LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 171, 3 July 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Hawke’s Bay War. Relief Association met at Napier this afternoon. . . Four Maori recruits from Uisborne leave to-morrow for Narrowneck camp, Auckland. Two cases of diphtheria have been reported to the Napier Hospital Board since Saturday. The sJs. Riverina (due at Wellington to-day) is the bearer of an Australian mail, also English mail, via Suez. The Hawke’s Bay portion is due at midday Tuesday. ■ . The M to Z Petitions Committee on Friday concluded the hearing Of evidence in the several petitions received asking that hotel bars be closed at 6 o’clock during war time. The committee will probably report to the House this week. Excellent entries have been received for the annual .show of the Hastings Poultry Club, which opens in the Drill Hall on Friday next. The entries from outside sources are numerous, so that everything points to the exhibition this year being as succesful as in former years.

The Hastings Town Band, under the conductorship of Mr. F. Hopkmson, gave another enjoyable concert in Queen’s Square, Hastings, yesterday afternoon. There were a large number of people present, and the delightful music of the band was hsr tened to with great pleasure. There is some comment in the South Taranaki district over the steady increase of Swiss families. It is felt that these aliens are acquiring land while 'Britishers are going to the front. It is pointed out that when the Military Service Bill becomes law the Swiss will not be affected, as the law applies to British subjects only, and the aliens consequently will have greater freedom and opportunity to establish themselves firmly. It is asserted that these neople will hold festivities on the receipt of enemy victory. While it is admited there are some really good citizens among the Swiss, it is asserted that there are others who have been indiscreet in their behaviour. Saturday is recorded as the wettest of consistently wet days this year, and indeed almost for years, yet notwithstanding the heavy downpour the hustle of enthusiastic business drawn by the tremendous value sale at Westerman and Co.’s, was as continuous and intense as the rain throughout the entire day. It speaks well for the consistency of the appreciative sale values, which were shared alike by local purchasers and by numerous visitors from Napier, Wairarapa, Pahiatua and elsewhere.* Repairs skilfully and quickly made to all kinds of Lenses and Frames. H. M. Bennett, F. 1.0., F.S.M.C., London, Consulting Optician, Napier, and at Hastings Tuesdays.* Look on page 1 for “ nibbles ” in motor cycles and side-cars.*

Dillon’s Hill, on the Napier-Te Pohue road, is being temporarily closed to traffic. The annual conference of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers began, at Christchurch to-day. The proceedings are not open to the press. —Press Association. On Saturday evening, the fusing of a wire caused a ten minutes’ interruption on a section of the Napier tram service. Such stoppages are liable to occur in connection with all electric installations. At a brief sitting of the Napier Magistrate’s Court this morning, the presiding J.’sP., both councillors, declined to proceed with the borough by-law cases, on the grounds that it was unjust for makers of the laws to convict breakers of the same.

The recent effort of the Napier Women’s National Reserve to raise funds for the Naval Relief Fund was highly successful, the sum of £2Bl 9/being obtained. From July 15th the Women’s National Reserve will open a shop in Shakespeare road, close to the Post Office.

It should be generally known that the postage rate on correspondence addressed to members of the Expeditionary Force, whether they are in camp in the Dominion or abroad, is still only one penny. The value of this concession, states the annual report of the Postal Department is £12,000 a year.

The Napier-Mohaka road is in a verv muddy state, due to the recent] heavy rain. There has been a small] slip at the corner of Dillon’s Hill. | The Motor Co.’s coach could not; make its usual Monday trip, and a very light vehicle had to be sent in its place. Motor cars have difficulty in reaching Te Pohue. An old Napier resident, who had been having a “wee drop,” tfiis morning, was endeavouring to wend his way along the street carrying two crooked legged chairs, but the sun proved too strong for him, and he decided to take a rest on one of the chairs. The chair, however, proved too weak for him and the legs subsequently gave way beneath the weig/it. At the time of writing he was still going home. Mesrs. J. H. Sheath and A. L. Beattie, J’s.P., presided at the Napier Magistrate’s Court this morning, when a female offender; Elizabeth Clements, was charged with being found drunk on Saturday last. Accused, who did not appear, was fined £1 and 2/- costs, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment. Elizabeth Clements, who is 52 years of age, is an old friend of the Napier police, this being her 75th offence. There was a good house at the Princess Theatre, Hastings, on Saturday night to witness the first screening of the change of programme. The star feature is a Vitagraph Company two-reel drama entitled “The Dawn of Understanding,” a very fine absorbing story, featuring the well known screen artist Maurice Costello. The supporting films include a magnificent variety of subjects, the topical budget being an extra good number, depicting the world’s events. The comedy items are also of a good class.

Mr. Arthur Gill, of Redwood’s Valley, Nelson, has for some little time been experimenting with a view to determining the best method of launching bombs with precision from aeroplanes. He has hit upon what appears to- be a good solution of the problem, and recently submitted the result of his experiments to the Inventions Board in England He has received word that his method has been closelv examined, and has received the thanks of the Admiralty for his communications.

