LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 17 June 1915, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

To-morrow will be the hundredth anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, apropos of which we publish, on page 2 of this issue, an ably written historical article from the nen of our occasional contributor, "Avistides."

A ball, promoted by the ladies -of Matapu, will be held in the Matapu Hall on Thursday, 22nd inst., the proceeds to be devoted to the fund for the New Zealand Wounded.- Everything is well in hand, and the function promises to bo a huge* success.

Latterly a large number of Romney sheep from registered New Zealand flocks has been exported to the United States, Argentine, Chili, Uruguay, and Australia. A much larger number would have been shipped to America but for the outbreak of the war.

General laboring work has shown a great falling off in Napier during the past month, and many employers are shortening hands (says the Hawke's Bay Herald). There are a good many men seeking employment in this line.

Lively applause and considerable laughter followed an announcement -toy the Hon. A. L. Herdman at Kawa Kawa, that Mr Robert Semple and Mr Hickey, two prominent leaders in the recent labor troubles^ had given up agitating and were now working for the Government, the former at the Otira, tunnel and the latter in the Waikato. . COSTUMES AND FURS. Every lady who admires smart, tasteful attire for winter days will''be delighted with the charming display of Ready-to-wear Costumes and Blouses now offering at The Economic. All that is up-to-date and fashionable will be found in the big assortment we are showing. The 'Economic, Haw'e'ra.— Advt. For Chnaren-s flacking Cough at night, Woods' Great Peppermint Cftire Is 6d. 2s 6d.—Advt.

iOT^fefey^;p|a|^:an^! Tettt&k%t Auckland 'have ?de<*.de& to form m? sepa^- < t&t» unit o| th<> National Reserve. t v I X%ho roll number' oft the #apier branch ofi;he National' Reserve ig now m . ; * < ! a \ Owing to 'the high prices ruling for leather, a sharp increase in the price of boots is expected in' New Zealand at an early date, , The Red Cross Committee of "Waimate (Canterbury) has- vote.d £250 more to the hospital ship, making cash £500 and goods £250.

"The best investment I ever made in my life," declared Mr. W. D. Lyanar at a meeting of* farmers at Gisborne on Saturday week (states the Poverty JBay Herald), when referring to the Bristol and Dominion Producers' Association. The speakei stated that for the £250 cash invested in 500 shares he had already in two years made £5000, and hi» books wera open to examination by any auditor to verify the assertion.

According to letters decently received from Egypt, Lady x Godley is doing great service in tending to the wounded New Zealanders from the Dardanelles. When the mail left she had already beeii instrumental • ;in establishing two convalescent homes, one at Cairo and the other at Alexandria, and had been active in getting ■ many of her English friends to billet convalescents. . .',.,'." .

w A peculiar: accident happened to Mrs A. England, of Southbrook (says the Lyttelton Time/s). She was on her way to Oxford and. was seated in the train at the Rangiora station knitting. Her v^ateh glass fell to the floor, and in stopping to pick it up she dropped hec knitting. In recovering it she slipped, and one of the needles stabbed into her leg, entering a varicose vein. Profuse bleeding ensued, and after another lady pas^eagerrhad. staunched it somewhat a bandage,' Mrs. 'yraf $&keit ■ iix it iatr tbr & doctor^for furS the'r''attention.^/-:'\ :■.,.'■:'f {\:-:.'' ""/.;.■•■ "' .

Judging from reports sent in by the apiary instructors the honey market is not in a very satisfactory condition. Auckland reports: "The local market is somewhat bare, and prices have an upward tendency." The Wellington instructor states that several fresh consignments have been graded and exported. From Christchurch it is reported that the export trade up to the present has not been 60 lar.ge as last season, although a- -few nice lots are coming in each month to grade, and are being shipped as expeditibusly as is possible. The market at Dunedin is bare of supplies. All available last seasons honey has been bought up.

In acknowledging the receipt of the consignment of 216 pairs of socks sent from Hawera in response to Lady Liverpool's appeal, her Excellency said: "They were most beautiful socks, and it was such a very nice idea putting in the chocolate and handkerchief with every two pairs. We all thought them a delightful consignment. I am so pleased with the response to my appeal for socks, and very touched, too, by all the kind replies. They are to go on the hospital ship—3o,ooo pairs— and they have nearly all been given. There seem so many interests everywhere just now; and it • certainly binds us all more closely together having the same interests.* 1

The case of two lads who walked from the West Coast to Nelson to enlistr—as the:r district had been unable to include them in its draft—is reported by the Nelson Evening Mail. They were foolish enough to start on their long journey without first satisfying themselves that they could ultimately pass the necessary medical tests. On arrival at the Defence Office they were promptly sent over to the examining officer, Dr Gibbs, who eventually found it necessary to reject them, as they did not quite reach the standard set down by the military authorities, and which the medical officers have instructions they must adhere to strictly. The Labor Department has found work for them on the railway.

