Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume LI, Issue 5246, 11 August 1919, Page 4

Local and General.

The South Canterbury Patriotic Society lut; increased the salary of its secretary from £2OO to £250, as the amount of the work in assisting soldiers financially in businesses__and on farms, etc., has grown enormously and exceeds the work of the Government repatriation officers. —Press Association .

While returning yesterday from a trip to the Orari which is lying in the bay, the tug Karori became stuck in the riyer opposite No. 1 goods shed. The tide was dead low at the time, and a fair while elapsed before dm Karoro could come up to the wharf.

The action of the President of the South Canterbury A. and P. Association m countermanding the order for printing catalogues for the October Show was approved, as it is. recognised that the Show cannot be lielcl unless tho railway resumes its normal running.—Press Association.

The Ngatapa-Gisborne , Telephone Association held its annual meeting in Mr E. J. Williams’ wool shed, on Thursday. Air Picken was voted to the chair. The report and balance sheet, which were adopted, showed a credit balance of £44 16s. There are about 60 members on the several lines of the Association. The annual subscription was fixed at £1 10s per member. The following committee was elected for the ensuing year:— Messrs. J. Campbell to represent line 150 (secretary); W. D. Cooke, line 663; H. Glennie, line 619; b! Fitzpatrick, line 611 (treasurer); A. Smith, line 609; Manager of Farmers’ Co-op. Company, line 32; H. W. White, line 446. Mr J. Kain. who had acted as chairman for the' past three years, was accorded a cordial vote of thanks. Mr H. M. White wau appointed chairman for ensuing year.

That the life of a soldier Has its pleasanter moments was shown yesterday afternoon by Staff Captain Bladin, of the Salvation Army during the course of his address in Everybody’s Theatre on “Fragments from France.” One of the greatest pleasures of a soldier “out there” was the the immediate prospect of going on leave to Blighty. Sometimes ho would have to pack up pud set out within an hour of receiving permission, but during.that leave, when he cast aside all thoughts of war. lie was out to enjoy himself. Before leaving, he secured his ration tickets—tickets for bread, meat, sugar, etc. — for in Blighty'- food was not as plentiful as it was in New Zealand. Other pleasures in the soldier’s lot were provided by the. various religious and social organisations, such ats the Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army, etc., and it was impossible to estimate just what a mighty factor these organisations were in the lives of the soldiers. The letters from home were another source of joy in the soldier’;* 'existence, and the eagerness with which each mail was awaited showed how much the men appreciated the news of home. . >•*

The Maishle Bar, which . has been purchased V Mr. C. Ferguson, will he closed to-day for re-stocking,, but will be open as usual in the evening.*

In order to expand their growing business, the firm of James J. Niven and Co. has purchased three housesadjoining their premises on the Kaffir Esplanade. The Defence Department has received intimation of the transfer of twelve local returned soldiers to special' hospital. This will complete the men being despatched from this district. A resident of Waihi who has been on a visit to Te Poke states that there is a tremendous boom i n ] an <j transactions going on just now in To Puke, and the unumber of sales that are taking place is remarkable. The price per acre oontinues to soar" but notwithstanding buying and selling goes on, and in each deal p ro - / fits of varing sums are made. </ Twelve months ago sections about the township brought on an average about £75 per acre, whereas to-day the same sections have jumped up to £l5O per acre. Mr Robert Triggs, Controller of the Imperial Supplies Department , has received from the Contracts Del 1 partment of the British Ministry of i Munitions the following appreciative I letter in regard to the work of his department: “We think we are voicing the general opinion when we say • that the standard of the work on , your side was very high. The wool trade as a whole can appreciate the thoroughness of your scheme and the amount of hard work which has been put into it both by the originators and by those who have cariied it out.”

The restricted railway service is having an effect on siy-grog selling (savs the Taumarunui correspondent of the New Zealand Herald). The cutting out of the night trains makes it difficult for the sly . grog-sellers to obtain supplies. The result or the consequent shortage of whisky istf an increase in price. It was considered high in war time at 15s to £1 per bottle, but the price has now soared to 30s and £2.

