LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 439, 20 October 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Eight rain commenced to faff throughout this district at an early hour this morning. The estate of the late Mr David Syme, tbe Australian newspaper proprietor and journalist, has been certified for probate at ,£929,481.

The revenue of the New Zealand Railways from April Ist to September 12th, totalled ,£1,242,560 compared with ,£1,189,907 for the corresponding period of the previous year. The expenditure amounted to £[925,339, as against £>854,350. Mr Haldane, Sesretary for War, speaking at Oaterham (Surrey), said that the number of the territorial force was now 200,000. Recruiting was steadily proceeding. The army, Mr Haldane declared, was never more effective than it is at the present moment.

The splendid feed on the ‘‘long acre” tempted a number of people to let their stock loose during the past week or two. The ranger laid low for a scoop, which came off yesterday morning, much to the discomfort of the stock, and also the owners, as they cakewalked to the pound to claim their own and pay up. The demand for good dairy cows (says the Taranaki News) has been so great during the past month throughout the greater portion ol the Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, and Wellington provinces that it is believed that fully a thousand more would have been absorbed had they been available, without materially affecting the prices that ruled. As a reason for the escapes from Waiotapu planting camp an exchange says the following answer, which is authentic, explains some of the ills which captive flesh in that prison camp has to bear. “Privileges!” burst out the prisoner with biting scorn. “ Privileges do you call them ?” There aren’t any privileges in that camp, mister. Why, hang me, if they haven’t stopped us now from going into the Rotorua d mces ! It was lime to clear!”

A young Jananese named K. Sando, employed as cabin boy on board the tramp steamer Mortlakc. disappeared from the vessel at Lyttelton on Wednesday night. A* he is a prohibited immigrant, the captain had to give a bond ol The day after the Moitlake left for Newcastle, the deserter was arrested by Constable Allen, at Sydenham, who is fortunate enough to earn the reward offered by the owners of the Mortlakc.

At’a meeting of the Manawatu County Council it was stated that only ,£9 4s was subscribed by residents of the Shannon District towards the cost of the political banquet held in connection with the opening of the Shannon bridge. Over /41 was spent on the function, and the local bodies (including the Manawatu County 'Council) are expected to pay the difference. At the meeting of the latter body great objection was made to paying towards the ijpjuiquet, and Cr McKenzie said that Mr Richards, of the Horowhenua County Council, had stated that if the function had been held on the bridge the local bodies might have been liable, but under the ci'curastances it was a matter for each to decide. Eventually it was decided to contribute £5 towards the cost. 4 I

Two two decker welding cakes are on view in Mr 1 ’erre.iuE window.

Mr E. Moliekey, inserts a notice of thanks to tho-e who rendered him financial assistance, during his accident.

An important meeting of the Foxton Athletic Club Committee will be held in Mr Perreau’s rooms to-night at 8 o’clock.

At the local Presbyterian church on Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Ailken said it was desirable that the church should be lit by coal gas, and stated that a special collection would be taken next Sunday week to defray cost of same. It will be interesting to learn whether the congregation will rise to the occasion, as the special offering is not in any way to interfere with the usual collections.

As a reason for the escapes from Waiotapu planting camp an exchange says the following answer, which is authentic, explains some of tbe ills which captive flesh in that prison camp has to bear. “Privileges!” burst out the prisoner with biting scorn “ Privileges do you call tbera ? There aren’t any privileges in that camp, mister. Why, hang me, if they haven’t stopped us now from going into the Rotorua dances ! It was time to clear ! ”

Public health during September appears to have been generally satisfactory throughout the dominion so far as zymotic diseases were concerned. Dr. Makgill, locum teuens for the Chief Health Officer (Dr. Mason), informed a Post reporter that there was no increase, or at any rate, no alarming or unusual increase, in scarlet fever, enteric, or diphtheric cases, and the public health as a whole may be said to have been satisfactory for the period named. The following incident may prove of more than passing interest to our readers. This morning a caller at the Town Clerk’s office found that worthy official writing away on blue sheets of foolscap as if his very life depended on the number he could fill in. Said the visitor, “ You look busy, to-day.” Tbe reply was, “Yes; I am just filling in the plaint notes for the first batch of summonses frr unpaid rates.” “ Great Scott,” cried the visitor, “don’t fill in mine; I’ll be back in less than half-an-hour.” And he was, paid up, got his receipt, and, as he walked out, the smile on his face could be distinctly seen on the other side ot the road. Don’t you see the point ? A report is afloat that an attempt was made to burn the Wanganui B)ys’College down about a fortnight ago, the circumstances plainly pointing to it being the work of an incendiary, says the Herald. In regard to the fire at the District High School the Herald is informed that there have been no fires in the fireplaces for some days. These statements, taken together with the hour of the recent outbreak, are causing some uneasiness. There were s.veral sums of money in the High School, belonging to various school funds, and though some have been found to day among the ruins, others are still missing.

Every experienced poultrykeeper knows (says the Dominion) that pullets give a belter egg yield than hens, hut the manner in which the fact is emphasised in the Blenheim egg-laving contest is rather striking. In that contest the pullets and hens are classified. There are 89 pens altogether, and of these 46 consist of pullets. The emphasis comes in the placing. At the present time all the pullets are at the top, “ hunched,” as the racing men say. The best 48 pens contain all the 46 pens of pullets and only two pens of hens. All the othar hens are “ bunched” at the bottom. The circumstance is all the more remarkable because of the fact that the hens are doubtless to some extent tested birds, some trap-nested last season ; while the pullets are, of course, merely well bred, but quite untested except by physiological rules.