The Mayor of Dunedin received the following telegram from the Hon J Allen on Sunday. :—"ln the casualty Jists this morning the Ota go Battalion shows.considerable losses in killed from Apnl 26 to June 2, and missing on May 15, and from May 1 to May 23— namely, killed 61, and'missing 93. My sincere sympathy is with all those in Dunedm and Gtago who have suffered loss or who are in anxiety about the missing. To those who have suffered loss it will be some consolation that those near and dear to them died in the very noblest of causes—the death they would have selected had the choice been with them.—(Signed) J. Allen." Quite exceptional point is given to this message by the fact that Mr J. Allen's own son, Lieut. J. H. Allen, has been Killed, in. action,

When the reclaimed Rangaitiki Swamp, in th e Bay of Plenty, is put down in grass, it will provide pasture for anything between 70*000 and 80,000 dairy cattle. The area embraces over 90,000 acres. A few days ago the provincial secretary of the Farmers' Union had occasion to visit the district. Mr Sehmitt says that practically the whole of the area has been drained and reclaimed. From wha<t he saw, the land drains easily. Sbme maize growing- on the edge of the swamn was very good indeed. "1 have Seen nothing in all my recent travels that I like better than the Rangitaiki area," added Mr Sehmitt, <;and one -can only predict for it a great future. Especially will this, be so when the Urewera country at the back is o.nened up." The traveller was also impressed by the fact that even small districts have their butter or cheese factories.

. OVIk J. B. Laurenson, of Chrlstchurch, President of the Industrial Corporation is considering further details of the scheme to establish a New Zealand Board of Trade. The Christchurch Star says that definite proposals, probably, will be submitted to the Prime Minister soon before the session of Parliament begins, and lie will be asked to introduce a BiU to establish the Taoard. The suggestion is that it should Ibe composed of representatives of the industrial associations, the employers' associations, and the Chambers of Commerce, with the' Prime Minister as president. The Government will' be asked to contribute £2000 a year towards the cost, and the industrial associations £1000. A proposal has been made that the board should be a State Department, but those interested in the movement feel that it would "be better to have a separate body, independent of Gov- I ernment. control, although the Govern-1 ment will be represented. The headquarters will be in Wellington, and the board's operations, will be directed from that centre. . The "Petone" pure wool flannel, at Is a yard, at the Melbourne. Ltd., is greater value than ever. Other premier values at this "same old prices" store are: Men's Roslyn unshrinkable flannels, brown or Shetland color, 4s lid; unshrinkable navy flannels, 5s 6d; and Petone heayv plaiding flannels, 5s 6d. Wonderful bargains.—Advt. A few more students required for Dressmaking Class at Technical School. Fee. 15s per term.—Advt. Showtime Suits for men and boys. Our tailor-cut boxed suits for men are a marvel, both in cut and style, 49s 6d, .555, 6% 6d. Our boys' sport and Norfolk suits are nice patterns, 16s 6d, 19s 6d. Boys' knickers and overcoats. Buy now at the N.Z. Clothing Factory, Hawera. —Advt.

LfWritiag^^i' London, Albert I|orrwgtoa fn»ys* .TJu> men whose nerves have been shattered by noise and 'shock are difficult to nurse. Often a patient Will be flitting-quite'still, listening, to conic music or the talk'of a friend. His' whole being may appear tranquil aad self-possessed. Then suddenly he v tries to fling himself from his couch, screaming, and clawing .his blanket in the direst agony. The nurse tells you that such outbursts are due to nerves, and not to extreme .physical pain. Nervy men are usually imaginative, and they get the habit of recalling what they have seen. I have not yet met a soldier, who was anxious to xeturn to the firing line. A month of modern fighting is enough to smash the courage of a Spartan." An instance of the ridiculous value which is sometimes placed on land was given by a land ageiit who appeared as a witness in a compensation case heard at the Supreme Court at Christchurch (says the Lyttelton Times). An area of land in Sydenham, 32 perches in extent, had been taken over by the Railway Department, whiqh offeied £300 as compensation under the Public Works Act. The witness said that one of the heirs to the estate, & man in England, who had never seen the^land, had written to the ' Government complaining that, it was defrauding him of a million pounds, whereas the actual value of the land was about £400! "I sup'fibse you undeceived him," remarked his Honor Mr Justice Denjiiston, with a smile. "Oh, no! The Government attended to that," replied the witness. "I didn't think he was worth botlwvrng about.""

