaped from. December 12, 1820, to January 8, 1821, regarding which Mr Butler wrote: “While I am writing down these lines, I have seven Natives in sight reaping down a field of barley on land which 12 months ago was overrun with fern.” The Rev. Mr Butler left New Zealand in 1823, and returned about 1840, and settled at Petone, where he died.

“Are all the steamers on the New Zaeland coast engaged in absolutely essential work?” asked Captain Walter at the Wellington Military Service Board,, of Mr T. R. Wallace, secretary of the Marine Engines. “In my opinion, yes,!’ was Air Wallace’s reply. Capt. Walker said it had occurred to him that it might be possible to utilise the railways more, and lay up some of the ships. ■ For instance, was it necessary to run a steamer service to Wanganui? Mr Wallace: Well, water carriage is always cheaper than carriage over land.” Cant. Walker: “But is that a question for war time? lam afraid there is no organisation in many of these trades. I would like to see this matter gone into by the Efficiency Board, to see if any men can be released.” Air Wallace mentioned the fact that a boat which had been laid up for about two years was about to be" recommissioned for the _ Wanganui "trad©. Capt. Walker said that if the war went on much longer some of the boats would have to be laid up.

Soldiers on the point of leaving for the front ai'e usually embarrassed by tfie liberality with which friends and relatives shower upon them presents which it is assumed! mil be of use. to them in their military life- It 13 therefore desirable to make known the fact that any articles'beyond the officially issued kit have to he discarde on arrival in England. As a matter of fact, when a soldier comes to th actual campaigning part of his career be lias with him only as much as he can carry on his hack. A letter from a young Aucklander now at _ buno states that on the arrival of his contingent at the camp an inspection parade was held, at which any missing article of issue was supplied, but everything else in any man s kit was taken away. The sacrifice was in some cases heavy. For instance one man lost a brand' new sleepmg-bag, which must have cost the donor three guineas, and cameras, musical mstiuments and other impedienta all went the. same. way. At the same time the writer of the letter states that i his experience he has found this issued kit full and! ample, and that there is n 0 room in the pack for anything else. “But it would be as well, he adds, “to make it known to men leaving with reinforcements that at the end of the sea voyage they lose all their extra gear.”

The Auckland Star has the following:—“The whole affair was simply hug© absurdity/* declered Mi AVi - i.P.rforce Wilson, in commenting upon “Court Sensation at Wellington, in which the petitioner m a divorce case whilst giving evidence was supposed to have been forcibly mesmerised by tlie co-respondent. Die incident. Air AYilson contended, mei - lv demonstrated the ignorance of not oiilv the man in the street, but also of many in higher walks of life rcr gardinp- the extent and limitations of hypnotism. Even with the earnest co-operation of the subject it was oft en most difficult to produce the state of hvmiosis but-, continued All AVdcon y the most backward student _of this science knows that it is quite impossible to hypnotise any .person against his will. i The case ion, he contended, was easib expte - ed The co-respondent., hive others in court would be looking.at witness, and eagerly listening to his evidence. Die witness, knowing the co-respon-dent to be a hypnotist, mi.stook an interested gaze for an hypnotic stare ” and liis lack of knowledge le Mm to believe, that an being made to hypnotise him. uaa fear produced in the witness, not a state of hypnosis, hut purely a con dition of hysteria. In support 0 r Ms contention, Air Wilson referred to the suggestion that was m England, at the height of the suit ragette movement, that these persons should be hypnotised, into being lawabiding. . London was most,enthus iastic over the proposal until Dr Alex. Erskine. the eminent medical ' hypnotist, declared the method to bo impracticable, / owing to the impossi-. : trillty of hypnotising any person ag- . ainst his will. ‘