LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 29 February 1916, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

It is hoped to have a temporary service on the IS Tew Plymouth tramways in operation ;n about three weeks' time. The Stanley Road school, near Stratford, was completely destroyed last night by a fire which started in the shelter shed adjoining the school. While bathing at St. Mary's Bay, Auckland, on Sunday, a boy named Cecil Snowden, aged 16, struck his Head on the bottom when diving. He was seriously injured in the spine, and died in the hospital shortly after his admission. At the inquest on Jabez Balfour (says a London message) the evidence showed that he died of heart disease. His son stated that he had recently made three trio 9to Australia and New Zealand. I The price of milk in Wellington* will be advance! from 4d to Gd a quart from Wednesday, and butter also advances Id from the same date. A writer in the Sydney Referee states that, after travelling through the Australian States and New Zealand, the man he would give the palm to ior physique was the man who walked the streets of Brisbane. The New Zealander was much more stoutly built —more like the Yorkshire and Lancashire mill hand —but he was of the lean, free and easy type of the Queenslander. In the Wellington Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Chapman, the hearing was concluded of the case in which t'rancis J. R. Heath sued Dr. Prendergast Knight for £1178 damages, for injuries received i-esulting f:%,m a collision between defendant's motor car and plaintiff's motor cycle at Courtnay Place, in October last. Negligence was alleged on botTi sides. Plaintiff suffered a broken leg. The jury awarded plain, tiff £625 as general damages.—Press Association. ' [ The days of romance are not yet ended. A Westport man now in England mentions, in a letter to a relative, that an ex-resident of that town, a young soldier, invalided to England, while boating on the Thames was casually taken in hand by some English people who were interested in the New Zealanders, and the sequel to the affair is the engagement and marriage of the ex-Westportian to a lady, heiress to something in the vicinity of half a million sterling. Boys who stay at home don't realise ho# much they are ! missing. The Conciliation Council sat at New Plymouth yesterday to hear a dispute between the Taranaki branch of the Auckland Motor-car and Horse Drivers Industrial Union of Workers in respect to grocers' drivers throughout Taranaki. The same position arose in connection with this dispute as was the case in connection with the general drivers' and bakers' disputes throughout the Dominion, and the whole matter will be dealt with by tKe Arbitration Court. A party of New Plymouth motorists 'had a very near escape from death near Inglewood on Sunday afternoon (says the Stratford Post). The motor i was being driven over the new deviation, when the earthwork at the side gave away and the car was precipitated I over a bank about 10 feet high. Before I leaching terra firm a the oar turned over two or three times, and a lady j^assenger who, it is thought, tried to throw herself clear, sustained a broken ' leg and was more or less crushed about i the body. A little boy was fortunately j uninjured, but the driver received cuts I about the head and face. The car, which ) was practically Jjew, vas, only slightly ' damaeed. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen),-speaking in Dunedin on the new recruiting scheme, stated that jit was urgent that committees should j commence work at once. "It is very l urgent," the Minister went on to say, "because we expect the Fourteenth Re. 1 inforcements to be brought under the I scheme. At the same time, we do i not want to have any break in coritinu- ! ing the wovk of existing organisations ' for recruiting. These organisations must go on until they are absorbed in the new scheme." Mr Allen added that jhe was sure there were a number of volunteer workers- who /would assist in I the preliminary work—ladies and others who would help if the committees want. Ed temporary voluntary assistance. The agreement come to for two years in the conference between the dairy representatives and their employees at Masterton, provides that the hours of' work in the butter factories shall nofc exceed 60 per week, and in the cheese factories 70. The rates of wages hare been fixed as follows: —Butter factories —First assistant, £3 ss; second assistant. £3; third assistant, £2 15s; casual ' hands, £2 10s; engine driver . (second certificate) .£3 ss. Where only two adult: workers are employed the wages shall be: —First assistant, £3 per week; second. £2 15s; casuals, £2 10s. Cheese . factories—The schedule of wages at cheese factories where only, one adult j worker is employed other than the man- J •ager shall be £2 15s. Where two are employed: First assistant, £2 15s; second assistant, £2 10s; where only three are employed, first £2 17s, second £2 15s; third £2 10s; where five are employed, first £3 2s 6d, second £3, third £2 17s 6d. fourth £2 15s. fifth £2 10s. At the Police Court at New Plymouth yesterday, Charles King, alias George Ross, appeared on a charge of vagrancy and begging for alms in Devon street. The accused admitted that he had asked a man for a shilling for a raeal> but he pleaded for "liberty on the ground that he had been accepted for military service. Sub-In-spector Fouhy read a telegram which he had received from the Hawera police, stating that King had offered himself for enlistment, but was refused, as he could give no permanent address and looked'undesirable. King added that he enlisted at Hawera last week and was accepted, but then went and got drunk. A sentence of one month's imprisonment was imposed. Thousands of visitors to the-Wanga-i>ui River have praised beautiful Pipiriki House. This fine place was erected about five years ago by the steamer proprietary. It is appointed with every modern convenience—electric light, up-to-date sanitary arrangements—hot and cold water. The main dining room seats 120 persons, and the upper balcony, 130 feet long, is a splendid feature of the House, commanding as it does a magnificent view of the river, Maori villages and the surrounding scenery. Write A. Hatrick and Co., Ltd., 'Cooks and Government Tourist Bureaux. 29 Dairy boots, well made, for women and men. We specialise in this line; a real good boot for ladies, 12/6 (they stand hard wear), and men's nailed or unnailed shooters, 15/6, are honest wearing goods; our Bluchers at 7/11 are made to our special order. Call and eret your boots at the New Zealand Clothing Factory, Hawera. —Advt. GET THIS FREE BOOKLET. |If you are working out an invention, you will derive much assistance from our Free Booklet "Advice to liventors." It contains valuable advice — practical advice upon many questions connected with inventing and patenting. Write for it now —it's free. Address: Henry Hughes, ltd., 107 F< atherston Street. Wellington.—Advt. 89