Considerable sentimental interest attaches to the auction sale of one of the gift articles recently sold in aid of the Auckland Hospital Ship Fund (states the Herald). This was .a silver teapot | which : had been taken to;1 the auction Jpord earlier...in the* day by'aii elderly asHfoe» oixlf €^ntnbutionV,tbat ,he.> and his wife were able to:offer to the fund; The teapot was a wedding present, and the old couple, who described themselves as simply "D and X," decided to part with it as an earnest of their patriotism. The teapot, at the first offer, was knocked down at £2 15s. "Put it up again," said the buyers, and the article was resold eight times, at prices varying from £1 15s to £2 15s. "Give it back to the old man," exclaimed the last buyer, amidst a storm of applatise, and the old couple, whilst retaining a cherished meanento of the days of the past, will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have been the means of adding over £18 to the fund.

A circular appealing for aid to the Serbian Red Cross Society states: "For reasons which you will perfectly understand, it was not considered advisable in the early stages of the war to make known the stricken condition of the people, the absolute lack of all that was needed for the relief of their sick and wounded, but the constant drain upon our resources makes this further appeal imperative. Serbia is surrounded by hostile or impoverished countries, and her people have not been able—as the Belgians have done —to take refuge in neighboring friendly States. Relief can only be given by sending supplies and material help, and this work can only b<? continued by your and other donations. The Admiralty take out our goods free of charge. Last week chloroform, morphia, bandages, and other medical requisites, were shipped, and we have still to send arrowroot, meat extracts, quinine, and many other absolute necessities." It is requested that cheques be made payable to Madame Mabel S. Grouitch (president) or Lady Boyle (hon. treasurer) and crpssd Union of London and Smith's Bank".

An Auckland pressman who "flew" with Air.man Walsh the other day says of his experience:—"Presently there comes a new sensation. The speed is now nearly 50 miles an hour. The hull of which only a few inches still rest on the water, rises to the surface of the ripples, striking each one with a bump as a fast motor car spurns stone® upon a smooth road. There is no longer any spray; the water runs below undisturbed. With a farewell bump the seaplane is flying. Without the least discomfort to his passenger the pilot lifts his machine higher on a long slope, and then by a slight movement of the control brings it on to 'a level keel' a hundred feet above the water. The surface speed lias become 60 mjlss an h.9Ujr, The air rushes past one's gars with a deafening roar; gag's hands become chilled', the sensatien is one of exhilaration and entirely pl@a»ut'able. The sense of security, in a, large measure inspired by confidence in the pilot, is supreme above thoughts of personal risk. The machine flies so steadily that one feels inclined to stand and walk about. There is no overpowering sensation of speed. There is none of continuous fiddling with the steering wheel that one watches in a motor car, for in the air there are no obstructions. To measure the rapidity of t the flight tbe passenger must look over the side, directly below the machine.l There the water races past like the lip of Niagara."

Commenting «a the political situation, the Dunedin Star says: It is hardly likely that the political parties in New Zealand will follow the lead of the politicians at Home and create a Coalition Government for the period* of the war. Throughout a protracted electioneering campaign it. has been very obvious that the. exigencies of party rather than the principles of patriotism would determine the question as to the formation of a Coalition Government. Neither side showed anxiety for fusion while the prospect of. a party victory at the polls remained in sight, and now that one of the parties is assured of a definite lead the prospect of a coalition has disappeared. It seems certain now that the Opposition will have to be content with giving support (as they have done reasonably well since tbe outbreak of war) to their successful opponents in doing everything possible to advance the Imperial cause first, and then to keep steady, if at all possible, the present prosperity of the Dominion. It is to be hoped that a party test division will be taken in the House at the earliest opportunity, and that the party with a fnajority, however s.i.all, will be given complete support, without bickering and extravagant waste of time, to carry on the essential business of the country during the continuance of the war. It is only right and proper that a test division of parties should be taken, but after that jhere should be no evidence or even a suspicion of party politics. And need it be urged agsJn that the country will resent any i ndue prolongation of the forthcoming session? Circumstances demand an economical concentration on essential legislation, and a complete avoidance of party wrangling for months. A short session marked by wise legislation will best please the country. War i 3 the only business.

