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Mataura Ensign, 15 May 1918, Page 4

The Ashburton High School boy's "who helped the ' farmers iu the Ashburton County very materially with their harvest are now busy engaged on the potato crops during the holidays.

Thirteen hundred sacks of Australian potatoes were lauded in Wellington last week, costing (duty paid iT per ton) 10s per ton loss, landed iu Wellington, than New Zealand potatoes fConr the booth Island ports.

It is noticeable (writes “Agricola,’' South Island correspondent of the ‘Farmers’ Union Advocate’) that Californian thistle, gorse, sweetbriaiv and rabbits are,on the increase owing to tin lack of labor to deal with ’ them, si, that the war is causing much of inula ml to deteriorate in more ways than one.

It looks as if there will be a record number of clearing sales in Taranaki this year (says the Xew Plymouth ‘News.’) This is caused .by the scarcity of labor, necessitating farmers going in for dry stock instead of dairying, and the calling up of the Second Division, the fit members of which are making their dispositions iu good time.

One would be rather inclined to look askance at the suggestion that sorrel might well form an article of diet, but. according to a soldier returned from France, the wood is so used iu that country. He states that it is prepared for the table in the same manner as spinach, and makes a capital dish, in addition, the peasants there largely utilise it as a flavoring for soups, which they make from bread and herbs.

A most amusing incident was related by Colonel McDonald in giving evidence before the Defence Commission in Wellington lust week. A month after the Wanganui murderer, Bennior, was executed, the Director of Personal Services and the Director of Pecruitihg were much exercised as to what hail become of him as a reservist. It took much correspondence before it was officially decided that the' man could hi finally filed as really “deceased.”

According to Sir Robert Anderson “port” and "starboard” are on their last tottering naval legs. America has Riven them notice to quit in favor ol homely “loft” and “right.” New' Zealand. he added, .should make a similar bid for gratitude by ejecting “quartermaster” and “adjutant.” Rut New Zealand won’t—not though the Adju-tant-General. who is a lawyor_ and a fullblown colonel, admitted quite frankly that he could not explain them.

“This man is evidently a, tier man.” said Mr W. G. K. Kenrick. S.M., at Feilding last week, referring to ,the defendant in a maintenance ease who had permitted his payments to get into \irrear. Ho forgets that this sort of thing would not he allowed in Germany for two seconds. When these Germans come out here they are very respectful at first—-they take off their hats to yon. But when they have been here six months they swear at yon.” Counsel for defendant was asked to inform his client that ho was liable to a term of imprisonment.

When discussing items in the balancesheet of the ManaAvatu A. and P. Association at the annual meeting. Mr Robertson questioned the wisdom of giving so many complimentary tickets. When it was explained to him this'Avas not only a usual courtesy, but a good advertisement, be remarked : “You people know lioav to advertise all Bight. Wellington people say they never look at the paper Avithont seeing some reference to tbo M'unawatu Slioav, Why. if it wasn’t for the slioav, Palmerston Avould only bo knoAvn as the borne of .PoAvelka I” ,

/The local Rod Gross Society is in need of helpers to nail and Avire their eases of goods ready for shipment. 1< has been the practice in the past jo send the goods in bulk to Dunedin Outre, ami the goods wove there packed into tbo small cases suitable for shipment to England, but the members foe) that (he time lias arnYed Avhen (he Gove Centro sboAild do its oavia packing, and if gentlemen could see their Avay (dear to help Avitb the nailing of flu* eases it would greatly assist. A ing of gentlemen is called for Friday evening at (be Red Cross Rooms to tor.m a committee Cor (bis purpose/

The following “true story” avus tol(I at. a recent sitting of the Defence E.\ ; pemliture Commission by tbo chairman (Sir Robert: Anderson’): —An Australian in France bad taken over a house, .and the D.A.D.R.T. demanded that the place should he banded over to him. But tin' Australian' a. railAvay for Awarding chap. Avould not give it up. The D.A.D.R.T insisted and referred tbo_ matter to the “higher-up,” Avbo Avired instructing the Australian to band the bouse over. “Tbo D.A.D.R.T. can G.T.TT..” tele, graphed (lie Australian in reply. Tie was cited for this, and there Avas a terrible toav ; but. he innocently inquired, “WbaCs wrong, f meant the D.A.D.R.T. can get the house.”

Having been granted permission to Avaste time if bis story Avas good enough. Colonel Tate gave tbo folloAving little piece of secret history to the. Defence Expenditure Commission recently : —“A highly-distinguished man in ..Wellington went to Palmerston North to take up his old job of district storekeeper. He Ava.s quite happy and pleased about i; and Avas going to sot lie doyn very nicely and comfortably as district storekeeper. But Avhen he got there' he found that he avus to bo called “A.D.E. 0.5.. and ho feared that his status and all his emoluments and alloAvanccs as district storekeeper Avmild vanish- into thin air. He went to the people in charge and complained about it, but they , could not explain it to bis satisfaction; and, finally, it came doAvn to Wellington as a solid, substantial grievance. Of sour sc, 'A .D.E.O.S.’ meant ‘Assistant Director of Equipment: and Ordnance Stores/ and the jobs, the pav. and the emoluments, etc., Avcro exactly tho same.”