A picture film that must appeal to every man, woman and child, will be screened to-night at the Municipal Theatre,Hastings. This no less a feature than the .history ,of the Dardanelles Expedition, which was specially photographed by Mr. Ashmead Bartlett. The picture is said to show vividly the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Corps at Gallipoli, and the various other incidents connected with that .memorable and glorious undertaking. There will also be shown a fine supporting programme. Our parliamentary correspondent says’ that the House of Representatives sits this evening and Monday sittings will be continued until the end of the session. To-night the remaining clauses of the Land and Income Tax Assessment Bill are to be considered in Committee. It is expected that the report of the M to Z Petitions Committee on the question of closing hotels at six o’clock will be presented to-morrow night. A lot of discussion on the report is anticipated. The Finance Bill, which includes the war profits taxation, may be introduced to-night.

Owing to the prevailing epidemic of diphtheria, the Hastings District High’.School down on Friday for three weeks. The Mahora North School has also closed down for a similar period. The Catholic School is also closed for the mid-winter holidays. The various Sunday Schools will also close for the time being. Every effort is. being made to stamp out the infection, which has been the most serious outbreak for years. It is to be noted that a number of other towns have also been more or less affected with the disease.

An impudent case of theft wasmentioned at the Gisborne Court on Saturday, when a woman named Jean Mason, alias Catherin Jane Skeats, was charged with the theft of a pair of shoes, value 16/6, the property of Messrs. Hannah and Co. Accused pleaded guilty. Detective McLeod stated that accused represented herself as being a relative of a prominent citizen, and informed the shop attendant “that it would be all right.” Accused, however, was asked for an order, and whilst the attendant was engaged with another customer she left the shop, leaving her old shoes behind her. Accused admitted having been convicted of vagrancy at Hastings. She .was . sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.

The smooth, quiet operation of the modern high-speed motor makes a muffler cut-out a necessary economy. Without a muffler cut-out on his car, even an expert finds it almost impossible to tell whether his motor is hitting on all cylinders. Every miss means a cylinder full of gas wasted. Rather costly in these times, when the Motor Accessory Co., • Ltd., Emerson street, Napier, have muffler cut-outs at 9/-.* • The N.Z. Express Co. pack, store oj remove furniture. They ship fipcds live stock, etc., to any part of th* Dominion or abroad. Their long experience enables them to handle ship meats quickly, and by the cheapest ano safest routes. Napier office: Byron rkraa* Hastings ornes • Ar«nn» ro*n

School children’s eyesight is the parents’ responsibility.. Our methode of testing children’s sight are without equal. H. M. Bennett, Opthalmic Optician, Union Bank Chambers, Hastings, on Tuesdays *

The Napier Girls’ High School has been temporarily closed, and the boarders quarantined, -owing to an outbreak of diphtheria having occurred there.

This morning, at the Hastings Police Court, before Mr. R.P Bratuwaite, J.P., John Heekey tor a breach of ius prombiuon order, (the second offence witinn a week) was remanded until Friday next.

The Hon. W. F. Massey says that the stocks of frozen meat in the Dominion are gradually being reduced by tne supply ot snipping now availaoie< 'itie outlook in regard to ships tor the remainder of tne season is stated to be satisfactory.

We have received from Messrs. Hall’s, stationers, Hastings, a numof interesting booklets dealing with subjects relating to the war. These have seen sent to Mr. Hall by the Overseas Club, London, the object being to instruct people on truths concerning Germany.

Judging from inquiries made, there promises to be a record attendance at the auction sale of Hammond’s estate subdivisions at the Taradale Town Hall next Wednesday afternoon. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., will conduct the sale, which commences at 2.30 p.m.

The committee appointed at last Wednesday’s meeting in connection with the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund has been informed by Mr. Hugh Campbell of “Breadabane” Havelock North, that he is prepared to give a section comprising acres of land at Havelock as one of the prizes in the proposed art union.

On Saturday night at the Hastings Theatre, Mr. F. S. Thomas sang during the screening of the song picture “The Dawn of Understanding,” the picture and song both being well received. This style of picture has become very popular at this theatre, the audience always showing that they appreciate the innovation. The song and picture will be repeaeted to-night.

Mi;. J. D., Gray, secretary of the Recruiting Board, informs us that copies of a booklet edition of the celebrated cartoons by* Luois Raemaekers have been sent to every local authority in the Dominion for the free distribution among the people of each district. The Recruiting Board is of the opinion that these speaking cartoons jshould prove a useful aid to recruiting. One of the most wholesome and pleasing comedy subjects that has ever been screened at the popular King’s Theatre, Hastings, was filmed on Saturday evening. “Niobe,” the feature in question, is a very delightful production, featuring the pretty and charming actress Hazel Dawn. As the incarnated statue that raises havoc with the insurance Company president, Miss Dawn displays her undoubted talent to the greatest advantage. A special feature in the picture is a mountain in eruption. Ih-. eluded in the programme are several other excellent photo plays. A big' double bill was presented at Everybody’s Theatre, on Saturday night, the first item being a five-act drama entitled. “Always in the Way,” featuring Mary Miles Minter, who makes her first appearance on the screen before a Hastings audience. The play is a most charming one and capitally produced. Parts one and two of a new serial, “The Black Box,”. irfere screened; and proved an interesting subject, and the remaining' parts will no doubt be awaited with keen pleasure. Miss Fowler was heartily encored for her splendid singing of the song “Always in the Way.”