"No man ever successfully made lov© when he had a cold in his head." j —Elbert Hubbard. j Neither can a man or woman be I happy or work successfully when suffering from a coupph or cold. That's why you should use Baxter's Lung Preserver. It gives prompt relief for colds and sore throats-, fortifies the lungs, and tones vp "the system. Its popularity during fifty years r» roves ite effectiveness. Get the big 1/10 bottle of Baxter's, which is the cheapest remedy because the most efficacious. — Advt,

' SiricVwe opened the Belgian Fund (says the Taranaki Herald), we have received from JVlr iNewton King the sum of over £630, being proceeds of various giit auctions or etock, etc., throughout the district. The Superintendent, in his yearly report at tne annual meeting of the Hawera Fire Brigade on Wednesday night, said: '^During the year five of our members .have answered the Empire's call and nave proceeded to the front. Although we; are sorry to lose them, and deplore the necessity for their going, we sincerely trust that tney will.return to us safe and free from. permanent injury, to again take their place in our ranks."

Referring to the paragraph in yesterday s Star relating to ;the history of I the bui!ding,(Mr Silson's) being demol- [ ished m High street, it might also have | been mentioned that a good many years ago, probably about 1884, it was put up for sale by auction. The property also included the land which Mr Murch's shop now stands, so that the frontage was an especially good one. But it was difficult to find a buyer. Mr Nolan, if we remember aright, was selling, and he appealed in vain to get bids. At last a Wellington traveller, Mr George South, who happened to have "dropped in" to the sale room, ventured to bid a small sum (the writer, thinks it was £250) and it was knocked down to" him. "You have got a bargain, George," said the auctioneer, and so it was.

The Defence authorities are determined to have nothing to do. with men. on whose record there is a conviction for theft, stated Senior Sergeant Rutlesce in the Auckland Police Court, when a suggestion was made that a young man, who had committed a petty, theft while he was drunk, might rm perTr>itTed the cWncey of enlisting. .MrF.^. Frazer^^;]!^^ieMrfeßd;(Bays: the Star) that thbu^^^ men had no doubt, Dulled Jtheifc selves together and done well, it was a- wise step not to take men with records for theft or vagrancy, as s'-ch men might not only steal from their mates, but they would probably also give their regiment a bad name by looting when they got into the enemy's country. "In the phrase of a popular song; it's a long, long wj»v from looting yet" retorted Mr J. E. Lundon, who added that, judging by appearances, it would be twelve months vet before the chance of looting in enemy country would occm. 3 and there wa* a greater possi-l-7i xxi mcl BettinS away with a bullet than with anything of value. . The New Plymouth A. and P. Society is in. need of greatly increased support. In^ the course of a letter tor the Tar*naki Herald appealing to the public, Mr J. a. Lonnett, president, says: A general meeting of members of the above society has been called for Friday to decide whether the annual stock show shall be held next year. The eociety has been m existence for forty years, but for various reasons has not progressed as it should have done. Some four years ago an effort was made to infuse new life into it, a vigorous canvass was made for new members, several properties were inspected' with, a view to securing permanent show grounds, and the Coronation Hall was built to better provide for our. WinteT Show. It was at this time, too, that we changed our stock show date from summer to awtumn. The outlook at that time was bright, our membership increased to over 800, and our'first Autumn Show drew almost double the entries of previous years. The Winter. Show continued most successful and the building was let between shows at a good rent. Dark days, however, followed. We lost our tenant at the Coronation Hall and were left with an annual liability of nearly £200, and our membership dwindled down to less than 400 financial. We realised the need of getting relief from the liability attached to the hall, and during the past year have sold the building to the Government for defence purposes, retaining the right to hold our Winter Shows, and have taken as part payment a portion <of the Rewa Rewa rifle range property «at Waiwakaiho, which, though small, we think can be made suitable for stock show purposes. The erection of the necessary pens and buildings, however, would mean incurring a liability altogether unwarranted by the present meagre membership, and unless more support is forthcoming on Friday night I fear the society will lose the assistance of many of the small band of enthusiasts who are at present holding it together,