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Grey River Argus, 12 June 1915, Page 4

The Greymouth District HigU School closed yesterday afternoon for a fortnight. This has been considered advisable owing to the prevalence of meusles, and -these holidays will be taken in lieu of those generally observed at midwinter.

At the Magistrate's Court, Greymouth, yesterday morning, before Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., a first offender, after being remanded for one week on a charge of helpless drunkenness on a recent date at Jacksons> was convicted and discharged, after being oifiored to pay £1 10s cost of medical treatment and cab hire. Another defendant who had been locked up all nig.U on a similar charge at the Greymoath railway station Thursday evening, after the arrival of the Otira train, was convicted without fine.

The West Coast Farmers' Dairy Company's factory in Chapel Street, Greymoutfi, has closed down after a very successful season. The output of butter, about 54 tons, was equal to last year's output. The company's butter on the London market received the distinction of realising the, maximum price paid by Home buyers for the New Zealand article. The largest monthly cheque drawn by any one supplier of butter-fat to this factory was slightly over £100. In the early part of the season lid was paid to suppliers for butter-fat; in April the price was increased to Is, and lastmonth to Is 2d, so that it will be seen, so far as the local factory is concerned, its suppliers have participated in the high prices at present ruling for butter.

That the Farmers' Union had no desire to "bump up against any other section of the community" was stated by the provincial president (Major D. H. Luck) at the annual conference in Auckland (says the "Star"). Their aims," he added, were truly to promote the welfare of every class, and more especially what was known as "the workers." They truthuflly contended and believed that the prosperity of the Dominion as a whole depended upon the success of the man upon the land, and encouragement for. a greater portion of the population to settle on the waste lands of the country, and to become producers of wealth rather than dependents upon those who dp. produce almost all the. real wealth and income of the Dominion, and mainly support the commerce/ trade, and manufactures of all its inhabitants.

Harley and Co. advertise 2 tons prime oaten chaff for sale at £8 5s a ton.

A sacred concert will be held in Trinity Church on Sunday afternoon. The programme is a good one, and will consist of solos, quartettes, and concerted numbers by Holy Trinity Choir. Half the proceeds will be devoted towards New Zealanders woun ded on active service at the Dardanelles. *

The effects of having eaten about two ounces of nutmeg was. responsible for the admission of a resident of Ponsonby, to the Auckland hospital He stated that a friend had advised him to take the nutmeg, as it would do him good. He is reported to be progressing- satisfactorily.

TLe Pahiatua Post Office (comments the Pahiatua "Herald") is getting a notority for changes in the staff, many of whom remain here for a time and are then transferred to large towns. .During the last four or five years, it f s stated, there have been no fewer than 26 changes in tL'e

Frequently application is matte through the Navy League for enrolment in the navy. The naval authorities have advised the local hon. seeretaryof the league that: "While there are at present no separate New Zealand naval forces in existence, the names of applicants for the service are being recorded for future use as necessary. At present no entries into H.M. Imperial Navy are being made in these waters. Such, entries are made only on personal application in. England. Any persons, however, who are desirous of joining the Commonwealth naval forces should apply in writing to the captain-in-charge, Garden Island, Sydney, for particulars of entry."

The acting-Government Astronomer states that Mellish's Comet has bright ened considerably during the last few days, so that it can now he seen with the naked eye, and is of general interest. During: the present veek it remains within 25 degrees of the South Pole of tLe heavens, so the simplest directions for finding it at any time of the night are that tLe observer should look southward, and about mid way between horizon and zenith. Last evening tLe head of the comet was about equal to a third magnitude siar, and the tail was 7 degrees lqng. The increase in size and brilliancy the present time is due to the comet' z proximity to the earth. It "will n l "^ ably become less conspicuous after the 10th of the month, but it dees 1 ot reach its nearest point to tLe »un until July 17th, so it will be visible for a few weeks yet.

Samples of paper clothing for the soldiers in the field have reached Wellington. They have ben sent out to the local branch of James Spicer and Sons, the inventor and makers, and take tLe form of a waistcoat and waders. They are made of a particully tough paper specially prepared to deep out damp and cold. The waistcoat is worn under regimental clothing and tied with light cotton tapes. Its weight is inconsiderable, and when rolled up measures gin long 1 by iin in diameter. The waders are made of the same material. The soldier practically put his legs into paper bags and he can wear tL'em over or under his puttees as the case ro-ay he. Thr boots, of course are worn over the wader, which reaches to tL'e thigh.

A striking example of how the right military insistence upon a height standard debars good men from going to the front was brought under the. notice of a "New Zealand Times" representative. It was the medical certificate, filled in by one of the local examining doctors for a recent volunteer, who was shown to be in possession of unimpaired faculties, sound in every particular, free from all traces of disease. The space left for "remarks," showed tL*at some special questions had been answered satisfactorily, and thin came tL'e line, "Unfit ton short." The would-be recruit was only sft 2m tall, and so he was rejected through in every other particular absolutely satisfactory. The strangest parf BE Ihe document wn at the footj where the doctor certified, according to form, that "this man is fit for service in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force."

Considerable amusement was caus ed at the Magistrate's Court, Welling ton, during the hearing of an assault charge One of the witnesses was an elderly man, very emphatic, if not always consistent. At one point in his evidence he insisted that the accused had six bottles of beer doffe up in his pocket-handkerchief. Counsel for accused suggested that it was a blan ket, but witness produced a pockethandkerchief, not in the cleanest con dition. It appeared to be a lady's, and witness remarked emphatically that he could do up two bottles of beer in it. Distance was not his strong point. Indicating a space of about fourteen feet he was positive tlat it* was 16 or 17 yards, and at a later stage remarked that he was 'duti fied" to use a waddy in self-defence. He allege/i that one of his teeth had been knocked out and in proof there of produced a black looking molar and said ."There's one the age of the tooth, and was pertinently asked by accused: "Are you a doctor?" The sDectators roared, and even tL'e court smiled. Later in the same case a female witness said that a certain distance was "two steps" and proceeded to measure off about fifteen fee! to illustrate.

Mr H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Grown Lands for the Westland district, has received intimation from the Commissioner of the Canterbury district that, owing to the large number of applicants for thft Glenmark Estate, the ballot, originally set doAvn for the 14th inst., cannot now take place before Friday or Saturday next.

Prices cut in half at Wade's Golf Sale.— Advt.

Rex Golf Balls, 15s 3d, dozen a* Wade's special Golf Sale.— Advt.

Lay in a stock of Golf Balls at, whole sale prices — Wade's Special Golf Sale. —Advt.