LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 137271, 18 June 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Eeports from tho water-front last night stated that the Maanwatu was again rising. The Dannevirko paper understands that there is a possibility of furtkor important developments in connection with the compromise arranged by tho Government in the action brought by Private C. Hill against tho Waipawa Hospital Board. A youthful-looking Maori debtor in the Napier Court told the magistrate that he had been married 21 years and had thirteen children, four of whom had died. The eldest child was married, and there were five children still at home, the eldest of whom was 21 old. An uuusnal amount: of interest appears to centre in The C. M. Ross Co. ’s Winter Sale this year. The crowd on the opening day was the largest yet, and free buying was indulged in. The public appreciate falling prices on a rising market. The present prices cannot be maintained for long; buyers would do well to got in early.*

Some very interesting local golf notes will be found on page 7 of this issue. Several letter from farmers, protesting against the levy on butter-fat, were read at the Farmers’ Union executive meeting in Auckland. During the discussion which followed Mr J. G. Wynyard expressed the opinion that the time had come when some more effective step than the mere passing of resolutions should be taken to bring before tho Government the farmers’ protest. It was therefore resolved that the executive should meet tho Auckland members of Parliament at an early date to discuss this, and other matters of interest to the farming community. The threshing returns received by the Government Statistician to May 19 from threshing mill owners show that 4,484,727 bushels of wheat have been threshed out, an increase of 909,208 bushels since April 19, The quantity of oats threshed to May 19 was 4,793,217 bushels, as against 3,282,834 returned on April 19, or an increase of 1,510,383 bushels. The wheat averaged for the areas of which particulars were furnished, 23.28 bushels per acre, and oats 32.09 bushels per acre. The quantity of wheat threshed on May 19 this year is 1,415,726 bushels short of w T hat was returned for the same date last year, and oats show a decrease of 708,059 bushels.

In the course of replying to a deputation of carpenters at Auckland the Act-ing-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) laid emphasis on the probability in the near future of many workers in the nonessential industries having to turn their attention to industries of an essential character. “I think I ought to say,” he remarked, “that if the war is going on very much longer I am afraid some of you who arc engaged in industries like carpentering will have to cast your eyes about to see if there is not some more essential industry for your employment. I am afraid that the more essential industries will have to be given prominence, and that there may not be much work in such an industry as carpentering if the war lasts for long.” Japan is now supplying sheet glass to glaziers in Australia and New Zealand. Formerly our sheet glass came either from England or Belgium, mostly from the latter country, for in order to compete satisfactorily the Pilkingtons, of St. Helens (the foremost manufacturers of glass in tho United Kingdom) established works in Belgium. Up till a little over a year ago local importers were still able to get glass from Belgium (under a permit from the British Consul at Amsterdam), but that practice has been stopped, and merchants have had to seek elsewhere for supplies. Japan has now taken up the trade in earnest, and one Wellington merchant, who landed 180 cases recently, stated that the'quality was every bit as good as Belgian glass. Japan is also sending us leather and ‘ ‘ fake ’ ’ leather goods. Tho rather startling statement was made in a city paper a few days ago that the crime records showed a greater increase in drunkenness of late in no-license than in license areas. So far as Masterton is concerned (says the “Age”), wc are free to admit that the number of convictions for drunkenness has been greater during the last few months than at any period since the district went “dry.” But it is fair toj state that the largo majority of those arrested arc strangers to the town. Most of them were inebriated when they arrived here. It is also well to explain that Masterton is in an exceedingly flourishing condition, and this fact has accounted for a large influx of men in search of work. In justice it must also be stated that the number of convictions in Carterton, which has about one-fifth the population of Masterton, has been much greater than in this town.

About two years ago a paragraph appeared concerning a Dunedin lad named Walter Broad, who was unsuccessful in passing the military test in New' Zealand owing to his being below the standard height. This young man was very koeh on enlisting. Ho was then farming, and he left his position, went to Wellington, and stowed away on board the ■steamer Rangatira, bound for England. This was in August, 1915. On arriving in London young Broad enlisted in the Bantam Battalion, but was turned down. He was determined, how r ever, not to be beaten, and accordingly went to Leicester, where he enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry, and was accepted. He subsequently went to Prance with his regiment. Up to this time his parents had not had any word concerning his whereabouts, but in November last advice was received that the lad had been wounded and was missing. No further communication has since been received.