During the hearing of a claim for damages in connection with a landlord’s action, at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court, Mr Neaye drew ate tent-ion to an important fact, of which apparently some people were jiot- cognisant. Under the present law, he said, so long as a tenant paid his rent regularly, he could not be disturbed unless under specific clauses. One of the clauses by which possession could be obtained and the tenant dispossessed wag that the owner legitimately required the house for his own use.

The Carterton News says:—lt is reported to us that although the “lucky” applicants for the soldiers’ farms at- Ahiakouka have been put into possession, they are at presentin a very uncomfortable plight. The buildings are unfinished, and some of the selectors are compelled to limit their occupation to one room. They have hot and cold water ranges, and'no water tanks to supply them, and they are therefore not- usable. The Dairying season is at hand, and unless the sub-committee that is entrusted with the completion of arrangements shows more activity the* soldier-farmers will be under a serious handicap for making a living.

A Masterton blacksmith, who had a quantity of horse-shoeing iron on order from Wellington, was informed on Saturday that the Railway Department would only carry the iron through the parcels office, bringing four bars at a time (says a Wairarapa exchange.) The freight through the parcels would he 3s for each four bars, instead of the usual Is 6d. There was no question aboutthe railways being able to carry iron—it was purely a matter of paying double freight. On Monday morning the blacksmith was notified by telephone from "Wellington that a parcel of four bars of iron had been despatched, and the freight- would be 7s. The blacksmith is now wondering if horse-shoeing is an essential industry.

Mr W. Allen driver of Redstone and Sons’ Gisborne-Tologn Bay states that when he crossed over tbfo

Pakarae low-level bridge on Friday, the river was running flush with the bridge and the wheel guards had been washed away. Owing to the sharp bend of the approach, considerable difficulty was experienced in getting the five liorses and coach across the structure. He considered the bridge to be unsafe. This was. evidenced by the sagging of the bridge, when the coach was crossing over it. sYhen the matter was referred to the Cook County overseer (Mr Keane) he stated that the bridge was oiilv erected as a temporary structure. From information received, lie did not consider the bridge to be in any way dangerous.

A prompt and plucky rescue m a little girl from drowning was affected by Mr Paul Latham, of Karaka Bay." The little girl, Verna Wilson, nine years of age. was playing on the Karaka Bay wharf with her sister, when she slipped and fell into die ■water. Her sister’s cries were heard 'by Mr Latham, who is convalescentafter an attack of influenza, and. was still in bed in his bouse near tec wliarf-head. Without hesitation, he jumped out of bed. rushed to the wharf, and dived off the steps. Though the little.girl cannot ‘swim, she kept afloat by lying • on her back and paddling with her hands. Mr Latham brought her quickly ashore, and she was at once taken to her home and put to bed. A couple of hours later she had apparently quite recovered from the shock of her immersion, and her rescuer, though somewhat shaky for a time, recovered during the day.

In an article on the peace celebrations published in the Christchurch Press, Sir Robert Stout says: “Some people write and talk as if the very existence of trained and armed citizens meant an encouragement of war. Have they ever seen, or read of Switzerland which has always endeavoured to maintain peace. It is one of the most democratic republics in the world; all its citizens who are fit to be trained are trained to fight. It lias never gone to war. It has been a country of industry, of enlightenment and peace and lias striven to uplift humanity. Training its citizens to defend their countrylias not made it militant in policy or feeling, and if we have. ever before as the need of settling, our disputes by appeal to arbitration, why should the nations that have trained citizens require to go to war? Every young New Zealander, even if health reasons only were considered, would be better for discipline and drill for a month a year, if taken away in the. open and sunshine. There should be in addition to their drill, lectures on some educational topics. A yearly camp might become in every district a summer school . for our youths. They need discipline and a training in patriotism, in selfsacrifice, and in the open air.

“You have saved me many times much worry, work, and money.” Such remarks we continually hear from our numerous town and country patrons. During the next fourteen days we intend to specially merit this appreciation, for we are now submitting the whole of our stock, in the “Old Corner” to an absolute clearing sale. Being mindful, ladies, of the quality of our goods, there is little need to impress upon you the advantage to be gained by being early at our great clearinsr sale at M. Neill’s Old Corner.*** ' ~

Tile latest addition to the ranks (y of New Zealand journalism is- the Whangarei Advertiser.