One of the strange meetings which the Avar has brought about took place recently in France (says the 'New Zealand Herald.’) An Auckland boy. avlvo is a gunner in a. Noav Zealand battery. Avas struck in the thigh by a. machinegun bullet, which remained embedded in the flesh. By chance ho Avas sent to a Canadian .field hospital. An X-ray examination Avas necessary to locate the bullet, and Avhen the gunner Avas on (.he table tho operator, having noticed his name on tho list, astounded him by remarking in a long slow draAv!, “Ever been to mentioning a Maori

place nam«? “I was born there," said llio gunner. “Well, I guess we’re cousins," said, the Canadian, and cousins (iioy proved to be. The New Zealander’s branch of the family came here over 50 years ago. and ho knew as little about the Canadian rotations as the Canadian knew about bis-. But it was left to the wheel of chance, to bring the two men together In the X-ray room of a field hospital in France.

The price of the breakfast egg has reached Its 8d per dozen retail, and some producers feel warranted in the belief that it will go to Is (states Saturday's Wellington ‘Post. 5 ) To-day, on the contrary, the situation is easier, and 3s 5UJis about the figure. and the wholesale quotation 3s. Tt is dear enough.' ' virtually 3'd for an egg, although as a breakfast relish it may. even at v-af orb-e, be no dearer than some of its table competitors. The opinion of some authorities well versed in the trade is that the 4s mark will not be attained, but that the market has an easier tendency. The fall from 3s Sd or 3s 9d in r dozen to 3s 3d confirms this view; 'llh \y time last year the wholesale rate t\ajs 2s !ld. in 1910 2s (Id. and in 1915 2s nfl. There has been a marked advance the price of eggs since the war, as ev-fr>\ housekeeper knows. It is not, due to a “go-slow" policy on the part of the hens, or anv concerted profiteering ae--1 ion on their part. Two factors have been at work to place the egg as' an article of food in the category of luxuries; (1) reduction of stocks, and (2) enhanced price of foodstuffs.

It is a dangerous practice lollop out of a warm bed on to icy-cold linoleum. It may moan the death of yon Always have a mat or nip at your bedside, even if il is only a Japanese mat. Yon can get. a very good selection of those mats at Thomson and Beattie's in all sixes and qualities at Is (id,' 2s 3d, 2s lid to 7s 6d each.

Watch lost. NVauli lost. Cows for sail.'. Hoard wanted. , Thanks relumed. • ■ Good I'ra.nH‘S a. lbM.eri(l.ll'.s,. Grogan wants larm hands. Wanted. probationer nurse. Good tyres-Nee .McCoi'kin dale. Mooting Anglican (Tub, Friday. Mooting ar mission toot, -to-night. Man or retunmd' soldier ■.wanted. -Mooting, lied ('toss Rooms, Friday Pictures, Princess Theatre, to-night. Claims-a anted. J). G. Hogg’s estate. Claims' wanted, W. 15. Reid’s estate. K. Watt, inserts notice re accounts. Lecture, Methodist Church, -to-night

Infant s’ Outfitting Specialities. Me can oiler these tempting values in Infants' Flannelette and Wincey Gown* at 3s 9d, 3s lid, 4s (3d, 4s lid to |>s (3d; Infants’ Cambric Gowns, plain and trimmed, its lid, ds dd, ds (hi, 4s (>d. Is lid to 5s (id: Muslin and Silk Robes, very daintily trimmed lace and embroidery" Ms l id. 9" (id, 10s Od, 12s (id. Ids be 15s (3(1 to 29s (id ; Flannel and Flannelette Harms at 2s (id. ds 9d. 4s (id, 4s lid. (is (id. Ts (id to 11s (id; Infants’- Vests, in the popular lap-over make at Is Id. Is dd. Is lid; other makes 1 s (id, is Fid. 2s dd to ds (3d; Flannel and Woven Hinders at Is C>d, Is 9d and Is lid; Silk Embroidered Headsquares, worked edges, ds (3d, ds lid, 4s (3d to (3s tkl; Carrying Shawls, in embroidered cashmere, honeycomb and iianev, at -Is Fid, os 9d, (ss( 6d, <s lid, Hh- 9(1, 9s (3d- 10s (id, 12s 'Od,. Ids Od to 32s (3d; Puffs, Powder. Sponges, etc.; at all prices; Infants’ D’-esses, Petticoats, Bibs, etc., in endless variety.—H. and .1, Smith, Ltd., Prompt Service Store, Alain Street. ’Phone 131.