In connection with the Commercial Travellers’ crusade, the following are extracts from some of the replies received from farmers: —Mr H. Gillies: Yes, I am delighted to help the C.T. ’a in their effort. Put me down for a fat bullock. Mr Rod. McKenzie: I will be very pleased to give you a fat bullock, as I appreciate the work you are trying to do. Mr W. Moore: Yes, but I have not a fat bullock; but you put me down for live fat sheep. Mr A. Rutledge: The C.T.’s are devoting a lot of time to this work, and I have pleasure in donating £lO 10s. Mr Chas. Carr: I have not any suitable stock, but enclose cheque for £ls 15s. Bravo to the boys. Mr E. Short, Feilding: The commercial travellers deserve support, and I enclose an order for fat stock to the value of £25 delivered from my farm. J. Linklater: If anyone deserves assistance you boys do, and I will pick you out 20 good hoggets. R. McDonald; Yes, I am going to the front and can’t take my stock with me; put me down for 10 sheep. W. O’Conner; Have read your appeal in the papers. Put me down for five fat lambs.

Nicotine is very poisonous. Even in small quantities pure nicotine causes vomiting, purging and collapse, and when you consider that many imported tobaccos contain from 4 per cent, to 5 per cent, of Nicotine, it shows how careful you must be 'in your choice. Gold Pouch Aromatic is a tobacco containing the very lowest percentage of Nicotine —but 1% per cent. —see how healthy and safe it is. More than that. Gold Pouch Aromatic is grown and manufactured in New Zealand—in buying it you are NOT sending money abroad, but are helping your own country. Recently the quality of Gold Pouch has been greatly improved and nothing more perfect and purer can possibly be produced than the new Aromatic Blend which excels all foreign tobaccos in mildness, in flavour and combustibility. 2% ozs. for one shilling. Cigarette smokers should use the N.Z. grown Three Diamonds Tobacco, better than the imported brands.

Woodvillc has always had a belief that untold wealth exists in tho hills behind that town, either in copper, gold or coal. Last week the Chamber of Commerce resolved to write to the Department of Mines asking on what terms a drill could be supplied, as the 'Chamber considers that there is strong evidence of coal in the district.

Last evening, at tho Cuba Street Methodist Church, a vspecial memorial service was held and a roll of honour unveiled to members of the Church who are serving at the front or have fallen in action. An eloquent and appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H. Haslam and Messrs. R. H. Billens and H, N. Vivian assisted in the service, Appropriate hymns and anthems were sung. The following significant paragraph from man English newspaper just to hand should be of interest, as showing preparations being made by tho Imperial Government for tho future: “The chairman of tho West Riding Agricultural Committee, reporting on the deputation to the Premier, said that Mr Lloyd George w r as emphatic that in the harvest of 1918-19 every effort must bo made to grow sufficient corn in this country to remove entirely the fear of starvation,”

The Rongotoa Dairy Co. is paying put Is 5%d for May butter-fat. Having received a further refund from the Government under tho butter-fat levy scheme for sales placed on the New Zealand market, tho company is also in a position to hand back to its suppliers all butter-fat levies paid during January, February, and March. The total amount to be paid to suppliers this month is equal to Is lid on May butterfat, which is a record price for a butter factory. Tho Tc Rehunga and Rua Roa ladies had a field day at Dannevirke on Saturday. They took a largo assortment of farm produce into town and sold it in a vacant allotment near Mr W. L. Gurr’s office, realising £l2 by their endeavours. Next Saturday the Maharahara and Kiritaki ladies will visit Daniievirko on a similar mission. The aim of the movement is to assist Miss Rout’s “Home Away From Home” at Ismalia, where several New Zealand girls are looking after the welfare of their country’s fighting men. Other district endeavours are being organised with the same end in view. It is pointed out by tho “Sydney Sun” that tho withdrawal of the P. and O. steamers from the Australian trade seriously threatens mail communication with the United Kingdom. Vessels of the P. and O. fleet have done much to keep the mail service going during the past year, and though tho company’s war losses have been heavy the gap caused- by each sinking was quickly filled by a steamer from a branch line-, and in that way irregularities in delivery of the mails were reduced to a minimum. With the big P. and O. fleet out of the running, and with no other vessels available, the position may become serious. This applies to New Zealand also, for we get much of our English mail via Sydney. Mr W. C. Chatfield, of Island Bay, Wellington, tells a good story of a gallant son of the Empire. “Jack” MeConkey, as he was known by most people, used to drive the ’bus between Wellington and Island Bay in the days before electric cars and taxi-cabs, and was well known, to those who used the road regularly. After tho trams came along, McConkey entered the employ of Sir George Clifford, in Canterbury, and having saved a little nest-egg, invested in the lease of a hotel in Lyttelton. He was so situated when the war broke out, but for all his 61 years he was determined to “have a go at the Huns,” and such was his spirit that he not only enlisted and got through himself, but induced 200 others in Lyttelton to enlist. t)n Thursday, Mr Chatfield received a letter from McConkey, together with a bit of shrapnel, which ho said had been “dug out of him” as the result of being in tho fray in France. At length the authorities had counted him out, on account of his age, but, still game, ho, declares his intention of coming out to Now Zealand and trying to enlist here again.’ And ho i 5.63 years of age!