. The capital value of land in the Eketahuna County, as a result of a recent valuation, is set down at £1,836,373. This j s an increase of about 50 per cent, compared with, the previous valuations.

On a charge of the theft of £lB from James Evans, of Gisborne, a young man named. Samuel Sydney Fergus was arrested by Detective McLeod yesterday.

The decision of the Napier .Waterside Workers’ Union not to load butter and bacon from Napier while the present, unduly high prices for primary prhduce continues, was discussed at a special meeting by the Gisborne Labor Party, which resolved "that the present extortionate profiteering must cease.”

. An unhealthy, wretched, disgusting and abominable thing,”’was howler. Wilkins, medical inspector of school children, speaking at Gore recently defined the use of what is sometimes emphatically called a comforter or soother but which in every day talk is. known as a* dummy.” It was, he said, one of the causes of bad teeth, ill-formed laws, and the growth of adenoids.

“The average soldier is very much nearer to true religion than most people had thought he was,” said Staff ■Captain -Bladin yesterday, during his ■address, “Fragments from France.’' Mention'to him his mother, prayer, or the things he holds sacred and see how it appeals to his heart every time. There may be some things about some of our boy s that we do not like but it is not their fault. It is the fault of the church-—I do not refer to any one church— which had made religion a tiling that is cheap, and not practical enough." Staff Captain Bladin added that religion had been made too ethereal and not real enough, and consequently the men had not understood it. The church should retain these soldiers, and show them something to which they could hold and then the soldiers would do for the church what they had done for their country.

In connection with the. annual Salvation Army Band Festival, a most interesting and well delivered address, was given in Everybody’s Theatre yesterday afternoon, by Staff Captain Bladin. There was a large attendance. over which Colonel Fletcher, president of the < Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association, presided. The lecture, which was entitled “Fragments from France,” proved most instructive and served _ the purpose, which the said was its object “to try and give a better understanding of what the soldiers had undergone in France.” During the. afternoon, a selection was played by the Band, and a collection was taken np for the Band’s funds. Votes of thank,* were passed to Staff Captain Bladin and to Colonel Fletcher for presiding.

The humor of the soldier was one phase of the address “Fragments from France,” delivered yesterday afternoon in Everybody’s Theatre, by Staff Captain Bladin, who. by a series of stories illustrated the unfailing humor displayed by the soldier under all circumstances. Humor, he said, had been described as .the solder s saving grace, for under all cond - tions, it was apparent everywhere—in the camps, trenches, and m tne hospitals. In the hospitals one could see the effects of war at its worst, for there lay men with shattered limbs and minds, yet th e sense of humor prevailed m the midst- of misery and suffering. In some instances there wa s something almost -fcneric in the humorous 1 light witn which a soldier would lp°kmpon Ins wounds, but it was true that tho,e radiant fellows had kept the otliei men cheered up when their circum stances tended to demoralise them.

'An echo of the recent vice-regal visit cropped up at the meeting on Saturday in connection with the rey to Viscount Jellicoe, when the cost of entertaining the dhstm guished admiral and his VH M« New Zealand came up tor Mr. McCliskie, chairman of the Mangapapa, Town Board said he hoped that if there was to he any address of welcome the various local Bodies would, all be-given an tunty of signing the.address. Kefw ring to the recent visit the Gove nor he pointed out that the address expressing the district’s loyally to «ie King and welcome to His majesxy renresentative had only been, signed Bv Cook and Waikohu Cfeuntaes the Borou 0 )! and Harbor Board. .Mr , ‘ J LVsuar . interrupting) said the Harbor Boa' 1 did not sign the address ancl in f ct had not.been con-Sd“-Mr M«k r\ K rSod M th-The B SS$‘ ecl«' fhe pSiioi. v tart-mitted hy wireless from WeUingblame He was glad, however, that SPngugessju: 2? But HU Excellency spoil n.o?e £ Man^TPJ pS"saM V he 6 thoPKht those who had

- -Hid yon say yon were going. to have your photogiaph . , p»> “Yes” “Who are yon gmng to? “Northwood Studio, of course. Every photo is. a true likeness.

a Stream %ft m°th£; charged. Ask for filtrated Catalogue. Manning and Co 188 Casn el Street, Christchurch.**

For eyestrain headaches, consult T K. Gordon, sight-testing optician, opp. Bank N.Z. Reliable work only.