A widow residing in a small southern town is to be congratulated on tne patriotism of her family. The Eleventh Reinforcements are at present on their final leave, and seven brothers of the name of Jones, all wearing khaki, were in Dunedin the other day, en route for Mataura.

"Plus war charges—what does that mean?" Mr Bishop asked a plaintiff's solicitor in a civil case at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court (says the Lyttelton Times). The solicitor was unable to explain. "Well, I won't grant judgment until I am satisfied concerning this point. If 'plus war charges' can be shown to be legitimate judgment will be given, but if it is an attempt to place an extra sum on for loss incurred by plaintiff I wTil not grant it." Mr Bishop said he had never seen the phrase before. The matter was settled by the plaintiff's solicitor agreeing to strike out £he amount for "plus war charges."

"From Australia Germany has taken of avool alone over six million pounds' worth," said the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister for Education, at Wellington. "The sheep farmer has grown the wool and the worker has clipped it from the sheeps' back's. Insurance, freight and duty must be paid before it reaches the loom where the German worker spins it into tweed and other articles. On to this goes the cost of manufacture and the profits made by the big manufacturing houses. Back comes the wool, freight, insurance and a heavy duty again at this end. It is then sold to Australia for about twenty times as much as the Germans paid for the wool. How the Germans must chuckle. Let us do the manufacturing of the article instead of exporting it untreated."

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Union Lodge of Oddfellows (Manchester Unity) was held in the Islington Tea Rooms on Monday evening, and there was a large attendance of members. N.G. Bro. N. H. C. Caolen presided. The District Officers —P.G.M. Bro. E. H. Bellringer, P.D.G.M. Bro. C. W. Allen, and P.C.S. Bro. C. E. Bellringer—paid their annual visit to the lodge, and congratulated the lodge on its year's work. The membership of the lodge shows a satisfactory increase, and the financial position is also good. P.C.S. Bro. Bellringer gave an interesting address on the work of the Order in the district for the year, which was much appreciated. P.G.s Bros. Spragg, Pratt, and Hancock were appointed deputies to attend the district conference, to be* held at Manaia on March '16. Two propositions for membership were received. At the conclusion of the business the members entertained the visiting officers at supper.

The New Zealand Poultry Industries Ltd,, report as follows in Wellington: "The egg market has been completely demoralised by the arrival of seventy thousand dozen of foreign eggs, and since last Thursday it has not been a question of price, but simply a question of trying to dispose of an enormous quantity of perishable, goods, of which only a given quantity could •be quitted. No industry in New Zealand has been more badly hit as ariesult of the war than egg-prodiicing, and while speakers at the Patriotic Exhibition have been advocating local industries thousands of dozens of foreign eggs have been landed and sold during the period of the exhibition for the fostering of local industries. The urgent necessity for the immediate gazetting of the Government edict for the stamping of imported eggs was never more apparent if the poultry industry is not going to be exterminated in this country. We quote nominally to-day Is 6d r>er dozen wholesale."

A gentleman who has been long resident in Central Otago, in the course of a conversation with, a representative of the Oainaru Mail, expressed his pleasure at finding the question of growing lucerne engaging serious at- , tention in North Otago. He had seen the value of that fodder plant, the true worth of which has not been recognised in North Otago, and was enthusiastic upon the subject. As an example of what lucerne can do for • the grazier in a dry season, he mentioned this year's experience on xme , Galloway Station. Some years ago lucerne was sown on land that was generally bare, and It did so well that four cuttings a year have been taken off it, either for feeding direct to stock or transforming into hay. This year, when the country has been burnt bare with the sun, not only has the lucerne supplied the needs of the station stock, i but it has given a., surplus that has been sold at. £6 a ton. The greatest | consideration is to get it established, and the gentleman referred to said that it was really necessary that the , soil should be either in a moist condition at seed-sowing or receive a good ] wetting after sowing to cause germinai tion and give the young plants a good , start. Once established, lucerne could i take care of itself, regardless of climatic conditions.