New pictures just arrived— “Penny a Bunch.” “Sea Hath Pearls, etc., and comic studies—at Vincent s. Economy in Clothing.- Comparing the prices and qualities found in this place with the prices and qualities found elsewhere is a beneficial thing for us- We like the Hade of men who feel that they have not a penny to squander in the buying of clothes m e n who must make every penny count— i.z L. Richardson’s-*** Prompt settlement on the spov Fair treatment from the Standard Insurance Company litd.-U. U. Bloore, Agent. Fir«. Marine, Awx\ dent. — Advt. Ask the man who has worn an Omega watch for years. There. are hundreds worn in Gisborne. Grieve, jeweller, has a large stock of Omega watches.*** “Reinforced,” tire very latest in shirts/ Call and have' a look at them. Will wear twice a* long *> the ordinary shirt, and t,bc ..price '» 9d.—R. Johnsott U*te Camphei >

The Essen was to leave Newcastle on Saturday last lor Wellington with a load of coal for the New Zealand Railways. After discharge here, the Essen will load in New Zealand, for Liverpool, via Panama.

Instructions issued 'by General Headquarters provide that secondary school hoys who are under the age of 14 years of age, but who are physically fit in all respects to un-dergo-senior cadet training, may be provisionally posted to the senior cadet companies of their schools if they wish to be so posted.

“I have applied to every land agent m Christchurch for a nouse,” said defendant in a case, in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court. “I wanted one of four qr five rooms, Ibut when * you tell them that you have a family of seven children that is the end of it! They tell me they don’t want children in the house.”

A large oil painting, entitled “The Landing at Ahzac,” recently presented to the Government by Mrs G. H. Black of London, whose husband was killed! in the attack on the Turkish stronghold on April 25th; 1915, has now been received. The canvas, which is certain to attract considerable attention, is by the well-known London artist, .Charles Dixon, R.I. The picture has been placed in the 'Art Gallery, and will be on view; until about the middle of August, when it will be loaned to the Wanganui City Council for exhibition in the Sarjeant Art Gallery, which it is proposed to open early in September. The painting will eventually be hung in the War Section of the Dominion Museum.

“At least three-quarters of the young men I passed as I came from my house this morning were smoking,” said the Chief Justice, in the Supreme Court at Wellington. “Even a young lad who looked not fourteen years of age had his cigarette. What will happen to the future of New Zealand if this sort of thing continues, I don’t know.” “I don’t know about that,, your Honor, for I don’t smoke myself,” replied Mr H. F. O’Leary, who was appearing in the case being considered. “Not that I claim any great virtue on that account,” he added, smilingly, “for the simple reason is that it makes me sick!”

A smoke concert was given in the Abercorn Hall, on Friday night, by Die management of J. J. Niven and Company, to welcome back four employees who. recently returned - from active service, viz. : Messrs C. Mitchell, S. Moss ,C. J. Long, and V. Clarke. Occasion was also taken to give a send-off to the accountant, Mr L. Silverwood, who has been transferred to the Napier office. During the evening musical and other items were contributed by Messrs.W. J. Sinclair, A. Williamson. W. R. McMurray, L. Silverwood, E. Sharpies. C. Hampton, A. Hopps and A. Charles. Mr H. J. Edwards, manager of the local branch of the firm, on behalf of the staff, referred to the pleasure felt at welcoming home the four members of the staff, who had recently returned from the Front. He also presented Mr L. Silverwood with a brief hag, silver teapot and vase as a token of the esteem of the staff.

Of the many characteristics of our soldiers, said Staff Captain Bladin, during his address yesterday afternoon, in Everybody’s Theatre, there is nothing that appeals so much as their spirit of comradeship. There was something sublime about it, and he only wished that the people here had the same consideration for their fellows as had the soldiers cm the field. Our selfishness was at the heart of all the social trouble which existed to-day. If the spirit of Bolshevism were to be curbed in this country, the people would, have to show consideration for their fellows. Empty platitudes were' not wanted, but thorough self-sacrifice should lie in the heart of every man and woman for the issues at stake and fox the good of humanity. The spirit of self-sacrifice which animated the soldier in battle was isublime and the people of New Zealand had much to learn from it.