An Englishman attached to a submarine flotilla operating in the Mediterranean war zone writes of a recent experience during a gale as follows: "We ?eft 'on a mission,' and stopped outside in a small bay^ where many ships were moored awaiting instructions. A terrific gale sprang up from the north, and we had ships breaking up all round—dragging anchors and drifting on a lee shore. A torpedo boat bore down on uz and broke our securing wires. We had orders to 'abandon ship,' but we stuck to her, and worked for t,hree and a half hours in the driving snow, often in water up to our armpits. Finally ye rescued her and managed to secure her, only to find both propellers damaged, and one engine displaced, one of our flood tanks badly holed, cleats pulled but, our tail twisted, and our frames bent and seams opened. At 7 a.m. we broke adrift, and to save ourselves we had to risk and submerge. There we sat on the bottom for six hours, then started dragging on a wreck and bumped away! We did the only thing —'blow tanks/ and up in it all again on the surface. The pressure was so great that when the air valve was opened my ear drums cracked and my feet went woolly, like walking on air! However, the wind had lulled, and we tied up and finally got back to our depot. It was a bad experience for one's first 'sink,' and I thought I had lost my chance of 'doing a bit,' but I am now writing this hurried line as I am off again for 'somewhere.' "

The Education Department has awarded senior free places at the Hawera Technical School to Ulive Clement, Dulcie Nairn, and Hilda Squire.

A farewell social for recruits leaving for the front will be held in Manaia Town Hall on Thursday night, commencing at 8 o'clock.

Addresses dealing with, subjects associated with jbibiioal prophecy are to be given in Keen's Hooms by Mr Frank May. The titles of the addresses are advertised, and the first will be given this evening, beginning at 7.30 o'clock.

Some time early this morning a cattle dog got into the narrow space between the shops of Mr Sargent and Mr Bacn. It had evidently got in from the back, and had pushed through rto within about ten feet of the street frontage. There it looked hopelessly jambed, 'its head being below a joist and its body caught between the walls. The services of a carpenter were requisitioned, a ho!o was cut in the wall ot Mr .body's shop, and after a deal of trouble the poor brute was extricated and taken away to the Dolice station.

Speaking to a Christchurch Star reporter, a leading Ellesmere farmer expressed the opinion that the Government Statistician's estimate of the current season's wheat yield —21.89 bushels per acre —was absurdly optimistic, and at least 30 per cent above what would be gathered. In his own district, which had a reputation for its wheat, the yield would probably not exceed an average of ten or twelve bushels. There were isolated cases of small paddocks yielding forty busbe's and even over, but the areas were insignificant, and it would take many of these to pull up the average, since in numerous instances the returns did not exceed four bushels per acre. His own wheat crops, although perhaps above the average, were poor indeed compared with those of normal years, their inferiority being shown by the fact that the threshing—the mills working at per hour in consequence of the small returns —cost him 6d per bushel. The threshing returns provided the only reliable data, and he felt convinced that when these were available they would reveal yields much below those given in the Government estimate. Instead of there being a considerable surplus, as shown by the Government Statistician, he was firmly convinced that there would be an actual shortage.

More than ordinary attention was manifested along the Wellington waterfront on Sunday afternoon (says the N.Z. Times), when the new Fed-eral-Shire steamer Devon steamed into port, and was berthed at the Glasgow wharf. The vessel is on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New Zealand, and is of a type'entirely new to these Although a new vessel, the Devon has a history. She was built at Dunkirk by the Societie dcs Ateliers et Chantierr de France. She was on- the stocks being built when the war began. The outbreak of hostilities delayed her finish, because of the calling out of the men for the army. ' At the end of 1914, when it was feared that the Germans would break through to Calais, the hull was launched, so that it could be towed out of harbor . should that undesirable event occur. While being fitted out in the basin at Dunkirk, the Germans in May last shelled Dunkirk, and it was then considered advisable' to tow the vessel away from the port. Before she was shifted a 17-inch shell burst close to her. Captain Robertson has a piece of the shell mounted in a prominent position in the saloon as a mascot. At the beginning of June, five tugs—three ahead and one at each quarter—towed her to London. Two destroyers the while steamed constantly round the vessel and her tugs to check interference by an enemy submarine. She reached London, and was safely berthed on June 4th. The difficult task of picking up the work where it had been left incomplete in France was then undertaken.